Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 05/20/2002

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
The letter from ex-Marine Dan S. about his prosthesis and airport security probably disturbed thousands of other veterans as much as it did me. This hero (and I mean exactly that) reacted with incredible elegance in his dealings with the pedantic airport pedagogues that demanded he remove his shoes and prosthesis. He deserves carte blance airport security passage with no more than superficial wand exam.

The only newspaper I read is the Washington Times and often I'm to busy for even that. If there was a follow-up note on the outcome of your contact with Tom Ridge's office, I missed it. Can you bring me up to date?

I know there are tens, hundreds, maybe thousands of veterans who would be willing to get involved.

Fighting 69
Potomac, MD 20854

Dear Fighting 69
As you can see from the following letter from Dan S., good friend Tom Ridge came through like gangbusters.

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
Forgive me for not having got back to you sooner regarding travel for disabled vets (Sgt. Shaft column, January 14, 2002). Getting through airport security with my prosthetic device was much, much better this time. When I first wrote you, the infamous "shoe bomber" incident had happened just days prior to my travel and nobody knew what to do! This time individuals were much better prepared. Another plus are the new machines at Reagan National Airport where you can have your shows “swabbed” and have the sample put through a chemical analyzer type machine! That process takes less than 5 minutes (if that) and you're on your way. Secondly, I also had my "Disabled Vet" card, along with my ID, to show airport security workers and that seemed to carry some merit as well. My able-bodied coworkers who were traveling with me were scrutinized more than I was, which, of course, they blamed on me! Overall though, and thanks to you, a better travel experience than before. Also, I flew out of BWI (which I hate) back in December, and out of National, this time. I don't know if airport security checks for disabled persons have gotten any better at BWI since my last encounter, and I’ll try to utilize that airport as little as possible. Thanks again for all you do, for all of us!

Semper Fi.
Dan. S.

Dear Dan:
Glad to hear all it. And as you know, to quality to become a Marine, one has to speak English and two words of Latin. Semper Fi to you also.

Shaft Kudos
The Sarge is looking forward to joining the Blinded American Veterans Foundation and U.S. Representative Connie Morella (R-MD) and their guests at the 17th annual congressional awards reception on June 13, 2002, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Room 334 of the Cannon House Office Building. The annual event, held in conjunction with the Foundation's Flag Week observance, honors members of Congress, the media and volunteers.

The recipients of the 2002 George "Buck" Gillispie Congressional Award for Meritorious Service are U.S. Senator Harry Reid D-Nevada) and U.S. Representative Michael Bilirakis (R-FL). The award is named in honor of the late Mr. George Gillispie, a blinded World War II veteran who devoted more than 40 years toward efforts to aid rehabilitation of visually impaired veterans.

The Carlton Sherwood Media Award, named in honor of the Pulitzer and Peabody Award-winning journalist and highly decorated U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, will be presented to Steve Barr, “Federal Diary” columnist for The Washington Post, and Na Eng, formerly of NBC Nightly News.

This year's recipients of the George Alexander Memorial Award for Volunteer Service are David Nassef, corporate executive with Pitney Bowes and Ron Zola, executive director, Vietnam Veteran Leadership Project.

The Foundation’s Corporate Volunteer Award will be presented to En-Vision America, an assistive technology corporation serving blind, visually impaired and low vision persons.

A joint Color Guard will set the stage for the awards ceremony and the Marine Corps Brass Quintet will entertain guests with a medley of patriotic music.

The congressional reception precedes the BAVF Flag Week picnic on Saturday, June 15, in Silver Spring, at which the BAVF will be honoring the United Service Organization. U.S. Representative Connie Morella and her husband, Tony, will be present to sample the hot dogs prepared by the gregarious Chef Lakis, who can usually be found at his cart at the corner of 18th and K Streets, N.W. Flags that have flown over the U.S. Capitol will be presented to many guests. Picnickers can sit back and enjoy the sounds of Hawaiian music, plus "oldies but goodies."

Shaft Shot
A large caliber shot to those individuals proposing to move Veterans Day to coincide with Election Day. Thanks to Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE), this bad idea may be derailed. He has introduced H. Res. 293, that would convey the sense of the U.S. House of Representatives that Veterans Day remain separate from any other federal holiday (consistent with the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month in 1918 when the Armistice ended World War I). A federal commission recommended to the Bush administration in August 2001 that the holiday be moved to Election Day in presidential and congressional election years to encourage voter participation. A bill introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D), TX, would shift Veterans Day to Election Day in presidential election years effective 2004.

A shot to the Bush Administration for recommending that military retirees select either the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense as their health care provider. About 700,000 military retirees are currently enrolled in both systems. The good news is the House Appropriations Committee has agreed to accept an amendment that preserves the option for military retirees to obtain their medical care from either the VA or DoD.

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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