American Merchant Marine Veterans “Storm the Hill”
Washington, D.C.

National Maritime Day in the United States of America May 22, 2017

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May 22, 2017 Ottawa-MNCTP

(From left): Mr. Morris Harvey, President, American Merchant Marine Veterans, and company laying a wreath at the Merchant Navy Day of Remembrance ceremony, National War Memorial, Ottawa, in September 2014.

Today – Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP), provided his best wishes to American Merchant Marine Veterans on their National Maritime Day that took place on May 22, 2017.

It was on the historic day of May 22, 1819, when the first American steamship the SS Savannah set sail from Savannah, Georgia to Liverpool, England. This was the first transoceanic voyage fueled by steam. National Maritime Day was created by the United States Congress on May 20, 1933.

During World War II, more than 250,000 Merchant Marine sailed the treacherous oceans of the world. Over 6,835 American Merchant Marine were killed and over 11,000 wounded. In addition, 604 Merchant Mariners were taken prisoners of war, resulting in 61 casualties within POW camps. Over 2,199 Canadian Merchant Navy Seaman were killed in both WWI and WWII. 

Today, the typical age of our American Merchant Marine and Allied Merchant Navy Veterans are in their late 80s and 90s. The Canadian Merchant Navy, after a painstaking (over) half-a-century of neglect, were finally granted Veterans’ status in 1992, and received compensation in 2000. Our American Merchant Marine Veterans were officially recognized in 1988, but are still fighting for just compensation 70 years later.

In an effort to generate awareness, Mr. Ouellette invited representatives of the American Merchant Marine to attend the Merchant Navy Day ceremony in Ottawa, on Sunday, September 7, 2014. This was the first time in history that the Canadian, Allied Merchant Navy, and American Merchant Marine Veterans jointly participated in such a remembrance event.

In a typical fashion to the relentless and tireless efforts of the Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans’ campaign to gain recognition and compensation, AMMV representatives have been “Storming the Hill” in Washington, D.C., on the days leading up to May 22, 2017, as they similarly did in 2015.
Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans had to resort to a hunger strike on Parliament Hill to wake up Canadians. And they were mainly in their mid-70s. The courageous American Merchant Marine Veterans are in their mid-to-late 90s.

Our national and international maritime history is disparate, highly fragmented, and virtually unknown by the common person.  In fact, the American Merchant Marine and Allied Merchant Navy Veterans are perhaps the most marginalized group of war veterans in world history.

Indeed, in his web article, “The Forgotten Heroes of World World War II,” the late
Mr. Bruce L. Felknor, WWII radioman for the American Merchant Marine, stated:

“National Maritime Day is celebrated every year on May 22. In its 72 years it has become the nation's most ignored national day, memorializing its most forgotten great accomplishment, and honoring the most ignored vital element of its military capability, the U.S. Merchant Marine.”

Maritime Day is a special day which recognizes the rich seafaring history of the United States. Although the Merchant Marine has always played a crucial economic role, it is their wartime service that we must recall each year on May 22nd.The American Merchant Marine has been visible in every war and conflict dating back to the Revolutionary War and right up through the ongoing War on Terror.

Given Canada’s and the United States of America’s proud dual heritage and strong European ties, world governments must stop relegating such important elements of our past to the outskirts of present day policy.  We must ensure that the stories of our American Merchant Marine and Allied Merchant Navy are told alongside their military and civilian counterparts.

Quotes

“They have delivered the goods when and where needed in every theater of operations across every ocean in the biggest, the most difficult, and dangerous transportation job ever undertaken.  As time goes on there will be greater public understanding of our merchant fleet’s record during this war.”

– President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Statement on the U.S. Merchant Marine, September 19, 1944

“During World I and World War II, many courageous men and women came together in a united front, fought for all of humanity under unthinkable conditions, and against unimaginable odds. Now, we must rise to the challenge and create a new united front to preserve their memories, and the way of life for which so many perished.”

“We must now stand united, without hesitation, and demonstrate our unwavering support to the remaining men and women of the American Merchant Marine and the Allied Merchant Navies. No human being is beyond owing them their due recognition. Let North America take a global lead, and show the world how seriously we take OUR FREEDOM, and that we are eternally grateful to our Veterans for ensuring its preservation.

– Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and CEO, MNCTP

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