| AMMV
China Coasters Chapter Monthly Newsletter:
March 20, 2004
Sample Message about H.R. 3729
Honorable Member of Congress
(Your Representative)
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Honorable __________,
I urge you to cosponsor H.R. 3729: To amend title 46, Untied States Code,
to provide a monthly monetary benefit to certain individuals who served
in the United States Merchant Marine and Army Transport Service in World
War II.
These services were part of
World War II Armed Forces who were were responsible for the Supply and
Logistic that supplied U.S. and Allied Forces.
Mariners delivered troops and
vital supplies to all fronts and took part in all invasion from Normandy
to Iwo Jima.
It took up to 15 tons of supplies
to support ONE soldier one year. Thus the availability of merchant shipping
was the most critical factor in allied military planning.
Merchant ships faced danger
from submarines, mines, armed raiders, enemy war ships,aircraft, "Kamikaze,"
and the elements. Thousands of merchant ships were sunk.
Mariners suffered the highest
rate of casualties of any service, 1 in 26 being killed.
The ratio for all other combined
was 1 in 55.
The need for mariners was so
desperate the entry age was dropped to 16 years old.
When President Roosevelt signed
the GI Bill in 1944 he stated, "I trust Congress will soon provide
similar opportunities to members of the merchant marine who risked their
lives time and time again during the war for the welfare of their country".
But President Roosevelt died
and Congress failed to pass a similar bill for mariners beaus of opposition
by powerful lobbying groups who spread lies and rumors.
Many World War II mariners
who were high school drop outs never recovered economically from the sacrifices
they made for their country .
with 240 killed before the attack on Pearl Harbor, and countless numbers
killed after VE and VJ Day due to mines.
Please cosponsor H.R.
3729 which will, in some small measure, make up for these inequalities.
Contact: Rep. Bob Filner of
California. Please let me know that you have become a cosponsor. Thank
you!
Respectfully,
Your Name
Home Address
Telephone
PHOTO S.S. PRESIDENT TAYLOR
in the 1980's "getting it on" outbound for the Aleutians, Pusan
Korea, the China Coast , Singapore, Madras India and other points "out
there and back."
S.S. LANE VICTORY
www.lanevictory.org is their
new web site If you have access to the internet give it a visit. Their
meeting day is every 2nd Monday of the month. Many China Coasters are
dual members and attend. The new cruise dates are set call 310 - 519-9545
for tickets.
FUND RAISING
Jane Meyer $30
David Kolp a car $200
Paul Schuet a pickup $700
TOTAL $930
DONATION
The 1983 pick up with a camper shell, and sun roof that Paul Schuet donated
for the benefit of the chapter was sold for $700 as noted above.
For your donations our deepest thanks guys and gals.!
Like all not-for-profits we
NEED the funds.
TOTAL $305
We urge anyone in the local
area who has an old car they wish to donate
for charity, call (714) 769-1295. Tell them it's for credit to the China
Coasters. Your donation can be tax deductible
No new members this month.
FINAL DEPARTURES
"Bless them on the journey into the never ending night."
None reported this month.
SLOW BELL LIST
Jerry Ah Chin - Joe Collins Cliff Hildebrand - Glenn Fortune Bob Hutchinson
-.C. Hintson Bernie Carpenter - Eugene McFela Charles Steichen - Stan
Halka Ted Kalivas - Jim Siney We wish each of you a full recovery.
SAY WHAT
"Your food stamps will be stopped effective March because we received
notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if there
is a change in your circumstances." Dept. of Social Services.
SLOP CHEST
Merchant Marine Combat Veteran Caps $7
V Pins $5
Statue Pins $10
China Coaster Caps $7
Xtra Large T shirts Various colors $8
Jean Jackets LARGE $15
If you wish them mailed there
will be an extra mailing charge.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"Only in America...do we have the worlds longest parking lots. Big City
Freeways "!
SPECIAL NOTICES
Urge everyone you know to contact their congressperson in person, fax,
Post Cards telephone to support bill H.R. 3729. Write letters to the editor
of your local newspaper to support Congressman Filner's Merchant Marine
Compensation Bill (H.R.3729) in Congress.
SPECIAL THANKS
To Ian Allison and the Compensation Committee for their tireless work
and expenses for getting H.R.3729 started. This writer has contributed
to their expenses, I urge others to do like wise.
Member Mike Fields has set
up a site of the beginning history of the American Merchant Marine Veterans
Statue in San Pedro. Give the site (thestatue.org) a visit. And thanks
to all who support the AMMV and the China Coasters.
CALENDAR
Board Meeting: April 17, 2004 10:30 A.M.
MEETINGS Every 3rd Saturday
of The Month Next meeting April 17, 2004 1300 Light free lunch will follow.
DUES REMINDER Check your envelope
label for dues expiration date. If they are due, an envelope is enclosed.
Make your $30 check payable to: "AMMV China Coasters".
NOTE: If you are 3 months behind
you will be removed from the National membership list. "Bless them on
the journey into the never ending night." |
