Wilmington, N.C., recertified as a Coast Guard City

Document Number: 2455

Fifth District
U.S. Coast Guard

Feature Release

Date: July 26, 2008
Contact: Petty Officer Kip Wadlow
(757) 434-7730

Wilmington, N.C., recertified as a Coast Guard City

WILMINGTON, N.C., - Rep. Mike McIntyre of North Carolina's 7th congressional district, and Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo prepare to dedicate a wreath to honor the military servicemen and women stationed throughout the world, during the "Coast Guard City" recertification ceremony, Saturday, July 26, 2008. The ceremony marked the second time the city of Wilmington was honored as a Coast Guard City. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Kip Wadlow)

WILMINGTON, N.C. - The Coast Guard bestowed the title of "Coast Guard City, USA" to Wilmington, N.C., during a recertification ceremony today.

The ceremony marks the second time Wilmington has been honored.

"This is the highest honor the United States Coast Guard can bestow upon any city," said Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo. "The city truly values its relationship with the Coast Guard and will continue to strive to live up to the honor of being a Coast Guard City."

Rep. Mike McIntyre, of North Carolina's 7th congressional district, cited the Coast Guard's dedicated service to the community of Wilmington and the citizens of North Carolina from the service's founding on Aug. 4, 1790 through the present day.

"Because of your readiness, you've given us a history to be proud of, a heritage to treasure and a hope for tomorrow," said McIntyre.

WILMINGTON, N.C., - Coast Guard Seaman Houston Edwards and Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Harris, from Coast Guard Station Oak Island, N.C., accept a wreath from Rep. Mike McIntire of North Carolina's 7th congressional district, and Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo during the "Coast Guard City" recertification ceremony, Saturday, July 26, 2008. The wreath was dedicated to honor U.S. servicemen and women, both past and present and placed in the Cape Fear River. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Kip Wadlow)

The "Coast Guard City, USA" program was established Nov. 13, 1998, after a law (Section 409 of Public Law 105-383) was enacted to formally allow the city of Grand Haven, Mich., to become the first Coast Guard City, USA.

The designation of "Coast Guard City, USA," recognizes a community's effort in meeting the needs of local Coast Guard personnel through its many actions, activities and events, while maintaining a robust, on-going relationship between the community as a whole and the local Coast Guard units.

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Coast Guard Cmdr. Douglas Fears, the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence, and 2-year-old son Joshua enjoy a candid moment with Rep. Mike McIntyre of North Carolina's 7th congressional district following the Wilmington "Coast Guard City" recertification ceremony, Saturday, July 26, 2008. Since the Coast Guard's founding in 1790, there have been a total of six cutters by the named Diligence; all of them have been home ported in Wilmington. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer Kip Wadlow

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