Coast Guard gift history in Opa Locka, Florida can be traced back to the early 1800s. The first Coast Guard unit was established in 1839 and served only within present-day Florida. However, by 1861, the Coast Guard had expanded its jurisdiction to include all of Florida and beyond. The first official gift from the Coast Guard was a rifle to Lieutenant Colonel William Paulding of the 1st U.S. Marines on Christmas Day in 1861. Since then, gifts have come in many forms, including donations of uniforms or equipment, money or goods for use at sea or shore installations, flowers or plants for service at stations or ports, and even miniature submarines (the "Submariners" were gifted in 1957). Today's Coast Guard is a powerful force that protects America's coasts and waters. It plays an important role during emergencies such as hurricanes and wildfires; during protests and events; during alcohol prohibition; during peacekeeping missions around the world; and more. Gifts from members of the public help keep our coast guard units operational while also providing support to those who protect our coastal communities.
A Coast Guard gift is a special and unique looking gift which can be received by someone who has been a part of the Coast Guard for many years. A Coast Guard gift may include a service or personal item, such as a watch or sunglasses. It is also often an attractive and unique way to show appreciation for service to others.
The Coast Guard gift history in Opa Locka, Florida starts with a gift from the United States Coast Guard on December 3, 1941. The Coast Guard gifted a set of binoculars to Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Ziegler in memory of their son Edward Ziegler who was killed during World War II.
Opa Locka, Florida is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 72,521 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Miami–Ft. Lauderdale–Hollywood metropolitan area. The Opa Locka Urban Area includes all of Opa Locka Township and most of unincorporated portions of Miami-Dade County east of the Lighthouse Point Bridge. The name "Opal" comes from an Indian word meaning "clear water". The first Europeans to visit what is now Opa Locka were Spanish traders working for Hernando de Soto in 1539. They named this place La Nueva Vizcaya (New Key West). A white man by the name of George Witherspoon visited this area in 1795 and called it Wetherspoon's Key because he had been sent there by General James Wilkinson as part of a military expedition against Seminole chief Manuel de la Félix y Rivera. This was also the first recorded use of the term "Opa Locka", meaning shellfish or oyster bed on Clearwater Bayou near present-day Okeechobee Springs Boulevard and I-95 Corridor Parkway
In 1853, the first coast guard gift was given. A new steamer, the USS Constitution, was donated to the Coast Guard by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail. The ship had been confiscated by the French during their war with America. The first Coast Guard Station was set up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1855. The first uniformed officer of the Coast Guard wore a blue blazer and a white shirt with green braid around his neck. In 1898, Delaware became part of the United States and gift giving began there as well. Today, Coast Guard gifts can come in many forms including books on maritime history or interesting items related to fishing or boating. Some famous Coast Guards have even become celebrities such as POTUS Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump who both received three different types of gifts from the Coast Guard (a patrol boat, a helicopter and a golf club) while visiting various US ports throughout 2018.
The Coast Guard has been gift-giving for years. In 1857, Captain George Fenton of the Revenue Cutter Service donated a small sailingboat, the "Calypso", to the Coast Guard. The first Coast Guard cutter was built in 1878 and named after Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter. In 1912, Commander Charles W. Eliot gave a tugboat, "President Cleveland" to the Coast Guard. The first coast guard station was located at Governors Island in New York City. In 1951, President Harry S Truman presented a tugboat, "Hercules" to the Coast Guard. The first USCG station was located at Port Washington Naval Shipyard in New York Harbor. In 1978, Commandant James Lister bestowed upon the Department of Homeland Security its very own harbor surveillance vessel - USCGC Miami . This became known as DHS's first gifts from Congress and it served until 1992 when it was replaced by current GCWV-1 .
Opa Locka, Florida was founded in 1871 by J.M. Opa and his son George. The community of Opa Locka is located near Jacksonville, Florida and became a major transportation hub for the area during the early 20th century. In 1924, Opa Locka incorporated as a city and quickly developed into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. Today, Opa Locka remains a vibrant community with active businesses and numerous cultural attractions.
Opa Locka is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. The population was 25,569 at the 2010 census. Opa Locka is part of the Miami metropolitan area. The first permanent white settler in what is now Opa Locka was James Sisson, who arrived in 1837 from Ireland. In 1847, J.P. Morgan organized a group of investors to purchase land near Fort Lauderdale and named it after himself- Opalocka (meaning "Island of the Indians"). The town site became known as South Dania because many Indian traders and their families lived there before moving to Palm Beach County in the early 1800s. In 1886, A.J. Fenton built a sawmill on Riverwalk Boulevard which became one of the largest mills in Broward County and prospered until 1911 when it went out of business due to competition from larger mills in neighboring counties. The first high school opened in 1909 as Miami Senior High School and later renamed Coral Gables High School; both schools remain active today as charter schools administered by Seminole Central Schools District No 1A). In 1928, A Cappella Choir Foundation moved into its current building on Northwest 8th Street which served as our Chapel for many years until Hurricane Irma destroyed it in 2018 causing significant damage aftermathed by flooding that impacted several other buildings within School district including Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School across NW 10th Ave from Chapel also damaged during Irma although not much remains standing now following extensive looting earlier this year Please visit our website www2christinecappellafoundation
Looking for a Coast Guard gift? Look no further than Coast Guard Station Opa Locka! Our team of experts can help you find the perfect gift for any occasion, and we have a wide selection of items to choose from. From commemorative coins to service tools, we have something that will make your recipient feel like a hero. Give us a call today and let us show you our selection!
The Coast Guard is a vital part of our democracy and community. Our mission is to keep our country safe by providing critical maritime security, rescuing survivors and saving property. Our gift shop offers unique and fun gifts for the coast guard member or family in your life.