DENNIS A. ROLAND CHAPTER  American Merchant Marine Veterans  P.O. Box 306  Midland Park, New Jersey 07432

The New Jersey Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans is named in memory of Captain Dennis A. Roland (1908-1984).

We meet on the second Saturday of the month at 10:00 am at the Seamen's Church Institute, 118 Export Street Port Newark NJ. Visitors are welcome.

New Edition Available!

"A CARELESS WORD---A NEEDLESS SINKING" by Captain Arthur R. Moore

The Dennis A. Roland Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans has produced a limited number of this 8th printing of this important book. Copies are offered on a first come first served basis.

A documented account under one cover of the catastrophic losses suffered by the American flag Merchant Marine, both in ships and personnel during WWII.

The 716 page book includes Panamanian flag ships in which many American seamen and U.S. Navy Armed Guard served and died without recognition and in addition the story of the awards of the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal. The names of lost seamen are recorded by vessel with a photo in many cases of the ship. Additional illustrations bring the magnitude of this tragedy to light.

O R D E R F O R M -- Eighth Edition

 

Recent Events

On May 1st the DAR Chapter took a trip to the Cape May County Library, Lower Cape Branch. The library manager, Ed Carson, whose family has a Maritime background, has set aside a large room dedicated to the Maritime.

They celebrate Maritime Day the entire month of May. On behalf of the DAR Chapter, Fred MacGregor, our master model maker, donated a 55 inches model of a Liberty ship which will be on display from now on.

The Chapter also donated a copy of Capt. Moore's book, A Careless Word......A Needless Sinking, and 4 video
tapes which are available for public viewing. The event was opened by a color guard from the USCG. The Maritime room is open every day the library is open.

It will be a great opportunity for school children to visit. Adults too! The library is located in Villas, NJ at 2600 Bayshore Road.

Letter to the Editor re: Maritime Administration and other proposed cutbacks

Bush Administration budget cutters are planning to dismantle the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), scuttling as well many other services it provides America's already declining maritime industry, according to the word from Washington.

The budget axe is being wielded by the White House Office of Budget and Management (OBM), which already has developed it's objectives despite the deterimental effects we believe it will have to the nation's economic and national security.

In addition to dissolving MARAD in it's present form, the OMB plans to freeze title XI funding for ship construction in the United States, close the Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, Long Island, and reduce other programs that would further marginalize what remains of the U.S. flag Merchant Marine.

Throughout our history, marine transportation has been important to the nation's economic growth and development. And, in times of war, it has provided essential seaborne support in delivering military supplies and troops to combat areas around the world. Recall the valuable part played by the American merchant marine in contributing to the Allies cause in winning World War II.

The Bush administration plans to dismantle MADAD by shifting many of its responsibilites to other federal agencies, we are told. In the process, we strongly feel it deals a fatal blow to the U.S. flag shipping industry.

According to the Annual Seapower 2001 report, there are only 265 U.S. flag commercial ships in the United States as of July 1, including 118 in domestic trade and 34 other ships engaged in exclusively government work. Of this figure says the report, only 47 of these ships receive government assistance under the Maritime Security Program.

MARAD is an arm of the Department of Transportation that administers programs to aid in the developement, promotion and operation of the U.S. merchant marine. Among it's activities, it is responsible for approving mortgage guarantee applications under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 as amended, monitors capital construction funds, maintains statistics for the merchant marine and manages Kings Point Academy.

The Maritime Administration has served our seafaring national well over the past 65 years. I would urge President Bush and Congress to reconsider any move to dismantle MARAD.
Sincerely,
George E. Goldman
President, Dennis A. Roland Chapter
American Merchant Marine Veterans

Merchant Marine emblem
We have our Merchant Marine emblem on another monument, thanks to Fred Macgregor, Dennis A. Roland Chapter Board member. Fred had previously gotten us on the town of Belvidere's WW II memorial. When they decided to build a monument honoring Purple Heart Recipients Fred saw that we were also on that one. We are gaining ground in being recognized.

Chapter Officers

The Chapter was founded in April 1989, named after Dennis A. Roland whose ship, SS Sawokla, was sunk by a German surface raider. Three months later the German ship transferred the Sawokla survivors to the Japanese.

While a Japanese prisoner of war, Dennis wore home made dog tags and the Chapter's logo is based on them. He wore them while he and his fellow POWs were forced to work on the infamous death railway and equally infamous bridge over the River Kwai, Thailand. The Japanese translates into "America the Beautiful."

Pirates & Patriots

Remember when you were in your early school years and were taught about the revolution? You learned about the Continental Congress, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, George Washington and Valley Forge. Well, they left one very important part of our history out and it's about time the truth is made known.

C. Keith Wilbur, M.D. wrote a book called PIRATES AND PATRIOTS OF THE REVOLUTION. It tells a story with many pictures and fascinating details about how the American Merchant Seaman were given Letters of Marque by our fledgling government and put to sea to wreak havoc upon our enemies. Their job was to capture enemy cargo ships. The cargo was used to supply our fighting forces. We never would have gained our freedom and independence without these brave and resourceful men. You don't have to be a history buff to enjoy this one. This saga will certainly bring pride to any American who reads it. This is a book for all ages from the ancient mariner to those just starting to read.

This book would make a great gift to someone special or just to leave out on your coffee table. Book Review

The Dennis A. Roland Chapter is proud to offer this great work at a significant discount. The price per copy is $10 plus $1.25 S/H. Checks or money orders only. The book is soft cover, measures 8 1/2" X 11" and has 96 interesting pages.

Please make payment to:
AMMV-NJ
You may order by writing or by calling:
Carl M. Washer
9 Cambridge Road
Verona, NJ 07044-3023
973-857-2787

Dennis A. Roland Chapter at Rowan University Veterans Day Commemoration

On Wednesday, November 10 th, at Rowan University Veterans Day commemoration in Glassboro NJ, Gordon Hubbard of the DAR Chapter gave a very informative talk about the Merchant Marine, and enlightened quite a few listeners on what we are all about. Following his talk, Gordon presented the University Librarian with a copy of A Careless Word... A
Needless Sinking, by Captain Arthur R. Moore. The book was very well received.

George Goldman president of the DAR Chapter presented the university with a Merchant Marine flag. George then made the following presentation speech,and at it's conclusion received a rousing ovation.

Dean Stubbs, honored guests, fellow veterans, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for allowing me the honor of presenting this flag, to this fine institution of learning. We thank you for remembering us. This flag is in honor of all those merchant seamen and armed guard who braved the high seas, and in memory of all those who never returned,and who to this day, are considered missing in action.

This flag is in honor of all of us who went through some wild times, and when asked,"would you do it again? said "you bet I would!"

We, the Dennis A. Roland Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans give this flag that it may be a symbol, flying on high, to remind us of a great industry. The Maritime Industry.

The Merchant Marine is an industry that hardly anyone thinks of anymore. It is just taken for granted,and yet it is a most vital industry in the world's trade.

There perhaps some 80,000 ships world wide that carry 98% of all the cargo that moves. 85% of everything we eat,wear,touch,and consume traveled by ship in some form or other. Of the billions and trillions of dollars of annual imports and exports that flow in and out of this country 98% moves by SHIP.

The devil of it is that only 4% travels on American flagged bottoms. Some economists say we should be carrying 40%, but we are reduced to carrying an unhealthy 4%.

Strong we may be---but why put our necks into an economic noose? Even if that noose is slack now, do we really need to be reminded that there is always a hangman about ready to take a strain.

When you speak of transportation to the general public they think of trucks, trains, planes. Nobody is likely to build an airplane that will carry iron ore, or 5000 cars at a time, or 100,000 barrels of crude oil, or 14,000 tons of
chilled bananas, frozen lamb, grain, or 4,000 to 5,000 container truck trailer loads at one shot. That's what it takes to fight a war, whether it's an economic war or a shooting war.

And speaking defense-wise,ONE SHIP can carry enough tanks, trucks, vehicles, guns and supplies to sustain a company of Marines on an invasion beach for ONE MONTH.

Let this flag remind us all how important shipping is; that it stops the world from starving; that it is an essential and vital part of this nations economic health,its defense and well being.

THINK SHIPS!

THINK SEAFARERS!.

Every time you drink a cup of coffee; every time you unzip a banana---THINK SHIPS!!

See THIS FLAG!! THINK SHIPS!!!

George E. Goldman.

Dennis A. Roland Chapter Members Who Have Crossed the Final Bar:

Nelson Cornell
James P. Farrell
Edgar S. Johnson
John Korenda
William R. Ommundsen Sr.

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Date created 11/12/99 Last modified 08/27/06