Transportation Secretary Duffy’s Stirring Message to USMMA Graduates
In a powerful address to the graduating class of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the importance of faith and resilience. Speaking at the 89th commencement ceremony in Kings Point, New York, Duffy highlighted the unique challenges the graduates faced during their academic journey, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duffy acknowledged the hardships encountered by the Class of 2025, describing them as the “class of COVID shutdowns of Sea Year,” a period crucial for practical training. He detailed the adversity they faced, including living with inadequate facilities and enduring months without hot water. “Congratulations, you have perseverance,” Duffy commended the midshipmen. “Several months ago, I was able to see for myself old tar dripping from the ceilings. I saw dorms rotting with mold. I saw rusty showers with no hot water.”
In his speech, Duffy also addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding a historic painting of Jesus, “Christ on the Water,” which had been relocated to a basement susceptible to flooding. The painting became a symbol for many at the academy, with some midshipmen seeing it as representative of their struggles to uphold their beliefs. “Worst of all, I saw Jesus stuffed in the basement,” Duffy noted.
A petition by Christian midshipmen called for the painting’s relocation to a prominent place on campus, such as Ackerman Auditorium, signifying their determination to stand firm in their faith. They expressed feeling marginalized during the pandemic and voiced a sentiment of being “stranded out to sea” by those who should have supported them.
Duffy shared that the restoration of the painting is underway, stating, “The process has begun, and we hope to know more soon!” This move is accompanied by ongoing improvements to the campus’s deteriorating conditions, which Duffy has pledged to address.
Echoing his sentiments on social media, Duffy tweeted, “Good sailors know that only God can calm the seas and bring everyone home safely,” alongside an encouragement for the graduates to remain steadfast in their faith. He concluded his address with nine life lessons, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging a higher power. “There are two kinds of people: those who believe in God and those who think they’re God,” he remarked, urging graduates to “Stay faithful and never underestimate the power of prayer.”
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This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
