San Pedro - On Saturday, the S.S. Lane Victory held a special tribute to the 17 San Pedro Merchant Mariners who perished at sea while serving their country during wartime. These 17 were amongst the 9500+ who died during World War II along. The somber event overlooking the harbor, hosted by the U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans WWII, opened with the US Naval Sea Cadets Honor Guard, the national anthem sung by LAPD Officer Tim Talman, and an invocation by the ship’s chaplain David Jones. Hosted by Scott Gray of Visit San Pedro, it included a number of guest speakers including Council member Joe Buscaino, USMMVWWII President Jones, USCG Commander Marshall Newberry, Lynda Johnson, Deputy of Veterans Affairs for Supervisor Janice Hahn, USMMVWWII Boardmember Frenchy Marmaud, and John Pitts, President of the U.S. Merchant Marine Memorial Committee who acknowledged the struggles the Merchant Mariners have had in gaining recognition and benefits accorded to members of the armed forces during wartime. Buscaino and Jones unveiled the plaque dedicated to the Lost 17 which will hang on the bulkhead of the ship; and joined with Merchant Mariner Issie Dietsch in tossing the floral wreath, under the watchful eye of the LAFD fireboat in the harbor.
Among the attendees were Dietsch (91) and Leonard Blake (90), both merchant mariners during World War II, two of very few WWII merchant marine veterans still alive. The other attendees hovered nearby as the two heroes swapped old stories about their time.
The S.S. Lane Victory, was built in San Pedro and launched in San Pedro in 1945. It serves as the official Merchant Marine museum and is open seven days a week for visiting and touring. More information is available at www.TheLaneVictory.org.
