54th Annual Blessing of the Fleet

Mariners' Church of Detroit
March 11, 2018

The 54th annual Blessing of the Fleet was held on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at Mariners' Church in downtown Detroit. Numerous ISMA members participated in the service: Grand President Harry Dusseau of Toledo Lodge No. 9; PGP Bob Lund of Chicago Lodge No. 3, PGP Tom McMullen of Detroit Lodge No. 7, PGP Joe Walters of Twin Ports Lodge No. 12 and PGP Robert Schallip of Twin Sault Lodge No. 22; James Semerad and Roger Hewlett of Port Huron Lodge No. 2; Ray Oset, Mike Nall, Art Brooks, Rick Scott, John Mantyk, Scott Reynolds, Patrick Beard, Lynne Kogel and Kathy McGraw of Lodge No. 7; and Mary Ann Schallip of Lodge No. 22. Several other lodge members were in the congregation including Dominic Gorno and Paul Jagenow of Lodge No. 7, Curt Kikkert of Lodge No. 22 and Adm. Jerry Achenbach of Lodge No. 23. Scott Reynolds served as reader during the Ludington Award presentations. Dana Ludington, great-grandson of Capt. Lewis Ludington, was in attendance to present the Ludington Award to the three recipients. John Mantyk, President of Detroit Lodge No. 7, rang the Octorara bell as the names of departed mariners during the past year were read by necrologist Kathy McGraw. LTC Dennis Sugrue, Detroit District Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, assisted by CDR Matthew Dooris, USCG Sector Detroit, rang the bell for military personnel who have given their lives in service to the nation. Harry Dusseau, Rick Scott, Lynne Kogel and Mike Nall presented the wreaths representing the dangers of Storm, Reef, Fire and Collision. Art Brooks, Patrick Beard and Ray Oset served as pennant/flag receivers. The service was conducted by Fr. Tony Faint of Mariners' Church. A social hour followed the service.

Three ISMA members were recipients of the Capt. Lewis Ludington Award:
Capt. Mary Ann Schallip of Twin Sault Lodge No. 22
Capt. Joseph Walters of Twin Ports Lodge No. 12
Capt. Robert Lund of Chicago Lodge No. 3

The Capt. Lewis Ludington Award was established by the Ludington Family and Mariners’ Church in 1994. Over the years some 88 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, and for additional description)

Church Altar	View of side altar with Captain Ludington's ISMA Pennant	Wood carving in back of church "Detroit in 1870"	Mariners' Church is on the National Register of Historic Places
John Mantyk and Ray Oset	John Mantyk at the Octorara bell	Joe Walters, Bob Schallip, Harry Dusseau, Bob Lund and Tom McMullen	Shipmasters in pews awaiting the start of service
Rt. Rev. Richard Ingalls Memorial Window	Scott Reynolds reads biographies of Ludington Award recipients	Dana Ludington presents Ludington Award to Capt. Joe Walters	Honor Guard on left side of altar as Kathy McGraw reads the names of departed mariners
Honor Guard on right side of altar	John Mantyk rings Octorara bell; while CDR Matthew Dooris and LTC Dennis Sugrue look on	Harry Dusseau, Mike Nall, Rick Scott and Lynne Kogel at model of sailing vessel	Honor guard at attention during the playing of taps
Pat Beard and Ray Oset display Capt. Oset's personal ISMA pennant	Twin Sault Lodge No. 22 pennant presented by Mary Ann Schallip	Pat Beard and Ray Oset display ISMA pennant	Pennant of the Propellor Club of the Port of Detroit is presented
Scott Reynolds presents the City of Detroit Flag	Grand President Harry Dusseau's Grand President flag is presented	John Mantyk presents the official pennant of Detroit Lodge No. 7	RADM Jerry Achenbach presents the flag of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy
Mariners' Church flag is laid upon the altar with Fr. Tony Faint looking on	Joe Walters, Mary Ann Schallip and Bob Lund with Dana Ludington	The Schallip family enjoying the social hour after the service	Robert and Joseph Walters
Jonene Eliasson & Roger Hewlett	Rick Scott and CDR Matthew Dooris	Tom McMullen; Mary Ann & Bob Schallip	Kathy McGraw and Ray Oset
Joe Walters and Rick Scott	Robert Walters, Joseph Walters, Fr. Tony Faint and Rick Scott	Harry Dusseau, Ray Oset and Jim Semerad	Hannelore Kettler

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