American Merchant Marine Veterans, Inc. (AMMV)

#AMMV once again participated in the National Maritime Day program at Arlington National Cemetery. Today, we remembered and honored those who gave all. #Freedom

Two #WW2 mariners participated in the Memorial Day parade in Washington, DC today: James Quinn (L) and Clifford Richardson, sponsored by AVC on a U-Haul parade float.

All gave some, some gave all. On this #MemorialDay2026, we remember and pay tribute to those who gave all, including the estimated 8,421 merchant mariners who lost their lives in WWII. Some sources have that number much higher, #Freedom #sacrifice #Honor #USA #InPeaceAndWar #MerchantMarine #WeDeliver #mariner #WW2 #WWII #Arlington

#AMMV is appreciative of the recognition for the Outstanding Achievement mariner medals awarded to past and current national officers on National Maritime Day. #DOT #HeaveHo #WeDeliver #MerchantMarine #mariner

Here is the official #DOT video from the Outstanding Achievement medals awarded to #AMMV officers on #NationalMaritimeDay. #HeaveHo! facebook.com/reel/168011260…

Happy National Maritime Day #InPeaceAndWar

Here is the livestream link to the National Maritime Day program at DOT HQ tomorrow, which will be attended by several AMMV representatives and officers: youtube.com/live/W_hL_3NVj… #HeaveHo! #NationalMaritimeDay #mariner #AMMV #shipping #maritime #MerchantMarineVeteran #USA #InPeaceAndWar

PRESS RELEASE RELEASE DATE: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Honoring the Ultimate Sacrifice of U.S. Merchant Mariners WASHINGTON, DC –Monday, May 25, 2026. On National Memorial Day, the United States will honor the men and women of the U.S. Merchant Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving aboard U.S. merchant ships during times of military conflict. Members of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, Inc. (AMMV) and U.S. Merchant Marine veterans from World War II will honor their shipmates and family members who were killed in action or lost at sea by attending events at Arlington National Cemetery beginning at 10:45 AM EST, including laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and participating in the National Memorial Day Parade on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, DC that starts at 10:00 AM EST. “On Memorial Day, Americans should salute fallen U.S. Merchant Mariners, including more than 9,500 Merchant Marine officers and crew members killed in action or missing at sea during World War II, who served in war zones under the command of U.S. military sealift operations. Laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day and participating in the National Memorial Day Parade are fitting tributes for our nation to honor thousands of U.S. Merchant Mariners who gave their lives during military conflicts,” said AMMV president and active U.S. Merchant Marine Capt. Darin Huggins. Knowing how important families are to those men and women who serve at sea, Capt. Huggins said, “We also honor their surviving families and loved ones, as our nation remembers all service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in times of war. In addition, AMMV is proud to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and colonial Merchant Mariners who contributed to victory during the Revolutionary War.” Though U.S. Merchant Mariners contributed to all major U.S. military operations since 1776, this is only the fourth time that AMMV and Merchant Marine veterans have been invited to participate in the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. Family members of the late John Courcomelis and the late Sheldon C. Meade, two World War II Merchant Marine veterans, will be escorted to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After presentations by President Trump, senior cabinet and military leaders, and the presentation of the U.S. Merchant Marine colors by apprentices from The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship, a commemorative wreath will be laid in honor and remembrance of U.S. Merchant Mariners lost during military conflicts. The Meade family will honor the late Ordinary Seaman Meade, who was killed when about 100 German bombers surprised dozens of merchant ships anchored in the harbor at Bari, Italy on December 2, 1943. Most of the Allies’ ships in the harbor were damaged or destroyed, including the Liberty ship, the SS John Harvey. The Liberty ship was carrying 2,000 mustard gas bombs that were ordered by a British general to retaliate against the enemy if chemical munitions were used during WWII. When the John Harvey was bombed, it exploded and released mustard gas that killed thousands of military personnel, merchant sailors, and civilians. The raid was called the “second Pearl Harbor” because the Allies were completely surprised by the raid. In a separate Memorial Day event, U.S. Merchant Marine veterans from WWII, Dave Yoho (Grand Marshall for the National Memorial Day Parade), James Quinn, and Gene Richardson, will ride the U-Haul Company’s float in the National Memorial Day Parade sponsored by the American Veterans Center. They will fly the U.S. Merchant Marine flag and greet the public along Connecticut Avenue in Washington, DC. Of the sacrifice of the U.S. Merchant Marine during WWII, Dave Yoho said, “And so, when you’re with others, tell them of what we did, urge them to read about us and find out about us. Greet us today if you can. Then say to them, ‘We gave up our yesterdays for your and their tomorrows.’” The U.S. Merchant Marine has played a vital role in the successes of U.S. Armed Forces protecting our liberty and ensuring our nation’s maritime leadership. AMMV is pleased to acknowledge the support from the following U.S. Government agencies: the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Army’s Military District of Washington, DC. Also, AMMV wishes to thank the following U.S. maritime industry sponsors for their support: the American Maritime Congress; the American Maritime Officers; the American Veterans Center; the Gary Sinise Foundation; the International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots; the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association; Matson Navigation; the Transportation Institute; the U-Haul Company; and the Seafarers International Union. Founded in 1984, AMMV is dedicated to educating Americans and our government officials about services that U.S. Merchant Mariners have provided to our nation in connection with war efforts and preservation of national security. Furthermore, AMMV advocates for the value our Merchant Marine veterans and the importance of maintaining a strong American Merchant Marine fleet. We are a nonprofit organization chartered in the State of Florida, and we are organized into eight regions with chapters across the United States and the world. As Merchant Mariners of the Greatest Generation cross the final bar, AMMV will maintain their legacy and grow our membership to include American Merchant Mariners of all wars, conflicts, and humanitarian events around the world. Please join AMMV and support the courage and accomplishments of the U.S. Merchant Marine!

Congratulations to our friends at @AMMWWII for their Outstanding Achievement Award from @DOTMARAD ! Thank you for all you do to tell the public of the sacrifices American Mariners make for our country. ttps://ammv.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AMMV-Maritime-Day-Press-Release.pdf

The #AMMV Spring/Summer News issue is at the printer. Not a member yet? Click here: ammv.us/member-at-larg… #MerchantMarine #mariner #WeDeliver #HeaveHo #WW2 #WWII #veteran #InPeaceAndWar #1in26 #VietnamRun

Today, American Merchant Marine Veterans - Region 4’s RVP Kyle Knickerbocker had the honor of representing the American Merchant Marine Veterans - AMMV earlier today on Capitol Hill as part of the annual “Maritime Industry Congressional Sail-In.” Alongside more than 100 leaders from across the U.S. maritime industry—including U.S.-flag operators, maritime labor, academies, and advocacy organizations—they met with Members of Congress and their staff to reinforce a critical message: America’s merchant marine is essential to our nation’s economic strength, military readiness, and homeland security. With growing global competition and increasing pressure on U.S.-flag shipping, the conversations had today are more important than ever. AMMV was grateful for the opportunity to be part of this effort—and to ensure that the voice of the American merchant mariner continues to be heard where it matters most.

American Merchant Marine Veterans - Region 4’s Regional VP Kyle Knickerbocker will be on Capitol Hill representing the American Merchant Marine Veterans - AMMV alongside more than 100 leaders from across the U.S. maritime sector. This includes U.S.-flag shipping companies, maritime labor unions, State Maritime Academies, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Foundation, among others, for the 14th Annual Maritime Industry Congressional Sail-In. Together, they’ll meet with Members of Congress and their staffs to underscore the strategic importance of a strong U.S.-flag merchant marine to America’s economic resilience, military readiness, and homeland security.

Recently, veteran merchant mariners gathered at the @mitags_maritime training center in Baltimore, MD for the 38th annual @AMMWWII National Convention. We thank each and every one of our merchant mariners who have served or are currently serving our country!

Photos from AMMV's annual Patriotic Dinner as part of our National Convention last weekend. #USA #WeDeliver #mariner #MerchantMarine

#AMMV members enjoyed at trip to the #LibertyShip John W. Brown at our National Convention this past weekend. #HeaveHo!

Some pics from our National Convention this past weekend. The panels (Intergenerational Women in Maritime and MSC Wheelhouse/Contested Waters) were highlights of our event!

Calling all Baltimore/D.C. area mariners: There is still time to register for the AMMV National Convention at @mitags_maritime Maritime Conference Center, to be held Friday evening 3/27 thru Sunday evening 3/29. Featured highlights include a panel of #MSC Captains who will be talking about sailing into modern day war zones, and an intergenerational panel of female mariners to discuss how the maritime career for women has evolved over the decades. Jim Patti of @USA_Maritime #MIRAID will be the featured speaker for our Patriotic Dinner (3/28) which will honor a #WWII #MerchantMariner KIA in the Bari Air Raid in Dec. 1943. Also appearing will be #WW2 mariner & famous motivational speaker @dave_yoho. @SeafarersUnion @Maritime_AMC @ITFglobalunion @US_TRANSCOM @MMP_Union @MEBAUNION @AMPmaritime @NavyLeagueUS @propeller_club

For this year’s Patriotic Dinner at the #AMMV National Convention (Saturday evening, March 28), we are dedicating the event in memory of #WWII mariner Shelton C. Meade, who was KIA aboard the #LibertyShip John Harvey during the attack on Bari, Italy on December 2, 1943. The convention will take place at the #MITAGS Maritime Conference Center near #BWI airport. A massive German air raid surprised the port's defenders and bombed the harbor, sinking 27 cargo and transport ships. The attack lasted a little more than an hour and put the port out of action until February 1944. This became known as “the second Pearl Harbor.” Joining us for the dinner will be descendants of Shelton Meade. Speakers will include Jim Patti of #MIRAID and #WW2 mariner and famous motivational speaker Dave Yoho. We will have live jazz music as entertainment. About five #WW2 #MerchantMarine #Veterans are expected to be in attendance. To register for the AMMV Patriotic Dinner, click here: ammv.us/convention/ #WeDeliver #InPeaceAndWar #VictoryShip #convoy #USA #freedom #sacrifice #honor #service #1in26

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 10, 2026 102-Year-Old WWII Merchant Mariner to Publish Memoir Still Afloat: A Life at Sea and Ashore—Not Overboard Yet Glen Cove, New York 11542 At 102 years old, World War II Merchant Marine veteran Hugh M. Stephens will soon publish his first memoir, Still Afloat: A Life at Sea and Ashore—Not Overboard Yet, a remarkable account of a lifetime spent in and around the maritime world. Stephens first went to sea during World War II, serving aboard American merchant ships that transported vital supplies across dangerous waters threatened by German U-boats. His memoir brings readers aboard those ships and into the daily life of young seamen navigating wartime oceans. After the war, Stephens remained deeply connected to the maritime industry, continuing his career ashore in ship operations and maritime safety. For many years he and his wife operated SOS – Ships’ Operational Safety, Inc., a maritime safety consulting business that served the shipping industry. Stephens later shared his knowledge with future mariners as a Senior Lecturer at SUNY Maritime College, where he taught and mentored cadets until his retirement at age 98. His memoir also reflects on his early years, including his work as a Western Union telegram boy, delivering wartime messages that sometimes carried heartbreaking news to American families. Stephens stresses that love is critical in this harsh world and that people must learn from their mistakes. Now a resident of Glen Cove, Long Island, Stephens completed the manuscript at age 102 and has received the final proof copy. The book is currently undergoing final edits before publication. “This book is about remembering,” Stephens says. “So many of the men I sailed with are gone now. I wanted their stories, and the spirit of those years, to live on.” Still Afloat offers readers a rare personal window into the lives of Merchant Mariners and the broader maritime community that helped sustain global shipping in the decades after World War II. The book is expected to be released in about two months and will be available through major booksellers and library distribution channels. Media Contact: Maryann Zappulla Editor and Project Coordinator Glen Cove, New York 516-770-1704 zappulla@gmail.com About the Author Hugh M. Stephens is a World War II Merchant Marine veteran and lifelong maritime professional. Following his wartime service at sea, he worked for decades in ship operations and maritime safety, co-founding SOS – Ships’ Operational Safety with his wife. He later served as a Senior Lecturer at SUNY Maritime College until his retirement at age 98. He now lives on Long Island, New York, with his life partner, Maryann and their cat Ginger.