By Sentinel Staff
The local fishing fleet, mariners and church community invite the public to the Blessing of the Fleet 2 p.m. Sunday at Crescent Harbor shelter.
In keeping with long-standing tradition, the annual event is held to give thanks for the bountiful harvest of the sea and receive a blessing for the upcoming season. The fishermen’s memorial portion of the program pays tribute to those fishermen and mariners who have died since last year’s event.
S.E. Women in Fisheries and Sitka Lutheran Church are the sponsors.
The U.S. Coast Guard color guard will participate in the ceremony.
The Rev. Sandra S. Rudd of Sitka Lutheran Church, and the Rev. Julie Platson of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, will be among local clergy scheduled to speak.
Also participating will be S.E. Women in Fisheries members.
Singers and guitarists Elias Erikson and Patrice Scott Reinhardt will perform ‘‘The National Anthem,’’ ‘‘Jesus Savior Pilot Me,’’ ‘‘Amazing Grace,’’ ‘‘Be Thou My Vision,’’ and ‘‘Doxology.’’
Eight bells will toll as the names of mariners who died in the past year are read. In nautical terms, eight bells signifies mariners have finished their final watch.
Those mariners are: Kent Wesley Adams, Lavina Adams, Keith Bartow Sr., Dennis Berkeley, William Brooks, Larry Calvin, Carolyn Carle, Joleen Caspersen, Tom Conatser, Ronnie Cunningham.
Also, Mike A. Davis, Patricia Diamond, David Durham, Gertrude Esensee, Oren Flolo, David Galanin, Edward Gray, Ronald Heathman, Robert Hicks, David Hill Sr., Daniel Hoffay, Katherine Lott Hope, Raymond Howard, Tony Hrebar, Maria Huff, Brandon Ihde, Walter Jenny, Harry Jimmy, Amy Johnson.
Also, Larry Johnson, Lillian Kasnick, Kenneth Kimball, Murray LeCour Jr., Roy Levine, David Roy Lyons, William Luedke, John MacDonald, Tiffany Martin, Chuck McGraw, Dr. Patricia McPherson, Donald Neros, Michael Motti, William Eric Moy Sr., Alex Petro, Jake Phillips, James Porter, Mario Rivera.
Also, Jeffrey Scott Roberts, Norman Ross, John J. Sam III, Ryan Silva, Gail Stromme, James Swainson, Kristopher Tengberg, Greg Thrush, Carol Williamson, and died at sea, Deanna Moore.
Sitka Harbor Department will then take wreaths and flowers out to sea. Wreaths are to have bio-degradable backings.
A mug-up with refreshments will follow the ceremony at the Sitka Lutheran Church. All are invited to attend.
Appreciation is being extended to Young Life and Grace Harbor Church for use of the P.A. system.
Those who have questions, or need names to be added, can contact Mary Todd Andersen at 907-738-0969 or Bron Walton at 505-269-0906.
The custom of the Blessing of the Fleet is a tradition observed by fishing and boating communities, in which they pray for a bountiful harvest and for the safety of those at sea. The practice can be traced back to Old World Mediterranean fishing communities, and while the practice originated from Catholicism and brought to the United States by immigrants who held strongly to their Christian beliefs, it has since evolved to embrace more religions and cultures as it spread.
