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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
CAPT Dave Truitt (312)222-0500
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LTJG Chris Rymut (630) 986-2155
Delores Robinson (312) 617-2680
Chicago’s Christmas Ship Committee announces the arrival of the
Coast Guard Cutter MACKINAW (WLBB 30) to Chicago loaded with
Christmas Trees destined for over a thousand deserving inner city families
WHO: Chicago’s Christmas Ship Committee, International Shipmasters’ Association, Chicago Marine Heritage Society, Friends of the Marine Community, Chicago Yachting Association, Navy League of the US, US Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and Navy Pier.
WHAT: The arrival ceremony for the new state-of-the-art Coast Guard Cutter MACKINAW will take place at Chicago’s Navy Pier Friday, December 4, 2009 at 8:00 a.m., welcomed in grand fashion by Fire and Police boats, a live military band and hundreds of students throughout the morning.
WHEN: The major event occurs on Saturday, December 5th, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. near the “Captain at the Helm” statue south of the pier entrance. The MACKINAW will be welcomed in honor of the Chicago Christmas Ship tradition bringing Christmas trees to over a thousand deserving families in the Chicago area.
DETAILS The ceremony includes presentation of colors by a Sea Cadet Color Guard and a memorial wreath laying ceremony commemorating the Merchant Marine officers lost on the Great Lakes. The high point of the ceremony is the fly over by a United States Coast guard helicopter (HH-65 Dolphin) carrying a memorial wreath to be placed on the waves near the Chicago lighthouse.
Three families, representing the more than one thousand deserving families who will be given trees this year, will be present to receive the first Christmas trees.
Guest speakers include: Rear Admiral Clifford Sharpe, Commander, Naval Service Training Command, Great Lakes; Commander Scott Smith, Commanding Officer, US Coast Guard Cutter MACKINAW and Commander Robert Bailey, USCG, Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Unit Chicago.
Honored Guests include: Colonel Vincent Quarles, Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District; and Lieutenant Peter J. Piazza, Commanding Officer, Marine and Helicopter Unit, Chicago Police Department.
Public Tours of the USCGC MACKINAW will be provided on Friday December 4 - Saturday December 5, 2009 from 1:30 - 5:00 PM. The USCGC MACKINAW expects to depart Chicago on Sunday, December 6, 2009.
WHERE: Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL
Posted on Oct 28th 2008 by admin. .