The Academy class ring symbolizes one's youth, pride, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty. Through the Golden Legacy Program, your class ring can also keep you connected to the Long Blue Line forever.
This program, which began in 2009 (read The Bulletin article), offers alumni the chance to form a special bond and lasting link with the future officers of the Coast Guard. By donating your class ring to the program, it will be melted down and mixed with new gold to forge the class rings for the next generation of Coast Guard officers. This process will continue in perpetuity, linking you with the generations that will follow in your footsteps. Ring donors are recognized at a special ceremony held each spring during the Third Class Cadet Formal.
Learn more about the program and our donors by clicking the image below.
Watch the 2022 virtual ceremony between 1972/2022 by clicking below.
Interested in Donating?
To participate, alumni or family members in possession of a deceased alum's ring may send their rings to the USCGA Alumni Association. We’re happy to accept all Academy rings, including miniatures.
If you wish to donate your ring, please either submit via our online form Golden Legacy Ring Donation Online or complete the Golden Legacy Donation Form (pdf) and mail it along with the ring and any appraisal
documentation to
Laura Holveck
USCGA Alumni Association
47 Mohegan Ave.
New London, CT 06320
We recommend requesting your jeweler to remove the stone from your ring while it is being appraised. The melting process occurs at the Academy during the melting ceremony and the ring cannot be used with the stone.
If you wish to take a charitable tax deduction for your donation, please consult the Internal Revenue Service Publication #561, Determining the Value of Donated Property. Obtaining an appraisal of the donated item is the responsibility of the donor, not the donee. You may want to utilize your personal property/homeowner’s insurance appraisal to determine the fair market value (FMV) of the property at the time the contribution is made.
For more information email Laura Holveck or call 860-442-2683 ext. 14.