Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 06/23/2003

Dear Sgt. Shaft,

I read your column on May 19 where veteran Max Hearn commented on the slow progress of the ScripTalk Talking Prescription system for visually impaired vets. I just wanted to give you and your readers a quick update of the progress made so far. Even though the system has been out for over two years, the service is currently being delivered in only five hospitals and seven clinics in the U.S. The system was originally piloted and approved at the Hines Blind Rehabilitation Center near Chicago in 2000. Although a few hospitals are in the process of getting the system installed, Hines and other medical centers have been waiting for the ScripTalk software to be upgraded to allow it to work seamlessly at every VA in the U.S.

I am pleased to report that the software effort is complete and will begin moving to the field soon. This Class 1 status should go a long way in signaling to VA medical centers that they can begin offering this service. Also, an expressed "green light" has come from top brass in the VA that it is not only OK for hospitals to provide ScripTalk, but they are encouraged to do so.

This product is designed to improve lives by reducing the possibility of prescription error. Also, in terms of privacy, the newest HIPPA regulations adopted by the VA promotes privacy of medical information. The ScripTalk system saves vets from being forced to continually ask someone about their sensitive prescriptions. We are proud that this system is being adopted not only in the VA, but also in private sector pharmacies throughout the U.S. We look forward to a continued increase in prescription safety and privacy for our nations' veterans, like Max Hearn.

Thank you,
David Raistrick
En-Vision America Inc.

Dear Dave,
Thanks for the update on your sophisticated prescription safety product. It is “out of sight”.

SHAFT KUDOS

The Sarge was pleased to join Rep. Howard Coble, former Coast Guardsmen and co-chair of the House Coast Guard Caucus, and the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) at a recent Capitol Hill reception honoring the Coast Guard Enlisted Persons of the Year (EPOY). The honorees were Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Scott L. Woodwind, who is currently assigned to the Coast Guard Harriett Lane (WI/4EC 903) in Portsmouth, VA, who was selected as the Active Duty recipient for 2002, and Yeoman 1st Class Nathaniel F. Sargent from Harbor Defense Command Unit 201, Newport, RI, the 2002 Reserve EPOY. Also recognized were Tom A. Crim and Monica McBrady. Crim, a supply technician at USCG Air Station Kodiak in Kodiak, AK, was named the Civilian EPOY for 2002, and Brady, a recreation aide at the Kia'i Kai Housing Community Center in the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Program of Coast Guard Integrated Support Command, Honolulu, HI, was named 2002 Non-appropriated Civilian EPOY. During FRA's National Executive Secretary Joe Barnes presented all four EPOYs with plaques for their achievements. In addition, Woodward and Sargent will be promoted to the rank of chief petty officer during a ceremony at the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, recognized the outstanding leadership of the four awardees and thanked them for their service to our country. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG) Frank Welch and VADM Thomas Barrett, Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, also addressed the EPOYs and reception guests. "The remarkable accomplishments [of the Coast Guard] are due to the day-in and day-out efforts [of our members]," said Barrett. Of the four honorees, he added, "You absolutely reflect the best of the best. Our enlisted force is without peer." The Coast Guard leadership was represented by several flag officers and senior enlisted personnel, and a number of congressional staffers also attended the reception along with FRA officials and members of the Association's National Headquarters Staff. FRA works to present the enlisted perspective on issues that affect all members of the military community. The federally chartered FRA is the oldest and largest military association representing the concerns of enlisted Sea Service personnel. As it has done for 79 years, FRA serves as the premier watchdog organization for safeguarding and enhancing military pay, health care and benefits by representing the concerns of its 135,000 members before Congress and appropriate federal agencies. For more information, or to contact your elected official regarding issues that effect enlisted Sea Service personnel, visit the Association's Web site at www.fra.org.

The Sarge salutes , the U.S. House of Representatives for its overwhelming passage of a flag-protection constitutional amendment: "The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States."

The amendment would allow Congress to return flag desecration to the same legal status as cross burning and certain forms of pornography - where it belongs - as an act that does not rise to the level of First Amendment protection said National Commander of the American Legion, Ron Connley. " Numerous polls, conducted since the high court legalized flag desecration, show 75 percent to 80 percent of the American people support a flag-protection constitutional amendment. Months after its landmark 1989 ruling, the Supreme Court struck down a federal flag-protection statute passed by Congress, leaving a constitutional amendment as the only recourse to restore legal protection of the U.S. flag.

The Sarge urges the United States Senate to swiftly follow the House of Representatives action and pass this important legislation to protect Old Glory.

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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