(Editor’s note: The Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writer’s intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis.)
Producer Crew Shows Generosity
On Nov. 7, Andrew Tlalka joined the crew of the Horizon Producer in the port of New York as a relief AB. None of the crew members had sailed with him before.On his fifth day aboard ship, he received an emergency message that his wife had passed away following a long-term health condition. He was emotionally overwhelmed and was told by Bosun Joel Lechel to go to his quarters for some private time.
Tlalka was concerned about leaving his watch; the bosun insisted. Bosun Lechel then informed the crew of the tragedy, and the crew immediately took up a collection to assist Tlalka to pay for his trip to Warsaw, Poland to attend to his family’s needs.
Captain William Boyce arranged for a bereavement airfare for him to return to Poland and also contributed $500 from the ship’s fund to help defray the cost.
It speaks very highly of the ship’s crew, both licensed and unlicensed, for their generosity in helping a shipmate in his time of need.
The amount collected was more than $1,400. There truly is a Brotherhood of the Sea.
William Bunch, Chief Steward, Horizon Producer
AMMV Dedicates WWII Memorial
On October 4, 2003, the Three Rivers Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans dedicated a memorial in Riverside Park, Sewickley, Pa. The memorial is in memory of U.S. Merchant Mariners, Navy Armed Guard and the Seabees. There is an anchor and bronze plaque that reads:
This memorial is dedicated to
THE AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINES
UNITED STATES NAVY ARMED GUARD AND SEABEES and
Those who survived
During World War II and especially
Those who made the SUPREME SACRIFICELeo Bebout, President, Three Rivers Chapter, AMMV
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