In honor of the U.S. Coast Guard's 219th birthday, Gov. M. Jodi Rell has proclaimed today as Coast Guard Day in Connecticut.

"It is our responsibility to honor the men and women who serve in our Coast Guard and express sincere and earnest gratitude for their unselfish contributions to freedom," Rell said in the proclamation.

From its genesis as the Revenue Marine in 1790 under the Treasury Department, the Coast Guard traces its roots to other distinct federal services - the U.S. Lighthouse Service, the Steamboat Inspection Service and the U.S. Life-Saving Service.

Today, according to the Coast Guard, "nearly 42,000 active-duty, 7,484 reserve, 7,659 civilian and 29,000 auxiliary personnel use 247 cutters, 1,850 boats and 204 aircraft to save lives, protect property, ensure the prosperity of our maritime nation, facilitate maritime commerce and protect our nation against all hazards and all threats."