MEBA INITIATES ?GRASS ROOTS? CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT U.S. MERCHANT MARINE

MEBA INITIATES ôGRASS ROOTSö CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT U.S. MERCHANT MARINE    With the potential war with Iraq, the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association has asked its members to participate in a “grass roots” campaign to generate public support for the U.S. merchant marine.
   “All members should consider promoting the merchant marine now by writing letters to the editor of their hometown newspapers or contacting news sources to interest them in writing articles about the meaningful contributions of mariners in the war on terror,” MEBA said.
   “Such letters are closely read by politicians and community leaders and have an impact far greater than most people realize,” the maritime union said.
   MEBA said the time is ripe to promote the nation’s merchant marine, “the fourth arm of defense,” especially with many U.S. allies in disagreement over a war in Iraq.