What The Heck Was That Uniform?

Those who attended the dedication service for the "Field of Flags" last Sunday noticed that I was attired a little differently.  Since 2002, I've served as a civilian chaplain to merchant seamen in the ports and harbors of New England.  While we generally wear civilian clothes when conducting this ministry, in official capacities we are to wear the contemporary version of the traditional uniform.  [Even though I think it makes me look like "the Orkin Man."]

Sometimes it's easier to refer to those whom I serve as members of the "merchant marine", as that now-disused title is more familiar than any contemporary one.  [Also, the "Department of Transportation Maritime Administration" is a bit of a mouthful.] This sometimes leads to a second question:  What's the difference between the "merchant marine" and the United States Marine Corps?  That's an easy one.

These are members of the USMC:

These may be considered members of the merchant fleet:

See, that was easy.

[Marines are served by the Chaplain Corps of the U.S. Navy, by the way.]

More fun: Play "Spot the Rector" in the photo below.  Hint: Don't look for eyeglasses.