United States Merchant Marine Monument unveiling ceremony

The John T. Schmidt South Carolina Palmetto Mariners proudly invite you to attend the United States Merchant Marine Monument unveiling ceremony scheduled for Friday, April 8, 2016, from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., at Warbird Park, Farrow Parkway, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Prior to my Father, John T. “Jack” Schmidt, passing the Final Bar on July 11, 2014, he led the Chapter to begin the quest of honoring fellow Mariners with a permanent monument in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

During World War II, 9,300 Mariners were killed (1 in 26), 12,000 were wounded, and 1,500 ships were sunk. Jack was on one of those ships and he has never forgotten his fellow Mariners.

Casualties were kept secret during the war avoid providing information to the enemy and to keep the Mariners at sea. It took 15 tons of supplies to support one soldier for one year at the front. They delivered tanks, amphibious craft, airplanes, jeeps, ammunition, PT boats, gasoline aviation fuel, trucks medicine and food rations. Since the Mariners were not government issued (G.I.), they did not receive the benefits offered by the G.I. Bill. Mariners are honored on countless memorials across the country, including the new World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Sadly, in some places, they are deemed “civilians” and relegated to the back of the monument.

It is important to the Chapter to know you received this invitation. Please RSVP with your attendance or regrets to Linda Womer at rew6@ptd.net by March 15.

The Chapter hopes to see you at this historic memorial unveiling ceremony in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

For more details contact the John T. Schmidt South Carolina Palmetto Mariners located at 6001 South Kings Highway Unit 45 Myrtle Beach SC 29575, phone: 929-880-0043.