Finished With Engine : 9781420855395 : 25 Oct 2005 : Fifty plus years after the fact - after I was already retired - after this book was completed - and almost after it no longer mattered - our federal government, in it's infinite wisdom, finally recognized and acknowledged the heroic and dedicated service of merchant seamen during World War II. Consequently I applied for and received an honorable discharge. I am registered at a veteran's hospital and am entitled to all the medical benefits including, most importantly to me, rx medication at a reasonable price. I am also entitled to veteran's burial rites. Also, and obviously too late for me, is the availability of the GI bill as it pertains to higher education. Am I bitter about this being almost too little too late? Not really. In fact, I never actually expected it at all. I am just happy and honored to finally be able to say that I am proud to be a veteran of World War II.