The U.S. Coast Guard Reserve celebrates its 75th anniversary Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, and invites the public to help in acknowledging locally-based reservists throughout February. More than 570 reserves from around the country currently serve throughout the Pacific Northwest, providing a unique blend of civilian and military education, skills and experience to the American public. To honor our local reserve force, Coast Guard District 13 introduced a daily “Meet Your Coast Guard Reserve” series, featuring a different reservist each day throughout the month of February and highlighting their contributions to our local communities, the Coast Guard and our nation. The public can follow these personal stories on the Coast Guard Pacific Northwest blog, the Coast Guard Pacific Northwest Facebook page and Coast Guard Pacific Northwest Twitter handle: @USCGPacificNW In their civilian careers, District 13 Reservists include leaders of police departments, teachers, firefighters, small business owners and scientists. Some have supported deployments as far away as Kuwait and as local as the Oso landslide. For 75 years, the Coast Guard Reserve has taken on the job of “utility responder,” meaning reservists have the unique ability to respond to a multitude of crises and amplify the service’s ability to ensure the safety, security and stewardship of America’s waters. In their civilian careers, District 13 Reservists include leaders of police departments, teachers, firefighters, small business owners and scientists. Some have supported deployments as far away as Kuwait and as local as the Oso landslide. “Coast Guard Reservists are a valuable and flexible workforce that serve as the Coast Guard’s quick force multiplier,” said Capt. Matthew Stuck, Coast Guard 13th District reserve chief of staff. “Our reservists, possessing unique skills and experience from their military and civilian careers, will always answer our nation’s call for help and are grateful for the opportunity to serve.” The theme for this anniversary is “thank you,” as the Coast Guard would like to thank its reserve members for their enduring commitment to professionalism, patriotism and preparedness.
