Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 06/11/2001

 Dear Sgt. Shaft:

 We are now into the most beautiful and patriotic season of the year, a time of reminiscence and of gratitude. It began on Armed Forces Day, then Memorial Day when, since the Civil War, we decorate with the first flowers of spring the graves of those who sacrificed all the spring times of their youth that liberty might grow old. And Flag Day, when we honor the symbol of our soul, our Constitution. And finally Independence Day, the anniversary of the greatest event in the political development of mankind. In between we remember D-Day, when the greatest generation tore down the wall of tyranny that surrounded Europe.

Most of our gratitude is expressed through symbols. Grave stones, obelisks, walls and the greatest of all symbols, Old Glory. Symbols are indispensable in a democracy and have been called the natural speech of the soul. In their darkest moments, in the midst of the horrifying loneliness of combat, surrounded by noise, fear, fatigue, and the terrifying, unmistakable, indescribable smell of blood, warriors turn to symbols for comfort -- a letter, a photo, a holy medal, a lock of hair.

And they look to the greatest conqueror of fear and loneliness, the greatest symbol of hope, their constant companion and their supreme inspiration -- Old Glory. It speaks to their soul. No other symbol, nothing, says better: You are not alone. Why? Because our flag symbolizes the Constitution which was written in their blood.

In Holy Communion some may see only red wine and white bread, but Christians see the body and blood of Jesus, goodness itself. In the flag some may only see the red, white, and blue of a cloth but patriots see the Constitution, the cause of goodness and justice and prosperity, of the beauty and bounty that is America.

In the middle of the season of patriotism, one week after Flag Day in 1989, the Supreme Court bowed to a self-described Maoist and turned America's greatest symbol into a common rag subject to unspeakable insults from those who hate our Constitution.

The Supreme Court made a mistake when they said that the freedom to burn the American flag was a legacy of our freedoms from Madison and Jefferson and Washington, and the other creators and defenders of our Constitution. Our oath to defend our Constitution demands we correct the errors of the Court.

Our struggle is symbolic and symbols define us as a people. Is there any symbol in America dearer to more people than the flag? Does any American have anything or anyone who is dear to them that they would not protect? When Old Glory flies, it waves the Constitution before all who see it. We should demand the right to protect the symbol of our Constitution.

In this period of gratitude and remembrance there is no better way to say thanks than by urging Congress to correct the Court and restore to the people the right to protect the sacred shroud of those we remember.

Pat Brady, Maj. Gen.
U.S. Army (ret.)


Dear Pat:
As you know, Flag Day was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and is honored in communities throughout the nation. And flag etiquette states that the U.S. flag should always be treated with the utmost care and respect. The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything. When the flag is lowered no part of it should touch the ground or any other object. I sure wish that lawmakers who do not support the patriotic legislation now before Congress, the amendment to protect the flag, learn Old Glory's protocol.

Shaft Kudos
The Sarge is looking forward to joining the Blinded American Veterans Foundation, and their guests at the 16th annual congressional awards reception on June 14, 2001, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Room 334 of the Cannon House Office Building. The annual event, held in conjunction with the Foundation's Flag Week observance, honors members of Congress, the media and volunteers.

The recipients of the 2001 George "Buck" Gillispie Congressional Award for Meritorious Service Are Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and Albert Wynn (D-MD). The award is named in honor of the late Mr. George Gillispie, a blinded World War II veteran who devoted more than 40 years toward efforts to aid rehabilitation of visually impaired veterans.

The Carlton Sherwood Media Award, named in honor of the Pulitzer and Peabody Award-winning journalist and highly decorated U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, will be presented to The National Press Club and the American Legion Magazine. 

This year's recipients of the George Alexander Memorial Award for volunteer Service are the Non-Commissioned Officers Association, Johnnie Collins (salesman and veteran advocate), and John Karr, Esq.

A joint Color Guard will set the stage for the awards ceremony and the Marine Corps Brass Quintet will entertain guests with a medley of patriotic music.

The congressional reception precedes the BAVF Flag Week picnic on Saturday, June 16, in Silver Spring. At this year's event the BAVF will be honoring U.S. Congresswoman Connie Morella (R-MD) and her husband, Tony, for their long-time affinity for the Blinded American Veterans Foundation. Flags that have been flown over the U.S. Capitol will be presented to many guests. As usual, the gregarious Chef Lakis, who can usually be found at his cart at the corner of 18th and K Streets, N.W., will be preparing his famous hot dogs. Picnickers will be serenaded by the Hula Monsters and their sounds of Hawaiian and Italian music, plus the sounds of "oldies but goodies."

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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