HARRISBURG – Honorably-discharged Merchant Marine World War II veterans are reminded that they have until Dec. 31, 2006, to submit applications for a one-time, $500 cash bonus.
“To date, nearly 900 applications have been approved,” said Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, the state’s adjutant general. “Pennsylvania is proud to recognize so many Merchant Marine World War II veterans for their service to our country, but now that the Dec. 31 deadline is approaching, it’s extremely important that any remaining applications be submitted in order to receive this valuable veteran’s benefit.”
To be eligible for the Pennsylvania Merchant Marine World War II Veterans Bonus, an applicant must:
-Be a U.S. Merchant Marine veteran who served on active duty, including training, in the U.S. Merchant Marines between Dec. 7, 1941 and Aug. 15, 1945;
-Possess a DD Form 214 evidencing honorable service;
-Be a legal resident of Pennsylvania as of April 12, 2006; and
-Submit an application (DMVA-MM-Form 1) through your county director of veterans’ affairs (listed in the blue pages of local telephone directories)
Eligible veterans must apply in person. However, if a veteran is unable to apply due to health reasons, a representative may do so on their behalf. Acceptable representatives include a legal guardian of the veteran, an attorney-in-fact as documented by an appropriate power-f-attorney, or a spouse not separated from the veteran,
The Pennsylvania Merchant Marine World War II Veterans Bonus was funded by a $500,000 appropriation by the General Assembly. All applications will be reviewed and payments will be made by June 30, 2007. Any money remaining in the fund on June 30, 2007, will be returned to the General Fund.
For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department on Military and Veterans Affairs Web site at www.dmva.state.pa.us.
