| Print | Close Window | AMO Currents - Posted: May 21, 2009 |
May 22 is National Maritime Day
Congress designated May 22 of each year as National Maritime Day by joint resolution in 1933, marking the day when, in 1819, the S/S Savannah sailed from Savannah, Georgia, to Liverpool, England, completing the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean using steam propulsion. Each year, the men and women of the American merchant marine are honored for their dedicated and valuable service to the nation’s commerce, defense and security, as are those who have lost their lives serving their country as American merchant mariners.
American civilian seafarers have a distinguished tradition of service to the nation dating to the Revolutionary War. During World War II, the merchant marine mounted a massive sealift, transporting reinforcements and supplies to Allied Forces around the world. By the end of the war, close to 7,000 merchant mariners had been killed, approximately 11,000 had been wounded and 604 had been taken prisoner. American merchant mariners provided military sealift support during the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Haiti, Somalia, Grenada and the Balkans. Merchant mariners delivered nearly 90 percent of the defense cargoes to the war zone during the first Gulf War. The U.S. merchant marine serves our Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, delivering critical equipment and vehicles and reconstruction supplies for U.S. forces.
Events in which American Maritime Officers will be participating in observance of National Maritime Day include:
National Maritime Day observance
9 a.m. — the Flag Hall of the National Museum of American History
14th and Constitution, NW - Washington, D.C.
The Smithsonian Institution will be opening its new maritime transportation exhibit and the opening ceremony will be combined with the Maritime Administration’s observance, and that of Military Sealift Command — Keynote speaker: Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
National Maritime Day Luncheon
12 noon — Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Pavilion Room
1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW - Washington, D.C.
Keynote speaker: Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
National Maritime Day ceremony
10:15 a.m. — Plaque dedication at STAR Center
11 a.m. — I.T. Parker Community Center - Dania Beach, Fla.
Sponsored by AMO, STAR Center and the Propeller Club of Port Everglades
National Maritime Day observance and memorial service
11 a.m. — Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial and Walls of Honor
South Harbor Blvd. at West 6th St. - San Pedro, Calif.
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