The following is text of a news release from the Port Arthur International Seafarers' Center:
(PORT ARTHUR, Texas) — In 1933, Congress declared National Maritime Day to commemorate the American steamship Savannah’s voyage from the United States to England, marking the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean with steam propulsion. During World War II more than 250,000 members of the American merchant marine served their country, with more than 6,700 giving their lives, hundreds being detained as prisoners of war and more than 800 U.S. merchant ships being sunk or damaged.
In recognition, Camp SeaPort and the Port Arthur International Seafarers' Center will present the inaugural Texas National Maritime Celebration on May 24, honoring the past and looking to the bright future of the maritime industry.
The theme for the evening will be "Treasures of the Sea," celebrating the treasures these two charities bring to our region. The event raises awareness of the region's importance to state, national and global commerce.
This will be a night to honor where we have been and look to the future, learn about the state of the Sabine-Neches Waterway, and the opportunities that our maritime industry brings to the area. Most importantly, it is a time to celebrate the opportunities it has in store for our future work force.
To that end, a portion of the evening's proceeds will go toward scholarships for area youth and support for the Port Arthur International Seafarers' Center.
The event, which starts at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and a 7:15 dinner, will be held at Lamar State College, Carl A. Parker Multipurpose Center, 1800 Lakeshore Drive in Port Arthur. For more information, click here.
