Editor:
I am an 81-year-old Merchant Marine combat veteran of World War II. I sailed and delivered military goods and ammunition to our armed forces in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, and luckily I survived with only a few disabilities for my …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Please log in to continue |
Editor:
I am an 81-year-old Merchant Marine combat veteran of World War II. I sailed and delivered military goods and ammunition to our armed forces in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, and luckily I survived with only a few disabilities for my wartime service.
Along with other merchant mariners of this conflict, I have been seeking the support of our two U.S. senators from Alabama to join the other 49 senators who have signed on as co-sponsors of Senate Bill S961. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska introduced the bill. Some of our most powerful senators are ardent supporters of this bill that calls for just compensation for the merchant mariners of World War II.
These mariners suffered the highest casualty rate of any branch in the military. For every 100 merchant mariners who served, 26 were killed in the line of duty; yet, they were not recognized for their service by the U.S. government until 1988. Sadly, our two Alabama senators seem to be reluctant to sign on as co-sponsors.
A similar bill, HR23, was passed unanimously by the U.S. House of Representatives on July 17th of this year. The bill had the support of Jo Bonner and other House members who were cognizant of our dire needs. We hold these representatives in the highest esteem.
There are approximately 10,000 surviving Merchant Marine veterans whose average age is 83. Many of these veterans have only their monthly Social Security checks to make ends meet.
When President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill in June 1944, he said: “I trust Congress will soon provide similar opportunities to members of the Merchant Marine who have risked their lives time and time again during war for the welfare of their country.”
With his death, mariners lost one of their most ardent champions.
We are ever hopeful that Senators Sessions and Shelby will find time to address this urgent need as they plan for their re-election and support our cause. This bill is not an entitlement; but, rather a belated acknowledgement of the role merchant mariners played in securing our victories in World War II.
