Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 01/08/2001

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
This letter to you is in regard "Time for law to save Old Glory," which appeared in your column in The Washington Times. I not only read your piece several times, but I have cut it out of the paper to place in my files.

I think it's a damn shame that some veterans had to assemble in our nation's Capitol to try and get a constitutional amendment to help protect our stars and stripes from being desecrated and dragged through the mud.

I served in the Navy for four and a half years and was proud to wear the uniform of this country and was proud of the flag and what it stood for. In 1983 while posted in the Hague, Netherlands, I can remember working one Saturday in our embassy and while looking out of the window, a group of people had a large American flag laying on the ground and were in the process of raking leaves on it and then rolling it up like a cigarette and setting fire to both ends. Needless to say it made my blood boil.

The majority of people in our country have lost all respect for the flag and also the men and women who gave their lives for it in the name of freedom. All one has to do is look at how we honor our fallen heroes on such holidays as VE Day and Veterans Day. What do most people do? Flock to the malls and take advantage of the sales going on.

Why is it wrong to say the Pledge of Allegiance or a prayer in school? If our children were taught a little more respect in the homes and schools, maybe attitudes would change not only for our flag but for our fellow human beings as well.

I hope others who have read your article feel the same way as I do, and that they also will express their feelings to you. We live in the greatest country in the free world and if freedom-loving Americans don't take a stand, then our flag will be cut up into little pieces as stated in James Clavell's novel, "The Children's Story."  Editor's note: You may order this book from Amazon.com by selecting this link.

We owe a great debt to our veterans, who gave so much in defense of our nation, its flag and what it stands for. I hope the liberal media will understand this as well. I would like to see them do something positive for a change.

Doug G.
Falls Church, VA

Dear Doug:
Thanks for sharing the old glory column with others. In spite of the liberal media and those dimpled chads, our precious symbol still waves.

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
I am most pleased to tell you that the Hunter's Creek Homeowner's Association neighborhood parade to honor Al Rascon was an overwhelming success.

Al was escorted up the main street of our neighborhood in a classic, vintage Mercedes convertible in full dress uniform. The Laurel Volunteer Fire Department provided us with a fire truck to start the festivities and a small marching band of local children and parents performed three patriotic tunes to accompany the parade activities. The Vietnam Veteran's Chapter #451 Honor Guard wowed the entire crowd. They provided a live float of a symbolic widow receiving the folded American flag; their contingent of marchers included six nurses, and over fifteen flag carrying veterans. They represent the largest Honor Guard in the United States. And the VFW State Honor Guard for the Department of Maryland also sent a contingent of seven men in BDU with flags and rifles.

I want to thank you, Sgt. Shaft for arranging for the funding for the neighborhood and the special plaque with the inscription, "To our heroic neighbor Alfred Rascon, Medal of Honor recipient."

Terry L. Kemp
President, Hunter's Creek Homeowners Association

Dear Ms. Kemp,
A salute to you and your neighbors for honoring one of your own patriots.

SHAFT KUDOS
Good friend Hershel W. Gober leaves his prestigious position as Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs on a high note. Mr. Gober has proposed adding cancers of the bone, brain, colon, lung, or ovary to the list of illnesses presumed to be service-connected for veterans exposed to radiation during their military service. Certain veterans with these cancers would be presumed to be ailing from exposure to ionizing radiation related to military service. This would mean that veterans with those diagnoses may have an easier time proving that they are eligible for benefits. American Legion National Commander Ray G. Smith said, "It's about time the government stop forcing these veterans to fight two wars -- one for freedom and the other for the benefits they earned. Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation have been through hell, working hard to prove their illnesses are service-connected while suffering from the grave scars of their sacrifice."

The Sarge is looking forward to celebrating America's 54th Presidential Inaugural and saluting America's new President George W. Bush. The new president and vice-president, I am sure, will be proud to visit the Veterans Inaugural Ball, a "Salute to Heroes" which will be attended by the 150 living Medal of Honor recipients. In 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower attended the first "Salute to Heroes." Safeguarding freedom was a theme of President Eisenhower's inaugural address as U.S. troops were still fighting in Korea. He said, "Patriotism means equipped forces and a prepared citizenry. Moral stamina means more energy and more productivity, on the farm and in the factory. Love of liberty means the guarding of every resource that makes freedom possible--from the sanctity of our families and the wealth of our soil to the genius of our scientists."

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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