Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 01/27/2003

Dear Sgt. Shaft,
You were kind enough to print my letter several months back about the elderly military retirees of "The Greatest Generation"--who fought and won World War II and Korea and now are fighting back against their own nation's denial of promised government-funded health care for themselves, their spouses and widows. (Details of their case that is now wending its way to the Supreme Court can be found at www.classact-lawsuit.com, by calling the Class Act Group at 1-800-972-6275, or writing them at 52 Beal Parkway SW, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548.)

Now I am writing to ask you to alert your readers to a rally being planned by the Class Act lawsuit group for February 12 in Washington, D.C.

The purpose of the rally is to remind the President, Congress and members of the Supreme Court of the grave injustice done to these old warriors, who are making plans to come to Washington at their own expense, to protest their government's unfaithfulness and to ask those responsible to do the right thing by restoring promised health care.

The retired military and their supporters will gather Wednesday, Feb. 12 by 11 a.m. at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 1st Street NE for organization and speeches, and will then proceed at approximately 12:30 p.m. to the steps of the Supreme Court for a brief session in support of their lead attorney, Col. "Bud" Day, a recipient of the Medal of Honor, as he files his petition to the Court.

We invite anyone with a heart for justice and who supports our military--past, present and future--to be there with us on that day.

Sincerely,
"Mrs. T.E C." 
Navy Korean War vet's wife

Dear 
The Sarge urges his fellow veterans, their families and friends to rally behind this judicial jamboree for justice. I also challenge the Washington media to appropriately cover this gathering and the filing of the class action suit to restore the promised health care.

Dear Sgt. Shaft,
My name is Erika, I am a member of Girl Scout Troop 1478 in Burke, Virginia. I always hear my family talk about the wonderful things you do for veterans. As Girl Scouts, there isn’t too much that we can do, but we try to do what we can. Recently we have adopted Bravo Battery in the Middle East and have been sending cards and gifts to them. Now that Girl Scout Cookie season is here, we want to carry our project a little further, by offering our patrons the opportunity to donate their purchase to our troops serving overseas. Those buying cookies can designate their purchase to be delivered to these brave men and women. The cost of the cookies is $3 per box and the cookies will be sent at no additional cost. A personal note can be included with the order and it will be sent along with the cookies. If any of your readers would like to do this they can send a check to Girl Scout Troop 1478, 7004 Galgate Drive, Springfield, VA 22152. Please put "Sgt. Shaft/Bravo Battery" in the memo section so that we know it came from your readers.

Erika F.
Springfield, VA

Dear Erika,
As many readers know the Sarge sometimes puts his money where his pen is. I am personally sending $25 to Troop 1478 in support of your heartfelt initiative. Hopefully these cookies will compliment their cuisine of ham and limas. I urge my readers to assist the girl scouts in thanking and supporting our troops. 

SHAFT KUDOS
The Sarge applauds Ajoy K. Sinha, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Veterans Programs, U. S. Small Business Administration, for issuing the following alert to veteran entrepreneurs

You’re serving our country, now let the SBA serve you.

If your small business has been adversely affected by the federal Title 10 call-up of members of the National Guard or Reserves during a period of conflict, the U.S. Small Business Administration can help.

Disaster Loans

For eligible small businesses suffering economic injury because an owner or an essential employee was called to active duty, the SBA can offer a Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Small businesses may apply for the loan after Reserve or National Guard members receive their orders to active duty.

Loans of up to $1.5 million are available at an interest rate not to exceed 4 percent. The loan application can be downloaded from the Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster/mreidl.html.

Debt Relief

If your small business currently has an SBA direct or guaranteed loan, you can ask for repayment deferrals, interest-rate reduction and other assistance. To request help, contact your SBA lender or your nearest SBA district office at www.sba.gov/regions/states.

Business Counseling and Training

Through your local district office and the SBA’s resource partners, you can receive business development help, and business counseling and training to help your business while you or your employees are on active duty with the National Guard or Reserves.

Basic 7(a) Loan Guaranty

This is the SBA’s primary business loan program to help qualified small businesses obtain financing when they might not be eligible for business loans through normal channels. It is the SBA’s most flexible business loan program, since financing can be guaranteed for most general business purposes. More information can be found at www.sba.gov/loans.

For More Information

For information on these and other programs to serve you, your nearest SBA district office is listed in the telephone directory under "U.S. Government." You can also contact us at 1-800-U ASK SBA, visit our Web site at www.sba.gov/reservists, or call our Office of Veterans Business Development at 202-205-6773.

All of the SBA’s programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

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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