American Maritime Officers attended Great Lakes Maritime Academy’s annual Mariners’ Memorial Service on November 10, the 51st anniversary of the loss of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.
The Fitzgerald sank in a Lake Superior storm on November 10, 1975. All 29 aboard were lost, 28 crew members and GLMA cadet David Weiss.
The service was held in the courtyard of the academy’s campus in Traverse City, with the cadets in formation. Cadet Kyle Johnstone spoke first, followed by Admiral Jerry Achenbach. Both honored the Fitzgerald’s crew and all mariners lost on the Great Lakes.
The AMO Great Lakes team represented the union at the service, along with AMO member Malachi Sullivan. After the ceremony, Sullivan dropped a flower into the water off the academy’s pier in memory of the crew.
GLMA trains many of the licensed officers who go on to sail on the Great Lakes, including AMO members. AMO values its relationship with the academy and its cadets, and will continue to take part in this memorial each year.