American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial facts for kids
The American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial is a special place in San Pedro, California. It honors brave American merchant mariners. These are sailors who carry goods and supplies by sea. They play a vital role, especially during wars. The memorial features a beautiful bronze sculpture called Jacob's Ladder. It also has a wall with names of those lost at sea.
Honoring Merchant Marine Heroes
This memorial was created to remember American merchant marine veterans from all wars. It was designed by Jasper D'Ambrosi in 1986. The bronze sculpture was made in 1987. The memorial was officially opened to the public in 1989.
A bronze sign at the memorial shares an important message. It says: "The United States Merchant Marine has faithfully served our country in times of war and peace hauling cargo to every corner of the world. This Memorial is dedicated to those brave men and women of all races, creeds and colors who answered that call to serve."
The Jacob's Ladder Sculpture
The main part of the memorial is the Jacob's Ladder sculpture. It shows one merchant seaman helping another during a rescue at sea. They are climbing a Jacob's Ladder, which is a type of rope ladder used on ships. This climb symbolizes the hard work and sacrifices of American merchant mariners.
The artist, Jasper D'Ambrosi, designed the memorial. He lived in Wilmington, California. Sadly, he passed away after his design was chosen but before he could finish the final model. His two sons, Marc and Michael D'Ambrosi, completed the sculpture. They finished the model, cast it in bronze, and installed it in 1987. They did this to honor their father's work. The sculpture was cast at Arizona Bronze in Tempe, Arizona.
- San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial. Retrieved September 11, 2006.
