Juneau’s fishing fleet and those lost at sea will be honored at a ceremony Saturday at the Fishermen’s Memorial downtown.
The annual “Blessing of the Fleet” honors the living and dead who make their living off the sea. It starts at 10 a.m. at the Memorial Wall across from Taku Smokeries.
The U.S. Coast Guard Color Guard will begin with a presentation of the colors, followed by a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Girl Scout Troop 4018.
Speaker Frances Leach, the executive director of the United Fishermen of Alaska, will then speak, followed by the blessing of the fleet from Father Gordon Blue, of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
Skipper Sam Miller of the Sentinel will lay the wreath before a dedication and reading of the names from Carl Broderson, of the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial Board. The City of Juneau Pipe Band will accompany the ceremony and a community brunch will follow at the Twisted Fish, just a few feet from the Memorial Wall.
Boats wishing to receive a blessing are asked to gather in front of the memorial at 10 a.m. near the Sentinel, the first boat to be blessed. After the Sentinel exits to Gastineau Channel, the next closest vessel should circle past and exit.
The Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial seeks to honor deceased fishermen who have been lost at sea or made their living at sea. Names of the deceased are engraved into the Memorial Wall and read during the annual blessing. New names to be engraved this year are Rod G. Darnell, George Lunda, Gary W. Bell, Agnes D’Cafagno, Sean Anthony Elliott, Bernhart “Ben” Savikko and Donald Clifford Bright.
