WILMINGTON — The Port City’s maritime community came together for a special ceremony Monday morning, in celebration of National Maritime Day.
To honor fallen Merchant Marines, the city of Wilmington in conjunction with The Port of Wilmington, US Coast Guard, Wilmington Propeller Club and International Seaman’s Center, came together at Riverfront Park to unveil the new U.S. Merchant Marine Monument.
Last year, Capt. Henry N. Helgesen, U.S.C.G. Ret., approached Mayor Bill Saffo about placing a monument to the U.S. Merchant Marines and American Merchant Mariners in Riverfront Park.
On Nov. 1, the Wilmington City Council issued a resolution provided space for the monument and a companion granite bench in the northern end of Riverfront Park, next to the World War Two memorial.
The “Absolute Black Monument” was installed by Mount Airy based N.C. Granite Corporation, and is nine feet tall and weighs 5,780 lbs.
“We are grateful for the service of the Merchant Marines, the ships, and the mariners who helped to have this monument created,” Helgesen said. “We are grateful to everyone who helped to make this happen, but especially for those who went down at sea over the years. This is all for them.”
The ceremony concluded with a wreath placing ceremony, where Helgesen passed off a wreath to be laid in the river to members of the U.S. Coast Guard based in Oak Island.
“The wreath is for those who have gone before us,” Helgesen said. “It is for those who have died.”
The United States Merchant Marines and the American Merchant Mariners serve the United States in times of war and peace, hauling cargo to every corner of the globe.
For more information, visit usmma.edu.
