The Mathews Maritime Foundation is honoring and remembering the U.S. Merchant Mariners of Mathews County, featuring a number of them in the foundation’s 2014 calendar and hosting a special exhibit in its museum beginning Sept. 1.

The foundation will also honor the men’s service during World War II at a special reception scheduled from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Mathews Maritime Museum on Main Street. The public is invited.

"Coinciding with the debut of the 2014 annual calendar, the Mathews Maritime Foundation will have a special exhibit of memorabilia and information about the U.S. Merchant Marines," said MMF spokesperson Nancy Lindgren.

Beginning Sept. 1, the display of photographs, information and items of interest related to merchant ships and their crews will showcase the impact the merchant mariners had during World War II.

"From its beginning, Mathews was known for building sailing vessels that were worked in bay and ocean commerce," Lindgren said. ...