Last Thursday in an event at the USCG San Diego hangar, the US Postal Service dedicated the U.S. Coast Guard Forever Stamp at a ceremony honoring the role of the Coast Guard in protecting the security of our nation and advancing vital maritime interests.

The stamp shows two icons of the Coast Guard: the cutter Eagle, a three-masted sailing ship known as “America’s Tall Ship” and a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, the standard rescue craft of the Coast Guard. During an average day, Coast Guard personnel assist more than 300 people in distress, save more than $2 million in property damage, board 90 large vessels for port safety checks, conduct 120 law enforcement boardings, and investigate more than a dozen marine accidents.

The Coast Guard today has more than 49,000 active-duty men and women: 7,300 reservists; 8,300 civilian employees and 30,000 volunteer auxiliary personnel. In addition to saving lives at sea, members of the Coast Guard enforce maritime law, oversee aids to navigation, conduct icebreaking operations, protect the marine environment, respond to oil spills and water pollution, ensure port security, support scientific research at sea, combat terrorism and aid in the nation’s defense.