One day last week my young grandson came home from school and told me they had a visit from some veterans of the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. They sang songs about their branches of service.
My grandson thought this was pretty cool, but was wondering why there wasn't a merchant marine with them. I was kind of stuck for a good answer and finally told him it was maybe because they did not have an active public relations department.
A little background is in order here. The U.S. Merchant Marine is the international carrier of the world's goods, freight and passengers. Wherever there was an invasion of an enemy beach, merchant marine ships were there in great numbers ferrying troops, tanks, bombs, artillery, fuel and every other kind of goods needed to make a successful invasion.
The people who sailed on the ships were volunteers from age 16 on up. They were trained intensively at the United States maritime schools to make them ready to ship out.
Losses during World War II were high due to enemy submarines. The ratios of fatalities were 1 to 26, higher than every other service. In 1944, when the G.I. Bill (a thank you to veterans) was passed, it was immediately discovered that it did not include merchant mariners. President Roosevelt turned to an aide and instructed him to make the correction. This order got lost in the shuffle and a few days later the president died.
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Now, years later, there is an attempt to rectify this situation to a degree and the merchant mariners were finally given veteran status in 1988 by an act of Congress. There were no retroactive benefits. There was only recognition for their patriotic work during World War II, and the offer of a veteran's plot at a national cemetery.
Right now there are pending bills in the U.S. House and Senate labeled "Just Cause." The intent of these bills is to rectify the inequity of 60 years ago. If you are in agreement with this legislation, please contact your U.S. senators and representatives.
Mauri Reller
Kandiyohi
