Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 05/27/2002

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
What's the latest on the Concurrent Receipt Issue? Please advise.

Jim Mc
Internet enthusiast

Dear Jim:
As part of discussions on the FY 2003 defense authorization bill, the Senate Armed Services Committee has agreed with House colleagues to restore over five years full retired pay to roughly 82,000 career retirees who have post-retirement VA disability ratings of 60 percent or higher.

A few differences are noteworthy between House and Senate concurrent receipt language. The House bill would begin to restore retired pay on Oct. 1 this year; Senators want a start date of Jan. 1, 2003, to comply with their accounting rules.

A second difference is in the phase-in formula. In the first year, under the House plan, 100-percent disabled retirees would get $750 a month in retired pay restored on top of their VA compensation. Ninety-percent disabled would get $500 per month; 80 and 70 percent, $250; and 60 percent disabled would get $125 a month. In year two, under the more complex House plan, retired pay would be raised to equal the amount paid in year one, plus 23 percent of the difference between that amount and full retired pay. Senators want a simpler 30 percent of the retired pay offset restored next January, moving to 45 percent a year later, 60 percent in year three, 80 percent in year four, and 100 percent by January 2007.

House and Senate conferees will now meet to iron out the particulars of the legislation.

Shaft Kudos
Once again, the VA National Medical Musical Group (VA-NNMG) will offer stirring tribute to veterans and the military at its 7th Congressional Flag Day Celebration, to be held June 13, from 1:00-2:45 p.m. in Caucus Room C-345, Cannon House Office Building. Begun in 1996, Congressional Flag Day Celebrations are now a cherished tradition and expression of a spirit of unity on Capitol Hill. The House and Senate Prayer Breakfasts sponsor the program given by the VA-NNMG). This year’s theme is “Thus Spake America”. The program serves as a salute to veterans and the military; a memorial for all victims following events of last September 11, and honors our fallen heroes in Afghanistan and elsewhere. This year’s program marks the 225th anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes and the 125th anniversary of the first Flag Day observance. First Lady Laura Bush chairs Honorary Committee. Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and John Edwards (D-NC) and Representative Ray LaHood (R-IL) are the official sponsors of this year’s program. Steve and Cokie Roberts host this nationally televised program, with Adrian Cronauer (Good Morning Vietnam). Among those performing at this year’s tribute, which is free and open to the public:

• Lee Greenwood sings “God Bless the USA” and “Pledge of Allegiance”.
  
• Congressman David Phelps (D-IL) sings Senator Orrin Hatch's (R-UT) song "One Nation Under God". Gospel Singer Karen Scott sings "Go Down Moses/We Shall Overcome". Operatic Singers include Soprano Brenda Tucker singing "From Sea to Shining Sea"; Mezzo Soprano Margie Johnson singing "Battle Hymn of the Republic"; Tenor Eddie Gammill, RN, singing "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera (Webber); and Bass Morton Hyson, MD, singing "Arm Ye Brave" from Judas Maccabeus (Handel). They are supported by a chorale of 100 and a symphony orchestra of 70 of the VA-National Medical Musical Group. The orchestra plays "Triumphal March" from the opera "Aida" (by Verdi) and the theme from Thus Spake Zarathustra (Strauss).
  
• Many Members of Congress will narrate inspirational and patriotic readings intertwined with the music. Confirmed to date are: Senators George Allen (R-VA) and Paul Wellstone (D-MN); Representatives Phil Crane (R-IL), Gil Gutknecht (R-MN), Tom Lantos (D-CA), Lynn Rivers (D-MI), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Charles Stenholm (D-TX), and Tom Tancredo (R-CO).
  
• Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. Leo S. Mackay, Jr. is featured during “The Veterans Moment” of the program.
  
• The event is anticipated to be broadcast on the VA Satellite Network, on the Worldwide Armed Forces TV Network, and possibly on other networks.
   
• VA-NMMG is a unique symphony orchestra and chorus of healthcare professionals from VA and other medical centers and schools all over the USA. Their mission is to make “music with a message” – of hope, inspiration, healing, unity and patriotism. The Group has performed these Congressional Concerts annually since their inception in 1996. VA-NMMG is the 2002 recipient of the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Bob Hope Award in recognition of VA-NMMG’s service to veterans and the military, and its “Veterans Hymn”. The Veterans Hymn will be played during the “Veterans Moment” of the program, when (Retired) Congressman G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery, the author of the Montgomery GI Bill will be recognized. The “Hymn” is written by VA-NMMG’s founder and director, VA physician Victor Wahby, MD.

As we commemorate this Memorial Day, let us reflect on these poignant words that Sen. Max Cleland (D-GA) came across and used to close his recent speech at the National Press Club:

"As a certain dirt and ash rained down, we became one color. As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building, we became one class. As we lit candles awaiting in hope, we became one generation. As the fire fighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno, we became one gender. As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength, we became one faith. As we whispered and shouted words of encouragement, we spoke one language. As we gave our blood in lines a mile long, we became one body. As we mourned together our great loss, we became one family. As we cried tears of grief, we became one soul. As we retell with pride the sacrifice of our heroes, we become one people. We are one color, one class, one generation, one gender, one faith, one language, one body, one family, one soul. We are the power of one. We are united. We are 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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