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S. 663, The Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009
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Visitor Comments
Jocelyne Rivers
May 16, 2009, 4:24pm (report abuse)It is hard to imagine that anyone could be against this bill. These courageous mariners who served during World War II were put in Harm's way to deliver much needed supplies to soldiers in Europe and the Pacific. The Liberty ships suffered heavy casualties. The mariners, true heroes, are long overdue the recognition and compensation that they deserve. The average age of the Merchant Marine who served during War War II is 84.
john courville
May 23, 2009, 2:05pm (report abuse)I am one of the surviving mariners who sailed T-2 tankers in the pacific during WW2.
I still remember F.D.R's promise.
President Obama honered the WW2 Filipino howcome he left us out?
carl rockhold
June 26, 2009, 5:26pm (report abuse)i sailed on the oliver h. perry on
my first trip. my brother was a navy gunner on the same ship this
trip.we talked the WSA girl to put
me on the same ship. i was 18 and
he was 20. the captain didnot know
we was brothers until we sailed.
i got no benifits and he does.
elmer locker
June 26, 2009, 5:51pm (report abuse)I joined the meratime service at the age of sixteen. I am now eighty two years old and would greately enjoy getting the thousand dollars a month for the passage of bill S.662
Richard Kinsella
June 27, 2009, 5:26pm (report abuse)Merchant seamen suffered one of the highest casualty rates of any of the armed services during WWII. as POWs they suffered such indignities as torture, forced labor, malnutrition, starvation and lack of medical facilities that, at times, resulted in death. Nearly 50 years after President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill on June 22, 1944, applicable to members of the armed forces, WWII merchant seaman received only quasi-veteran status providing burial benefits, inspite of the fact that these merchant mariners engaged in the domestic offshore and foreign trades during WWII were placed in harm's way the minute their vessels left the dock or anchorage, and at times they were subject to harm even while berthed. And thousands of the uniformed GIs who never left the confines of the United States -even though admittedly though no fault of their own but through the luck of the draw- received full GI benefits, including thousands of dollars worth of education, medical and other allowances.
Michelle Rockman
July 14, 2009, 7:59pm (report abuse)My father proudly served during World War II, but only a short time before his death did he receive recognition as a member of the armed forces. My mother, who will be 91 in November, should at least benefit from the passage of Bill S.662, since my father only received a US Flag and a few hundred dollars to my mother upon his death. Shame on this bill being dragged along for so long. I am sure by the time it is passed, there will not be many surviving Merchant Marines or their spouses left.
William J. Kurdi
July 16, 2009, 6:40pm (report abuse)Every branch of service in WW@ depended on the Merchant Marines to deliver the equipment for them to survive, Without the Merchant Marines the war would have been lost. Let's give some credit to the many men who voluntered for this most dangerous task.
Thomas P Hanley
July 17, 2009, 11:58am (report abuse)The Merchant Marine sailors of WWII got screwed-big time.We were the ones who brought the troops and all they needed to fight the war in Europe and the Pacific.While doing this we suffered higher casualties than the army,navy or marines. Most armed services veterans of WWII were not combat soldiers and yet received full GI Benefits. NO fairness.
Frank Walliser
July 20, 2009, 5:13pm (report abuse)S-663 is a short term commitment. Like most of my generation I will be age 90 next January. I feel that our generation fought and won the most critical war for survival that our nation has ever faced. There are not many of us left.
I served my country faithfully without reservation from March 1942 to September 1945 and I have received battle Ribbons for service in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific theatres of war
Billions of dollars are being spent to changer the quality of life for human beings all over the world. All I ask is that you please allocate a very minute portion of this to s-663 for a very small group who volunteered to serve our country with distinction and without reservation during WW II
Frank Walliser
Carol Buck
July 21, 2009, 11:56am (report abuse)My husband is ALIVE at age 81 and served in Merchant Marines WWII. We now live on SS only and really need this 1000.00 per month until we die. Why won't Pres. Obama push this through as he was on the Veterans Committee with Akaka up until his election. He says he wants to help Veternas, then why not with this Bill 663? How can we get this approved?????
walter geoffroyl
July 22, 2009, 3:17pm (report abuse)went to sea at age 16 still waiting for recognition& compensation pass senate bill #96
Robert Annal Z286760 D3
July 31, 2009, 8:51pm (report abuse)Jeez,what do these guys want anyways.The war ended in August 1945 so isn't that when any bonus should end likewise.The only risk after that was from floating mines and that was a small risk.Let's not forget the air raid bonuses we got and the 100% base pay increase at sea.If we had just saved our money instead of leaveing it in all those crummy barrooms all over the world we wouldn't need any stupid bonus today.All I can say is "Shape up or ship out"
aILEEN Pancheri
August 6, 2009, 12:12pm (report abuse)hUSBAND SERVED IN m. Marines. He is 82 now and we surely could use exra income as our S.S. AND MY PENSION ARE VERY LOW.WHAT IS HOLDING THIS UP ANYWAY. Pres.Obama should be ashamed!
just Frank
August 10, 2009, 11:54pm (report abuse)S 961 had 61 sponsors and co-sponsors and died in the Senate Veterans Afairs committe. Has been re entroduced (S 663) in the 111th congress and has had a sham hearing on april 29, 2009 with only testimony from the same panel opposing its passage, that opposed Merchant Marines status for the past 63 years.
Ed Woods
August 15, 2009, 11:33am (report abuse)Yes, my ship did hit a mine at the end of the war. I also was shelled in Manila Bay during its invasion.
I also sailed through umcharted Mine Fields and, by the grace of God, missed being blown away by Jap torpedoes -twice. I was off Okinawa when the kamikazes were at work. No, nothing heroic, but please don't belittle teenagers' contribution to winning WW II
Don Shnyder
August 17, 2009, 6:15pm (report abuse)The NMU and the SIU fought the shipping lines in the late 30's. We won the right to have decent food on our tables. It cost the owners (mostly Republicsn) quite a bit, so ever since we have paid for winning. In 1980 Barry Goldwater apointed Secratry of the Air Force as the one who would decide who would get Veterans Status. He wrote the Senator a letter calling Mehchant Mariners (SUB_CULTER) code word for Blacs, now titled AFRICAN AMERICAN,s. The Army, Marine, and the Navy only alowed them to be cooks ,motor pool, and other low jobs. They even went so far as to make special all black groups, Which Many gained Great Fame. The Republican party has denied us our GI bill. They Made The Sponser,s of HR 23 leeave out The Widows of the Merchant Seamen the Were Slaughter by the Germay U Boats. Any Senator the Will Deny The Widows does belong in MY U.S.U. goverment.
tom spence
August 29, 2009, 1:05am (report abuse)The greater the injustice, the longer it takes to set right. Congress inaction on S663 is deplorable. The US Government owes this and more to those WWII Merchant Marines who served their county. In 1941 Pres FDR took to the airwaves and pleaded for volunteers to do what the government and he could not order done , and these boys did not hesitate., and because of their service in convoys classified as suicide runs, sailing without ports or safe havens in months leading to Normandy & D-day Americans were free to brave another day. Some Senators simply just don't get it. Any further delay with this is utterly shameful & nothing short of .... obstructionist. Ignorance of history is no excuse to continue this wrong. The Army, Navy Air Force Vets do not want the heroics of the Merchant Marine to come to light. For without the Merchant Marine, there was no way for US to win WWII, & since then men sail free. President Obama signed the 2009 National Maritime Day Proclamation. He must do more.
Robert Annal Z286760 D-3
August 31, 2009, 8:46pm (report abuse)Remember the silly little merchant marine anthem that had a parody like "Give us the bonus and we'll deliver"So now there's nothing left to deliver,so where's the bonus? Seriously I bet it would take another year after this thing made it through Congress before the first checks were mailed out.Better chances on the lottery.Ever see any U-boat veterans?I did once in Casablanca in Sept.1943,they were P.O.W.s,all small guys and real young.I wonder if they get a bonus from the German government.
Ed Woods
September 3, 2009, 10:13pm (report abuse)Put a stop to the rumors.
I suggest that those who are not familar with the pay scale of the WW II Merchant Mariners, visit
the Horodysky family Web Site at
usmm.org. It offers a fair and honest comparison of the WW II Merchant Mariners and the other services
Ed Woods
September 3, 2009, 10:19pm (report abuse)As it has been said, "The years go by quicker than you think."
I left school in 1944 at age 16 to go to sea in the WW II Merchant Marine. I'm now 82- and I'm one of the youngest. Isn't it time to say THANK YOU?
Kenneth Dietrich
September 7, 2009, 7:18pm (report abuse)To all WWII Merchant Marines who gave up their youth at the ages of 15, 16 and 17 and 4F. We sailed the oceans to deiver gas, food,supplies and troops. We all did a good job but now the government will not recognize after 63 years. Why can't the Senate get together and pass Bill No. S663. Please let me know what the status is of this bill and if it will be entered into the next session. Thank you.
Don Shnyder
September 9, 2009, 3:32pm (report abuse)The Republicans are fighting S.663 In The Veterans affairs, Senators Richard Burr (R)NC and Jonny Isakson (R)GA have never cosponsered S.663. Burr will not alow S.663 out of Commitee. Both are up for reelection in 2011 so lets get behind their Rivals to vote them out of office.
Thomas P. Hanley
September 12, 2009, 1:36pm (report abuse)There are 15 members on the Veteran Affairs Committee,5 of whom are co-sponsers of this bill. What is needed to get this through? Can one man stop it? If it's a simple majority,it seems like we should have a good chance.
Charles E. Hutton
September 18, 2009, 7:18pm (report abuse)I understand that we now have 40 co sponsors now for S663. I have looked at the list and I see quite a few Senators that voted for last year bill that have not signed this year including my Senator Bill Nelson of Florida. I thank all the help that we have got from the House and Senate so far, and I still keep writing but I have found that if you are not in their state you will probably not get any reply. X Seaman must take the time to write their senator. If this does not pass this session I probably will never receive anything. Now 83. Calm waters.
W D Schomerus
September 19, 2009, 2:40pm (report abuse)News papers and recruiting centers said ( your country needs you) I went and then was treated like a deserter by my government I'm 83 and have never begged and won't start now. Senators let your conscience be your guide.
Robert Annal Z286760 D3
September 23, 2009, 3:28pm (report abuse)Let's face it,Senators like Akaka,Burr,and Isakson and the other grommets who are against the bill now will still be against it 5 years from now when half of us are no longer around.Massachusetts gives a flat $500 to merchant marine veterans(from MA)That's exactly 4 times as much as the bonus we got for an air raid in a foreign port.Ain't that special?
D Aronson
September 24, 2009, 11:36am (report abuse)I just read through the Senate Veteran's Affairs Committee Hearing on this bill and did not see any advocates in favor of it. The VA opposed it as did the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Amvets took no position. What next?
W Schomerus
September 24, 2009, 2:36pm (report abuse)Even Canada gave rheir WW11 mariners some compensation. What is wrong with our country? I don't need the money now but it ssure would have helped when i was trying to keep a job and pay for my own education.The G I bill would have sure helped
Voting Veteran
October 2, 2009, 4:30pm (report abuse)It amazes me that Senator Akaka opposes this bill and is blocking it in Committee. This is the same Senator that worked the floor of the Senate to keep the WWII Filipino Veteran Equity Act attached to the stimulus package. Why is it that he honors the service of the Filipino Scouts that fought alongside the U.S. Army to defend their country, but they he doesn't extend the same amount of respect to our American WWII Mariners who fought for OUR country? Please call Senator Sanders(VT) and Senator Tester(MT), members on the Committee and ask them to be cosponsors on Senate Bill 663. We have 42 cosponsors now and 5 are on the Vet Committee. We need 8 on the Committee. Both of these Senators have been cosponsors in the past. Capital switchboard is 202-224-3121 or 202-225-3121. Ask your friend, neighbor, church member to make a call. Send a message to our Senators that it is time for them to let this bill come to the floor and pass it before we lose anymore of our Mariners.
Robert Annal Z286760 D3
October 5, 2009, 9:03pm (report abuse)We can better understand why this measure won't pass is probably because there is nothing in it for the opposing senators.There are no votes to be gained for them by backing it;there are no kick-backs,no lobbyists to piece them off.You appeal to their sense of justice?Justice for these grommets is something they can put in the bank or some material equivalent.A welfare mother can get $1500 a month or more if she has enough kids without daddies in sight.1942 is gone and done with,might as well just forget about it.
Ed Woods
October 13, 2009, 10:49am (report abuse)In May 1944,the US Maritime Service recruited SIXTEEN year olds for service in the Merchant Marine. The kids dropped out of school; delivered the war supplies and fought off the enemy. At the end of the war-no help to return to school. They were only were given a CERTICATE exempting them from the Draft. Ha, ha, in 1950, they were called to the Draft Boards and told "Pack your bag and get ready to serve again in the Korean War. The Certificate was for the 1941 Draft. This is 1950 and a new Draft Law.
Shame on somebody
bill satkoske
October 14, 2009, 12:07pm (report abuse)I understand that the bill S662 is in senate for consideration...it states on senate site that registration for eligible mariners must be submitted befor oct 1 1990.where do we get application?
Thomas P. Hanley
October 15, 2009, 6:08pm (report abuse)As of today,we have 43 co-sponsers of S663. Of these, 5 are on the Veteran Affairs committee which has a total of 15 members. The other ten members are Senators Akaka,Rockefeller,Webb,Tester,Burris Sanders Burr,Isakson,Wicker and Graham. Google "Senate Veterans Affairs Committee" and you will get their E-Mail addresses. Even though we may not be their constituants, it could help.
Clegg Langley
November 2, 2009, 11:34pm (report abuse)I served 1943 to 1945 in the Atlantic and saw ships go down and men also. I am a lucky.I am 82 years old and hope I can get some support before I die.I sailed on 3 Liberty ships and one coal coaller.6
Steve Ceskowski
November 3, 2009, 1:03pm (report abuse)These brave men entered combat the second their ships slipped their moorings in America. Why delay honoring these heroes another day?
Say "yes we can" and thank you to our veteran mriners.
Linda Sheldon
November 7, 2009, 1:06pm (report abuse)My Dad is anxiously awaiting legislation to be passed. He served both Atlantic Pacific. He's 87. Do it in his lifetime.
Jim Green
November 7, 2009, 11:53pm (report abuse)Senator Akaka has been urged by veterans organizations not to release S-663 from his committee. The reason, we are not recoginized by these veteran organizations as veterans. I beg to differ with them. I was issued an HONORABLE DISCHARGE from the US Coast Guard for my service in the merchanr Marine from Dec. 7, 1941 until August, 1945. Our country did recognize us as veterans who served their country during armed conflict. My message to Senator Akaka, recognize the Merchant Mariners in the same manner as you recognize Filipino scouts, who also served our country during armed conflict. PASS S-663
Mary Kaye
November 11, 2009, 2:29pm (report abuse)My father also has Honorable Discharge papers from the Coast Guard. He was trained at Sheepshead Bay and they were told that if they deserted they would be executed - they were under the same disciplinary regulations as the navy and other branches of the military. He went to a Navy recruiting station to enlist at age 17 and was told the need was greater for the MM so they sent him there. That happened to a lot of young men during that time. His cousin went in the army and they both went to college when they got out - his cousin went on the GI bill and my dad worked at a box factory all through college. he had no GI benefits. His cousin gets medical treatment at the VA, my dad is not eligible. The other branches of the military do not like the idea that the MM will get a benefit they can't get - but they forget that they already received the benefits - when they were young and had many years to enjoy them!
just arthur
November 12, 2009, 8:41pm (report abuse)Senator Webb of Virginia is also a member of the veterans affairs committee, and thru the years has been active during obstruction of MM recognition. Will not or has not co sposored SS 663
He recently was active and sucessfully promoting legislation that rightfully benefited his son. Veterans organizations that have opposed MM legislation have stated they would rather see the money go to their own members.
W Schomerus
November 13, 2009, 11:53am (report abuse)One thing made WW11 merchant marine diferent WE HAD NO DRAFTEES WE didn't join because we had to.WE VOLUNTEERED
Robert Annal Z286760 D3
November 19, 2009, 10:23pm (report abuse)Why should we act like a bunch of Skid Row Bowery bums about this bonus.Think of the thousands of dead soldiers,Navy sailors and Marines who were killed during the war,we had it easy even if we did have to sleep with our clothes and shoes on.
Tony Raitz
December 1, 2009, 4:45pm (report abuse)When S.663 passes, it will once again be a recognition that our elected officials can feel that they serve with a sense of purpose and personal pride for their citizens.