OTTAWA, ON, October 1, 1998 - The War Amps will present $1,000 to the Merchant Seamen protesting in a hunger strike on Parliament Hill at 10 a.m. today. The funds have been donated by individual members of the organization, to assist their fellow veterans in demanding a cash grant in lieu of the benefits denied as they were not given the status of veterans at the end of World War II.

Cliff Chadderton, The War Amps Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the 35- member National Council of Veteran Associations stated he will ask the Senate Sub-committee on Veterans Affairs to revisit a submission he made to it on January 20, 1997.

The submission called for a lump sum to compensate the Merchant Mariners for the loss of benefits between discharge in 1945 and new legislation in 1992, and for 19 benefits under the Veterans Charter for which they were not permitted to apply.

The list includes unemployment insurance, housing, land grants, re-establishment credits, re-training and education costs and assistance for children of those who lost their lives.