Clearwater Newly Designated a Coast Guard City

NEW YORK - The City of Clearwater, Fla., is now one of just 14 cities throughout the nation to be designated as a Coast Guard City, according to a Jan. 25 press release. The designation, endorsed by Congress and the Coast Guard, is made to recognize the outstanding support the community provides to Coast Guard personnel and their families. The City will celebrate this prestigious honor on Jan. 27, beginning at 6 p.m., in downtown Clearwater’s emerging Cleveland Street District on the Blast Friday Stage.

The evening will feature Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard as the Master of Ceremonies, along with the Clearwater Police and Fire Departments Joint Honor Guard and the Coast Guard Honor Guard posting the colors, as well as music by the Coast Guard Quintet. Representatives from the Coast Guard and federal, state and local officials will also be present.

Clearwater, Florida has a close relationship with the Coast Guard as more than 650 Coast Guard personnel are located throughout the city and neighboring communities. It is a vital element of the city’s citizenry and culture and the community is home to more than 160,000 veterans and their families.

In order to support the Coast Guard and its families, the City of Clearwater coordinates numerous community recognition events and programs. The city recognizes the Coast Guard Persons of the Year, participates in the annual Coast Guard Birthday Celebration, provides special welcome aboard packages to all arriving Coast Guard Personnel, hosts the Coast Guard Band at Ruth Eckerd Hall, and assists the Coast Guard whenever needed.