CGC WILLOW (WLB-202)
Symbolism of WILLOW's Crest
Motto
A scroll Argent edged Gules doubled and inscribed "IN OMNIA PARATUS" (Prepared for Everything) in Azure.Shield
Blue, red, and white are the colors traditionally used by the Coast Guard. Gold is emblematic of honor and high achievement while red denotes valor and zeal. The white pile suggests the bow of a ship cutting through ice emphasizing USCGC WILLOW's ice breaking feature. The willow tree echoes the name of the cutter; the lightning flash symbolizes the latest electronic and technological advances that enhance the multi-mission platform of the latest WILLOW. The wavy bar recalls our coastal waterways where WILLOW enforces Marine Environmental Protection. The three sections of the wavy bar highlight all the cutters past and present named WILLOW.Crest
The lighthouse depicted is on Point Judith, Rhode Island and underscores the present WILLOW's Aids to Navigation and Search and Rescue mission; Rhode Island is the homeport of the cutter. The stylized paddle wheel together with the lighthouse commemorates the first WILLOW which was a paddle wheel tender and was assigned to the former U.S. Lighthouse Service. The mine commemorates the second WILLOW as it was commissioned by the U.S. Navy as a mine sweeper.Supporters
The Naval swords flanking the shield denote stability and the guarding of our National security. They also underscore WILLOW's enforcement of Maritime Law and Treaties (Fisheries, Drugs) and Migrant Interdiction.Source: WILLOW correspondence with the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, May 1997
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Last Modified 1/26/2012