The “Blessing of the Fleet” is one of those small town Sitka rituals that mark our seasons. It is on Palm Sunday, a time to stop and remember all of those who our community has lost during the past year, with a special mention for those lost at sea. We also ask for a safe season and full nets. There’s music, an honor guard and a Coast Guard flyover. TV Dan records the event for Cable TV and posterity.

Near the end of the service the names of each person lost is read and folks bring forward flowers and put them in a basket. After the reading the ship’s bell rings 8 times to signal “end of watch” and the baskets go down to the Harbor Master’s boat to be scattered at sea. Once, decades ago, the Episcopal Priest threw a memorial wreath into the sea from a bulkhead wall, his Chesapeake Bay Retriever… Well, that’s another story. But I will say when the dog brought the wreath back the assembled clergy got the feel of what it was like if they stopped being fishers of men and became fishers of… well fish. They took in the spray.

But today the service went off without a hitch.

From God comes every good and perfect gift, Our praise and thanks we offer to you, Oh Lord.

• For the beauty of the earth and the might waters of the seas and oceans…
• for the people who have tenderly stewarded your bounty for 10,000 years…
• for the tang of the salt air and for the sparkle of the sun upon the waves…
• for the cry of the gull and the eagle, and the graceful beauty of their flight…
• for the sound of the horn in the fog, and the sight of the harbor lights at night…
• for the gift of radio communication between boats, and with the shore, and for all of the navigational aids…
• for those who watch and work on behalf of others, especially those who serve in the United States Coast Guard and all who protect and help those upon the sea…
• for the rattle of the winch and the smell of the diesel…
• for the laden nets and holds that are filled…
• for honest labor and work an for the blessings of good crew and friends…
• for the faithful support of our families and the stability they represent…
• and for the quiet comfort and warmth of a place called home.