Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 12/30/2002

Dear Sgt shaft
I have a Vet. friend that served in the Navy, 1955 to 1959 who is down and out, and badly in need of medical care. He is unemployable physically. I caught the tail end of a program on the radio that said any veteran can use the Vet's hospital when needed. Can you please give me some information such as the location of the VA medical facility nearest Ottawa Kansas so I can help this needy vet.

Thank you for your service.
Wally M
Ottawa Kansas

Dear Wally,
By now you should have heard from Debbie Bevins, from the Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. I am sure that she forwarded you the following information so you can help your buddy.

Kansas City:
 Leavenworth- (913) 682-2000
 Patient Advocate - (913) 758-4283

 Topeka - (785) 350-3111
 Patient Advocate - (785) 350-4455

 Wichita - (316) 685-2221
 Patient Advocate - (316) 651-3665

I also suggest you browse the VA web site www.va.gov.

Shaft Kudos:
The Sarge wholeheartedly supports the American Legion’s new nationwide “ I am not a number” initiative Prompted by a growing number of complaints about lengthy waits for initial doctor visits at Department of  Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, The American Legion is launching a national program to gather personal stories about these complaints. "We want lawmakers to understand that behind the growing pile of statistics are real veterans who are hurting," said Ronald F. Conley, national commander of The American Legion. " I am asking our members to help identify those men and women veterans in their communities who have been waiting more than six months for their first medical examination. “ Reports indicate more than 300,000 veterans are waiting for primary-care appointments in VA health-care facilities all across America. Their health care is being rationed VA predicts another 600,000 veterans will enroll in its health care system in 2003. By the end of next year, the system's patient load will reach nearly 5 million. If that happens without widespread change in the way the system is perceived and funded, the backlog will grow even worse. "But the bottom line is that there simply is not enough money. Only by making funding of the VA healthcare system mandatory, instead of discretionary, can we be assured our nation's heroes will receive the care they so richly earned in service to their country." The American Legion's goal is to identify as many 'backlog' veterans as possible and present the personal side of the problem to the nation's lawmakers early next year. Each of our 15,000 posts is receiving an 'I am Not a Number' booklet with information on the effort and forms for veterans waiting for service to complete. All of the information is also available on The American Legion's web site, www.legion.org. "We need veterans caught in this waiting game to contact us and tell us their stories so we can help them. They don't have to be a member of The American Legion or any other veterans organization. Veterans wishing to participate can call toll-free 1-866 539-2509 or visit The American Legion web site.

Some very special stories about American heroes come across the Shaft desk, Unfortunately our kids have recognized this hero for the wrong reason. 

After going to print, we found that below are some urban legends mixed with some reality. Follow the link above each paragraph for the true story. This should serve as a reminder that not everything you see in print is true. You need to check the facts out for yourself. 

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.com/lmarvin.htm
For Instance some people were a bit offended that Lee Marvin is buried in a grave alongside 3 and 4 star generals at Arlington National Cemetery. His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else. Here’s a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer: In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces, often in rear-echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima. There is only one higher Naval award…the Medal of Honor. If that is a surprising comment for the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery. 

In a tet a tet on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson: His guest was Lee Marvin. Johnny said, “Lee, I’ll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima… and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded.” 

“Yeah, yeah…I got shot square in the ass they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi…bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys gettin’ shot hauling you down. But Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man I ever knew…We both got the Cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. The dumb bastard actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me lying on my belly on the litter and said, “Where’d they get you Lee?”

Well, Bob…if you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/keeshan.htm
Johnnie, I’m not lying…Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew…Bob Keeshan…You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo.” 

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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