Clearwater Celebrates Status as ‘Coast Guard City’ Friday Night

Posted Jan 26, 2012 by Howard Altman

Updated Jan 26, 2012 at 08:14 PM

The Coast Guard, with its Air Station Clearwater and the Station Sand Key, has a long history with the city of Clearwater, and Friday night, the city will celebrate its designation as a “Coast Guard City” – one of only 14 in the nation.

The designation was endorsed by Congress and the Coast Guard and recognizes “the outstanding support the community provides to Coast Guard personnel and their families,” according to Clearwater officials.

According to Coast Guard and city officials:

The public is invited to celebrate this prestigious honor Friday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m. at the intersection of Cleveland Street and Garden Avenue in downtown Clearwater on the Blast Friday Stage. Adm. Robert J. Papp, Commandant of the Coast Guard, Congressman C.W. Bill Young, Coast Guard Auxiliary and additional state and local officials will attend and Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard will be Master of Ceremonies for the event.

The Clearwater Police and Fire Departments Joint Honor Guard with the Coast Guard Honor Guard will post the colors, and music will be provided by the Coast Guard Quintet.

The Coast Guard will set up displays at Station Square Park just east of the stage. Attendees will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Coast Guard displays, and information about careers in the Coast Guard will be available.

The Coast Guard plays a critical role in the safety and well-being of Clearwater’s residents with more than 650 Coast Guard personnel located throughout the city and neighboring communities. It is a vital element of the city’s citizenry and culture. More than 160,000 veterans and their families also live in Pinellas County.

To support its Coast Guard families, the City of Clearwater coordinates community recognition, events and programs. The city recognizes the Coast Guard Persons of the Year; participates in the annual Coast Guard Birthday Celebration; provides welcome aboard packages to all arriving Coast Guard Personnel; hosts the Coast Guard Band at Ruth Eckerd Hall; and assists the Coast Guard when needed.

The first Coast Guard City was Grand Haven, MI, which received the designation Nov. 13,  1998, according to the Coast Guard.

“The very nature of the Coast Guard’s mission creates a need for understanding between the Coast Guard and the local community,” according to the Coast Guard website. “Coast Guard commands everywhere are urged to develop the kinds of relationships that enable unit commanders to sense public attitudes and interests.

“In turn, many cities have made special efforts to acknowledge the professional work of the Coast Guard men and women assigned to their area. Making Coast Guard men and women and their families feel at home in their home away from home is an invaluable contribution to morale and service excellence. The Coast Guard is pleased to recognize Coast Guard Cities—those cities that have extended so many considerations to the Coast Guard family and their dependents.”