The Men Who Serve (right): The original headquarters for the National Maritime Union was located at the intersection of 7th and 12th streets in New York City. Called the Joseph Curran building, after the union's founder and president, this mid-century modern marvel was designed by Albert C. Ledner, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. With a white stone facade and a serrated, wave-like overhang, the building certainly evoked ideas of sea travel while sticking to the simple lines and colors favored by mid-century modern style. The building currently serves as Lenox Hospitals imaging center, though many remember it as a stop along the way of working on liners like the “Big U.” This image of the Joseph Curran building was featured in United States Lines Sales News and would have been a similar sight for Alan Stark as he made his way to get documentation for his travels. (Photo donated by J. Meyer)

US Merchant Mariners Document (left): For those who worked aboard the SS United States as “non-officer” crew members, a membership card to the National Maritime Union would have been a must. Alan Stark received this card as he became a part of the union before beginning work as a night porter on the SS United States. (Photo courtesy of Alan R. Stark)

The Statue Of Liberty (above): As a night porter, Alan Stark would have had one of the most unique perspectives aboard the SS United States. One of his favorite and most memorable sights though, was that of the Statue of Liberty when the ship pulled into her home port in NYC. Though it meant his time onboard the Big U was over, it became a far greater symbol to him as he came home from abroad. Even with all the social and political tumult found in the summer of 1969, the Statue of Liberty shone with a fervent sense of home and freedom in a way he had not noticed before. (Photo Courtesy of Robert G. Lenzer)

Statue of Liberty Menu (above): The Statue of Liberty was a common image on SS United States merchandise and ephemera. Not only did it further link the ship to ideas of the American dream and the values of the nation, it also served foreign passengers who were visiting the United States for the first time. These menus often depicted important and exciting sites for tourists to visit and this menu from 1969 was likely in circulation during Alan Starks time on board! (Photo Courtesy of William Mullins III)

Years Later (left): The image on the left shows Alan Stark holding print of William James Aylward’s (1875-1956) painting of the SS United States. Stark bought the print years after his service on the ship as a reminder of his “Summer of Fun.” Unbeknownst to Stark, he was drawn to a renowned illustration of the SS United States by a famed maritime artist.