Please also remember the Merchant Marines.....

[jandrok]

...who fought and died for this country during numerous conflicts. My father was a Merchant Marine during WWII, running supply convoys through the Bering Strait. The Merchant Marine is a proud naval body, and it's sacrifices often get overlooked. The Merchant Marine suffered the largest casualty rates of any armed service during WWII.

http://www.usmm.org/

Thanks, Pop, and thanks to all of the other brave souls who have served with honor.

[annabanana]

1. Here Here!

(the unserved Service)

[jandrok]

4. Thanks for the shoutout! (n/t)

[unhappycamper]

2. The Merchant Marine folks had the biggest balls in the world.

They sailed virtually unarmed vessels to England and Murmansk during WW2. Without their contribution, we could not have won that war.

[jandrok]

3. That is so true.

I know that my ol' man has a pair. He's still fiesty at age 88.

[amandabeech]

7. And the highest casualty rates, almost all deaths.

No one should ever forget them, or the U-boat war that they fought.

[jandrok]

17. So true. The U-boats sank an enormous number of MM ships.

They were easy pickings, especially during the early days of the war.

[gizmo1979]

5. I don't understand why

they are not recognized?There's a story on NBC news tonight.

[Enraged_Ape]

6. Jack Lord was a Merchant Marine

That's right: No less than Steve Freakin' McGarrett from "Hawaii Five-O" was among the ranks of the Merchant Marines.



I don't know why so many people forget about the Merchant Marines. They have an enormous history of service.

[pnorman]

8. That's an excellent site!

I check it frequently myself. Here's an extract from it: "1 in 26 mariners serving aboard merchant ships in World WW II died in the line of duty, suffering a greater percentage of war-related deaths than all other U.S. services. Casualties were kept secret during the War to keep information about their success from the enemy and to attract and keep mariners at sea." (http://www.usmm.org/ww2.html).

My father, who had been sailing most of his life, went down to his former union hall (SUP), took his union book out of retirement, and went back to sea in 1942. He sailed mostly in the Pacific, all unescorted. He was a lifelong IWW, and had little use for conventional jingoism, but in his 50s he left a well paid trade (structural iron worker) and did that. (I started going to sea myself in 1946, but that was a completely different ball-game).

pnorman

[chookie]

9. THANKS!

My dad is also a WWII vet of the Merchant Marines. Port of New York. Was all over the place -- Africa, Europe, India, Phillipines, South Pacific islands -- (but not as far north as your Dad, I think).

You give you Dad a big hug from me!!

[jandrok]

11. Will do, Chookie!

And I'd ask that you return the favor to your father. His service is NOT forgotten.

[roguevalley]

10. My boy is a merchant marine. God bless them.

[jandrok]

12. Tell him thanks from me, roguevalley.

His service is appreciated.

[Cleita]

13. I fell in love with the merchant marines on every freighter

my family traveled on in the 1940's. I was only a kid but they were super guys and would always buy me a souvenir in various ports of call.

[Blue_In_AK]

14. Thank you on behalf of my merchant marine engineer husband...

...who made numerous runs to Vietnam during the war years.

[Sperk]

15. My hubby's a merchant mariner also. Sixth generation.

Luckily for us.....Pres. Idiot only starts wars with countries with no navy and no airforce.

[Blue_In_AK]

18. It does seem to run in families, doesn't it?

My father-in-law was a merchant seaman, as well, during WWII. My husband followed in his footsteps, right after high school.

[jandrok]

16. Please tell him "thanks!" (n/t)