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Exempting Service Members from Alcohol Age Restriction

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Eighteen-year-old active duty service members can vote, smoke and fight for their country, but they can't have a drink - a Maryland Senator is looking to change that.

A bill proposed by Sen. Ron Young, D-Frederick, would allow active duty service members who are at least 18-years-old to be served beer and wine.

The service member would be required to show their armed forced identification at the bar or restaurant where they are being served.

The bill is scheduled for a hearing Friday.

The Washington Regional Alcohol Program has already spoken out against the bill, saying that supporting troops and supporting the national minimum drinking age-21- are not the same thing.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.