by Capt. Scott A. Lund ’84, VP

Penobscot Bay Alumni Association

The Mariners football team was assembled on Richie field playing

MIT on an unseasonably warm day for Homecoming. At half-time,

I would present the Penobscot Bay Chapter Scholarship Award to a

deserving underclassman.

As the time drew near, our hosts at the academy approached the

tents bordering the playing field to find the presenters for the awards.

I was dining with William F. Brennan, former Commandant of

MMA. His son, Dr. William J. Brennan and various academy officials

were already assembled in front of the grandstand.

As we marched onto the field, I could not help but reflect on the

passage of time and the passing of the torch from father to son. From

when our class graduated in the mid-80s until 2016, more people have

graduated from the academy than had previously from its inception

until our graduation. Yes, a lot of water has passed under the keel, and

the academy and the world are a very different place today.

After spending nearly three decades at sea, I thought of how the

volume of U.S. American Flag trade has declined along with the

number of billets available for graduating cadets. Back in my day, the

emphasis was on a seagoing career afloat. Today, Maine Maritime

has become a maritime college with emphasis on the global market,

logistical support, business management along with the traditional

seagoing curriculum in order to adapt to an ever-changing market.

MMA marked its 75th anniversary with a nostalgic celebration that

was both welcoming to the alumni and inclusive to the community of

Castine.

The four-day event included dinners, commemorative speeches,

sporting events, live entertainment and a fantastic fire works display

that the whole town could enjoy from the town landing.

Thank you, Maine Maritime for all your efforts behind the scenes

and your welcoming presence, celebrating this waypoint in the life of

the academy, as well as our own.

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75

MARKING A MMA MILESTONE