ROCKLAND — The hand is carved from metal, but it is Jay Sawyer’s hand. Intricately carved details raised in permanent salute from an empty maritime uniform have been lovingly crafted by this Warren sculptor, who not only put his heart into his work for the victims of El Faro, but also used his hand as the mold for the salute. For the faceless female that will stand beside the male, Sawyer’s daughter lent her own hand.

On Monday, August 8, 2022, Rockland City Council will vote to allow an afternoon road closure on Atlantic Street for Saturday, September 24, at 1 p.m., when hundreds of people from around the country will gather at the dedication ceremony for the northeast region’s “El Faro Salute!” memorial, to be located on Atlantic Street “between culture and industry,” as Sawyer likes to say.

The project has “got a life of its own,” he said. “It’s off and running, and it’s not even a hundred percent done yet.”

Sawyer has been working toward this moment since learning of the sinking of the El Faro cargo ship in 2015 and the loss of its 33-member crew, including Danielle Randolph and Dylan Meklin from the Rockland area, Michael Davidson of Windham, and Michael Holland of Wilton.

With support from the families of the departed, along with land use permission from Dragon Cement and the City of Rockland, Sawyer has been inching forward, making use of the time and resources allowed to him to produce a well thought out product.

“It’s very satisfying to be this close,” he said. “I just feel so good that it is what it is, and how well it came out.”

The jacket material is salvaged steel from the demolition of the American Can Company, in Portland. Another material on the memorial was salvaged directly from the St. George River.

The names of each crew member are now penciled onto a large transom in alphabetical order by first name, waiting for Sawyer to etch the letters in permanently, and then for family and friends to bring their crayon wax and rub their souvenir onto paper.

David Lufkin made the buttons for the female uniform. Retired captains are spreading the fundraising word and helping to organize the ceremony. Penobscot Marine Museum is managing the donations. Maine Maritime Academy and Massachusetts Maritime Academy have offered their color guards.

Financially, $100,000 of the $135,000 price tag has already been met, thanks largely to the maritime community. Those contributions have come from the West Coast, the Gulf Coast, and up and down the East Coast.

Despite the continued gap in funds, Sawyer proceeds. The memorial will be completed, according to Sawyer. Attendees have purchased plane tickets. The ceremony speakers have committed, including Mayor Ed Glaser, and author and inspirational speaker Peter Panagore. 

“This tragedy has had a lot of wide spread effects,” he said. “It really becomes apparent, when you get behind the scenes of this, and the planning, and the dedication and all – seeing how much it means to people of all types. Beyond the families, shipmates, colleagues, and others.”

From the community, Sawyer asks them to consider donating toward the future of the permanent memorial, which will remain in place 24/7. This is a regional memorial for the El Faro. A memorial can also be found in Florida. Another in San Juan.

But for the eight crew members from the North East, this is now the local site for the families. It’s Maine’s nod to the maritime shipping industry and Rockland’s own history. And, it provides another reason for travelers to visit Rockland.

To that end, Sawyer would like the community to consider supporting the memorial’s dedication ceremony and/or help with enhancements, insurance, and other necessities down the road.

“Everything about the project is perfect,” he said. “Other than the fact that it was needed, everything about this is satisfying. Very satisfying. Important in a couple of different areas: public art and the therapeutic benefits of art, the healing power of art. It’s all connected and it’s all wrapped up in one piece here. It’s pretty powerful stuff.”

Sawyer’s business, Studio JBone, has been closed to the public for a few years. However, Sawyer is now considering reopening to the community on a regular, yet limited basis, after the El Faro project is complete.

See the previous article 

Proposed El Faro Salute! memorial rises as fifth anniversary of sinking nears

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com