Semper paratus

TL;DR -- An little known example of being "prepared" is the U.S. Coast Guard which celebrates its 235th birthday this year (this weekend). The Owasco class cutter is one example from the long history of the Coast Guard.

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Of late, we have mentioned the 250th of the U.S. and its defense organizations: U.S. Army; U.S. Navy; U.S. Marines. With these, we will be studying the history of the Revolution. Today, we start to look at the U.S. Coast Guard and its history. 

The U.S. Coast Guard birthday was celebrated at The National WII Museum in New Orleans on 4 Oct 2025. 

DoD's site provided a nice overview of the service provided by the Coast Guard over 235 years. Also, see a definition of "semper paratus" there: always ready. The coast guard got its start with Washington approving expenditures for 10 cutters in 1790. Alexander Hamilton was the founder. 

Much focus might have an emphasis on "domestic" duty of the service. But, the Coast Guard supports the U.S. Navy in times of war. And example was use of the Owasco class cutter during the Vietnam conflict. 

See Vietnam service,
"Crew cititation"

Provisioning at sea
off Vietnam with
USS Guadalupe 

U.S. Navy battleship USS New Jersey and the
U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Owasco (WHEC-39)
off Vietnam in 1968

Paul Switlik (John's brother) served as an Electrician Mate on the USCGC Owasco (WHEC-39) on its Vietnam tour in 68/69. He tells the story of the photo . 

The Stars & Stripes newspapers had us come along side this big baby for the photo shoot. The headline read:

big N & little o says: "No TO THE VIETCONG"

The New Jersey was firing her 16" guns which was shaking the hell out of us. We kept hollering, get us the hell out of here before all of our nuts and bolts come loose.  

Remarks: Modified: 08/05/2025

08/05/2025 - Changed photos to clearer version. Added one for the rendezvous with the USS New Jersey. Included comment by Paul about the photo event with the battleship. 

U.S. Coast Guard History Program

Cannons from Ticonderoga

TL;DR -- George Washington took control of the Revolutionary Army on 3 Jul 1775. He spent 11 months in the Boston area. Henry Knox convinced Washington that he could bring cannons from Fort Ticonderoga which Ethan Allan had captured earlier in the year. Knox succeeded, and the cannons were placed on a hill overlooking the British encampment which resulted in the evacuation of Boston.  

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Early, in our research, we saw a reference in Joseph Felt's book on Ipswich to cannons from Fort Ticonderoga being used at Boston during the Revolutionary War. This British fort has been captured by the Green Mountain Boys of Ethan Allen. 

Traversing winter landscape
in New England pulling cannons
(took months)

Yesterday's look at George Washington's role during the Siege of Boston got us to look further. Below, we summarize what happened and provided links to further research. 

• Washington Takes Command of the Continental Army - Massassachusetts History's overview. 
• Henry Knox Trail - this page shows commemorative markers along the route taken by Knox. 
• The Knox Trail - report by the Hudson River Valley History organization about the 1926/7 effort by the States of New York and Massachusetts which provided the map below. 
• The guns of Ticonderoga - gives an overview of the event, with the consequence of the British rmoving their huge force and ships. 
• Dragging cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston, 1775 - letter from Knox to Washington written along the way. 
• Henry Knox Cannon Trail - there are two Revolutionary War Routes in the Hudson River Valley covered in the page. The second is the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route related to northern events in the war during which the French joined in the fray. After success in the north, the majority of the focus was the south.  

There's a lot more to look at. But, the cannons had arrived by March, later than expected. Once they were in place, the British commander opted for them to leave. But, looking at the size of the equipment available to the British, one is amazed by the success of the maneuver. 

• On the night of March 4, the cannons were moved into position on Dorchester Heights, overlooking the city and the harbor. On March 5, when British General William Howe learned what the colonists had done, he exclaimed that “these fellows have done more work in one night than I could make my army do in three months.” On March 6, 1776, he gave the order to prepare for evacuation. On Saint Patrick’s Day 1776, 120 ships carried 9,000 British soldiers, 1,200 dependents, and 1,100 Loyalists out of Boston. On the deck of one ship, the merchant George Erving told other Loyalists, “Gentlemen, not one of you will ever see that place again.”

Remarks: Modified: 08/01/2025

08/01/2025 - Edit typos; changed Felt's book from Salem to Ipswich; added image of the cannons being pulled by oxen, horse, and men. 

George Washington in Boston

TL;DR -- George Washington was in Boston MA for eleven months in 1775/6. He was joined by Martha during the latter part of that period. Siege of Boston? That was the event. 

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We are still in the time of the Siege of Boston, in 1775. It started back in the spring months and continued into 1776 when the British were evacuated. The day is celebrated in Boston on March 17 which is St. Patrick's Day, too. 

This post will consider the time that George Washington spent in Boston during those 11 months. For one thing, we could look at the houses that he occupied. 

• Wadsworth House - This is the house of Benjamin Wadsworth who was 8th Head of Harvard. 
• Longfellow House - This larger house had been occupied by the troops of Col. John Glover, but Washington moved in 16 Jul 1775. He and some senior officers lived there. Many came to visit Washington and conduct business such as Gen. Nathanael Greene who later would be given a lot of responsibility. Martha joined him in December of 1775. 
• Christ Church Cambridge - George and Martha attended a service on New Year's Eve of 1775. The church was closed and its organ melted down to make bullets. 

There are many others that we can report on as we get into details of the Revolution. 

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Let's step back a two decades. Washington was involved, as a young man, with the French Indian affair. This New England report provides some commentary on the period: The French and Indian War: A New York Perspective.  

Earlier, we had a post about Lord Fairfax who was related to Washington. 

Remarks: Modified: 07/31/2025

07/30/2025 - 

Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts

TL;DR -- Artillery comes to mind when thinking of the defense of the U.S. The effort to defend the U.S. started early. An organization with "ancient" roots was reorganized in Massachusetts. The modern organization devoted to recognizing the service goes by the name of Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. We will be looking further at their mission.  

--- Theme: 250th, Army, Navy, Marines. 

Effort at protecting what became the US started early. In 1637, a London-based company was restarted here by members who had come over as colonists. 

The organization by the name of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts (A&HAC) was a colonial version of the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) of London. The HAC was founded by King Henry VIII in 1537. Artillery in those days consisted of the longbow and equivalent. Gunpowder was still in the future on the islands. 

The HAC is now a Regiment of the Royal Army.  

The A&HAC was formed in 1637 which was during the period of the Great Migration (1620-1640). Many members had belonged to the HAC prior to their leaving for the colonies. There are Hereditary Societies in the U.S. for which descendants of A&HAC members with known lineage can join the "THE OLDEST CHARTERED MILITARY ORGANIZATION". 

Women Descendants A&HAC

Remarks: Modified: 07/15/2025

07/15/2025 - 

250th, US Marines

TL;DR -- The 250th for the US Marines is in November of 2025. Their media page has a list of events for the year with a major kickoff occuring at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans earlier this year. Featured at their site is a photo showing the change in rifles over the 250 years. 

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The message from the US Marines on their 250th page: Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fidelis and Happy Birthday! Their start was on 10 Nov 1775. 

The year, just started on 4 Jul 2025, leads up to the 250th of the Nation which will be celebrated in June of 2026. The Marine page shows a schedule for activities for the public in 2025. An early event was the celebration held this year at Super Bowl LIX which was held in New Orleans, LA. 

From the Marine media page: 

• Since its founding in 1775, the United States Marine Corps has earned a distinguished reputation as one of the world's premier naval infantry forces. This legacy is built on an unwavering fighting spirit, strict adherence to the highest standards, and formidable marksmanship skills. This legacy was forged in combat using a tool of warfare that has evolved dramatically over the last 250 years - the rifle.

Rifles used by US Marines

Remarks: Modified: 08/02/2025

08/02/2025 - The U.S.Coast Guard has a commemoration for its 235th on 4 Aug 2025.  

Navy and Nation, 250th

TL;DR -- The US Navy celebrates its 250th all year with visits to American cities. Their first vessel was owned by a veteran of Bunker Hill who was from Marblehead, MA. 

--- Theme: 250th, Army, Navy, Marines. 

We are in the year leading up to the 250th of the U.S. It took some effort to get the Independence sought with the Declaration that is celebrated. Conflict was regular and required organized support. Hence, the U.S. Army was founded last month, June 1775.  Later in that year, October, the U.S. Navy was founded. They are celebrating all year with a visit to 15 cities. 

We have mentioned the 1st vessel that was under their command: USS Hannah, schooner, owned by Col. John Glover of Massachusetts who also served at Bunker Hill. The schooner was ordered into service by Gen George Washington on 2 Sep 1775 a month before the official start. 

USS Hannah

Remarks: Modified: 08/02/2025

08/02/2025 - The U.S. Coast Guard has its 235th birthday celebration on 4 Aug 2025.  

Toward the 250th

TL;DR -- The 249th came and started the clock for the 250th and for activity leading up to the celebration next year. Not that there hasn't been activity to date. We need to remember the 400ths as well. 

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We just had the 249th this weekend. On the 1st of July, our post was about Rev. John Wise who inspired the Declaration of Independence. On the 3rd of July, President Trump was at the Iowa State Fair to kick off the year up to 4th Jul 2026. "lookback" was used which is what we can do over the period of this 250th in the making. 

Earlier we had mentioned that on this date, the colonists were still involved with the Siege of Boston during which the battle of Bunker Hill was fought. There will be plenty of material to cover, on several levels. 

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Let's stop to show a countdown which can be visited on several sites. 

America250, countdown

Countdown250 will be a regular theme. At the same time, we will bring in tidbits about the 400th of Naumkeag which was renamed to Salem, at a later date. 

Remarks: Modified: 07/15/2025

07/11/2025 -  Added link to the countdown.