WHO: “Chicago’s Christmas Ship” Committee, International Shipmasters’ Association, Chicago Marine Heritage Society, Friends of the Marine Community, Chicago Yachting Association, Navy League of the United States, U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and Navy Pier.
WHAT: The arrival ceremony for the new state-of-the-art Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw will take place at Chicago’s Navy Pier Friday, Dec. 3, 2010 at 8:30 a.m., welcomed in grand fashion by Fire and Police boats, a live military band and hundreds of students throughout the morning.
WHEN: The major event occurs on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010 at 10 a.m. near the “Captain
at the Helm” statue south of the Navy Pier entrance. The Mackinaw will be welcomed in honor of the “Chicago’s Christmas Ship” tradition bringing Christmas trees to over a twelve hundred deserving families in the Chicago area.
DETAILS: The ceremony includes presentation of colors by the North Suburban Young Marines from Great Lakes, Illinois and a memorial wreath laying ceremony commemorating the Merchant Marine officers lost on the Great Lakes. The high point of the ceremony is the fly over by a United States Coast guard helicopter carrying a memorial wreath to be placed on the waves near the Chicago lighthouse. (Weather permitting)
Three families, representing the more than twelve hundred deserving families who will be given trees this year, will be present to receive the first Christmas trees.
Guest speakers include: Rear Admiral Michael N. Parks, Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District; Commander Scott Smith, Commanding Officer, US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw
Honored Guests include: Commander Robert E. Bailey, Jr., USCG, Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Unit Chicago, and Lieutenant Peter J. Piaza, Commanding Officer, Marine and Helicopter Unit, Chicago Police Department.
Public Tours of the USCGC Mackinaw will be provided on Friday December 3, – Saturday December 4, 2010 from 1:30 – 5 p.m. The USCGC Mackinaw expects to depart Chicago on Sunday, December 5, 2010.
WHERE: Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, Ill.