Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 04/29/2002

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
We would like to bring to your readers' attention a program, organized by the American Legion, that shows the world our nation's overwhelming pride in our courageous men and women in uniform overseas: the Blue Star Service Banner. The Banner, used across America during World Wars I and II, has historically been displayed in the front window of a home to show a family's pride in their loved one serving in the military, and remind others of the sacrifice that many Americans make to preserve freedom. To renew and help spread this spirit and pride, we have joined the American Legion's campaign to rekindle support for this important program.

With U.S. troops once again in harm's way in Afghanistan and other parts of the world, extraordinary sacrifices are quietly being made by ordinary Americans in communities all around the country. The Blue Star Service Banner is a profound reminder of both the individuals who are serving their country overseas and their loved ones waiting for them back home. The Blue Star Service Banner, designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front lines, is the unofficial symbol of a child in the service.

At a ceremony a several weeks ago, with the leadership of the American Legion, we presented Blue Star Service Banners to families from Utah and New York who have loved ones courageously serving overseas. As a symbol of our support for these families and others like them, we are proudly displaying Blue Star Banners in windows of our Senate offices and have asked our colleagues to do the same.

These banners honor the courageous individuals who have been called to duty and help us remember the dedication of all their families as well. We encourage all those with a loved one serving in the Armed Services to join us in proudly displaying a banner. They may be ordered from The American Legion's web site at www.legion.org. Together, we can work to spread this spirit throughout our communities so that in our everyday lives, we take a moment to recognize the tremendous sacrifice and determination that makes our country great, and all Americans proud.

Orrin G. Hatch,                      Hillary Rodham Clinton
United States Senator, Utah    United States Senator, New York

Dear Senators:
Thank you for supporting this vital program honoring our military men and women who so proudly serve our country. As a nexus, or addition , to this family-oriented program, The American Legion is reaching out to corporate America to enhance public recognition of those fighting the war on terrorism. National Commander of The American Legion Richard J. Santos unveiled the Blue Star Corporate Flag to inspire America's business and industry leaders to recognize their employees-or the relatives of their employees who have been called to active duty as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He has also challenged America's business and industry leaders to ensure that the total gross earnings of any activated employee at least equal his or her total gross salary as a civilian employee. Corporate flags may be obtained from The American Legion at 1-888-4-LEGION.

And Senators, now that I have your attention:

Please support full passage of DIC 55 concurrent receipt legislation. And Senator Hatch, whisper in Senator Clinton’s ear, “Support the passage of the flag amendment.”

Shaft Kudos
To Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi on the creation of a new 15-member committee to advise him on issues affecting homeless veterans. The panel, formally called the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, will review the effectiveness of VA policies and programs for the homeless, identify gaps in programs serving the homeless, highlight barriers in law and federal policy that hinder programs and improve liaison with other federal, state and local agencies that work on homeless issues. The committee will provide the VA secretary with an annual report. Each member will serve up to three years.

”The fact that there are veterans who are homeless in our nation should disturb all Americans,'' Principi said. The VA, which provides more direct assistance to the homeless than any other federal agency, served about 100,000 homeless veterans last year through programs ranging from health care and disability payments to housing and job training.

And a special Shaft Kudos goes to homeless vets advocate and internationally renowned singer John McDermott, one of the three Irish Tenors. His personal involvement in the McDermott House in Washington, D.C., and the Hope McDermott Day Program Center in Boston, MA, is a first step to what he hopes will be many centers across the country helping veterans make the transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

The Congressional Medial of Honor Society in October 2001 presented John with the prestigious “Bob Hope Award,” which is reserved for those persons, who, through their life’s work in the entertainment industry, have distinguished themselves by outstanding service to or positive portrayal of the United States Military. Earlier that year he received the Chapel of Four Chaplain’s Humanitarian Award, which seeks to honor those who are dedicated to keeping alive the ideals embodied in the sacrifice of four clergymen who died in the sinking of a troopship during World War II. . When the vessel went down four clergymen -- a Rabbi, two Protestant ministers and a Catholic priest -- gave their life jackets to service men who had none.

On Veterans' Day in 1999, John attended the Veterans' Day Breakfast at The White House and later performed his song "The Wall," at the annual commemoration ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. At Constitution Hall that evening, he shared the stage with Miss America 2000 Heather Renee French as the two performed the newly commissioned "A Veterans Hymn."

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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