Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 12/22/2003

Dear Sgt Shaft:
I just read your column of Nov. 24. You and the rumor mill are right, the Senate and House have reached a compromise concerning S.249, providing Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for widows after remarriage at age 57 though the bill did request DIC at age 55. It was approved by the House last week. HR 2297, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 includes DIC-57 and improved education benefits. The bill needs to be signed by the President to become law.

We owe Chairman Arlen Specter, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, a very big "Thank You" for passing DIC-57 and the improved education benefits for Gold Star Wives. He is very understanding to our requests. We also owe a very big "Thank You" to Chairman Chris Smith, House Veterans Affairs Committee, for his commitment as well.

And we also owe you a very big "Thank You" for your dedication to veterans and Gold Star Wives issues.

Sincerely,
Rose Lee
Past National President and
Past Chairman of the Board
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.
Arlington, VA

Dear Rose,
Yours is one of many letters that I received from the Gold Star Wives community. Read on.

Dear Sergeant Shaft:
Yipee!Yipee!Yipee! Your efforts on the DIC retention bill have paid off! Untold many surviving spouses have so much to thank you for-not only for the action you elicited on this bill, but for all the times you have exerted special effort to right wrongs and injustices.

Once more, I thank you for the personal attention you have given in your continued updates on the movement of this bill through the final critical process moving toward passage.

May God bless you and yours. You give so much of yourself to others. Not many of us fit into this esteemed category.

Most respectfully and appreciatively yours,

Alice R.
Virginia

A very special thanks also to Bill Tuerk, staff Director of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee for his effort in helping to craft the DIC 57 compromise. This legislation also includes some very significant initiatives for veterans such as requiring federal agencies and departments to give special consideration during federal contracting and procurement for disabled veterans who own or want to start a small business.

"Widows and children of veterans who are totally disabled or who died from service-related causes will see an increase in the educational benefits provided to them," Chairman Smith said. "Furthermore, for those widows of veterans who died of service-related causes, this legislation will allow them to remarry later in life without suffering the loss of survivor benefits," he said.

These are just a few of the myriad provisions of the legislation.

Shaft Kudos
On Veterans Day, 2003, all McCormick & Schmick's restaurants in the country offered complimentary lunch and dinner entrees to vets. The Portland, Oregon based restaurant group (42 restaurants in all) served nearly 15,000 veterans nationwide which calculated to almost $300,000 in complimentary meals. It was far and away the most successful Veterans Day promotion in the company's history. The idea was conceived by company chairman Bill McCormick.

Thanks also for the following moving poem, which was written by a Marine in Okinawa. His only request was that people read it.

‘Twas the night before Christmas,
he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of  plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about,
a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle,
just boots filled with sand;
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges,
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different,
it was dark and dreary;
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone,
curled up on the floor
in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle,
the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world the children would play
and grownups would celebrate
a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
my life is: my God,
my country, my corps."
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep.
I couldn't control it;
I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still
and we both shivered
from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark, night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over,
with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa,
it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch,
and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend,
and to all a good night."

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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