A host of dignitaries on May 20 paid tribute to the U.S. Merchant Marine for its 230 years of service to the nation during the 71st observance of National Maritime Day in Washington, D.C. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao; Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta; U.S. Maritime Administrator Capt. William G. Schubert; Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy Jeffrey N. Shane; Vice Admiral David L. Brewer III, commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC); and U.S. Congressman Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) each noted with praise and gratitude the varied contributions of U.S. crews past and present during events hosted by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd), MSC and the Washington Chapter of the Propeller Club.
SIU officials and a large contingent of apprentices from the union’s affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. also attended the events.
“In peace and war, the merchant marine supports the twin pillars of America’s strength: economic prosperity and national security,” Secretary Chao said during her remarks at the MarAd ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial.
“In peace they keep America working with the world by transporting our imports and exports,” she continued. “They crew the ships that conduct our worldwide commerce and they are vital to our prosperity. In war, they serve alongside our soldiers as an auxiliary to the U.S. Navy.”
Focusing on the vital role merchant mariners played during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, Secretary Chao said, “The fall of Saddam Hussein would not have happened without the assistance of the U.S. Merchant Marine fleet….When the history of this war is written, the U.S. Merchant Marine will be remembered as it has been in every war; that their service was vital to our victory.
“So today on National Maritime Day,” Secretary Chao concluded, “I am proud to be part of a celebration honoring the brave merchant mariners who have sacrificed so much to keep our country free and secure.”
Secretary Mineta, after receiving the American Spirit Medallion from National D-Day Museum President and CEO Gordon H. Mueller, reflected on the actions of merchant mariners during World War II who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation.
Merchant mariners crewed the Liberty ships, the Victory ships, and thousands of other vessels that carried troops and many tons of materiel for the Allied cause in World War II. Nearly 215,000 people served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during the campaign, and nearly one mariner in 30 died in the line of duty. In fact, the U.S. Merchant Marine suffered higher casualty rates than any branch of the armed services except the Marine Corps.
“They traveled unarmed, often into dangerous waters, to support our armed forces overseas,” Secretary Mineta said. “Their work was vital to the Allied cause, and without their sacrifice our freedom might have been lost.”
Using a quote from Supreme Allied Forces Commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower to demonstrate the role mariners played during the war, Mineta said, “Every man in this Allied command is quick to express his admiration for the loyalty, courage and fortitude of the officers and men of the merchant marine.”
Secretary Mineta said a strong U.S. Merchant Marine “is essential to support overseas military operations,” in today’s world. “More than 5,000 merchant mariners voluntarily put themselves in harm’s way to transport much-needed equipment and supplies to our troops serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom,” he said.
“Our wonderful commander in chief, President George W. Bush … appreciates the mariners who stand ready to support our nation’s commerce and nation’s armed forces whenever and wherever they are needed,” Mineta said. “At the U.S. Department of Transportation, we too stand ready to support our mariners and present.”
Maritime Administrator Capt. William G. Schubert noted that the U.S. Merchant Marine was founded in 1775, and has served in every conflict in United States history. “Merchant mariners were ready to serve their country at a moment’s notice in the past, are prepared to do so now, and will continue to be prepared in the future,” he said.
Jeffrey N. Shane, Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, was the keynote speaker during the Maritime Day ceremony at the Propeller Club. Among other issues, he discussed progress on the industry-anticipated SEA-21 program.
Noting that the comprehensive Marine Transportation System initiative is under final policy review, Secretary Shane said that SEA-21 will emphasize a new measure of leadership and coordination with DOT, and across the federal government. It will focus on leveraging funds from federal, state and local governments, as well as the private sector, to address the capital needs of the marine transportation system.
“We will also carefully examine the tax burdens on our maritime sector with the goal of improving our fleet’s and crews’ ability to compete internationally,” he said.
At the Washington Navy Yard, Vice Adm. Brewer noted, “Since 1949, Military Sealift Command has depended on America’s merchant mariners to provide the best ocean transportation system in the world. MSC is 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.
“We especially remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” the admiral concluded.
U.S. Representative Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) delivered the keynote address at the MSC event. He paid tribute to the courageous U.S. merchant mariners who have served in all conflicts.
“The stories of their (merchant mariners) sacrifices are incredible,” Congressman Taylor said.
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to the thousands of young Americans who stepped forward to serve their country in times of war like World War II,” he continued. “It was just remarkable sacrifice.
“Today we grieve that we have now lost over 700 young Americans in Iraq,” the congressman added. “But to think of the thousands if not the tens of thousands of merchant mariners who stepped forward and gave their lives during World War II is truly a testimony first to them and then to the nation that they were willing to die for.”
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