More Straight Talk

Earlier last week, the Coastal Breeze News received a Letter to the Editor request from Ms. Sheila Sova regarding the issue of the recognition of those brave men of the Merchant Marines who served during World War II on vessels that moved much-needed cargo across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in support of the war effort. 

This is an issue many may have mistakenly believed was settled some time ago, but in fairness to Ms. Sova and her father,  I believe her words needed to be heard. When asked if I would make my weekly space available, I was proud to do so out of respect for her and her father. 

God Bless all our military and those who served our nation during that time and during all times called upon, in war and in peace.

To the Coastal Breeze News, 

I wrote to Commander Lee Rubenstein of American Legion Post 404. I explained that WWII U.S. Merchant Marines (USMM) were considered "combat veterans with a DD214. His response was that my comments were "misinformation."I would like to now publicly address the issue at hand. 

Dear Mr. Rubenstein,

You wrote to me that "Our (American Legion) number one requirement is that you hold a DD214 from your branch of service. Since the Merchant Mariners are a subgroup of the US Navy during wartime they are not considered a main branch of the US Military. With that no Merchant Mariner will receive a DD214." 

Fact #1: That is false. I attached a DD214 to my email response back to Mr. Rubenstein for a WWII Merchant Marine issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. 

Fact #2: In order to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal from Congress that was issued in 2020 to WWII US Merchant Marine WWII Veteran, each Mariner had to provide DD214 to the Maritime Administration. 

 Mr. Rubenstein continues in his letter:  

 "I would highly recommend that you contact the National Commander of American Legion and lobby them for a change of rules for being a member. 

Hopefully, the requirements will be reviewed and the Merchant Mariners will be considered for membership in the American Legion. With having clarifying this for you I hope you now realize the status of your group. Good Luck, Lee Rubenstein Commander American Legion Post 404, Marco Island, FL. " 

Fact #3: On the National American Legion website, Legion.org, the application to become a member of the American Legion specifically lists Merchant Marine (WWII only) as an option.https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/legion/mailings/TAL_LgCard_10.8.pdf 

Lastly, I provided a photograph from 2019 at the National American Legion 101st  Convention in Indianapolis Indiana of a 100-year-old WWII USMM Veteran being signed in by the former National Commander Jake Comer and MA State Commander Fred White. Included to him was the article and photo posted in the Legion magazine as well as the American Merchant Marine Veterans magazine.Charles Mills will be 104 in June!  

Mr. Rubenstein has not been educated on the advancement of the WWII USMM Veteran.I am writing this in order to educate those who don't know what they don't know. The American Legion 101st Convention even had the US Merchant Marine flag hanging from the rafters.  

Perhaps if Mr. Rubinstein would have attended the Indianapolis Convention of the American Legion, as I did, he would know these things. 

Sheila M Sova 

Proud Daughter of a WWII USMM &ARMY Korean War 

Past National Vice President of American Merchant Marine Veteran Association