TO GRADUATE MEN WITH A LIKING FOR THE SEA

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 2040

JFK LIKES THE MISSION OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

Washington, D.C.  (JFK+50) Fifty-four years ago this morning, August 15, 1962, President John F. Kennedy spoke in honor of the members of the United States Coast Guard aboard the USCGC Eagle* moored at Pier 2 at the Navy Yard Annex, US Naval Station, 8th & M Streets SE here in the Nation's Capital.

The President first spoke of the history of the Coast Guard.  He said...

"This is a very ancient service in our country's history.  Its first father...Alexander Hamilton, began the USCG as a revenue collection service."

President Kennedy acknowledged, with obvious pride, that the first of ten vessels assigned to the Guard was named the Massachusetts.

JFK told the cadets...

"The mission of the Coast Guard includes 'to graduate men with a liking for the sea.'  I know that all of  you share the great affection we have for that ever-changing ocean upon we so much depend."

*USCGC Eagle is a 295' barque, a training cutter for officers-to-be in the service of the USCG.  It is the 7th CG cutter to bear the name Eagle dating back to 1792.  The cutter was originally built by the Germans in 1936 as a sail-training ship named the Horst Wessel.  It was captured by the US in April 1945 & put into the service of the United States.

SOURCES

"Remarks Aboard the Coast Guard Training Barque Eagle, August 15, 1962," The American Presidency Project, www.presidency.ucsb.edu/

"Visit of President Kennedy to USCG Eagle on 15 August 1962," July 30, 1962, by J. A. Alger, Jr., Chief of Staff, United States Coast Guard.

JFK Aboard the USCGC Eagle

August 15, 1962

JFK Library Photo

USCGC Eagle

Castillo San Felipe del Morro

San Juan, Puerto Rico (2014)

USCG Photo