WWII Merchant Mariner vets ask for benefits

Colleges & Universities United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)
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<p>Published in the Navy Times:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/04/navy_merchantmarine_070418/[/url]”>http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/04/navy_merchantmarine_070418/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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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>