Archive for June, 2009
I have a lot of pictures, but they can’t replace the great feelings within for evoking memories about the award ceremonies held in my honor. Both events took place not far from Torino, Italy. Realizing that the title of “Piemontesi Protagonisti” was special—only two people are chosen annually for their contributions to culture, literature, and patriotism to the Piedmont, Richard and I arrived in Northern Italy a week early so we wouldn’t be jetlagged.
The first event was on May 21 in the town near my native village called San Martino Canavese. It’s where I had my first communion and where my great aunt Teresa is buried. The current mayor, Domenico Foghino, was my schoolmate when I was young.
As I arrived at the municipal building on the evening of May 21, I did not know what to expect; Domenico had told me it would be a surprise. The anticipation was thrilling, but the ceremony in the large conference room was the dream of a lifetime. The room was crowded with friends and relatives, representatives of the media, and government officials.
After Mayor Foghino welcomed everyone, my school friends came and sat next to me to read excerpts from my book; the mayor presented me with a plaque of honorary citizenship followed by singing of the national anthem; I talked to the audience (in Italian) about my memories of youth and my difficult emigration. Each moment was nothing less than amazing, including the strains of music from the band that was beckoning me to go out to the plaza.
I assumed this was the end of a beautiful evening, until Domenico (the mayor) instructed all of us to drive down the hill to my town of Pranzalito. As Richard and I approached my one-room schoolhouse where I went through third grade, a procession of cars followed us honking their horns. We felt as if we were part of a wedding procession. But instead, it was the inauguration of the new walk-in clinic housed in my schoolhouse. Town children cut the red white and green extended across the threshold. As we walked in, I noticed my honorary plaque of citizenship hanging on the wall. Yes, the schoolhouse would now be remembered for one of its young students who went to the New World, but enthusiastically had given back to her roots.
For a couple of hours, we all enjoyed snacks, desserts and beverages. Most of the village folk attended, including the children. As they drew pictures of me surviving the Andrea Doria-Stockholm collision, they were amazed to know that the blackboard on which they were drawing was the original that my teachers had written upon. I was amazed too, but wondered where the old yellow map of Italy had gone. It had given me my first sense of belonging to a place and culture that I would embrace for a lifetime.
Richard remarked, “How many people ever get the chance to be honored and remembered in their elementary school?” I guess he’s right that it’s special—and it feels terrific remembering all the smiling faces, handshaking, camera flashes popping, and words of congratulations.
Note: the second ceremony will soon be posted in another blog entry.
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Survivor Stories, Uncategorized | andrea doria, maritime news, personal memoir, Piemontesi Protagonisiti, shipwrecks|No Comments
Once again, the seas are the stage for events with global implications. This time, it could be war or peace.
Much of the world holds its breath as reports of continued nuclear testing in North Korea make headline news. For years, we have heard rumblings of possible nuclear weapon development in this country, but with recent activity, the question has been answered: North Korea has nuclear weapons, and they are not afraid to use them or sell them.
According to an article by David A. Sanger appearing in the June 15, 2009 online edition of the The New York Times, “North Korea has disavowed its past commitments to give up those [nuclear] weapons, and said it would never bow to the demands of the United States, its allies, or the United Nations . . . . The North said it would reprocess its remaining stockpile of spent nuclear fuel into plutonium, adding to an existing stockpile believed sufficient to make six or eight weapons.”
These statements have increased global fears that North Korea’s current status as a desperate, hurting country may lead them to put more of their nuclear and missile technology on the sale block. The transportation of these nuclear sales is predominantly by sea. According to United Nations document #SC/9679, the United Nations Security Council recently passed a resolution allowing “Member States to inspect and destroy all banned cargo to and from that country [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea]—on the high seas, at seaports and airports—if they have reasonable grounds to suspect a violation.”
President Obama’s order to the United States Navy is to track suspected vessels, hail them, and ask permission to inspect the cargo. If permission to board and search is denied, the ship will continue to be tracked, and every attempt will be made to ensure that inspections will be carried out by any country allowing the ship to dock at its ports. This policy stops just short of forcibly inspecting suspect vessels. North Korea has avowed that any forced inspection shall be considered an act of war, and they will respond with military action.
Not long ago, the world was focused on piracy and safety at sea. Now, the worries center on North Korea’s transportation of arms and nuclear technology by sea, as well as potential conflicts over inspecting North Korean ships, including possible military action—maybe even war. How the world powers choose to react toward North Korea’s activities on global seas could determine at least some of humanity’s survival. How the world powers choose to protect our seas will certainly affect our future.
Could much war and peace around the globe be decided on the seas? I think it is possible. Review the following documents and share your conclusions with me!
Filed under: Serving Our Seas, Uncategorized | cargo ships, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea, nuclear technology, nuclear weapons, United Nations Security Council, war on the seas|No Comments
Share your cruise experiences related to these three categories and send to. Your entries may be published in my blog, newsletter, and articles. Include your name, city, state—and website if you would like. With each submission, please write “Pierette Simpson has my permission to publish my submission.” The project is ongoing, so there are no deadlines. If you have any questions, please contact Pierette.
Please submit one, two, or all three of the following:
Tips: one paragraph which shares valuable cruise tips that will benefit others.
True Stories: a one-paragraph story highlighting a personal experience (fun, adventure, surprise, etc.)
Testimonials: a short favorable statement on the qualities and virtues of a cruise line. Name the cruise line (required) and liner, if you wish. Possible topics: service, entertainment, food, ‘green’ policies, safety, excursions, or anything that caught your fancy. It’s helpful to know your destination and time of year.
Thank you for sharing! Your entries will help others in their search of a dream cruise.
Pierette Domenica Simpson
Filed under: Serving Our Seas, Uncategorized | cruise experiences, cruise ships, cruise stories, cruise survey, cruise testimonials, cruise tips, cruise travel stories, cruise vacation stories, dream cruises|No Comments
Since June 8, 1992, people from all over this beautiful earth have celebrated one of the most important and powerful natural resources known to humankind-the oceans.
Why oceans? Approximately fifty-percent of the world’s oxygen is produced by phytoplankton in the water; ocean water temperatures and currents impact the climate; and great food sources still exist within our oceans.
Additionally, ocean waters allow large ships to move between continents, transporting product and people and aiding in the world economy; recreational boating and swimming occur on or near beaches around the globe; and some of the most famous and brilliant photography has been of the glorious creatures gracing the depth of our oceans.
I say “our oceans,” because the world’s oceans belong to all of us- every man, woman, child and creature on the face of this earth.
In recent news, piracy concerns have had global implications and more countries are taking a responsibility to help end the attacks. THIS IS OUR OCEAN.
Beachside communities around the globe organize beach clean-up days to pick up the litter and debris washed in by the waves. THIS IS OUR OCEAN.
Ecological programs and regulations expand as the awareness grows of the global influence the oceans have on the ecology of our planet. THIS IS OUR OCEAN.
The United Nations finally declares June 8th World Ocean Day. THIS IS OUR OCEAN.
Earlier today, the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, released a message for World Ocean Day. His first paragraph says it all: “The first observance of World Oceans Day allows us to highlight the many ways in which oceans contribute to society. It is also an opportunity to recognize the considerable challenges we face in maintaining their capacity to regulate the global climate, supply essential ecosystem services and provide sustainable livelihoods and safe recreation.”
As a shipwreck survivor, I have a special interest in keeping our seas safe for travel, but my maritime interests extend beyond just the safety of ships at sea; I have a heart for ocean ecology, for the positive contributions of the sea to our way of life, for global warming issues, and more.
The motto for this year’s celebration is “Our Oceans, Our Responsibility.” Think about what this means and how you can step up to the responsibility.
Then, consider taking the “Seven C’s Pledge” for ocean conservation as outlined and suggested by The Ocean Project: 1) Commit to making a real difference, 2) Conserve in your home, 3) Consume consciously, 4) Communicate your interests and concerns, 5) Challenge yourself daily, 6) Connect in your community, and 7) Celebrate our ocean. (Visit www.theoceanproject.org for more on the Seven C’s pledge and other celebration ideas.)
THIS IS OUR OCEAN. Every one of us can do something to respect and honor the oceans of the world. Won’t you join me and start today? Let me know what actions you decide to take!
Filed under: Serving Our Seas, Uncategorized | maritime, serving our seas, Seven C's Pledge, shipwreck survivor, United Nations, world celebration, World Oceans Day|No Comments
||