The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) is expanding its traditional National Maritime Day ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 22, to honor living maritime heroes as well as merchant mariners who lost their lives in service to the nation. Since 1971, MARAD has held an annual U.S. Merchant Marine Memorial Service to honor American seafarers who have lost their lives in wartime service. During World War II alone, 733 American vessels were sunk, and nearly 6,000 merchant seamen and officers died as a result of enemy action and war-related causes. Their sacrifices often are overlooked during Memorial Day ceremonies.