WWII Merchant Mariner vets ask for benefits

Colleges & Universities A-Z Merchant Marine Academy - Kings Point
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<p>Published in the Navy Times:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/04/navy_merchantmarine_070418/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/04/navy_merchantmarine_070418/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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Former seamen who served in the Merchant Marine during World War II shared some of their war experiences Wednesday before asking a House committee to approve a $1,000 monthly pension for every surviving World War II merchant mariner or for the spouses of mariners who have died.</p>

<p>The aged seaman — the youngest whom his comrades called ‘Kid’ was 80 — spoke in impassioned but faltering voices about the need for Congress to right a historic wrong by paying the pensions, even as at least one congressman questioned whether that would be fair or affordable....

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<p>I think without a doubt the WW2 Merchant Marine Vets deserve benefits. Without them we would have definately lost World War 2.</p>

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<p>What on Earth could be the rationale for them NOT receiving benefits? Yes, the Merchant Marine is a bit hidden from public view, but a very cursory look into the past would answer any questions of "fairness".....</p>

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<p>This has been an ongoing debate for several years now. There has been at least one bill proposed and unfortunately not much every gets done on it. If I'm not mistaken they were only recently given veteran status.</p>

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<p>The argument was always that the USMS sailors weren't in the "military" and were serving in a auxiliary capacity. All that didn't seem to bother congress when they extended VA benefits to WAC's, WAVE's etc., that were actually officially designated as "auxiliary". Go Figure, Huh?</p>