Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 12/13/99

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
The following is a copy of a letter we recently sent to every member of Congress. The Air Force Sergeants Association is a federally chartered veterans organization with 150,000 members and represents current and past enlisted members of the Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve and their family members. As you are no doubt aware, we are the voice of a good number of those in uniform and speak out for them when it is required.

CMSgt (Ret.) James E. Lokovic
Deputy Executive Director and
Director Military and Government Relations

A CALL FOR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP

This association has received numerous communications from enlisted and commissioned members of the Air Force who are concerned about the mandatory Department of Defense anthrax vaccination program. It is impossible for this association, based upon the data presented, to totally support this program or to fully join with those who oppose it. However, we do join with those -- hopefully you are in that group -- that recognize that what is happening is not good for our Armed Forces. I'm suggesting that it is time for congressional action sponsoring legislation urging all congressional members to step forward and voluntarily take the anthrax inoculations -- as a sign of moral leadership on this issue and, perhaps of greater importance, to promote the well-being of this nation.

As you know, the mandatory anthrax inoculation issue has, to some degree, impacted the morale of our Armed Forces and is threatening to our military's readiness, especially the reserve forces. However, the anthrax threat should clearly be viewed as a national security concern as well. I believe that the likelihood of the use of anthrax as a weapon would most likely occur in the context of terrorist action. Terrorists are far more likely to target the leaders of this nation at all levels, including the members of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of our government. Such an attack could occur at home or as our leaders and ambassadors travel abroad. Safeguarding our national leaders is extremely important to this nation; we need to be prepared. If the anthrax vaccine being mandated by the defense department is safe and effective, it is clearly in the nation's security interests for all national leaders to receive these inoculations.

Further, your stepping forward to voluntarily subscribe to this medical regimen would demonstrate that our government is not subjecting our servicemen and women to unnecessary, non-battlefield risks that they themselves would not also be willing to take. If Congress and the administration is not willing to undergo these shots due to concern about the vaccine's safety and effectiveness, morality would dictate that the program should immediately stop for service members.

Therefore, I ask you to set the right tone of national leadership sponsoring a resolution urging that our national leaders, including yourself, are protected just as are our military members. The potential for an anthrax attack is not limited to the battlefields of this world. I ask you to move now, not only to demonstrate to all military members that those who lead this nation and send them to war also believe in this anthrax vaccine program and its importance, but also to protect our congressional leaders. The logic that dictates implementation of a program for force protection also applies to the protection of those who lead our nation.

We appreciate the difficult job you do. I urgently request your commitment and a positive response which we will share with our members. As always, the members of this association are ready to support in you matters of mutual interest.

James D. Staton, Executive Director
Air Force Sergeants Association

Dear Jim:
Thank you for sharing your concerns with the Sarge and his readers. I too have had many inquiries concerning the safety of the mandatory anthrax inoculation series. Many of these queries concern those whose careers have been put in jeopardy due to their refusal to submit to the program. I believe it would be a sign a leadership for the President, Members of Congress and their staffs to mandatorily take part in this congressionally funded program and also have to face the same adverse career consequences if they refuse to participate in this program designed to be safe and effective and in the nation's security interests.

SHAFT KUDOS
Hearty congratulations to buddy Dr. Dennis Wyant, for recently receiving the Olin E. Teague Award, established by the Department of Veterans Affairs honoring the late Olin E. Teague, whose leadership and support as a member of Congress and Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, were paramount in carrying out the mission of the Department. Dennis' contributions to the quality of the lives of veterans and the disabled are legendary. Among his numerous achievements, he recently established the Star Partnership between the Indianapolis VA Regional Office and the Veterans Employment and Training Service of the U.S. Department of Labor, the State of Indiana Workforce Development and private resources to provide job placement assistance to veterans with disabilities in Indiana. The Partnership maximizes placement and reduces duplication of government services and/or funding. The program has increased successful placements by 58 percent since it was initiated. The Partnership has been nationally recognized and was presented with the "Hammer Award." Dennis also established the Independent Living Project to address the quality of life and independent living needs of the most seriously disabled veterans in Southwest Indiana who are unable to work. Dennis, now retired, lives in Florida but still contributes significantly to the veterans and disability community with his active participation on the Board of the Blinded American Veterans Foundation.

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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