May 27 was Memorial Day. A day that we set aside to honor all the men and women who lost their lives serving out country. We honor all the armed services, and rightly so, but do we ever mention the heroic men of the American Merchant Marine? Sadly, I doubt that there was one word mentioned in their behalf. At least I never saw any.

During World War II, the American Merchant Marine sailors had the highest casualty rate of any service. Every one in 26 did not return home. That would seem to me to deserve some recognition.

I personally lost a cousin who was on a merchant ship carrying ammunition when it was hit by a kamikaze plane in the Philippines. The ship exploded and completely disappeared with all hands lost. I think the gallant men of the American Merchant Marine deserve better.

Burt Shearer