LETTERS

Sea Power, Feb 2005

Ask Tough Questions On Shipbuilding

I read your "Editor's Note" and Sheila McNeill's "President's Message" in the November Seapower and agree with you both. I have been watching the decline in ships over the last 10 years with growing concern. It is important, in my opinion, that the Navy League take a strong public stand on this issue because at some point quantity affects quality no matter what technology is employed.

Over the past five years, I believe the Navy League has endorsed the Navy's declining shipbuilding program by printing interviews with admirals and civilian secretaries without a contrary comment. The Navy League's publishing policy of passing on the Navy Department's public relations message that "our force reductions are over" and "our future shipbuilding program is approved" is not responsible if it does not represent the concerns of Navy League leadership or membership.

I ask that our organization now speak up on this topic and no longer print "powder-puff" interviews on shipbuilding. The litmus test should be: what would Theodore Roosevelt do?

Jim Mottern

Capt., U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Received via e-mail

G.I. Benefits For Merchant Mariners

I served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II, initially as midshipman on a liberty ship. Later, my service included sailing as licensed deck officer in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Caribbean theaters. We were attacked by German aircraft and submarines while on the Allied invasion of North Africa and transported cargo to Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. I was awarded the Merchant Marine Combat ribbon.

However, all our volunteer Merchant Mariners were denied all G.I. benefits that were afforded by the passage of the G.I. Bill of Rights, enacted by Congress in 1945. All who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard received these benefits. The Merchant Mariners were not included, despite the fact that we suffered the highest casualty rate of any group who served during World War II.

We became the forgotten service. No legislation to benefit merchant seamen was passed by Congress until 1988, when the Seaman Acts of 1988 granted us veteran status and gave us some "lesser" benefits under the G.I. Bill.

I ask all who served in World War II - whatever the branch -to support a bill that would give just compensation to World War II Merchant Mariners.

Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., has introduced H.R. 3729, "Justice and Equity for Members of the U.S. Merchant Marine," to provides eligible veterans a monthly benefit to compensate for the loss of nearly a lifetime of ineligibility from the G.I. Bill.

I urge all concerned to contact your U.S. senators and representatives and urge them to actively support and co-sponsor H.R. 3729.

Daniel Elkins

Barrington, Va.

Education Proposition

Are there concerns about restarting the draft? No need to be. Just eliminate all federal aid to higher education except for the Reserve Officers Training Corps and the G.I. Bill. Who could object if all the nation's education help goes to those who help the nation?

Roy A. Beaver

Corpus Christi, Texas

'Own Words' Kudos

I would simply like to tell you how much I enjoy the "In My Own Words" article each month at the back of Seapower.

It allows us to reach right into the great thoughts and minds of the fine men and women who serve our great nation with courage, honor and commitment.

Bernard Johnson

Culver City, Calif.

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