Photograph of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp (right) and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael Leavitt (left) take part in a Coast Guard Veteran's Day wreath laying ceremony at the Coast Guard Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery Nov. 11, 2011.

ARLINGTON, Va., - Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp (right) and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael Leavitt (left) take part in a Coast Guard Veteran's Day wreath laying ceremony at the Coast Guard Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery Nov. 11, 2011. All three spoke about the importance of the day and thanked veterans for their service. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.

 

Photograph of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp (right) and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael Leavitt (left) take part in a Coast Guard Veteran's Day wreath laying ceremony at the Coast Guard Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery Nov. 11, 2011.

ARLINGTON, Va., - Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp (right) and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael Leavitt (left) take part in a Coast Guard Veteran's Day wreath laying ceremony at the Coast Guard Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery Nov. 11, 2011. All three spoke about the importance of the day and thanked veterans for their service. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.

 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Coast Guard honored veterans of the service during a wreath-laying ceremony Friday held at the Coast Guard World War I Memorial,  Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.

Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, Jane Holl Lute, joined Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael Leavitt in the Veterans Day, wreath-laying ceremony.  The Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard and the Coast Guard Ceremonial Band also participated in the event.

"The Department of Homeland Security is fortunate to have the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard protecting our coastline and maritime interests around the world," said Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute. "They carry on the great tradition of those who have served in defense of our freedom. As a former member of the U.S. Army, it is an honor to remember the Coast Guardsmen who lost their lives in World War I, and to recognize the service and sacrifice of all of our Veterans."

"Our Nation has always had absolute confidence in, [the fact] that our citizens will step forward during our greatest hour of need, to selflessly defend our freedoms, and when necessary, to lay their lives on the altar of patriotism," said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp. "This willingness embodies the essence of service...and what it truly means to be called a veteran."

The Coast Guard monument at Arlington National Cemetery was dedicated May 23, 1928 as a tribute to the Coast Guardsmen who lost their lives in World War I. The monument is inscribed with the names of Coast Guardsmen who were killed during the war. The southeast side is dedicated to the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa, sunk by an enemy submarine in Bristol Channel Sept. 26, 1918. The northwest side is dedicated to the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca, which lost 11 Coast Guardsmen while salvaging the torpedoed British Steamer Wellington in the Bay of Biscay Sept. 17, 1918. The architect was George Howe and the sculptor was Gaston Lachaise.

Six cutters were sent to Europe for convoy duty while smaller cutters patrolled the U.S. Coast Guard during World War 1. Coast Guardsmen were also integrated into Navy commands and Coast Guard officers commanded several Navy air stations and ships.

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