Honoring the Merchant Marines

My Grandpa died before I had a digital camera; I don't have a picture of him scanned to honor him today. I think he would say the flag is enough.

He was a patriot.

Papa Bill served in the Merchant Marines in WWII. He was too young to enlist otherwise. He wanted to serve his country. Eager even. And it breaks my heart that he never received any benefits, the GI bill, anything except a sense of satisfaction.

Surprised? I was too. The mariners provided the supplies to our troops during the war and suffered the highest casuality rate - 1 in 26 - but were denied benefits. It's hard to believe but true. And last year, a bill that would provide $1000 a month to the remaining mariners or their surviving wives was defeated.

It's just a great shame.

If you would like to learn more about the Merchant Marines, click here.

And please, if you would like to lend your support to the 2007 bill to provide promised benefits, click here.

Thanks.

Technorati tags: Merchant Marines World War II veterans Memorial Day Armed Services H.R. 23

picture courtesy of geekphilosopher.com