Our Blog

We know it’s important for our members to stay in the loop, so we endeavor to update our American Merchant Marine Veterans blog frequently. Give our current articles and journal entries a read!

Our Inspiration

Every single one of our members has a story to tell. We’re never hard pressed for an idea when faced with the stories, memories, trials, and tribulations our seamen share. Tales of triumph, tales of sorrow, funny anecdotes—we want to hear them all. We want to tell your story!

But our writing won’t stop there. We would feel lost and disconnected today without coverage of our many events. Our hope is to chronicle every memorial, every overdue honor, and every spirited gathering our members participate in. Relevant current events won’t stay to the wayside either—we’ll keep you up to date on legislation efforts and other news pertinent to our organization in general.

In short, we’re quite lucky to have such a plethora of muses. Our inspiration for maintaining this blog will always be you: our beloved family of Veterans. Our history drives our service, and our members drive our memories.

Our Articles

AMMV member George Koch honored at local ceremony

AMMV member George Koch honored at local ceremony

On Saturday, February 6th, a ceremony was held in Punta Gorda, FL to honor WWII Merchant Marine Veteran & AMMV member George Koch, who recently received the Ushakov Medal from the Russian Embassy, for serving on ships delivering critical supplies to Murmansk during the war.

AMMV represented at the American Legion’s 101st Convention

AMMV represented at the American Legion’s 101st Convention

The American Legion held its 101st National Convention from August 23rd thru 29th in Indianapolis, IN. AMMV Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Robert Lewis of MA is a long-time member of the American Legion and personally rented a booth for the American Merchant Marine Veterans organization.

Remembering Morris Harvey

Remembering Morris Harvey

The AMMV organization felt a great loss with the passing of President Emeritus Morris Harvey, who crossed the final bar shortly after his 92nd birthday in June. I would like to share a few words about this man and recap what he has done in the past for AMMV.

New Board Members and Updates on Legislation

New Board Members and Updates on Legislation

Hello – My name is John Pitts. On Monday, July 1, 2019, the two year term of office as President of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, Inc. became effective. First and foremost, I would like to thank most recent Past President Captain Chris Edyvean for his successful efforts in advancing the goals and mission of the AMMV during his two terms over the last four years. Fair Winds & Following Seas on you new adventures!

Garamendi’s World War II Merchant Marine Congressional Gold Medal Act Poised for House Passage

Garamendi’s World War II Merchant Marine Congressional Gold Medal Act Poised for House Passage

Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Davis, Yuba City), announced that his bipartisan Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019 has secured the 290 cosponsors necessary to receive a mandatory vote in the House of Representatives. The bill will move to the Consensus Calendar, which hosts legislation that’s typically passed unanimously by the House.

2019 “Storm the Hill” Report

2019 “Storm the Hill” Report

The 2019 “Storm the Hill” was led by WWII Merchant Marine Veteran & AMMV Government Affairs Co-Chair Charles A. Mills, with Eugene Barner and Gerard Driscoll being the other Vets on the team. Sheila M. Sova returned to serve as the Team Coordinator. The group was rounded off with Laura Johnson Riddle, Cindy Driscoll-Komlos, and AMMV D.A.R. Chapter President Dennis Ng.

American Maritime Industry Rallies to Support WWII Merchant Marine Legislation

American Maritime Industry Rallies to Support WWII Merchant Marine Legislation

Over 100 maritime or affiliated groups have signed the letter, including private companies, partnerships, unions, non-profits groups, schools, etc. AMMV recommends including a copy of the letter when contacting your Senators or Congressperson via email or “snail mail”. It is also recommended to include the letter when addressing the committees holding each version of the bill.

2019 National Convention Report

2019 National Convention Report

The 33rd National Convention of the American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV) organization opened with early Registration on Wednesday, March 20th. The Registration team was led by Kimberly King with Lynn Kelly and Sindy Raymond assisting. The Hospitality Room was once again generously stocked with drinks and snacks. In addition, Shirley Knight provided a variety of Easter candies.