http://www.herald.ns.ca/stories/2000/10/21/f121.raw.html To all:- The news from a reliable newspaper, The Halifax Herald, concerning the Merchant Mariners/Seamen, is a real insult!!! Many of the surviving Merchant Navy, the ones who sailed on the U-boat ridden Atlantic Ocean, without even guns as protection, deserve a great deal more than this. Going back a few years, to World War II, every business in Liverpool, Nova Scotia had a small truck, equipped with room for four stretchers on the back, plus the usual four blankets. When a merchant ship, regardless of country, was sunk in Liverpool Harbour, the trucks would converge to the waterfront, load up any survivors and head to the gym of the high school. It was here that fold-up cots had been put out, food prepared by the various groups of the coastal town. Students of the high school were given the endless small chores to look after -- names, addresses, etc. We looked after the seamen until a hospital train came from Halifax, 100 miles eastward. Many did not make it -- one interpreter worked with the RCMP for the correct language -- the U-boats did not care which ships were hit!! Now, the government does not seem to care for these survivors -- I know many of them, and they have suffered for years. Please look at any names on the ballot before voting in the coming election! Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> [One who worked in the school gym during World War II] --------------------------------- >From Aileen Sloane <sloane@voyageur.ca> Muriel: I agree with you! We are from the same generation! Many of my old friends were in the Merchant Navy. I remember what dangers they endured. They did their part in a major way and certainly deserve the respect and support of all Canadians. Above all they deserve the same compensations and benefits as the Active Forces. They were just as active dodging u-boats and torpedoes, as any other naval vessel. Plus - who do they think helped a lot of the war children and others get safely over here from England and Holland? The Merchant Navy! And - if I remember correctly, didn't the Government officially draw all ships other than passenger liners into war service? Conscription of vessels, or whatever they called it? That made the men official too in my books! Looks like we have more genealogical history to be made in another direction! Aileen