Whether you are a member of the Coast Guard, know one, or have accidently brushed up against one while riding the subway, this is truly a holiday worth celebrating. Like Veterans Day and Memorial Day, National Cost Guard Day is a time to reflect on the men and women who risk their lives regularly to defend and protect our country. Similarly, National Cost Guard Day may be a reflective holiday, but it is also a day of festive family fun with picnics being the primary way of celebrating this important day.

Here are a few summer party ideas with a nautical twist, Celebrations way of tipping its hat to the maritime heroes.

Simple, yet sophisticated these Seashell Sugar Cookies by Oh Sugar! Events are almost too pretty to eat. Serve them on a platter of graham cracker “sand” or a nautical striped plate, either way they will disappear fast than you can say, “she sells seashells down by the seashore”!

Seafood gets a facelift in this recipe for Fried-Oyster Sliders courtesy of Esquire. A savory snack that embodies summertime by the sea with their bit-sized potato bun and its crunchy catch-of-the-day filling, these mini morsels a perfect pair to a crisp summer wine or a freshly tossed salad.

On that seafood note, the Hostess with the Mostess shares her seaside celebration secrets for a Summer Clambake that any troop would be happy to have thrown in his or her honor. Large or small clambakes are fun and festive way of celebrating the season’s fresh catches with friends, family and plenty of food. Check out the Hostess Blog for neat décor and activity ideas for your next clambake, as well as some scrumptious menu options that will help even landlocked mermaids feel at home.