Merchant mariners have an important place in Veterans Day ceremonies

On this Veterans Day morning, I had the honor of laying a wreath and saying a few words at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. 

 
We gather on Veterans Day to remember all the veterans who have defended freedom and democracy against the forces of tyranny and oppression around the world, but this occasion was especially to recall the bravery, skill, and camaraderie of the generation who fought in the Second World War.  

As Secretary of Transportation, I represented the United States Merchant Marine at the ceremony.  Merchant mariners have an important place in our national story, and they wrote a particularly compelling chapter in World War II.

 
Throughout our history, our Armed Forces have needed the Merchant Marine to support any overseas conflict or emergency.  Merchant mariners command and sail the commercial ships that carry the supplies, and, in many conflicts, carried the troops.

In World War II, merchant mariners crossed hostile waters in all the oceans of the world.  More than 6,000 of them lost their lives.  General Dwight Eisenhower, the commander of the D-Day invasion, said, “When final victory is ours, there is no organization that will share its credit more deservedly than the Merchant Marine.”

Our merchant mariners continue to serve America, supporting our Armed Forces.  More than 85% of the supplies and equipment for the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are carried aboard ships crewed by civilian mariners.

Let us remember all these brave individuals who risked their lives crossing the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Persian Gulf, and many other seas to transport essential goods or bring soldiers and others out of harm’s way.  They served bravely to preserve the freedoms we enjoy, and it is right to remember them with honor and with gratitude.

Comments

[Louise Dyble]

It's nice to see this. My father was a merchant marine in Vietnam, and the VFW did not recognize his service and would not let him join. Over the course of his career, he risked his life all over the world supporting American troops directly and indirectly. Thank you.

[Michael E. Bailey]

The Merchant Marine has played a major role in supporting our armed forces and those of our Allies. My father was in the Merchant Marine. He had an uncle who was a ship captain and so one day when his uncle's ship docked at San Pedro it came in a man short and my dad signed on. That was in the 1930s. My dad went through the big Merchant Marine strikes of that time and sailed mostly to points in Asia like the Phillipines, Hong Kong, Shangi, Japan. He did several trips on the Matson Liner Lurline from Oakland to Honolulu. When the Germans invaded Norway, dad was on a ship in Bergan Harbor. German artillery was coming down the port road, so the ship got up steam and weighed anchor. Several torpedo boats came after it and one fired a shot across the bow, forcing the ship to stop and go back to Bergan. The ship and crew were interned in Norway and didn't get released until 1941. All but the captain came back a short time before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. The Captain died and is burried in Norway. During the war, my dad made runs to North Africa and the Russian Run to Murmansk. He was on ships up into the Korean War. After that, he went into the oil business as an oil rig driller for a number of years Then, he got to be Radio Officer on an offshore oil exploration ship for Shell Oil and died in 1961. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[locksmiths]

wow I have never known about this place. And these types of places are very important for the glory of these people. i would love to see more picture in in
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[Teresa Fabricius]

I want Secretary LaHood to know that his support of the United States Merchant Marine means a great deal to the parents of midshipmen at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Thank you for acknowledging the contributions in support of our country that have been made throughout history. We are proud of our sons and daughters who are preparing to continue that important role.

[Merchant Accounts]

That was in the 1930s. My dad went through the big Merchant Marine strikes of that time and sailed mostly to points in Asia like the Phillipines, Hong Kong, Shangi, Japan. He did several trips on the Matson Liner Lurline from Oakland to Honolulu. When the Germans invaded Norway, dad was on a ship in Bergan Harbor. German artillery was coming down the port road, so the ship got up steam and weighed anchor. Several torpedo boats came after it and one fired a shot across the bow, forcing the ship to stop and go back to Bergan.

[Sam DeBono]

My Uncle Richey

Was a merchant marine god bless his sole!
He was a wonderful man and quite a character, larger than life. He had so many stories to tell that I could just listen for hours.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

[Locksmith]

BEST wishes to all Merchant Marine's

We Salute YOU!

[Locksmith Miami]

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Regards,
Andy Wilson

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