Posted:
May 25, 2012
During National Maritime Day ceremonies in Washington, D.C., the commanders of U.S. Transportation Command and Military Sealift Command thanked U.S. merchant mariners for their service to national defense, homeland security and military mobilizations past and present and stressed the ongoing need for a strong U.S.-flag merchant fleet.
"You are a big part of America's capabilities to keep oursupply lines open and to support our troops, and I can't thank you enough for that," said Gen. William Fraser, commander of U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM). "You're the fourth arm of defense. It's your bravery andyour valor that make the waterways safer and more efficient every single day."
Fraser commended the "flexibility, discipline and ingenuity" of the U.S. merchant marine, adding current budgetary climates will require the "bright ideas" of an industry that provides efficient and effective service.
"We couldn't do our job without the superb relationships that we have with our commercial industry and our U.S. mariners," he said. "You are absolutely essential to the greatest military in our history."
Addressing all elements of the U.S. maritime industry, he said: "I want to thank you personally for everything that you do - for your faithful and tireless service to deliver America's arsenal and humanitarian aid every nautical mile around the world. Throughout our history you've always been there, and you continue to be there. You're the backbone of America's ability to project power wherever and whenever it is called upon."
Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, commander of Military Sealift Command (MSC), also focused on the partnership between the maritime industry and the U.S. military, and between the U.S. merchant marine and MSC since the agency's establishment. He commended the "noble service of the merchant marine (going) back to the birth of our nation" and extending to the present day.
"We at MSC are proud of our civilian mariners, so it is fitting that today is set aside to acknowledge the great debt of gratitude we owe to the dedicated men and women of the U.S. merchant marine," Buzby said. "Right now, today, the American merchant marine is delivering the supplies and gear that deployed U.S. ground troops need to do their mission."
Fraser, who spoke at three events on National Maritime Day, cited the extreme casualty rate faced by U.S. merchant mariners during World War II and praised their heroic performance. "They all risked their lives so that all of us here today might also have the opportunity of the American dream," he said.
"Today's merchant mariners are truly a tribute to the generations of men and women who've served our nation in every single conflict in America's history," Fraser said. "It's an understatement when we say that we count on you. We absolutely depend on you."
Military leaders commend crucial service of nation's fourth arm of defense
During National Maritime Day ceremonies in Washington, D.C., the commanders of U.S. Transportation Command and Military Sealift Command thanked U.S. merchant mariners for their service to national defense, homeland security and military mobilizations past and present and stressed the ongoing need for a strong U.S.-flag merchant fleet.
"You are a big part of America's capabilities to keep oursupply lines open and to support our troops, and I can't thank you enough for that," said Gen. William Fraser, commander of U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM). "You're the fourth arm of defense. It's your bravery andyour valor that make the waterways safer and more efficient every single day."
Fraser commended the "flexibility, discipline and ingenuity" of the U.S. merchant marine, adding current budgetary climates will require the "bright ideas" of an industry that provides efficient and effective service.
"We couldn't do our job without the superb relationships that we have with our commercial industry and our U.S. mariners," he said. "You are absolutely essential to the greatest military in our history."
Addressing all elements of the U.S. maritime industry, he said: "I want to thank you personally for everything that you do - for your faithful and tireless service to deliver America's arsenal and humanitarian aid every nautical mile around the world. Throughout our history you've always been there, and you continue to be there. You're the backbone of America's ability to project power wherever and whenever it is called upon."
Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, commander of Military Sealift Command (MSC), also focused on the partnership between the maritime industry and the U.S. military, and between the U.S. merchant marine and MSC since the agency's establishment. He commended the "noble service of the merchant marine (going) back to the birth of our nation" and extending to the present day.
"We at MSC are proud of our civilian mariners, so it is fitting that today is set aside to acknowledge the great debt of gratitude we owe to the dedicated men and women of the U.S. merchant marine," Buzby said. "Right now, today, the American merchant marine is delivering the supplies and gear that deployed U.S. ground troops need to do their mission."
Fraser, who spoke at three events on National Maritime Day, cited the extreme casualty rate faced by U.S. merchant mariners during World War II and praised their heroic performance. "They all risked their lives so that all of us here today might also have the opportunity of the American dream," he said.
"Today's merchant mariners are truly a tribute to the generations of men and women who've served our nation in every single conflict in America's history," Fraser said. "It's an understatement when we say that we count on you. We absolutely depend on you."