Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 07/02/2001

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
 In May 1970 Sgt. First Class Louis R. Rocco earned the Medal of Honor while fighting in the rice paddies of South Vietnam. Sgt. Rocco received the nation's highest military honor by rescuing three unconscious soldiers after their helicopter was shot down. With utter disregard for his own safety and ignoring his own wounds, Sgt. Rocco pulled his fellow soldiers from the burning wreckage and carried them safely behind friendly lines.

More than 30 years later retired warrant officer Rocco is still fighting a war -- a war against drugs and violence in our schools. Through a unique program originally created by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and now being implemented by the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) (a non-profit congressionally chartered organization whose charge is to serve the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and their families), Sgt. Rocco is one of a half dozen Medal of Honor recipients who has enlisted into VVA's Veterans Against Drugs Program.

The program began in Philadelphia in 1989 and by the late 1990s VVA had taken over setting up the mentoring sessions in the classrooms. At the first session in Kern County, California, Mr. Rocco and fellow Medal of Honor recipient Joe Jackson spoke to hundreds of school-age children.

A typical session, which usually numbers about 60 students in junior high, and a Medal of Honor recipient discussing the courage it takes for students to avoid the use of drugs, or to be associated with drug gangs. VVA members then pay a follow-up visit to the school. Working with individual teachers, they hold a series of classroom discussions based on VVA's five core values: camaraderie, compassion, integrity, meaningful achievement, and advocacy.

Herb Worthington, chairman of the Veterans Against Drugs, said the program is also operating in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Texas. So far, he said about 100 sessions have been held in over 30 locations. Mr. Worthington also said the number of states involved in the program may double over the next 12 months.

Our new President and Commander-in-Chief has set his sights on improving education. Recently, he said, "bipartisan education reform will be the cornerstone of my administration." VA, with its 50,000 members, is doing its part to make schools a safer place to educate our youth. Our motto, "In Service to America," is right on target.

George C. Duggins
VVA President

Dear George:
 In a few days we will be celebrating America's birthday. Throughout our history there have been so many patriots such as Louis Rocco who have not only sacrificed their life in combat for a buddy and country but continue to unselfishly serve their fellow man. Thanks for sharing Mr. Rocco's remarkable sacrifices ... and I urge all fellow vets to join in this most worthwhile endeavor.

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
Virginia Manning Rosekrans became a WAAC shortly after the United States entered World War II. She was the first Master Sergeant appointed by the WAAC and she was the first WAAC to set foot in England. She was the creator of the cartoon character, Annie Wac.

It is my understanding that Virginia flew over the Normandy Beach area and the areas prepared for the later European invasions. She was a passenger on the bombing raids. She used the pictures and sketches she collected on the trips to build the plaster bas-relief map which aided in the planning of the Normandy landing and the invasions.

I am trying to find proof that this actually occurred. If there are any Annie Wac cartoons still available, I would like to have copies. Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

E.A.G
Arlington, VA

Dear E.A.G.
This sounds like a really great story to research. I suggest you go to two sources of information: the Library of Congress and The National D-Day Museum. The Library of Congress, located in the nation's capital, began its Veterans' Oral History Project last year when the president signed a law that directs the Library's American Folklife Center to develop a program to collect and preserve oral histories from veterans of World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War, and to selectively collect related documents such as letters, diaries, and photographs. The Library hopes to undertake a registry of existing veterans' oral history projects and collections, and to make this valuable educational material available on-line. Through this critical task of preserving our history, the Library of Congress is dedicated to honoring the service of our veterans, to recognizing existing projects, and to creating a living record of service and sacrifice for future generations. Presidents of various military service organizations met at the Library on May 14 to discuss initial plans and offer guidance on this project. Information about the Oral History Project is available at the project's Web site, www.loc.gov/folklife/vets. Additional information about the Oral History Project and the Library's American Folklife Center is available by calling project officer Ellen Lovell at (202) 707-0220.

Similarly, the National D-Day Museum, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the only museum in America dedicated to the remembrance of all of the amphibious invasions of World War II, in both the European and Pacific Theaters. In addition to information about efforts in the European Theater, the Museum will dedicate a Pacific Wing this December 7 to honor the veterans of the Pacific invasion forces, their families and the Home Front Workers. For information about the National D-Day Museum and its mission, please contact Bill Detweiler, past National Commander of The American Legion and the Museum's Veterans Liaison Officer, at (504) 527-6012.

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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