AMO Currents - Officers, crew of <i>USNS Wheat</i>

AMO Currents - Posted: December 24, 2012

Officers, crew of USNS Wheat - mariners helping Marines

Officers and crew members of the USNS Wheat, here with Col. Christopher Michelsen and other Marines, included (in no particular order) OIC Captain Michael Hasson, Bos'n Robert Arneel, AB Glenn Davis, GVA Jamar Harley, Chief Engineer Clifford Jayne, First Assistant Engineer Tommie Davis, Third A.E. John Bimpong, GUDE James May and SA Kareem Worthy. Not in the picture are Second A.E. Adrian Kreckmann and Chief Cook Abraham Lagasca.

The officers and crew of the USNS LCPL Roy M. Wheat (T-AK 3016) Dec. 21 donated $4,000 to the U.S. Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

"The USNS Wheat officers and crew all agree that, as much as these American heroes have sacrificed, they deserve the best care and support available in their hour of need," said Captain Michael Hasson, OIC, USNS Wheat.

Col. Christopher Michelsen, commanding officer, Blount Island, accepted the donations on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Regiment and Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

"The generous gesture by the officers and crew of the USNS Wheat reflects the spirit of American merchant mariners everywhere," said AMO National President Tom Bethel. "On behalf of the National Executive Board of our union, I extend warm wishes to all AMO members and families for a happy holiday season."

The United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment provides and facilitates assistance to wounded, ill and injured Marines, and sailors attached to or in direct support of Marine units and their family members in order to assist them as they return to duty or transition to civilian life. The regiment supports active, reserve and veteran Marines.

The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund provides relief for financial needs that arise during hospitalization and recovery as well as assistance for those with perpetuating needs. The program provides support in a variety of ways including service member and family support, specialized and adaptive equipment, adaptive housing, adaptive transportation, education and career transition assistance, PTSD and TBI Support.

The USNS Wheat is operated for Military Sealift Command by Maersk Line, Limited and is manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers and in all unlicensed positions by the Seafarers International Union.