Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 06/25/2001

Dear Sgt. Shaft:

On April 26, the National Capital Memorials Commission voted to place the Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Plaque near the Three Servicemen statuary. The Congressionally approved commemorative plaque, to be funded by private donations, will honorably acknowledge the sacrifice of those Vietnam veterans whose post-war deaths are due to their wartime service, but whose names are not eligible to be added to the Wall.

James Cummings, architect for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Funds, Inc., announced that preliminary work is under way, subject to consultation with George Dickie, architect for the Vietnam Women's Memorial, Inc., for a design submission to the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).

While the In Memory plaque design, location, and inscription progresses through the approvals process, donations are being accepted by the ABMC from those who wish to share in the creation of this unique symbol of recognition and honor for Vietnam veterans.

Those who wish to donate to the ABMC plaque fund in memory of a Vietnam veteran who died prematurely due to their service are invited to notify the Vietnam War In Memory Memorial, Inc. (RCoderFitz@aol.com) with information to be placed on our Vietnam War In Memory Plaque Project Donors and Dedications web page. Please do not tell us the amount of your contribution. All are equally welcome.

Ruth Coder Fitzgerald
Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Plaque Project

Dear Ruth:
The Sarge was happy to hear that the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, on behalf of the corporation, its employees, dealers and customers, contributed $50,000 toward the Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Plaque at the recent Rolling Thunder XIV motorcycle rally in Washington, D.C. Jim McCaslin, Harley-Davidson's vice president, presented the check to Kenneth S. Pond, executive director of the ABMC, the federal agency assigned by Congress to shepherd the In Memory Memorial Plaque to completion. The Harley-Davidson contribution represents a considerable leap forward in funding, but Col. Anthony Corea, the ABMC's director of operations and finance, says the agency cannot determine the project's actual cost until the design is finalized and site preparation and other related costs are learned. Therefore, additional In Memory Plaque donations are encouraged from those who wish to share in the creation of this unique symbol of recognition and honor for these veterans, the "hidden casualties of Vietnam." 

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
Following is information concerning a cutting-edge nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization building the world's first fully accessible golf course --right here in the Washington, D.C. area. FORE ALL!, the non-profit organization dedicated to bringing together people with and without disabilities in employment, sports, leisure, and recreation through the game of golf, is building the first fully accessible golf course -- champion quality, 18 holes, and 7,000 yards that will be open and challenging to everyone, and will be completely accessible to people with a broad range of disabilities. In addition to the course, the facility will feature a fully accessible playground, miniature golf course, sports medicine and physical fitness center, and an education and conference area showcasing state-of-the-art adaptive technology. FORE ALL! plans to build these courses throughout the country and all around the globe. 

Just as importantly, FORE ALL! started a national grass roots initiative to teach golf to people with disabilities. The organization also teaches golf professionals and rehabilitation specialists how to do the same. During the past year, FORE ALL! put on golf clinics, demonstrations, and educational seminars in nine states. The nonprofit also operates the FORE ALL! Drive, Chip and Putt Challenge, a tour in which people with disabilities compete at the local, regional, and national levels. In Hartford, CT, the person who won the Best Putt competition is totally blind.

President George W. Bush serves as FORE ALL!'s honorary chairman. Joining him on the board, among others, are former Senator Bob Dole, former Representative Tony Coehlo, Senator Max Cleland (D-GA), Jim Brady, Abe Pollin, Teddy Pendergrass, and Christopher Reeve.

Michael Oring, Esq.
Executive Director, FORE ALL!
Kensington, MD

Dear Mike:
Sounds like you shot a hole in one with this project. Those wanting to assist this worthwhile endeavor should contact FORE ALL! at 301-881-1818, P.O. Box 2456, Kensington, MD 20891; email fore_all@juno.com; www.foreall.org.

Shaft Kudos
The Sarge urges all veterans to support another worthwhile cause, a national tribute to Bob Hope honoring his 50 years of service to our men and women in uniform. The Tribute is the brainchild of four World War II Navy combat veterans who are part of a survivors group (Taffy III) which has erected several monuments to veterans in San Diego. To be located on the San Diego harbor at the Fleet Landing, the tribute will include five life-size bronze statues of Bob Hope entertaining troops in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Europe during the Cold War, and in the Persian Gulf. There will be bronze statues of men and women representing the five military branches, one from each time period. Carved granite panels will show photographs of the troops at Bob Hope shows and be sound interactive. The project goal is to complete and dedicate the tribute during Bob Hope's lifetime. Dedication is tentatively scheduled for 2002. The project has the enthusiastic support of Dolores Hope and her daughter, Linda, as well as the Port of San Diego. The tribute's honorary board is chaired by former President Gerald R. Ford and Gen. Charles C. Krulak, former Commandant of the Marine Corps. Honorary board members include the Rev. Billy Graham, U.S. Senators Daniel Inouye and John McCain, U.S. Reps. Duncan Hunter and Bill Young, and entertainers Brooke Shields and Connie Stevens. Persons seeking more information on the Bob Hope Tribute and Taffy III should contact Bridget Hagerty, phone 715-362-3939; email "mbridget@nnex.net".

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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