This month, our industry looks forward to National Maritime Day on May 22. It’s a day of appropriate recognition for the U.S. Merchant Marine, first approved by Congress 75 years ago.Some of the Maritime Day observances in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere at times have focused on the U.S. Merchant Marine’s vital, heroic role in World War II. Those ceremonies are deeply appreciated and quite fitting.
But, National Maritime Day is about the whole history of the nation’s mariners, right up to present day. After all, the original Congressional resolution establishing the day was enacted in 1933, some eight years before America entered WWII.
The overall sentiment of Maritime Day was captured quite well in the opening lines of the 2007 presidential proclamation: “America has a proud maritime history, and the United States Merchant Marine has played a vital role in helping meet our country’s economic and national security needs. On National Maritime Day, we honor merchant mariners for their dedication to promoting commerce and protecting our freedom.”
Today’s Seafarers are proudly upholding the traditions of “promoting and protecting” the United States of America. For example, SIU members recently helped our armed forces achieve a milestone with deliveries of MRAPs, a relatively new military vehicle that is literally a lifesaver for our troops who are serving in harm’s way. Seafarers have answered the call from the very first moments of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, just as we did in World War II, when more than 1,200 of our members made the ultimate sacrifice.
Away from the spotlight, SIU members steadily continue getting the job done in the commercial sector, sailing aboard tankers, containerships, tugboats and other vessels that contribute to the nation’s economy and economic security.
This month also marks the annual convention of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, an organization mostly composed of mariners who sailed in World War II, but one that enthusiastically welcomes today’s mariners, too. The SIU in recent years has supported the AMMV’s push to enact legislation calling for compensation to World War II mariners or their surviving spouses. We will continue supporting the bill, titled The Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act.
To our brothers and sisters in the AMMV, many of whom sailed SIU, I say, “Don’t give up the fight.” As you know, it took more than 40 years to secure veterans’ status for the WWII mariner. The numbers have thinned, but this is a group that’s not easily deterred.
The bottom line is that recognizing the U.S. Merchant Marine of World War II at National Maritime Day ceremonies is heartwarming and proper. It certainly would be no less appropriate to show our country’s gratitude by enacting the Belated Thank You bill.
From the Heart
On occasion, Seafarers may have heard me say that in many ways I view the SIU as a big family, rather than just a union. I don’t care if it sounds corny because the sentiment comes straight from the heart.
That feeling was reinforced last month when I heard the graduation speeches of the seven SIU members who just completed recertification at the union affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. They come from different backgrounds, and their individual stories have unique elements. But, the common thread is that they found a home in the SIU – and they have wisely taken advantage of the career opportunities here to make a good living and provide for their families.
In the long run, that’s what the SIU is all about. We are proud to be part of America’s fourth arm of defense. We are proud to represent the world’s best-trained crews. We are proud of our contracts and our productive, respectful relationships with other unions and other entities from throughout the maritime industry, whether we’re talking about labor, management, government or the military. We most definitely are proud of our affiliated school in Piney Point.
But first and foremost, we are about jobs and job security – and, by extension, helping SIU members and their families live the American dream.
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