Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 03/05/2001

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
I am a recent subscriber to the Washington Times and saw your column. I feel that, at last, I have a forum for venting my frustration.

I left the Army after serving 11 years on active duty (1984-1995). I was on the inactive roles, inactive reserve, until last year when I was told to decide either to stay on the roles or take an Honorable Discharge. I chose the discharge and thought nothing more about it. A few months later I received by Discharge Certificate. What a joke. My name was crooked and seemed to be printed using a Daisy Wheel printer (1980s technology). I was too embarrassed to display this on my wall and, to tell you the truth, I threw it away. My feelings are that after all that time I served, if this is all to which I am eligible, I would rather have nothing.

I know this is minor and there are many other issues that must be addressed. But I did my time, didn't complain much, and really feel slighted (at least they could get my name straight!!).

Enough complaining on my part. Keep up the good work.

WGDGWD@aol.com

Dear WGDGWD:
Seems that the bureaucrats at DoD could use a gentle reminder with the following poem, "A Soldier Died Today" (Author: A. Lawrence Vaincourt WWII RCAF Veteran):

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast
And he sat around the Legion telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, everyone.
And tho' sometimes to his neighbors his tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Bob has passed away.
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
No, he won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised a family, quietly going on his way;
And the world won't note his passing, tho' a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their life stories from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
Some jerk who breaks his promise and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow, who in times of war and strife
Goes off to serve his country, and offers up his life?
The politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the services that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all
Is paid off with a medal, and perhaps a pension small.
It's so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago
That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys went to battle, but we know.
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys
Who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger with your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out with his ever waffling stand?
Or would you want a soldier who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin, and country, and would fight until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us, we may need his life again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in the paper that might say:
Our country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

A sad farewell to soldier, banker, insurance executive, lobbyist, veteran's advocate, and friend Sam Walsh, who died last month of colon cancer. Sam was a highly decorated Army Sergeant Major with 22 years of active federal service prior to his retirement. His overseas tours included Vietnam (1966-1968), Germany, and Hawaii. His many stateside assignments included four years in the Office of the Army Chief of Staff, two years in the Office of the Secretary of the Army, and two years as Special Assistant to the Administrator of Veterans Affairs. Sam's legacy is one of continued battles for the prompt and courteous delivery of quality health care to America's veterans.

Shaft Kudos
The Sarge joins the American Legion in saluting Wal-Mart for raising funds and public awareness in support of the World War II Memorial and for conducting a successful voter registration drive. Wal-Mart Vice President for Federal and International Government Relations Norm Lezy will accept the award from American Legion National Commander Ray G. Smith on March 14, during the organization's 41st Annual Washington Conference at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Lezy spent 34 years in the U.S. Air Force in a variety of command and staff positions before coming to Wal-Mart. In his final assignment, he served as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel policy in the Pentagon.

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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