TO THOSE IN PERIL ON THE SEA 05/30/00

From: Mindwalker1910@aol.com
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 22:46:16 EDT
Subject: Mindwalkers - to those in peril on the seas

Yesterday, we went out for an early evening drive - my favorite time for a drive.

It was wonderful to see how all-out our neighbors on Pheasant Run went - lots of flags and bunting. One neighbor always puts out her husband's WW II naval uniform, which is quite poignant and makes me think of those in peril on the sea.

This year, it brought to mind the Merchant Marine, a group of men who took a bigger beating than any branch of the service. The ratio of men lost to enemy forces was staggering. Making the Murmansk Run, in the North Sea, saw more ships lost than returned. The ice and storms of the North Sea were deadly enough, then there was the constant threat of roaming packs of German U-boats. Since the ships sailed under the flag of the Merchant Marine, they rarely had military escort, even though the supplies they carried were vital to our Russian allies. They made easy pickings for the U-boats and they were under strict orders to keep sailing even if one of their convoy was hit. Just getting through was considered a victory - and then they had to turn around and go through those same waters with the same waiting U-boats.

The thing I have never, ever been able to understand is that the Merchant Marine - even the sailors who made the Murmansk Run - could be drafted into the service. Their service counted for nothing. The allies could not have won the war without those men, but their bravery and sacrifice was never given the recognition it deserved. I honor it now, as I do every year.

Love to all - Gocky

reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka DEEV