Blessing of the Fleet and Memorial Service held June 21

Windjammer Days 2026

Mon, 06/22/2026 - 1:25pm

KEVIN BURNHAM

Area clergy bless the fleet of boats at Boothbay Harbor Fish Pier on Sunday, June 21, the first day of the Windjammer Days festival. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

U.S. Coast Guard personnel present flags at the Blessing of the Fleet. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

A crowd watches the Blessing of the Fleet. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Jim Thibodeau plays the bagpipes at the Blessing of the Fleet. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The U.S. Coast Guard arrives for the Blessing of the Fleet. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The Memorial Service begins in Fishermen's Memorial Park. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Carolyn Remley leads the Memorial Service. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Paster Glen Carter gives the Invocation. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Emily Sue Barker, left, and Imij Armstead sing a song. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Chris Armstead reads a psalm. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Jim Thibodeau plays a song. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

John O'Connell reads the names of fishermen lost at sea. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

A volunteer rings a bell after the name of a fisherman lost at sea is read. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

David Patch reads the names of fishemen lost at sea. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Imij Armstrong sings "God Bless America." KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Dr. Barclay Shepard and Carolyn Remley. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Rev. Patrick Machayi gives the Benediction. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Area clergy bless the fleet of boats at Boothbay Harbor Fish Pier on Sunday, June 21, the first day of the Windjammer Days festival. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

U.S. Coast Guard personnel present flags at the Blessing of the Fleet. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

A crowd watches the Blessing of the Fleet. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Jim Thibodeau plays the bagpipes at the Blessing of the Fleet. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The U.S. Coast Guard arrives for the Blessing of the Fleet. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The Memorial Service begins in Fishermen's Memorial Park. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Carolyn Remley leads the Memorial Service. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Paster Glen Carter gives the Invocation. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Emily Sue Barker, left, and Imij Armstead sing a song. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Chris Armstead reads a psalm. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Jim Thibodeau plays a song. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

John O'Connell reads the names of fishermen lost at sea. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

A volunteer rings a bell after the name of a fisherman lost at sea is read. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

David Patch reads the names of fishemen lost at sea. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Imij Armstrong sings "God Bless America." KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Dr. Barclay Shepard and Carolyn Remley. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Rev. Patrick Machayi gives the Benediction. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Sunny skies before an afternoon thunderstorm blessed the Blessing of the Fleet and Memorial Service on Sunday, June 21.

About 26 boats – lobster, fishing, Coast Guard and harbor master boats – passed by Boothbay Harbor Fish Pier where area clergy, Pastor Glen Carter of Boothbay Baptist Church and Rev. Patrick Machayi of Our Lady Queen of Peace, blessed the boats with holy water. About 50 people attended the blessing, which included representatives of the local U.S. Coast Guard station who presented the American, Coast Guard and State of Maine flags.

Following the blessing, people made their way up the short hill to Fishermen’s Memorial Park, where more people were ready for the Memorial Service.

The service was led by Carolyn Remley, daughter of Judi White and granddaughter of the late Estelle Appel, both of whom have led the service. Remley praised the work on the service started by her grandmother and continued by her mother, and said she was proud to continue the tradition.

Pastor Glen Carter gave the Invocation, followed by a song, “Sail On Boys,” by Emily Sue Barker and Imij Armstead. Chris Armstead read Psalm 23, followed by a song, “Eternal Father,” trumpeted, then led the singing by Jim Thibodeau.

Reading the long list of names of those lost at sea over the years were John O’Connell, David Patch, Carter and Remley. After each name was read, a bell was rung by a volunteer. Remley asked for a moment of silence after the names were read.

Imij Armstead then sang “God Bless America,” followed by the placement of a wreath at the foot of the Fishermen’s Memorial plaque by Navy veteran Dr. Barclay Shepard with help from Remley. Following a Benediction by Rev. Machayi, Thibodeau played “Taps” to conclude the ceremony.