History of the US Life-Saving Service Grave Markers

While on a Memorial Day visit to my grandfather's grave on Cape Cod, I noticed that a man who had served with him in the U.S. Life Saving service had no marker to denote his meritorious service in what was a dangerous occupation.

I combined some simple elements to offer what I think is an appropriate marker for the many thousands of men who served in the United States Life Saving Service.

The shield background is the shape of brass Surfmans' Patrol Check. The crossed oar and boathook logo is that of the U.S. Life Saving Service. The dates are the period when the USLSS existed, before being combined with the Revenue Cutter Service in 1915 and thereafter known as the U.S. Coast Guard.