KINGS POINT, N.Y., Wednesday, May 15, 2014 – Members of the press and public are invited to National Maritime Day events at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on May 22, 2014 starting at 12:10 p.m. The Academy will observe this special day beginning with a brief ceremony at the Mariners' Memorial Chapel and celebration at the American Merchant Marine Museum.

The festivities at the American Merchant Marine Museum will begin with a Ribbon Cutting to introduce a new exhibit entitled: Remembering the 142.  The museum will also introduce a new publication by the American Maritime History Project, Braving the Wartime Seas: Kings Pointers in World War II. Mr. George Ryan, Class of ’57, Chairman of the American Maritime History Project will deliver a presentation on the subject.

Curators of the new exhibit will officially unveil the exhibit and give a presentation at 1:00 p.m.  In observance of National Maritime Day, the museum will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The beautifully landscaped and peaceful grounds of the museum are in full bloom during this season. The picnic areas will be available for use all day.

The Schedule of Events is as follows:

12:10-12:30 Maritime Day Celebration (Mariners' Memorial Chapel)

•      USMMA Color Guard Marches on the Colors
•      Reading of the Presidential Proclamation, RADM Susan L. Dunlap
•      Regimental Band Performance
•      Regiment Marches to Mess

1:00-2:00 p.m. Speaker Series at the Merchant Marine Museum Patio (in the event of rain this event will be held indoors)

•      Opening Remarks, Interim Museum Director, Dr. Joshua Smith
•      Ribbon Cutting of New Exhibit “Remembering the 142”
•      Talk “Braving the Wartime Seas: Kings Pointers in World War II,”
•      Mr. George Ryan, ‘57, Chairman, American Maritime History Project

1:00-3:00 Self-Guided Tours (The following areas will be open to the public.)

•      Wiley Hall (Chrysler Home)
•      Mariner’s Memorial Chapel
•      Merchant Marine Museum (Barstow Home)

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, N.Y, educates and graduates licensed merchant mariners and leaders of exemplary character who will serve America’s marine transportation and defense needs in peace and war. The U.S. Merchant Marine is administered by the Maritime Administration under the auspices of the Department of Transportation.