http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills info@washingtonwatch.com http://www.pjdoland.com/chai/?v=0.1 http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#136025 There was one big thing different about the WW11 Merchant Marine. We had NO DRAFTEES. We didn't join because we had to. WE VOLUNTEERED... 136025@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#130411 Forget... 130411@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#123359 If, as is stated, that the VFW and American Legion opposed any benefits for the Merchant Marine vets, I will withhold any donations that I have been making over the years!!!... 123359@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#119261 how to find out if S-663 is passed and how to apply for the Payment of 1,000.00... 119261@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#119263 Await reply... 119263@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#116464 The VFW itself was totally against this bill being passed, And so was the American Legion , they both said there were other groups in the war that were far more deserving.... The Merchant Marines had the highest % of casualties of any other branch in the military... I think the VFW should learn more about the Merchant Marines before they make a statement like that !!... 116464@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#116483 Oh, and a big thank you goes to Hillary Clinton when she was Senator of New York for thinking more about her personal agenda rather than those that put thier lives on the line in WWII... 116483@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#106148 Today the President signed a new Veteran's Health bill. Many referrals were made to the sacrifice of Veterans. Of course the Merchant Marine was not mentioned. I guess for the congressional bills to pass will be put on hold until we are all LONG GONE!... 106148@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#103140 This "dragging of feet" is rediculous!!! These men served and most received NO compensation. This is a SMALL amount compared to the Billions our Government is spending on nonsense!!! Where can I find out what is happening NOW!!!... 103140@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#97053 There are 15 senators on the Veteran Affairs Committee. Five of them are co-sponsers of this bill. Three more votes would give us a majority. Is one senator able to stop the bill in its tracks? If so,this doesn't sound like a democraccy to me.... 97053@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#92272 Myboyfriend,Richard Shea, served in the Merchant Marine from 1941-1943.He made 3 runs to Murmansk during this time, and was finally torpedoed near the Azores,but was rescued. From 1943-1945 dick served in the US Army in Italy and France. He died in 2004.Dick thought he was well paid for his service,but he did think the merchant service was more dangerous than the army. Neither Dick nor I will receive any benefits from this bill, but I think it should be passed. The Merchant Mariners served valiently under conditions of great peril, and they were absolutely essential to the winning of WW2. They and their spouses deserve this small gesture of thanks from the government before they are all gone.... 92272@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#84419 Shipmates we might as well call in the dogs and pee on the fire the hunts over and we lost. Bill s663 is as dead as a mackeral. I think Senator is a traitor.... 84419@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#85825 In May 1944, the US Maritime Service recruited SIXTEEN year olds for service in the Merchant Marine. The kids enlisted (dropped out of school) delivered the goods and fought off the enemy. At the end of the war: no help to return to school: they were given a Certificate of Service: an exemption from the DRAFT. In 1950, they were called to the Draft Boards and told the Certificate applied to the 1941 Draft Law. "This is a new Draft law-pack your bag and get ready to be drafted to serve in the Korean War. Shame on somebody.... 85825@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#78366 WHEN I WAS 16 DAD SIGNED ME INTO THE USMS 1944 AND 1945 I WAS IN THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC HOSTILE WATERS NOW I AM 82 LAST YEAR I HEARD ABOUT BELATED THANK YOU FOR MM BUT NOW I THINK IT IS DEAD.... 78366@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#65136 On behalf of my 81 year old Father, who served as a Merchant Marine, who proudly served his country also as a sailor in the US Navy. They deserve the THANK YOU! Especially before many more pass away. The too risked their lives for our freedoms today, and without protest. My father wanted so much to serve his country, he forged papers at a young age. With his parents permission, the Merchant Mariners accepted him and he served. World War II, and the Korean War as many of them did. Honor them! Give them that Big Thank You, don't allow many more to go to their graves without it.... 65136@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#64184 Chairman of the Veterans Affairs committee, Senator Akaka blocked passage in the 110th congress even with 61US Senators sponsoring passage. One of the panelist in panel # 3, stated he wanted to set the record right and gave a twisted tale about casualities touted and how we recieved veterans status,in 1988 claiming it was as a result of his sucesful authorship that he submitted in the 1980s. He also in response to a question by Sen Burr stated he did not want the legislation to pass. Senator Akaka has conducted another sham hearing in the 111th congress on 4-29-2009 with panelists only opposing passage of S 663... 64184@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#62385 I started in 1943 at Catalina Island,and sailed continously till 1953.I have contacted Virgina Senator Jim Webb, who is on the Senate Veterans Affairs Commitee.There is no reason we should be denied this compensation... 62385@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#62059 After high school I enlisted in the U S MERCHANT MARINES. I had three months of tough boot camp on Catalina Island in the Maritime Service then boarded the S S Benjamin Bonneville. This was 1943, and the beginning of many ships and Now we must beg for recognition and a paltry $ 1000.00 per month. I am 83 years old and could sure use the money. WAKE UP SENATE - OK S 663.... 62059@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#61792 My husband lied about his age and joined at 16.He still gets tears in his eyes when relating some of the stories.He has dementia and is failing fast.Where do they sign up?... 61792@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#61713 CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME THE PRESENT STATUS OF S 663 -NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW IF IT'S DICARDED OR WHAT.... 61713@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#61050 You have posted wrong address for William J. Kurdi, Correct address is Post Office Box 1312, Los Angeles, CA. 90078-1312. Thank you. William J. Kurdi... 61050@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#60861 I went to sea at age 17 in the U.S. Merchant Marine and sailed during the war in both troop ships and cargo ships in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific. I lost many shipmates to submarines and many others to penury because their meager pay stopped when their ships sank. I waited 43 years before my country finally, and reluctantly, provided a version of veterans' health care benefits to WWII merchant seamen. We were in our sixties then, we are in our eighties now. We were all volunteers and we were all in combat from the time our ships left port. The British have a plaque thanking us because we kept them from becoming a part of the Nazi continent. The U.S. has nothing recognizing our sacrifice.DI... 60861@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#60668 I have asked you to remove my address from this report. I am 84. Why don't you take care of my request. Thank you. William J. Kurdi.... 60668@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#60669 I just asked you to remove my address from this list.... 60669@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_23.html#60346 My father was in the merchant marines. How do I find out if my mother is entitled to benefits? She has gone to her local VA office and they know nothing.... 60346@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT