Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 02/25/2002

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
Thank you for your support of H.R. 1108. If this bill passes it will allow me to remarry in the future (I am now 49) without loosing my Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits. This brings hope to many of us and I applaud your efforts. Thanks so very much.

Claire D.
Champaign, IL

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
I just read your article via our Gold Star Wives web page. Thank you for attempting to assist in the passage of the House Resolution regarding DIC gals wanting to remarry after age 55 without losing their benefits. I was widowed at age 38 when my husband was KIA VN. He was an Army Lt. Col. battalion commander and we had been a military family for all our married life (married just out of college). Eight years after his death I met and had to decide whether to forgo my benefits and marry a wonderful widower (who happened to be a retired Air Force colonel). With his five children (two daughters just graduating from college) and my two boys in college we decided the wisest thing was to marry (not just live together, etc.) That was 25 years ago. 

I am sure there are many widows receiving DIC that cannot afford to give it up in order to marry again. That just isn't right. Thank goodness, the ruling on the DIC not being reinstates was changed back. However, my present husband immediately (when enrollment was available) took out Survivor Benefit Program (SBP) to help me out if I should need it. It was costly, but I appreciated his doing this for my security. 

Keep up the good work.
Marlene G.
Bella Vista, AR

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
I am a 51 year old widow and member of Gold Star Wives. My husband of 25 years died due to Agent Orange exposure that he received in the Army in service to our country in Vietnam. I depend on DIC and ChampVA benefits to live. I have been a widow for nearly nine years now. Were I to remarry, I would lose my income and my health insurance benefits. 

I know you have been instrumental in working to pass H.R. 1108, which would allow widows to remarry and still retain their benefits. I thank you for your efforts in this area and encourage you to continue to work for the passage of this bill. 

Barbara T.
Mesa, AZ

Dear Gold Star Wives:
As you know, the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is the only Federal beneficiary program in which survivors are not permitted to remarry after age 55 and retain benefits. Federal survivor programs, most notably the Survivor Benefit Program (SBP) of the Department of Defense, allows SBP spouses to remarry after age 55 without loss of SBP compensation. Continuation of spousal survival benefits exists in all Federal beneficiary programs.

In a spirit of fairness, the Sarge once again urges the United States Congress to legislatively correct this inequity so that DIC recipients would not lose their benefits should they remarry after age 55.

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
A great American, Harold Russell, has been laid to rest. Much has been written by your colleagues concerning Harold's accomplishments. He truly was an unique individual who unselfishly served this great nation without compensation most of his adult life. All who knew him grew to love him for what he was -- a humble gracious man with a sense of humor that had no bounds. His advocacy for disability rights is legendary. His "hooks" touched the hearts of many unknowing Americans.

I attended Harold's funeral on February 4 in Massachusetts. I was impressed by the outpouring of love and respect displayed at the services. The three man burial detail from the 10th Mountain Division reflected the professionalism of today's Armed Forces. Dedicated and sincere, they did not know Mr. Russell but as they learned of his achievements they made it a point to ensure that he received the respect he richly deserved. An honor guard from the New England homeless shelter stood vigil by Harold's casket and fired a final salute across his grave. Representatives from the veterans community led by National Commander Lipowski of AMVETS paid their respects. Sadly missing were representatives from the Congress, the government and the administration.

Harold was laid to rest with dignity; saluted by those who dearly loved him and shunned by the government he served. I can hear Harold laughing now.

Bob J.
Severn, MD

Dear Bob:
I'm sad to hear that Congressional representatives and high level officials from the administration were MIA from Harold Russell's last farewell. He gave the best years of his life to our lives and deserved better.

KUDOS
The Sarge is looking forward to joining the American Legion as they honor NASCAR.

Prior to the September 11 attacks, which gave rise to public displays of patriotism, NASCAR aired on each of its telecasts, the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and a salute to the men and women of the U.S. armed forces. The practice earned NASCAR "The 2002 American Legion National Commander's Public Relations Award." NASCAR President Mike Helton will accept the award on March 13, 2002, during a luncheon culminating The American Legion's annual Washington Conference at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill.

American Legion National Commander Richard J. Santos, who will present the award, said: "NASCAR paid tribute to America and to the hallowed tradition of the citizen-soldier long before the tragic events of September 11. NASCAR earned a place in the American Legion's winner circle -- not only for commemorating part of the unique heritage that binds us, as Americans, together, but for doing so free of commercial interruption." Past recipients of the award include Wal-Mart, NBC's Tom Brokaw, and Ambassador Alan Keyes.

The American Legion, with 2.8 million members, is our nation's largest veterans organization. It was founded in March 1919 in Paris, France by a group of American World War I veterans.

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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