2/5/2008 - On January 29, Newsday, Long Island’s major daily newspaper, commended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy for its cooperation with the American Red Cross.

Newsday’s comments, in its editorial section, referred to training that the Red Cross’s New York area chapters recently provided to all 700 midshipmen in residence at the Academy to work at relief shelters in the event of a disaster on Long Island.

The Newsday editorial said: “The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, the federal service college tucked away in western Nassau, has a low profile, but now the midshipmen will be ready to help if Long Island needs them. Taking advantage of 700 fit and disciplined students in our midst, the Red Cross has begun training them for disaster response, specifically to secure and staff 50 shelters. Smart planning by the Red Cross and a fine gesture from the academy.”

During a two-hour training session at the Academy on Saturday, January 26, Red Cross instructors lectured the USMMA’s Regiment of Midshipmen on the basics of disaster shelters – how to keep people safe, fed and informed around the clock.

“These are able-bodied young men and women who will be filling a huge hole for us,” said Frank Cassano, chief executive of the Red Cross’s Nassau County chapter. “They understand command structures and have an esprit de corps that we’re looking for.”

From the Academy’s viewpoint, the training made sense. “Instilling the important sense of service in out midshipmen is one of the key goals of the Academy,” said the federal school’s Superintendent, VADM Joseph D. Stewart. “We emphasize service to fellow students, service to the community and service to the Nation. Assisting the Red Cross fits in well with both our program and our educational philosophy.”

The Red Cross indicated that they would be willing to repeat the training every year, as a new crew of midshipmen reports to Kings Point.

Academy midshipmen quickly recognized the importance of their new responsibilities. “We don’t panic, we don’t cower,” said Midshipmen Jake Querne, a junior (second classman) from Minnesota. We’re taught to always be ready.”