This is my comment in support of our committee's decision concerning the recognition of Merchant Mariners on the Butler County World War II memorial ("Battle over monument may end up in court," May 1).

We had explained to the Merchant Mariners from the very beginning that this would be a memorial dedicated to the Armed Forces of WWII. We knew that we would not obtain the funds to build a shrine as large as the WWII memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated to all those who participated in WWII. Because of the small size of this community, we focused on the military veteran. Any other war memorial committee would do the same.

The world was a big stage and there were many actors. It is clear that the mariners fell victim to a global disaster. So did many others, and they are collectively recognized on the back of the memorial. We considered recognizing select local individuals or local groups for their participation during this war, [such as] the survivor of the Bataan Death March, [or] the company that built the Bantam Jeep, etc. [But] we thought that we would miss someone and it would result in criticism, so we discarded the idea.

On Dec. 7, 2004, the Butler County WWII Memorial was dedicated with the Merchant Mariners recognized on a commemorative bronze plaque with all groups that earned their veterans status. The "veterans status" should not be mistaken for "military status." If so "military" as they claim, why don't they accept the honor with their fellow comrades of the U.S. Coast Guard? That reflects their shame, not ours. The Coast Guard emblem is on the front wall.

The U.S. Merchant Marines were established in 1775, not to be confused with the U.S. Marine Corps established the same year. The Merchant Mariners will not be satisfied until they are ranked at the top, equal with our men and women of our military branches of service. That should not happen with this memorial. They openly admit that they were not qualified to serve. Now they want equal recognition. The only nonmilitary, or civilian, that holds that honor is our Commander-in-Chief, the President of the United States.

The memorial committee is made up of four nonmilitary civilians, seven WWII veterans, one Korean War veteran, two Vietnam War veterans, two Gulf War veterans and one veteran who served in three wars. There are five women and 12 men. Three of the 17 original members are deceased.

If there should happen to be a lawsuit against the Butler County commissioners or the Butler County WWII Memorial Committee chairman John Cyprian, then kindly add my name next to Mr. Cyprian. I am in support of the committee's decision yesterday, today and tomorrow. For the few Merchant Mariners who wave their dagger of immortality and threaten the meaning of this memorial and attack the integrity of its committee, stand fast. Prepare yourself for a countersuit for the intentional attempt to sway public opinion of our design intent of this memorial and the aggressive act of malformation of a symbol of honor and duty of our men and women in uniform.

Mr. Cyprian has taken the blunt force trauma from the Merchant Mariners since 2001. As a committee member, I thank him for standing firm and representing our committee decisions.

I request that any further attacks on the Butler County WWII Memorial by representatives of the Merchant Mariners be addressed to the body of the memorial committee.

C. RICK HARDMAN

Butler County WWII

Memorial Committee member

Butler