National Maritime Day, 2018

Proclamation 9755 of May 21, 2018

National Maritime Day, 2018

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On National Maritime Day, we recognize the critical
role the United States Merchant Marine plays in
bolstering national security and facilitating economic
growth. We honor our merchant mariners for their
contributions to connecting the States, supporting our
military, and cementing ties among our allies.

Long known as the ``Fourth Arm of Defense,'' the United
States Merchant Marine has served with valor and
distinction in every American conflict. The important
work of the Merchant Marine was never more evident than
during World War II, when merchant mariners sailed
dangerous seas and fought enemies as they connected our
Armed Forces fighting abroad to vital supplies produced
by hardworking Americans at home. In the course of
their valiant efforts, they endured the loss of more
than 730 large vessels, and more than 6,000 merchant
mariners died at sea or as prisoners of war.

Today, American mariners facilitate the shipment of
hundreds of billions of dollars of goods along maritime
trade routes for American businesses and consumers.
Merchant mariners are ambassadors of good will,
projecting a peaceful United States presence along the
sea lanes of the world and into regions of core
strategic importance to our Nation. Often risking their
lives by sailing into war zones, our merchant mariners
continue to support our troops overseas by providing
them with needed cargo and logistical support. They
also advance humanitarian missions worldwide, including
last year's effort to ship tens of thousands of
containers of lifesaving supplies to Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands after they had been devastated
by hurricanes.

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 20,
1933, has designated May 22 of each year as ``National
Maritime Day'' to commemorate the first transoceanic
voyage by a steamship in 1819 by the S.S. Savannah. By
this resolution, the Congress has authorized and
requested the President to issue annually a
proclamation calling for its appropriate observance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22,
2018, as National Maritime Day. I call upon the people
of the United States to mark this observance and to
display the flag of the United States at their homes
and in their communities. I also request that all ships
sailing under the American flag dress ship on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
second.