Merchant Marine advocates ask Massachusetts to recognize mariners at cemeteries, State House and with medal

Roger Mercaldi testified in support of Senate Bill S2498, which would 1) authorize display of the Merchant Marine flag at veterans cemeteries so Merchant Mariners may be buried with both the American flag and their service flag; 2) place the Merchant Marine flag in Memorial Hall (the Hall of Flags) at the State House; and 3) create a Massachusetts Merchant Mariner medal to recognize service in active war zones.

Mercaldi described the historical contribution and casualties of Merchant Mariners in World War II and later conflicts, saying some ships sailed unarmed into danger and suffering high casualty rates. "The Merchant Mariners took the highest casualty rate of any of the armed services," he testified, and he asked the committee to move the bill to honor mariners' service and sacrifice.

Committee members thanked him for the testimony. No formal action was taken at the hearing; the bill was logged for further consideration.