Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 07/08/2002

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
In a recent Sgt. Shaft column you reported on the plight of Marine Lt. Col. Chuck D in attempting to obtain a postage stamp issuance honoring soldiers, sailors and Marines who died in Lebanon from 1982 to 1984. All I can say to Sgt. Shaft and Lt. Col. D is “rots o’ ruck, GI”! The patriots of the Lebanon debacle represent ‘”just another patriotic cause” in a long line of causes that merit recognition through the issuance of a regular first class postage stamp. Purple Heart veterans, submariners, and recognition of Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone are among many others that the citizens would be delighted to see recognized.

As a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), I am aware that Sgt. Shaft and MOPH have been attempting for years to have the Postal Service honor those who have gave all or some in the interest of their country. In spite of pleas through thousands of individual signed petitions and the support of State and Federal Congressional delegations, the plight continually falls on deaf ears of the Postal Service and its Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee; a committee chaired by university academician Virginia Noelke.

With a new Postmaster General, new stamp issuances based on the recent first class postage price increase, and a new era, I believe it’s time for Sgt. Shaft to join the Military Order of the Purple Heart in its position to urge PMG John E. Potter to reconstitute his Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee. Mr. Potter will then have the opportunity to select individuals for membership on a committee that will reflect in vogue conservative values and those of the current Administration rather than the liberal views and pop culture values of a previous time and Administration. The present committee, along with Elvis Presley, Daffy Duck and other erstwhile causes they have opted to celebrate have had their day. 

Sincerely,
Cyril K.
Springfield, VA

Dear Cy:
As you know, I have been fighting the U.S. Postal Service a long, long time regarding in their selection of commemorative stamps. In their 1994 catalog, the same time they refused to honor our Americans killed by Beirut terrorists, the following commemorative stamps were issued: legends of the west, including Nellie Cashman and Charles Goodnight; broadcaster Edward R. Murrow; a yellow Chinese dragon; legends of rock and roll, steam carriages, circus wagons, canoes of the 1800s, seaplanes, red squirrels, and kittens.

At a congressional hearing in 1994, this tête-à-tête between Rep. Constance Morella (R-MD) and former Postmaster “Carvin’” Marvin Runyon, ensued:

Mrs. Morella: Since I have this opportunity, I would like, again, to ask the postmaster general to reconsider and give further thought to a stamp honoring the 241 of our American servicemen who lost their lives in a multinational peacekeeping and humanitarian mission in Beirut, Lebanon, on Oct. 23, 1983. Actually, there were a total of 273 American service personnel lost during that 1982-84 period, along with many allied soldiers. I wondered if there could be a reconsideration of the stamp to honor them.

Mr. Runyon: Mrs. Morella, we have reconsidered that numerous times. 

Mrs. Morella: I know you have.

Mr. Runyon: with the Citizens Stamp Advisory Commission and their opinion is that we really do not commemorate disasters. We do recognize people in service who have lost their lives; we will have an issue of stamps issued on June 6, which I believe is the fourth issue of World War II stamps commemorating the people who served, not just the ones who died, but all who served in that war. And that is the basic premise that we are using in commemorative stamps. That's where we are.

Mrs. Morella: Of course, there is a concept of the phoenix rising from the ashes; that when you have a disaster, from that come victory and peace, ultimately. Maybe you will reconsider.”

The VFW Magazine chronicled the history of stamps that have commemorated American veterans. There is no doubt that the stamps honoring veterans from the Civil War to Desert Storm help reaffirm the values and traditions of our great country. Yet the USPS has repeatedly turned down requests to issue a stamp honoring the memory and commemorating the sacrifice of these American servicemen. USPS officials reportedly told advocates of the Beirut stamp "not enough people were killed to warrant a commemorative stamp."

I urge current Postmaster General Jack Potter to commemorate the Beirut stamp, along with one for the Purple Heart, submariners, and other notable military causes.

Shaft Kudos
The Sarge joins the Fleet Reserve Association in applauding the leadership of Senator John Ensign (Nev.) for introducing legislation that would waive the Medicare Part B enrollment penalty for military retirees who failed to enroll when they originally became eligible. All beneficiaries who do not enroll in Part B before their 65th birthday face a 10 percent penalty for each year they fail to sign up.

Many military retirees did not enroll in Part B because they had access to military treatment facilities or had private insurance coverage provided via second careers and/or spouse employment. Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions that eliminated access to military health care and the implementation of TRICARE for Life caused many retirees to reconsider Part B enrollment. The TRICARE for Life program, enacted by the 106th Congress, reestablishes health care coverage for military retirees ages 65 and over and requires that beneficiaries be enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Rep. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) introduced "The TRICARE Retirees Opportunity Act of 2001" (H.R. 2073) that waives the late enrollment penalty for military retirees who enroll in Medicare Part B between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2002. Sen. Ensign's legislation creates a similar waiver, but extends the enrollment period to December 31, 2003.

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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