An executive order signed by President Donald Trump last week had the audience of a Sturgeon Bay Marine veteran. Jack Brandenburg, a current relief mate with Ohio-based Interlake Steamship, was selected to witness the signing of the executive order designed to make it easier for military veterans to transition to jobs in the domestic maritime industry. Currently, much of the training done in the military does not qualify for the  merchant mariner documentation required by the U.S. Coast Guard  to work on a ship. With help from the American Maritime Partnership, Brandenburg expects that to change.

 

Brandenburg says he was humbled to be inside the Oval Office with all of its history and to be able to shake the hand of the President.

 

 

The Oval Office photo is an official White House photo taken by Shealah Craighead; the press conference photos are by AP photographer Manuel Balce Ceneta.