Better Late Than Never...

Today is Veterans' Day...a day to honor the service, the heroism, the sacrifice of men and women both living and not...those who have given so much to defend and protect not only our own country, but also others in need of our help throughout history.

Today there are heroes among us that have sadly been overlooked, even forgotten. Their average age is 83 years old and without them World War II may never have been won....at the very least it would have been seriously prolonged. They are the United States Merchant Marines.

During the second World War the Merchant Marines were the ones who risked their lives delivering the troops, tanks, boats, planes, ammunition, food, fuel and medicine needed to fight the Axis enemy. They were the first to go and the last to come home. They suffered the highest percentage of casualties - 1 in 26 Mariners killed - compared to other branches of the armed services. Their ships were attacked by submarines, kamikaze, and artillery from the shores. President Roosevelt showed true appreciation for their service, recognizing that they were "fighting side by side" with the Navy and Army. In 1944, as he signed the GI Bill, Roosevelt expressed the hope that Congress would someday give similar benefits to the Merchant Marines that "risked their lives time and time again during war for the welfare of their country". In reality though, their "thank you" consisted only of a letter from President Truman and a lapel pin. The benefits that were given to the heroes of the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard were simply denied to the Merchant Marines.

The effort to right this wrong began in the late seventies as Mariners sought Veteran Status. Not until 1988 did this become a reality, but considering the fact that the average age of the Mariners was 64 at that time, it was too late to take advantage of most of the GI Bill benefits such as education, home and small business loans, priority status for post-war jobs, etc.
Simply put...too little, too late.

The champion that the Merchant Mariners had in President Roosevelt was somewhat replaced by the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Bob Filner when he introduced a bill called the "Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007" to the 110th Congress earlier this year...calling it an "opportunity to correct a grave injustice heaped upon the gallant men of the Merchant Marine of World War II" and going on to say that "heroes from past wars deserve all the care and dignity that this nation can bestow." In July, The House passed an amended version of this bill, which would basically allow for payment of $1,000 per month to qualifying, surviving Merchant Marines. The bill was introduced in the Senate in March, was read twice and then referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (I was disappointed to see that both Senators from the State of Georgia are not listed as co-sponsors of this bill and I have written them today to urge their support.) Unfortunately, as I write this blog, I am unable to report on the status of this important legislation - unable to find anything definitive on the internet - but I have left a message in Washington with the Committee on Veterans' Affairs asking for an update.

Today is Veteran's Day. I am reminded of the heroes that walk among us, the heroes that have gone on to receive their greatest reward, the heroes that serve in far-away lands today. I am reminded of my father - thankfully still with us today - who stood on the deck of a ship watching artillery fly overhead in the night sky - who proudly served our country in World War II - a United States Merchant Marine.