Marcie Sextro

Marcie Sextro is a multi-genre writer who is enthralled with history.

First hand account research is her favorite way to discover the why and how of history. Journals, one-on-one interviews, ship's captain logs and letters have all attributed to one of Marcie's current projects, a YA Historical Fiction novel. Her characters bring to life the world and sacrifice of the WWII Merchant Mariners.

You will find her most days in her writing office sipping a steaming cup of Chock full o' nuts coffee with her parakeet Pete chirping while she works. If not there, she is birding, gardening or tackling her new venture into watercolor painting.

Are you on the lookout for a Christmas program for your church?

Caroling Through His Story is a Christmas Reader's Theater rich in historical detail of the stories behind severl of the beloved Christmas carols.

For more information: https://www.marciesextro.com/caroling-through-hisstory

My favorite gig I've ever had, was working with Meredith on The Backyard Chicken Project website. I was a blog writer for her and as I have always been a "chicken lover" at heart, I jumped at the chance to learn more and share knowledge about these feathered beauties. You can find the best info (totally biased here) on your flock here: https://backyardchickenproject.com/blog/.

The US Merchant Mariner Flag

The U.S. Merchant Mariners have been a vital part of every war effort in our country.

During WWII they had the highest loss rate; 1 in every 26 Mariners gave their lives to transport necessary ammunition and supplies.

"America's Merchant Marine and civilian seafarers have put themselves at risk to support our armed forces throughout our history." - Albert J. Herberger

After the Rescue of the William S Thayer

Albert Foulser is on the left in this photograph of his shipmates in HMS Walker with USN sailors taking passage to Britain and Russians rescued from the William S Thayer

This photograph was taken on Kodak 620 film in Albert Foulser's box Brownie camera and the image has been scanned from the negative carefully kept by Albert.

Forgotten Heroes

Although President Roosevelt had every intention of giving the Merchant Mariner's veteran status that did not happen due to political pressure.

The AMMV has worked tirelessly to help these WWII Mariners receive the recognition they deserve.

https://ammv.us/

Merchant Mariner's hauled cargo to help win WWII!

According to data from the War Shipping Administration Merchant Mariner Ships delivered 203,500,000 Long Tons of Dry Cargo, 64,700,000 Long Tons of Liquid Cargo, and 7,300,000 personnel.

They hauled an astounding 17,000,000 pounds of cargo every hour of every day.

The variety of supplies they brought to the front included ammunition, airplanes, aviation fuel, explosives, tanks, trucks, medicines, landing craft, locomotives, and food. In 1944, just from the West Coast ports, 2,727 airplanes, 993 boats, 296 amphibious craft, and 1,223 vehicles."

(http://www.usmm.org/wedeliver.html)

Merchant Marine Seamen Needed WWII Poster

The largest growth of the Merchant Mariners happened during WWII.

The prewar number of 55,000 Mariners grew to 215,000 during the war.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt had called on the Mariners to haul supplies well before the U.S. had officially gotten into the war to help our Ally, Great Britain.

Many men and women were needed to do the job and they answered the call sometimes with their lives.

RJ Katen, WWII Merchant Mariner

You may be wondering why am I so interested in Merchant Mariners.

My Grandfather, RJ Katen, attempted to serve in every branch of the military in WWII but due to an injury they would not accept him.

However, the Merchant Mariners would sign him on and he served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Zones.