Celebrate Maritime Day; Secretary Mineta Honors Merchant Mariners for Role in Operation Iraqi Freedom On Thursday, May 22, 2003, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta will present Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medals to merchant mariners who participated in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as part of a ceremony commemorating Maritime Day. This year's Maritime Day ceremony will also feature Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao who will present two awards to World War II-era shipbuilders, one of whom is a "Rosie the Riveter." The Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal is awarded to men and women who serve aboard U.S.-flag ships in support of operations involving American and allied military forces. Those who earned the medal in the Iraqi conflict include midshipmen from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is the only federal service academy that sends its students into conflict. National Maritime Day honors the sacrifices and contributions made by merchant mariners and the maritime industry. This year's observance will include recognition of the contributions made to the Allied victory in World War II by shipbuilders as witnessed in the Battle of the Atlantic. The mariners and former shipyard workers will be available to the news media for interviews after the ceremony. WHO: Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Merchant mariners and midshipmen who earned the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal World War II-era shipyard workers.
WHAT: Maritime Day Ceremony
NOTE TO EDITORS: News media should arrive 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. # # # |
