UMD News Releases

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOTE TO EDITORS & INTERESTED PARTIES: Duluth, MN, and Superior, WI, U.S.A.— The Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute and the Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center will open beginnings of a collection including medals, artifacts and a model of a Liberty Ship commemorating the Merchant Marine Veterans who served during World War II and the local involvement from the Merchant Marine.

The Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute (GLMRI), a consortium of the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) and the University of Wisconsin-Superior (UW-S) will co-sponsor with the Richard I Bong WWII Heritage Center, a reception and program to honor our local Merchant Marine Veterans. The event will be held at the Bong WWII Center on Wednesday, evening, reception starting at 7:00 PM/Program at 8:00 PM.

Dr. Richard Stewart, co-director of GLMRI and a professor at UW-S will be the master of ceremonies for the evening. Dr. Stewart is a former Captain of the Navy Reserves, and had both graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kingspoint, NY, and served as a faculty member. Mr. Floyd Miras from the U.S. Maritime Administration, (DOT) will present a slate of medals to a local Veteran, Mr. Richard Bibby. Mr. Robert Fuhrman, Director of the Bong Heritage Center will provide an overview of the museum and the collection initiative.

GLMRI is a joint project between UW-S and UMD, established to pursue research efforts in marine transportation, logistics, economics, engineering, environmental planning and port management.

CONTACTS:

Carol Wolosz, Assistant Director
Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute
218-726-7446, cwolosz@d.umn.edu or info@glmri.org

Robert Fuhrman, Director
Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center
715-392-7151, fuhrman@bongheritagecenter.org