Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 11/10/2003

Hello, Sarge
I am a first time writer. Kudos to you for all your hard work for the Vets. I read your column first thing each week when I get the Wash. Times Weekly Journal. Keeps me sane out here in the liberal Northwest.

Now, I am a Vet who needs your help. I misplaced my DD 214 when moving out here to Oregon. I am starting tech school on November 12, 2003 and need my VA benefits to help with the cost ($10,000 per year).

Since May, I have sent one SF 180 each month (5 total) to the National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63132. No response.

On September 12, 2003, I went to the NPRC Web site and requested my DD214 electronically. Went thru OK: my request numbers (that they assigned me) are 1-61120401and 1-61114801. I have 2 numbers because one is DD 214 request for active duty period and one is for Reserve duty period. I have received nothing, not even an acknowledgement that NPRC has received any of my requests.

On October 2, 2003, I wrote my 2 Senators (Smith and Wyden) and have heard zilch from them, too. (I am so glad I'm paying their salaries and bennies!!)

Can you help me???

Many thanks...Steve W USN (ret)
Northwest USA

Dear Steve,
I referred your missive to the Officials at Department of Veterans Affairs and they have assured me that they have contacted you and will help you obtain your educational benefits. Thank you for kind words and your dedicated service.

Shaft Kudos
A heartfelt salute to our Commander and Chief for once again hosting a White House breakfast for our Vets on, November 11(veterans Day.) The Sarge is looking forward to attending this breakfast along with other veterans to join the President in saying thanks to many of the recently wounded heroes and their families.

Hats off to Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) for his help the troops frequent flier initiative.

Air travelers can now donate frequent flier miles to help soldiers on leave from Iraq reach their destinations through this new program known as Operation Hero Miles.

In September 2003, the Department of Defense started giving soldiers stationed in Iraq two-week leaves in the largest rest and recuperation leave program since the Vietnam War. The soldiers can fly to Germany or Baltimore Washington International Airport for free, but the soldiers are responsible for flights the rest of the way to their destination.

Funds to provide additional airfare for American troops were left out of the $87 billion aid package for Iraq and Afghanistan. There was a motion in the House to include the funds, but it was judged "not in order" and did not come to a vote.

More than 200 soldiers arrive at BWI daily as part of the R&R program, reports the American Forces Press Service. The Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth airports have recently been added to the program.

Launched by Rep. Ruppersberger , whose district includes BWI airport, the Operation Hero Miles website lists participating airlines and provides information on how to donate frequent-flier miles and how soldiers can receive complimentary tickets.

Delta, Southwest and Alaska Airlines/Horizon Airlines are participating in the program.

"So many Americans want to donate their frequent flyer miles to help our men and women in uniform in Iraq so they can spend quality time with their family and friends here at home," said Ruppersberger. The congressman's staff is donating more than 67,000 frequent flyer miles to Operation Hero Miles.

For more information or to donate miles, go to http://www.heromiles.org

Another Shaft Kudos to the McCormick & SCHMICK RESTAURANT chain for their appetizing salute to our nations veterans.

All veterans receive a free lunch or dinner (with coffee or tea) at McCormick & Schmick's nationwide on Veteran’s Day, Tuesday, November 11, from specially selected menu items with proper identification (veterans ID, discharge papers, DD214).

In a show of thanks to our nation’s veterans, Bill McCormick and Doug Schmick. offer to serve veterans for a change (they served us well!) McCormick & Schmick is a prominent chain of Seafood Restaurants ) In 19 states and nearly 30 cities,

A shaft high five also to Hal and Fran, owners of Fran O’Brien’s Washington DC Restaurant located in the Capital Hilton at 16th and K streets for their continued Friday night hosting of our recently wounded heroes and their families.

Shaft shot
A high caliber shaft shot to all those pretentious politicos and their effete media snob cohorts who are now painting a negative picture of what our country and our troops are attempting to accomplish in Iraq This echo of media hype which seems to applaud the callous disregard for human life, mainly civilian, by the terrorist thugs is deplorable. In my minds eye the only correlation with what is happening in Iraq and Viet Nam is the blurred vision of the radical lefts eye. Their misguided motivations are strictly political and ideological. Where is the outrage directed at the terrorists in the headlines of our major media outlets when Iraqi criminals kill not only our American peacekeepers, but also innocent Iraqi citizens including women, and babies? One must agree with the words of Benjamin Franklin, “ there never was a good war or a bad peace” However I can envision Mr. Franklin telling these nay Sayers to go fly a kite.

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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