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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Dent to Honor Fifty Local WWII Merchant Mariners

When England defiantly stood alone, a tiny and fading light against Nazi hegemony in Europe, it needed U.S. supplies desperately. Winston Churchill told Parliament in 1940 he needed a minimum of 20 ships docking daily, each carrying 120,000 tons of food and fuel oil. And so the Battle of the Atlantic raged, as merchant ship after merchant ship was sunk by U-Boats. Wolf packs prowled the Mid-Atlantic, outside the reach of long-range aircraft. Despite these dangers, enough U.S. Merchant Marine convoys eluded these German patrols to feed and fuel Britain. They did so without firing a shot. To a man, they were all volunteers. No less an authority than FDR himself remarked, “They delivered the goods when and where needed in the most difficult and dangerous job ever undertaken.”

They paid a price. One out of every twenty-six merchant mariners was killed in action, a higher percentage than any other branch of service. But loose lips sink ships. That information was classified, to keep Germans from knowing the extent of their success.

On Thursday, at 1 PM, LV Congressman Charlie Dent will finally present fifty WWII Merchant Mariners with long-overdue honors for their service. This follows Congressional action earlier this year, recognizing the important wartime contributions of the U.S. Merchant Marine. He will recognize these heroes at Alumni Hall - Room 130A, Northampton Community College, Gates Center, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, PA.

12 comments:

Marc Grammes said...

I am so happy that Charlie is doing this to honor the merchant mariners. As a graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy, I learned of the heroic actions of the US Merchant Marine. In fact Kings Point is the only US federal military academy allowed to carry a battle standard, for it is the only Academy to have cadets lose their life in battle..142 of them. None of the other Academies can make this claim. This is truly a little known story of heroism at its highest level. Time to tell the story and recognize their sacrifice.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Charlie. This will get the health care crisis solved. You've inspired me to light a candle for the Merchant Marines this 9-11.

Anonymous said...

It's to late for Charlie Dent to honor any vet! When we needed protection he failed us.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"This will get the health care crisis solved. You've inspired me to light a candle for the Merchant Marines this 9-11."

What a snotty and mean-spirited thing to say. I doubt John Callahan would approve your snark.

Anonymous said...

puff piece for Charlie Dent. It would be nice to know how charlie is actually performing on Veteran's issues while he honors select members.

Bernie O'Hare said...

This is no puff piece for Dent, but is designed to cast a spot light on the achievemens of our merchant mariners.

You'll find veterans are very happy w/ Charlie Dent. He supports them and their issues. He supported the new GI Bill. Veterans' groups have always endorsed Dent.

Anonymous said...

Veterns healthcare is a state run program. Dent is against public health. Therefore Dent is opposed to our veterns receiving healthcare.

This indeed was a puff piece for Dent. Get use to it. Ohare will do at least two a week until the election next year.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Dent has consistently supported veterans healthcare. You're just pulling this shit ut of your ass. The reality is that Dent feels very strongly about supporting our veterans.

This was NOT a puff piece about Dent, although he is part of the story. Its purpose is to inform the reader about the rle of the merchant marine during WWII, something I did not know myself until I researched it.

Anonymous said...

Hey dare ohare, I just read this and it appears Dent does support state run healthcare. I am glad to hear that.

Bernie O'Hare said...

This post is about the merchant mariners, but you can read whatever you want into it.

Sanctifying Grace said...

I am not sure if it is for the Merchant Marines or for the Coast Guard, but at Battery Park in NYC, have any of you ever seen the monument to remember those service men that died in WWII?

It is the scariest monument I have ever seen. It gives me the chills ever time I see it; whether on the internet, in a picture, or in person. You have to see it.

Peace, ~~Alex

Anonymous said...

Hey angry proiest you are you "Hot Rod" Piper.