Courtesy Photo | From left, Capt. Christopher Chase, commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam and Navy...... read more read more
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For almost nine decades, the United States has honored the service and sacrifice of merchant mariners.
National Maritime Day is celebrated on May 22 yearly since its inception in 1933.
While Military Sealift Command (MSC) observes National Maritime Day all over the globe, MSC Far East’s Ship Support Unit (SSU) Guam teamed up with the governor’s office and U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam for special events. Guam Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua F. Tenorio held a virtual proclamation signing ceremony.
The proclamation states “On National Maritime Day, we recognize the important role the United States Merchant Marine plays in supporting our commerce and national security; and…commemorate National Maritime Day to recognize all mariners who support and safeguard our nation and island.”
Representatives attended an at-sea wreath-laying ceremony aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139), as a tribute to those mariners who lost their lives supporting the Department of Defense and MSC.
“MSC is dedicated to providing logistics service to all U.S. military ships and allies at sea, in peacetime, during conflicts while defending our nation, and most recently now during this worldwide pandemic,” said Norma Pillman, the organizer of SSU Guam’s annual event.
“I've met hundreds of wonderful [civilian mariners] throughout the years…and I just can't thank them enough for their sacrifices being away from their families and doing what they have to do to defend our great nation,” said Pillman.
The May date was chosen by Congress as that’s when the first successful steam-propelled crossing of the Atlantic Ocean took place. Just a few short years after the observance began in 1933, civilian mariners did their part during World War II. According to the Maritime Administration, more than 6,700 mariners lost their lives during the conflict; hundreds were held as prisoners of war, and more than 800 U.S. merchant ships were sunk or damaged.
The dedicated maritime professionals who serve in MSC continue that legacy of unwavering commitment to mission accomplishment.
For at least 20 years, Ship Support Unit Guam has recognized the MSC team of civil service and contract mariners and industry partners.
At any given time, MSC Far East operates approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific region, delivering essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to warfighters, both at sea and on shore. Globally, MSC operates approximately 125 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world, and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.
MSC Far East ensures approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific region, are manned, trained and equipped to deliver essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to warfighters, both at sea and on shore.
Task force commanders employ these ships to ensure mission accomplishment. COMLOG WESTPAC/Commander, Task Force 73 is the U.S. 7th Fleet's provider of combat-ready logistics, operating government-owned and contracted ships that keep units throughout 7th Fleet armed, fueled and fed.
As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet employs 50-70 ships and submarines across the Western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific Region.
Military Sealift Command is the leading provider of ocean transportation for the Navy and the rest of the Department of Defense, operating approximately 125 ships daily around the globe.
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2021 07:44 |
| Story ID: | 397303 |
| Location: | GU |
| Web Views: | 166 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Ship Support Unit Guam Honors Civilian Mariners, by Leslie Hull-Ryde, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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