American Merchant Marine Veterans seek new members

American Merchant Marine Veterans is a nonprofit veterans organization seeking new members. Members are often asked, "What are Merchant Mariners and what do they do?" Merchant Mariners are the men and women who operate supply ships, especially in times of conflict.

This group is often not recognized for their efforts; they are the drone bees of the United States shipping industry. In wartime, they transport everything necessary from socks to airplanes to soldiers at battlefronts, and they provide invaluable services at other times. Their motto is: "We deliver the goods in peace and war."

Today, Merchant Mariners not only move cargo and passengers between nations and within the United States, but they operate and maintain deep-sea merchant ships, tugboats, towboats, ferries, dredges, excursion vessels, charter boats, and other waterborne craft on the oceans, the Great Lakes, rivers, canals, harbors and other waterways.

New members are needed to continue the heritage of Merchant Mariners who have proudly served the United States since 1775 and to support the maritime industry of today. Another primary goal is to help achieve veterans' status for Korean, Vietnam and Middle Eastern conflict-serving Mariners.

Although American Merchant Marine Veterans was established 32 years ago primarily for World War II members, today Merchant Mariners from all eras are eligible for membership. Membership is also available for wives, widows and descendants of WWII mariners, as well as mariners of later conflicts, current mariners and those in training at long-established maritime academies.

Members receive an informative quarterly magazine. For more information for those who were active U. S. Merchant Mariners or were widows or descendants of same, go to www.ammv.us; send a letter to the national office, 2722 Maynes Ct., Santa Rosa, CA 95405; or contact Sindy Raymond at 707-546-6349 or saaren@sonic.net.