The U.S. Coast Guard in New London is intertwined with the fabric of the city, so last month’s (May) recertification ceremony was a proud day for the Coast Guard and all of New London.
“This is the highest honor the United States Coast Guard can bestow upon any city,” New London Mayor Michael Passero said. “We are proud of our partnerships with the Coast Guard and honored that the city continues to be recognized as a Coast Guard City.”
Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl L. Schultz, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, and Mayor Passero were in attendance at the event at City Pier.
The relationship between the Coast Guard and the city is a symbiotic one, with both helping one another out when needed.
The Coast Guard City program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1998, with the goal of recognizing a community’s efforts to support Coast Guard personnel stationed there.
The U.S. Coast Guard contends that making Coastees and their families feel at home in their home away from home is an important contribution to morale and service excellence.
New London donated the land where the Coast Guard Academy is located. The city also donated a piece of land that will house a National Coast Guard Museum.
New London received the designation by U.S. Congress in 2015, the only city in the state to have received such an honor. In fact, there are only 28 Coast Guard Cities in the nation, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.