NMI to help honor merchant mariners

The CNMI will join the rest of the nation in honoring the contributions of merchant mariners on the occasion of National Maritime Day on May 22.

Chuck Sayon, the National Park Service Deputy Superintendent for Saipan and Guam, said the islands would celebrate National Maritime Day by raising the Merchant Marine Flag at the American Memorial Park Court of Honor beginning at 8pm. The event will be followed by a small reception hosted by Seafix and Ambyth Shipping.

Sayon is inviting all crew and staff of the pre-positioned ships stationed on Saipan to join him at the American Memorial Park’s Court of Honor for the brief ceremony on May 22.

Interested merchant mariners can contact AMP Chief Ranger Bryan Piercy at 234-7207 and Ruth Coleman, deputy executive officer for the Military and Veterans Affairs Office, at 664-2650/2651 or at mobile no. 483-8910.

In a proclamation, President Bush said that America’s merchant mariners make the nation more secure and build a stronger economy.

“Throughout our history, they have promoted commerce and protected our freedom. On National Maritime Day, we honor the dedicated service of the U.S. Merchant Marine,” said the president.

Each year, the men and women of the U.S. maritime transportation system move more than 2 billion tons of cargo along the nation’s waterways and across open seas. Merchant vessels transport many of the raw materials Americans purchase, and merchant mariners ship agricultural products and finished goods in and out of the United States every day.

Merchant mariners have also served in every conflict in the nation’s history. The U.S. Merchant Marine helps provide the nation’s Armed Forces with crucial supplies and equipment.

“These brave men and women demonstrate courage, love of country, and devotion to duty, and we especially honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. The United States is safer and the world is more peaceful because of the work of our merchant mariners, and we are grateful for their service.”

The Congress, by joint resolution approved on May 20, 1933, the designation of May 22 of each year as “National Maritime Day,” and has authorized and requested that the president issue an annual proclamation calling for its appropriate observance and recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant Marines.