Veteran's Day on the Ship - Right Side - Project Idea

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Cheers

Very nice that they held the ceremony.

September 03, 2012

Fabulously done patriotic background!

August 19, 2012

The heart with the flag paper is so cute!

August 16, 2012

Henri - you should take photos of all the lapel pins and do a page.

August 15, 2012

Perfect!

August 15, 2012

this is so neat!

August 14, 2012

So wonderful!

August 13, 2012

Very nice Henri!

August 12, 2012

I love that the ship honoured Veterans Day so nicely. Also I agree this cruise definitely spoiled you!

August 12, 2012

Veteran's Day on the Ship - Right Side

Friday, November 11th, 2011 – What a nice Veteran’s Day at sea! We woke up around 10:30 in time to get dressed to go to the 11:00 Memorial Service on the ship. I was surprised to find the entire theater and the balcony packed almost to standing room only! I was also pleased to see everyone wearing their poppy pins.

As soon as we were seated we heard the Captain make an announcement saying that the emergency alarm would sound in a moment to start 2 minutes of silence for quiet meditation and another emergency alarm would sound at the end of the 2 minutes. That was broadcasted all over the ship which was very nice.

Then Gene Young, our Cruise Director, welcomed us to the Veteran’s Memorial Service. He introduced a Priest, one Bill and I had talked with earlier, who opened the service with a very nice prayer. Then a military poem was read followed by a Pastor who talked to us for about 5 minutes. A retired General read a military poem and then a Rabbi talked for a few minutes and said a prayer.

It was a very moving service – I am really glad we attended – both of us wore patriotic shirts and wore the poppy pins the ship gave to everyone the night before.

It was formal night which we were not in the mood for so we went to the lobster and had two lobsters each! The ship serves unsalted butter but they really try to please everyone so they heated salted butter special for Bill and me every time lobster is served.

As soon as we sat down they brought us each a glass of champagne. We don’t like it so we gave it away but it was still nice that they gave everyone champagne. A nice card was placed on each table which was folded and stood like a place cards. Both sides had the Holland America ship logo in gold and under that in small black letters “2011 Grand Asia & Australia Voyage – ms Amsterdam”.

Under that in bold capital letters this poem was printed:

A CHAMPAGNE SALUTE FOR DESSERT

LET’S HONOR OUR ARMED SERVICES,
THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE,
WHOSE DEDICATION TO OUR COUNTRIES
DOES NOT FALTER, HALT OR SWERVE.

LET US RESPECT THEM FOR THEIR COURAGE,
THEY ARE READY TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT,
TO KEEP OUR COUNTRIES SAFE,
SO WE MAY SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT.

CAPTAIN FRED EVERSEN
HOTEL MANAGER HENK J. MENSINK
OFFICERS, STAFF & CREW

When we got to our room after dinner there was a gold lapel pin for each of us – absolutely lovely. They are gold, rectangle shaped and have the Holland America ship logo engraved.

Under that is engraved on the pin, “2011 Grand Asia & Australia Voyage – ms Amsterdam”. What a wonderful keepsake for this special cruise!

The card that came with it has the usual gold ship and logo at the top along with “2011 grand Asia & Australia Voyage – ms Amsterdam”.

The message on the card says, “You will always remember your Grand Voyage experience with this classic Holland American Line Lapel pin.

Enjoy this handsome treasure and wear it with pride!

From your 2011 Grand Voyage Staff”

We have become very spoiled by the lobster tails or crab legs at least once a week and the gifts that we find in our rooms so many nights!