Posted:
October 23, 2015
Today we attend a Memorial Service. We gather today as the Officers and families of the AMO as well as the staff of AMOP that serves them. Also many Friends of AMO.
We are part of the Trade Labor Union Movement. A movement that created a Fraternal Organization called a Union. We are the American Maritime Officers Union, a Fraternal Organization.
As a Fraternal Organization we are all Brothers and Sisters.
When my Brother or Sister experiences joy, I am joyful.
When my Brother or Sister experiences Pain and Disappointment, I share the Pain and Disappointment.
We share ALL that is experienced by our Brothers and Sisters, even if we don't acknowledge it.
Now we share the tragedy of losing 10 Brothers and 1 Sister, as well as the tragedy of our sister union and their 17 Brothers and Sisters. Also the 5 not known by us.
Let it not be in vain
Let it not be of ego
But a matter of the Heart
Silently and simply lift up your heart to the surviving families as they are also Brothers and Sisters by Fraternal Order.
Never again begin your morning work, never collect your paycheck without first remembering this loss. Without first silently lifting all AMO Brothers and Sisters returning to the sea and her perils, praying for their safety and the day they return to their family.
As the staff we are not the union but placed here to service the AMO Officers and their families.
Service them with love, compassion, recognizing their dignity as Officers in the United States Merchant Marine. For Love does conquer all.
Now I address those lost by AMO not by formal name and rank but as:
Sister Danielle
Brother Michael D
Brother Steven
Brother Jeremie
Brother Richard
Brother Jeffrey
Brother Keith
Brother Howard
Brother Michael H
Brother Mitchell
And Brother Dylan
You are not a statistic but a member of our family. We will not forget your sacrifice.
We that are left behind
ARE THE MEMORIAL
We will not allow our efforts, our work ethic, to ever be a disgrace to your sacrifice made, the sacrifice by you, Our Brothers and our Sister.
We Seek a healing. We seek for something to fill the void created by tragedy.
The ineffable remains ineffable
But we will go on
Leading first with the
Heart in Memoriam
We look forward with confidence to the perfect realization of the eternal splendor of the limitless light.
In thought and word and deed we rest our lives from day to day upon the sure foundation of eternal being.
The kingdom of Spirit is embodied in our flesh.
We unite this day as the Officers, the Officers' families, and the Staff of the AMO and the AMO Plans along with our friends in Remembrance of our Brothers and Sister.
El Faro memorial: Remarks of AMO Plans Executive Director Steve Nickerson
Today we attend a Memorial Service. We gather today as the Officers and families of the AMO as well as the staff of AMOP that serves them. Also many Friends of AMO.
We are part of the Trade Labor Union Movement. A movement that created a Fraternal Organization called a Union. We are the American Maritime Officers Union, a Fraternal Organization.
As a Fraternal Organization we are all Brothers and Sisters.
When my Brother or Sister experiences joy, I am joyful.
When my Brother or Sister experiences Pain and Disappointment, I share the Pain and Disappointment.
We share ALL that is experienced by our Brothers and Sisters, even if we don't acknowledge it.
Now we share the tragedy of losing 10 Brothers and 1 Sister, as well as the tragedy of our sister union and their 17 Brothers and Sisters. Also the 5 not known by us.
Let it not be in vain
Let it not be of ego
But a matter of the Heart
Silently and simply lift up your heart to the surviving families as they are also Brothers and Sisters by Fraternal Order.
Never again begin your morning work, never collect your paycheck without first remembering this loss. Without first silently lifting all AMO Brothers and Sisters returning to the sea and her perils, praying for their safety and the day they return to their family.
As the staff we are not the union but placed here to service the AMO Officers and their families.
Service them with love, compassion, recognizing their dignity as Officers in the United States Merchant Marine. For Love does conquer all.
Now I address those lost by AMO not by formal name and rank but as:
Sister Danielle
Brother Michael D
Brother Steven
Brother Jeremie
Brother Richard
Brother Jeffrey
Brother Keith
Brother Howard
Brother Michael H
Brother Mitchell
And Brother Dylan
You are not a statistic but a member of our family. We will not forget your sacrifice.
We that are left behind
ARE THE MEMORIAL
We will not allow our efforts, our work ethic, to ever be a disgrace to your sacrifice made, the sacrifice by you, Our Brothers and our Sister.
We Seek a healing. We seek for something to fill the void created by tragedy.
The ineffable remains ineffable
But we will go on
Leading first with the
Heart in Memoriam
We look forward with confidence to the perfect realization of the eternal splendor of the limitless light.
In thought and word and deed we rest our lives from day to day upon the sure foundation of eternal being.
The kingdom of Spirit is embodied in our flesh.
We unite this day as the Officers, the Officers' families, and the Staff of the AMO and the AMO Plans along with our friends in Remembrance of our Brothers and Sister.