File:USCGC Willow (WLB 202).COA.png

Summary

DescriptionUSCGC Willow (WLB 202).COA.png	English: USCG Buoy Tender (WLB 202) Willow Coat Of Arms
Date	1997
Source	US Army Institute of Heraldry
Author	English: United States Coast Guard
Permission (Reusing this file)	Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse This image shows a flag, a coat of arms, a seal or some other official insignia produced by the United States Army Institute of Heraldry. It is in the public domain but its use is restricted by Title 18, United States Code, Section 704 [1] and the Code of Federal Regulations (32 CFR, Part 507) [2], [3]. Permission to use these images in the USA for most commercial purposes must be obtained from The Institute of Heraldry prior to their use. Deutsch ∙ English ∙ فارسی ∙ 日本語 ∙ русский ∙ +/− – English: US Army Institute of Heraldry

Blazon

• SHIELD: Azure, on a fess wavy Argent a bar wavy Gules, on a pile of the second a willow tree eradicated Proper bearing a lightning flash bendwise Or.

• CREST: From a wreath Argent and Azure a stylized demi-paddle wheel Or superimposed by demi-horned mine Sable, overall the lighthouse on Point Judith, Rhode Island Proper.

• MOTTO: A scroll Argent edged Gules doubled and inscribed “IN OMNIA PARATUS” (Prepared for Everything) Azure.

• SUPPORTERS: On either side of the shield a Naval sword point down Proper.

• SEAL: The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white disk enclosed by a dark blue border edged on the outside with a gold rope and inscribed “USCGC WILLOW” above and “WLB 202" below in gold.

Symbolism

• SHIELD:

1. Blue, red and white are the colors traditionally used by the U.S. Coast Guard.
2. Gold is emblematic of honor and high achievement while red denotes valor and zeal.
3. The white pile suggests the prow of a ship cutting through ice, emphasizing USCGC Willow’s ice breaking feature.
4. 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.
5. The wavy bar recalls our coastal waterways where WILLOW enforces Marine Environmental Protection
6. The three sections of the wavy bar highlight all the cutters, past and present, named Willow.

• CREST:

1. The lighthouse depicted is on Judith Point, Rhode Island and underscores the present WILLOW’s Aids to Navigation and Search and Rescue mission; Rhode Island is the homeport of the cutter
2. 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
3. The mine commemorates the second Willow as it was commissioned by the U.S. Navy as a minesweeper.

• SUPPORTERS:

1. The swords flanking the shield denote stability and the guarding of our National security.
2. They also underscore WILLOW’s enforcement of Maritime Law and Treaties (Fisheries, Drugs) and Migrant Interdiction.