Thursday November 10^th events started at 4:30 with the lighting of  30 oil lamps near the anchor of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The anchor fell of the Fitz in the Detroit river and was recovered in 1995, then donated to the Dossin Museum. It was followed up be a concert by Lee Murdock , very nice. At 7:10 the time the Fitzgerald went down, all the names of the crew where read with the ring of the bell after each. Very moving. Rev. Richard W. Ingalls tossed a wreath on the Detroit River with the Fireboat Detroit putting on a nice display.

Friday November 11^th We had the honor to be a part of the Taconite run commemorating the day the Fitzgerald would have delivered her cargo to the River Rouge Steel plant. It started of with a brief speaking from Capt. Erickson reliving that faithful night, with Rev. Richard W. Ingalls saying a few words. Jim and Carol Clark joined myself with other on the tug Patricia Hoey , great people down at the Gallic tug group. Thank you Capt. Bill for the ride! Once we got to the Rouge River, we met with the steel workers. The crew of the Westcott handed off a mailbag with actual taconite from the Fitzgerald and a plaque for US Steel commemorating the event. Afterwards we headed out to where the Fitzgerald would have docked. Rev. Richard W. Ingalls tossed a wreath in for the 29 men. Again one of those moments! We them sailed back up to the Westcott docks. What a day that was!!

November 12^th was a open house at Dossin Museum. Attending was family members, ship workers, sailors and anyone else affiliated with the Fitzgerald. Jim and Carol Clark and myself had the honor of being a part of this event by displaying and talking about modeling great lake vessels, and how the Fitzgerald and her crew have brought such an interest in the Lakes. This event was my favorite, it was so nice to talk to the family members, Ruth, Pam and Chris where so nice, great to meet you. The people that worked and sailed on the Fitzgerald where great sharing there stories. Just a great day. To highlight the day for me I asked these people I met to sign my model. Very cool.

November 13^th was the ceremony “Ringing of the Bell” at the Mariners Church in Detroit. This was very special to again pay my respects by having the honor of ringing the bell. Just a very moving event, so nice to share it with so many. I had the honor of ring the bell when I started this model and again when she final is being finished 6 years later.

 “To pay my respects to the crew of the Fitzgerald and all that sail the Lakes” I’ve stated that’s part of the reason I chose to build the Edmund Fitzgerald. I could not have imagined what this project has turned into be, a very special one of a kind experience for me.