53rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet

Mariners' Church of Detroit
March 12, 2017

The 53rd annual Blessing of the Fleet was held on Sunday, March 12, 2017 at Mariners' Church in downtown Detroit. Numerous ISMA members participated in the service: Grand President Lee Barnhill of Lodge No. 19; Grand Second Vice President Mark Mather of Lodge No. 23; Past Grand Presidents Ron Ingram of Lodge No. 7, John Biolchini of Lodge No. 23 and Robert Schallip of Lodge No. 22; James Semerad of Lodge No. 2; Bill Graham, Ray Oset, Mike Nall, Dominic Gorno, Art Herrala, Ken Suddick, Lynne Kogel and Kathy McGraw of Lodge No. 7; Mary Ann Schallip of Lodge No. 22; and RADM Jerry Achenbach of Lodge No. 23. Ken Suddick, President of Detroit Lodge No. 7, and Adm. Jerry Achenbach, Superintendent of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, served as bell ringers as the names of the departed mariners were read by necrologist Kathy McGraw. Ken Suddick, Art Herrala, Lee Barnhill and Mike Nall presented the wreaths representing the dangers of Storm, Reef, Fire and Collision. Ron Ingram and Bill Graham served as pennant/flag receivers. The service was conducted by Fr. Tony Faint of Mariners' Church.

Three ISMA members were recipients of the Capt. Lewis Ludington Award:
Capt. Dominic J. Gorno III of Detroit Lodge No. 7
Capt. Robert G. Schallip, Jr. of Twin Sault Lodge No. 22
Capt. John M. Biolchini of Grand Traverse Lodge No. 23

The Capt. Lewis Ludington Award was established by the Ludington Family and Mariners’ Church in 1994. Over the years some 85 Shipmasters have been recognized for their contributions to the maritime industry on the Great Lakes. Detroit Lodge No. 7 has been honored to have a role in the selection process.

(click on photos to enlarge)

ISMA honor guard awaiting start of service	Fr. Tony Faint welcomes attendees to Mariners' Church	John Biolchini receiving award	Dominic Gorno receiving award
Scott Reynolds reading bios of Ludington Award nominees	Bob Schallip receives award	Honor guard on the altar	Bell ringers Ken Suddick and RADM Jerry Achenbach
Another view of the honor guard on the altar	Mary Ann Ingram presents PGP Ron Ingram's personal pennant	Lee Barnhill presents his Grand President's flag	String of yacht club burgees stretched across chancel area
Propeller Club flag presented	GLMA flag presented by Adm. Achenbach	ISMA Detroit Lodge No. 7 flag presented	Lodge President Ken Suddick with Ludington Award recipients
City of Detroit flag presented by Scott Reynolds	Mariners' Church flag presented by Brian Ingalls	Fr. Tony Faint blesses the flags on the altar	End of service recessional hymn
Ludington Award recipients	Lodge President Ken Suddick poses at Octorara bell	Ken Suddick with officers and flag of Grosse Pointe Sail Club	Lee Barnhill with Grand President flag, Scott Reynolds and Ray Oset with personal burgee
Lee Barnhill, Deb Kozlowski, Scott Reynolds and Ray Oset with Grand President flag	Paul Jagenow, Scott Reynolds, Lee Barnhill and Ray Oset	Mary Ann Ingram, Wilma Ingalls, and Sarah Jagenow

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