House to vote on Merchant Marines receiving full veteran benefits

INDIANAPOLIS-- Many people may not know what role the Merchant Marines have played in past and present wars, but a bill before the Indiana House of Representatives would require that former Merchant Marines receive the same benefits as veterans of the armed services.

Rep. John Barnes, D-Indianapolis, said he sponsored House Bill 1111 because he wants to change the status of former Merchant Marines from citizens to veterans so that they, and their spouses, can receive the same aid that veterans receive. They will be eligible for veterans' license plates, the choice of living at a veterans’ home, and use of their status as a veteran for hiring preferences.

Don Elwood gave testimony about the benefits he wishes he could have received as a just-out-of-high school Merchant Marine.

"I would have liked to go to college, to get a home loan.  For 43 years, the Merchant Marines of WWII got zip.  Without the WWII Merchant Marines, the war would not have been won," said Elwood.

Even though it passed out of committee by unanimous vote, it did generate debate. 

At the heart of the debate, much of it led by Rep. Mike Murphy, R-Indianpolis, were questions about who should be considered a Merchant Marine and which Merchant Marines should be eligible.

After Barnes promised an amendment that would limit benefits only to those Merchant Marines who had been recognized by the government and had served in war ve on second reading, the committee approved the bill.

HB 1111 now moves to the House floor.