Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 12/23/2002

Dear Sarge:
The Idaho State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America would like to raise funds to help build the Bob Hope Tribute. We are planning on having our yearly fundraiser and would like to have a separate one for the Bob Hope Tribute. Do you know where we can obtain any informational kits to highlight this worthy tribute.

I was not able to see the Bob Hope Show during my first tour in Vietnam, as I was an Infantryman in the boonies most of the times. However, during my second tour of duty in country I was a Military Policeman and had the honor of escorting his group while in Cam Rahn Bay and Nha Trang. He sure lifted the spirits of many men. I agree it's our turn to show him how much we respect and honor him for his services.

Donald R. McDole
President
Idaho State Council
Vietnam Veterans of America

Dear Donald,
The Sarge has received many inquiries regarding the special tribute to Bob Hope. His memorial will cover three-quarters of an acre on the western shore of San Diego Bay with the backdrop of North Island Naval Air Station. This $4.9 million parcel of land was donated by the Port District of San Diego. A dedication is planned for May 29, 2003, Bob’s 100th Birthday. On-line contributions are accepted at www.hopetribute.org and or using your credit card, payable to: Military Tribute to Bob Hope, P.O. Box 919012, San Diego, CA 92121. Let’s all of us who were there, say to Bob: “Thank YOU for the memories”. Also suggest you go to the website for more information.

Shaft Kudos
Unfortunately veterans and those in the armed forces will be loosing a great advocate in the United States Senate, good friend, Max Cleland. His stirring closing remarks when he appeared at the National Press Club still echo loudly in my mind:

“Just some words I came across after September the 11th that are appropriate, and I'll conclude with them. "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." God bless you. 

Congratulations to friend, General James L Jones, Commandant of the Marine Corps, on his recent award of an honorary Doctorate degree from his alma mater, Georgetown University. In a festive atmosphere of warmth, love, and admiration his combined Jones, Marine Corps and Georgetown family, witnessed a fitting tribute to this great American Patriot. General Jones was recognized for his contributions to his country and his fellow man. In his remarks conferring the honorary degree, Dean Robert L. Gallucci, said, “When Bishop John Carroll established his Academy at Georgetown, he envisioned a place that would educate new generations of leaders for the nation. This same spirit led Edmund A. Walsh, S. J., more than a century later and in a much changed world, to build at Georgetown a School of Foreign Service that would help prepare citizen-leaders who would preserve and advance liberty in the United States and, in turn, on the world stage on which the nation was then taking its place. We now celebrate a son of Georgetown and a graduate of the Walsh School of Foreign Service whose distinguished career of public service and patriotism is a contemporary embodiment of the traditions that have infused and inspired Georgetown since 1789.” 

General Jones was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps the year after his graduation from Georgetown and was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam as a Platoon and Company Commander that same year. In his more than 30-year career in the Corps, he has held a wide range of leadership positions, including serving as Commanding Officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit of Camp Lejune, NC. 

General Jones' decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit with four gold stars, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V”, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

In recent years, General Jones served as the Military Assistant to Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen and in 1999 he was appointed by President Clinton to serve as the 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps. As Commandant, General Jones has ensured the “confident and unambiguous” direction of the Corps and its ability to engage effectively and innovatively in complex new circumstances of national defense, while continuing to give the utmost care to the men and women who constitute the Corps. General Jones' record of strong and capable leadership led this summer to his nomination by President Bush as Commander, U.S. European Command and his appointment by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, (SACEUR), effective in 2003. 

In a voice filled with pride and emotion, Dean Gallucci continued, “as general Jones prepares to take on this significant new responsibility in the international arena, the University and Board of Directors recognize your remarkable career of principled leadership and public service, your steadfast commitment to freedom democracy and fostering both national and international peace and security.”

Semper Fi Doctor, General, Supreme Commander, and so so Georgetown basketball player number 30.

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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