Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 10/01/2001

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
Our group would like to send a donation to a fund that is dedicated to just those that were serving in the Armed Forces of the U.S. and their families, who lost their life or limb, on September 11. Even though we feel just as concerned for those Police, Fire, and Rescue workers and civilians that were injured or paid the ultimate price, we are dedicated to serving veterans and their families.

Our membership is made up of incarcerated veterans, and close to a third of us are combat veterans. We are pretty evenly divided between those that served in the Army and Marines. If we are lucky we make a $1 a day at our institutional jobs, and most have pledged to donate five to ten dollars for this cause. The group also has a fund raiser project where we sell candy to the population. After our bills are paid at the end of this month we are hoping to send around $300 from the group and hopefully another large check collected from donations from within our group.

Would you please give us an address that is dedicated to this cause so we can send the check. I was hoping that your column in the WASHINGTON TIMES would include such an address.

Semper Fidelis.
William L. W., pH.D. Vice President
Veteran’s Group 549
MD Correctional Institution
Jessup, MD

Dear William:
Sounds like the organization you vets want to contribute to would be the Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation (MC-LEF), Inc., a 501 ( c ) 3 tax-exempt charity. The organization was founded in January 1995, by former Marines and law enforcement personnel. The MC-LEF believes that our nation’s most precious resource is its youth and encourages their spiritual, moral, intellectual and physical development through education. Since its founding MC-LEF has distributed $3 million to children of Marines or Federal law enforcement personnel who were killed on duty or died in extraordinary circumstances. In 1999, 139 such children were awarded scholarship bonds or medical assistance from MC-LEF. 

The Foundation does not have a paid staff . 100% of the funds, donations from members, individuals and corporations, go toward educational scholarships and special medical equipment that a child’s family would not otherwise be able to afford. MC-LEF Fundraising events include Scholarship Galas and Scholarship Golf Tournaments. 

Donations may be made payable to MC - LEF and sent care of The Office of the Commandant, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 2 Navy Annex, Washington, D. C. 20380.

The Blinded American Veterans Foundation, an organization that the Sarge is associated with, is also contributing $1000 to the MC-LEF. And, on a personal note, the Sarge is purchasing, with his tax refund, stock in Pitney Bowes and Pfizer, Inc. and donating the stock to MC-LEF.

Pitney Bowes and Pfizer have a long history of being good corporate citizens of our nation. Hopefully, others will also purchase stock in their favorite corporations and donate that stock to their favorite charities. This will be a long-term investment in our economy and in our future.

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
Here is a true story to share with your readers that reflects what’s right with the U.S. and the ingrained goodness of its people.

Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Plass, of the 29th Regiment, was watching a TV program covering a fund raiser. The Red Cross was asking for donations that could be auctioned. When CSM Plass retired in 1971, the Regiment lowered the National colors flying in front of the HQ and presented them to him to mark his retirement and honor his service. He had proudly displayed these colors in his home since then. Because of news stories covering the shortage of American flags, CSM Plass decided that maybe his colors could bring some money to the relief effort. He reported to the Red Cross in uniform and presented the colors for auction with the story of its origin and personal significance. Several people, including the media and management overheard the story and decided that there would be a minimum bid of $500 asked for the colors. A member of the local Cellular One management team immediately produced a check for $1,000 and acquired the flag. Plass is a veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam and proudly wears a Combat Infantry Badge with two stars, so you can imagine what that flag meant to him personally. 

Just when you think you’ve heard it all…later in the day the Cellular One folks showed up at CSM Plass’ house and presented him with his flag, stating that the flag was too special to belong to anyone except him, and that they were making the $1000 donation in honor of his generosity.

There are many definitions of Hoorah, but this is definitely HOORAH in my book.

Barry C.
North Carolina

Dear Barry:
The following words by Abba Hillel Silver also reflects what is good about America -- our people.

God built a continent of glory and filled it with treasures untold;

He carpeted it with soft-rolling prairies and columned it with thundering mountains;

He studded it with sweet-flowing fountains and traced it with long-winding streams;

He planted it with deep-shadowed forests, and filled them with song,

Then he called unto a thousand peoples and summoned the bravest among them.

They came from the ends of the earth, each bearing a gift and a hope.

The glow of adventure was in their eyes, and in their hearts the glory of hope.

And out of the bounty of earth and the labor of men,

Out of the longing of hearts and the prayer of souls,

Out of the memory of ages and hopes of the world, 

God fashioned a nation in love, blessed it with

Purpose sublime - and called it AMERICA

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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