Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 06/30/2003

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) to Improve Health Care Delivery for Our Nation's Veterans released its final report recommending full funding for beneficiaries enrolled in Priority Groups 1 through 7, while avoiding the issue of funding for Priority Group 8 veterans - those veterans without compensable service-connected conditions whose income and/or net worth are above a VA-established threshold. 

Although the report contains a number of worthy recommendations, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) is disappointed that the PTF report failed to adequately address access and funding problems for Priority Group 8 veterans. The VA suspended additional enrollment of Priority Group 8 veterans on 17 January 2003 due to a mismatch in demand for care and available funding. While the report calls the freeze on Category 8 veterans enrollment "unacceptable," it essentially passes the buck to Congress and the President to resolve instead of providing a tangible solution. 

The VA states that its mission is to serve America's veterans and their families with dignity and compassion, and be "their principal advocate in ensuring that they receive medical care, benefits, social support, and lasting memorials promoting the health, welfare, and dignity of all veterans in recognition of their service to this Nation." The statement does not qualify access to benefits based on income, wealth or any other measure. Service to our country is the only prerequisite and Category 8 veterans have certainly met that standard. 

In representing veterans before Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and other governmental agencies, FRA has consistently called for full funding for all veterans programs, regardless of disability rating or income. In a statement submitted before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees in March, FRA called on Congress to establish a realistic DVA budget that will provide adequate funding "for all of the Nation's veterans, their families and survivors." 

Sincerely,
Joe Barnes
National Executive Secretary Fleet Reserve Association

Dear Joe

Simply,
"The Presidential Task Force came up with some practical recommendations. These recommendations alone, however, will leave VA still lacking the resources to care for all the veterans who, by law, the system is required to serve. "Social Security and Medicare receive mandatory funding to ensure that their budgets meet the needs of their recipients.

The Administration and Congress should not thumb their noses at the estimated 164,000 Priority Group 8 veterans eligible for medical treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs who were suspended from enrolling in the system Jan. 17 due to a lack of funding.

Dear Sgt Shaft
Congress has authorized a commemorative plaque on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. to honor Vietnam veterans whose premature post-war deaths were due to their service, but who are not eligible to have their names inscribed on the Wall.

The In Memory plaque, a 2x3 foot inscribed gray granite marker, will be added to the Three Servicemen statue plaza, with views toward the Wall and the Women's Memorial. 

The authorizing legislation specifies that the plaque be funded by private donations. The American Battle Monuments Commission may be contacted by e-mail at operations@abmc.gov.

Thank you 

Ruth Coder Fitzgerald
President Vietnam War In Memory Memorial, Inc.
808 Charlotte Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-371-3253
RCoderFitz@aol.com

Dear Ruth,
I urge all my readers to support this worthwhile endeavor. Contributions in the form of checks or money orders should be made payable to "ABMC V V M Plaque" and mailed to: The American Battle Monuments Commission Courthouse Plaza II, Suite 500 Attn: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaque 2300 Clarendon Boulevard Arlington, VA 22201.

Shaft Kudos
The Sarge is looking forward to joining the members of The VA Alumni Association, at their summer luncheon on July 10 at the Pier 7 restaurant. Featured speaker will be “nutty buddy” James M. Mayer, executive Director of Leadership VA. Jim, a combat veteran who lost both legs in Viet Nam, has held myriad top positions at the VA. Recently he has been spending his spare time visiting newly wounded troops at Walter Reed and Bethesda military hospitals

Newly elected President Pam Gates, from Rockville, will preside at the business meeting following the luncheon. Persons interested in attending may contact Leon Sanchez at (703) 451-7549 for additional information and reservations.

It is with fond memories that I publicly bid a sad farewell to the former Chairman of the Armed Services and veterans affairs Committees, Bob Stump (R-AZ) -- veterans advocate, military supporter and dear friend who recently passed away.

Congressman Stump was a U.S. Navy World War II Combat Veteran, where he served on the USS Tulagi from 1943-1946.

He served four terms in the Arizona House of Representatives from 1959-1967, and five terms in the Arizona State Senate, from 1967 to 1976. He served as President of the Arizona State Senate form 1975 to 1976.

Bob was first elected to the 95th Congress on November 3, 1976. He had been re-elected to the 96th through the 107th Congresses.

He now joins other congressional titans such as Tiger Teague, Joe Moakley and Gerry Solomon who also led the fight on behalf of our nations’ military personnel and veterans. He will be remembered for his untiring dedication to America.

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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