With U.S. troops serving overseas in the next phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, this year’s National Maritime Day ceremonies in Washington, D.C. on May 22 seemingly carried extra significance.
Throughout the stirring events hosted by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) and the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC), respectively, some of the nation’s most respected officials offered compelling words of praise for U.S. crews past and present. U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta served as keynote speakers at the MarAd ceremony, while General Richard B. Myers, USAF, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered the main address at MSC’s observance. Additionally, President Bush issued a National Maritime Day proclamation in which he cited the merchant marine’s contributions to U.S. national and economic security.
The SIU as usual brought a large group to each event—and delivered a rousing cheer for one of their own, AB Karen Domerego, who received the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal from Mineta. Domerego was honored by MarAd at the Navy Memorial along with other mariners who sailed during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The mariners were symbolic of all U.S. crews who served.
“I’m very proud to be a part of the whole thing—proud to stand up for everybody who worked,” said Domerego, who sailed aboard the Cape John for four months. The vessel delivered bombs and other ammunition for coalition forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
MarAd also honored five shippers and freight forwarders for supporting the U.S. Merchant Marine. World War II-era shipyard workers and crews also were remembered.
Mineta detailed the history of the U.S. fleet and noted the reliability of American crews. “Merchant mariners have long been the quiet heroes in our armed conflicts,” he stated. “Each time our nation’s military deployed to protect U.S. interests, the lives of America’s men and women were placed at risk. And in each one of those deployments, their logistical lifelines—merchant mariners —were right alongside, or close behind, with the tools to get the job done and return home safely.”
Commenting on the merchant marine’s role in Operation Iraqi Freedom—a war in which more than 2,000 SIU members helped deliver materiel for U.S. troops—Mineta observed, “U.S.-flag ships transported a myriad of critical cargo including Apache helicopters, multiple launch rocket systems, a multitude of wheeled vehicles including HUMVEES and fuel tankers, bulldozers and other combat engineer equipment; and ammunition to our forces. The role of the U.S. Merchant Marine once again proved crucial to victory in 2003.”
Chao reminded that audience that “merchant mariners have served in all of America’s wars.” She called particular attention to World War II, when U.S. mariners suffered a per capita casualty rate second only to the Marine Corps.
“The numbers speak for themselves: 733 U.S. cargo ships lost to enemy action; more than 6,000 American seafarers killed; and nearly 600 captured as prisoners of war,” Chao said. “But through it all, the U.S. Merchant Marine persevered. They were the crucial lifeline that kept our allies free by delivering crucial supplies and munitions during the darkest days of the war.
“Today, that proud tradition is still with us,” she added. “A strong U.S.-flag fleet was essential to support Operation Iraqi Freedom…. These steadfast mariners are still at work, transporting food and machinery to feed the Iraqi people and rebuild their country.”
She concluded that America benefits from maintaining a strong U.S. fleet. “We don’t know where the next frontline will be in the war against terrorism. But we do know that most of the supplies for our troops will probably move by sea. Once more, our armed forces will rely upon the U.S.-flag Merchant Marine to stand behind them while they stand up for us.”
During MSC’s ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, Vice Admiral David L. Brewer III, USN, commander of MSC, commended the efforts of merchant mariners throughout history. “We at MSC are proud of our civilian mariners, so it is fitting that today is set aside to acknowledge the great debt of gratitude we owe to the dedicated men and women of the U.S. Merchant Marine,” he said before introducing General Myers.
Myers enthusiastically complimented the civilian crews, and also mentioned that his uncle sailed as a merchant mariner during World War II. “What you have done for our country in Operation Iraqi Freedom is absolutely unparalleled,” Myers told the mariners in attendance. “You’re some of the nation’s often unsung heroes, but you are heroes.”
He noted that U.S. mariners “throughout history have been important to our military and economic strength.”
The general also offered these words to the students from the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education who attended the ceremony: “Thank you in advance for what you’re going to do for your nation.”
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