FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC – For the third year, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has invited members of the American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV) to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on National Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, to honor U.S. Merchant Marine veterans of World War II. The ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery provide one of our Nation’s most enduring displays of respect for all U.S. veterans.
At the wreath laying ceremony, traditionally held at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the following USMM WWII veterans will represent their Merchant Marine shipmates: (1) William Balabanow, one of the radio officers aboard the SS Shickshinny; (2) James Quinn, veteran of the North Africa campaign and the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France; and (3) Dave Yoho, member of the engine room crew aboard the SS Great Meadow. During WWII, our merchant mariners suffered more than 9,500 casualties, yet they kept going to sea, delivering the goods wherever and whenever needed, often without any escort. These brave merchant mariners definitely earned their status as United States veterans.
Capt. Darin Huggins, AMMV’s recently elected national president, and Dennis Ng, AMMV’s vice president for our New Jersey/Pennsylvania region and son of a late USMM WWII veteran, will represent AMMV at the National Veterans Day ceremonies. They will be seated in the audience when remarks from President Donald Trump and senior members of his cabinet are given at the Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater.
In addition to WWII veterans representing the U.S. Merchant Marine at the Veterans Day ceremony, AMMV honors the service of all Merchant Marine veterans who served our nation during military sealift operations. AMMV representatives are proud to recognize the brave men and women of the U.S. Merchant Marine, and their families, who have served our nation honorably in times of peace and war since 1775. This year, 2025, is the U.S. Merchant Marine’s 250th anniversary, as a result of the colonial merchant mariners’ victory over the British warship HMS Margaretta in Machias Bay, ME on June 12, 1775. This first sea battle of the Revolutionary War has been called the “Lexington of the Seas.”
A color guard from the Seafarers International Union will proudly present our national flag, the USMM flag, and the USMM Academy’s battle standard during the parade of colors. This year, AMMV has invited David Hatcher, Director of the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Office of Sealift Support, to join our delegation for the celebrations at Arlington National Cemetery.
Capt. Huggins said, “Please know that the American Merchant Marine Veterans, founded by our World War II Merchant Mariners in 1984, still tolls the bell of legacy and educates the people of our nation about the vital supply chain operations of the maritime industry that are maintained by dedicated and courageous men and women of the United States Merchant Marine.”
Many Merchant Marine veterans and family member are members of AMMV, a non-profit organization serving all U.S. Merchant Marine veterans. Our organization is pleased to be invited by the VA to participate, with other U.S. veterans’ organizations, in the President’s traditional wreath laying ceremony on Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. AMMV is grateful for support from the following agencies and organizations for the 2025 Veterans Day event: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Maritime Administration, Arlington National Cemetery, American Veterans Center, International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, Seafarer’s International Union, Transportation Institute, USA Maritime, and some anonymous donors.
Capt. Huggins also said, “On Veterans Day, America honors U.S. Merchant Marine veterans of WWII and all other U.S. Merchant Mariners who served our nation in times of peace and war, including military sealift support during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and six Expeditionary Operations in the Middle East and Northeast Africa. For the third year, the American Merchant Marine Veterans are proud that our organization’s veterans and family members can represent the heroic contributions of the U.S. Merchant Marine, America’s fourth arm of defense, to military successes and the global maritime leadership of the United States.”
Capt. Huggins is available for advance interviews. For additional information, please contact AMMV National Headquarters at: PO Box 220052, Charlotte, NC 28222; Telephone: (980) 202-0736; Email: admin@ammv.us; Website: https://ammv.us/
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