A
senator has proposed lowering the legal drinking age for troops in Maryland, US
Senator
Ron Young, D-Frederick proposed a reduction in the legal drinking age for
military members to the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs
Committee on Friday.
The
bill would permit service members under the age of 21 to drink beer and wine at
a bar or restaurant by showing valid military identification, however spirits
and off-premise purchases would still be prohibited.
“Is
someone can risk their life, why shouldn’t they be able to have a glass of beer
or wine with dinner?” Young asked the committee.
His
proposal has received support from Hugh Warner, commander of Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post 3285 in Frederick, who told the Frederick News
Post: “If
the young man’s able to dodge bullets, he ought be able to vote and take a beer
now and then.”
However,
a state transportation official estimated Maryland would lose approximately
US$32 million in highway funds every year as a result of not complying with the
federal uniform drinking age law.
An
anti-drink driving organisation called Washington Regional Alcohol Program
has opposed the bill, claiming minimum drinking age laws have saved almost
30,000 people since 1975.
Read more at http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2015/03/plans-to-lower-drinking-age-for-military-members/
I found this to be an interesting read and one that should be considered for those willing to give their lives on foreign lands for the protection of our way of life. I feel that if you are old enough to handle the equipment of war, you should be mature enough for a cocktail. ;o)
