Thanksgiving 2020

On behalf of the AMO National Executive Board, and all AMO representatives and support staff, I offer warm wishes for a happy and safe Thanksgiving Day to the seagoing men and women we are privileged to represent. In this difficult year, in these difficult times, a sense of peace and the joy and comfort found in the company of family and friends are not readily available to many people. But even in a year such as this, and even in the midst of the pandemic we are enduring, there remain things for which we can be grateful.

Our union remains strong, and the engagement of our contracted fleets - although negatively impacted by the pandemic to varying degrees, particularly on the Great Lakes - has been sustained in commercial trades and in military sealift operations. The institutional investments and day-to-day management of the benefit funds that serve all AMO members and families continue to progress at a steady pace. These things combine to provide the men and women of AMO with security in uncertain economic times.

Our Thanksgiving thoughts are especially with AMO members and applicants who have spent too long ashore this year with a sharp reduction in crew rotations limiting the availability of anticipated work, and for AMO members who have spent too long onboard a vessel due to the same circumstances brought about by this global pandemic. Our thoughts are also with those members and applicants who are assisting family members displaced from their jobs or forced to close their small businesses because of the COVID economy, and we have to reflect on the emotional anguish known by AMO members who have lost loved ones or friends under any circumstance this year.

Your health, safety and security are the top priorities in all we do as our union works together to transit this challenging year. May you know how much we appreciate all you do as our union's ambassadors in domestic and international commercial trades and in military support services here at home and around the world. We are thankful to all of the seagoing professionals within our ranks for bringing lasting credit to our union. American Maritime Officers is the best because you are the best at what you do.

Paul Doell
National President