Natiional Maritime Day May 24

Saturday, 16 May 2009 06:38

LAKE CHARLES – The Apostleship of the Sea and the Seafarers Center of the Diocese of Lake Charles will celebrate National Maritime Day on Sunday, May 24, with the blessing of the fleet at the Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall, according to Deacon Patrick Lapoint, Director of the Seafarers Center.    The Rev. Richard Adiukwu, chaplain of the Center, will preside at the memorial prayer service and then bless the craft that pass the reviewing stand.    Deacon Lapoint invites the captains of all vessels, no matter the size, to attend and have their craft blessed.    National Maritime Day came into being on May 22, 1933 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a joint resolution of Congress designating that day to remember the first transoceanic crossing by the steamship The Savannah, which happened in 1819.    In 2005, the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea was designated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to encourage Catholics in the United States to support and participate in prayer services and remembrance of those who work in the maritime world. The event coincides with National Maritime Day in the United States of America    There are 47 archdioceses and dioceses around the United State with Apostleship of the Sea facilities, which coordinate care at maritime ports in 61 American seaports and waterways.    The President of the United States is authorized and requested annually to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such National Maritime Day by displaying the flag at their homes or other suitable places.   The Merchant Marine has over many years been the backbone of the distribution of goods over the seas of the world.     During World War II, some 6,000 American seafarers and more than 700 U.S. merchant ships fell to enemy action. No branch of our Armed Forces, save the Marine Corps, suffered a higher casualty rate.    Merchant mariners also played a vital role in the Korean Conflict, especially in the rescue of 14,000 Korean civilians by the SS Meredith Victory. During the Vietnam War, ships crewed by civilian seamen carried 95 percent of the supplies used by our Armed Forces.     For generations, merchant marines and commercial sailors have assisted in the defense of our Nation.  More than 5,000 merchant mariners supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom by serving aboard 157 ships moving essential supplies to our troops.    Since 1775, the United States Merchant Marine has served our country, helping America become a great maritime power. National Maritime Day pays tribute to these heroes who answered the call to serve when our Nation needed them most.    Today, our merchant mariners continue to protect our homeland, including by supporting our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.