The war sailor community reacts strongly to the government’s lack of follow-up on the Norwegian war hero. The Norwegian Seamen’s Association demands that the authorities turn the page. But the government will not yet do anything to help 102-year-old Oscar Anderson. There has been no shortage of reactions after news first wrote about the Norwegian war sailor. He moved into a nursing home when his wife became too ill to care for him at home a few months ago. But it is expensive, and the family is considering moving him into a caravan. These are some of the reactions: A private fundraising campaign has been started online. People have offered the couple to stay with them. Someone wants to write a letter to Oscar Anderson because he is bored. Others will visit him. The Norwegian Seamen’s Association has decided to help temporarily. The war sailors were Norwegian sailors who transported goods for warfare during the Second World War. The voyages were dangerous. Below them were Nazi submarines, above them were bombers. Oscar Anderson was torpedoed, the ship went down and his colleagues died. These are memories he still carries with him. Many war sailors received a bad welcome after the war. They were distrusted, got neither work nor respect. Many moved abroad. Covers the costs throughout the year This week Oscar Anderson and his wife had a visit from Norway. – I can’t say that I’m proud of what the Seamen’s Union was involved in after the war, said union leader of the Norwegian Seamen’s Association, Kurt Inge Angell to news. It was strong for union leader Kurt Inge Angell in the Norwegian Seamen’s Association to meet the war sailor Oscar Anderson. Photo: Gry Blekastad Almås / news The guilty conscience meant that he had a surprise for the war sailor and his wife: – I read the story on news. Now the federal board has decided to guarantee the costs of the nursing home for the rest of the year. Wife June Anderson could hardly believe what she was hearing. She manages the couple’s finances, and has struggled to sleep because she worries about her husband’s situation. – I sold some jewelery last week. A ring I had inherited from my grandmother. I didn’t want to sell it, but I had to pay for the month of September at the nursing home. Calling for action from the government, the Norwegian Seamen’s Association believes Oscar Anderson’s situation is unsustainable. – The government, and especially the Minister of Labour, should come up with funds here. This is surely a one-off, when we’re talking about Oscar. There are buttons and glossy images. And I believe that on honor and conscience, that they should contribute to solving the mess that Oscar has found himself in. There are few war sailors who are still alive, and even fewer who need help. The Seamen’s Association believes the Labor Party owes the surviving war sailors all the help they need. – It is not useful to just hand out medals, thank you very much for your good effort, and “bye bye, that’s it”. There aren’t that many people alive, and then I think they should follow it up, then, says Kurt Inge Angell. The sailor received two more medals for his efforts during the Second World War when he turned 102 in August. Photo: Gry Blekastad Almås / NRKK The sailor received two more medals for his efforts during the Second World War when he turned 102 in August. Photo: Gry Blekastad Almås / news Others in the war sailing community are also reacting. – It is very unfortunate that the Norwegian authorities do not take up the Oscar Anderson case. I sincerely hope he gets help. It is important to take age into account in such a case. The regulations must not stand in the way of people’s sense of justice, says Tania Michelet. She is the daughter of writer Jon Michelet, who wrote books about the war sailors. His work led to the efforts of the more than 35,000 war sailors in the Second World War finally being recognized and appreciated. Tania Michelet continues his work. The government understands the frustration It was only ten years ago that the Norwegian government came up with an apology to the war sailors for the treatment they received after the war. news has been in contact with both the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Employment and Inclusion. Both are familiar with the war sailor’s situation. – I understand the frustration, and that this is demanding for those concerned. The Seamen’s Association has made contact with a request for a meeting. Together with the Ministry of Employment and Inclusion, I will follow up in dialogue with the union. Before this, it is not natural to say anything further in the matter, says State Secretary in the Ministry of Labor and Inclusion, Tomas Norvoll. June Anderson has applied to Nav for support on behalf of her husband, but has so far been refused. She hopes for a new trial of the case. Nav cannot comment on Anderson’s case in particular, but informs news on a general basis that war pension does not cover expenses for nursing homes. It covers medical treatment. Respected in the end But the 102-year-old has finally achieved one thing. He finally feels respected for his war effort. The 102-year-old war sailor Oscar Anderson finally feels that he is getting respect – and help. Photo: Håvard Blekastad Almås / news The 102-year-old war sailor Oscar Anderson finally feels that he is getting respect – and help. Photo: Håvard Blekastad Almås / news – When you called me on the phone and said you wanted to come and talk to me, I was very proud. Because it was a human being who showed me some respect.
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The Seamen’s Association demands that the government help war sailors in Great Britain – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
