Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 02/09/2004

Dear Sergeant Shaft,
It was a pleasure to share lunch with you last month, and I hope that you, your family and your readers have a terrific New Year. Your service to America as a Marine in Vietnam, as a journalist and as an advocate for military families and our veterans is impressive and very much appreciated.

I wanted to respond to you regarding some of the issues you brought to my attention.

Regarding security at the military housing area known as McGrew Point in Hawaii, the Navy’s leaders at Pearl Harbor, working with local law enforcement and our public-private housing partners, have taken steps to develop a long-term solution. As we discussed, a watch has been established and other steps taken to improve the security fencing. As new housing units are built, security systems will be installed during construction.

In many communities across our nation and around the world, many military families live off base and in the local community. Whether on base or off, our military leaders work closely with local law enforcement to provide a safe and secure environment. We also encourage our service members and their families to be active and involved in their communities. Feedback from Hawaii indicates that we are on the right track at McGrew Housing.

I also appreciate the information you provided on new technologies being developed or available to those who are blind or who are visually impaired. I haven’t been to CAPTEC yet but have reviewed their literature.

God bless you for your hard work on behalf of everyone in uniform and the veterans of our great Nation.

Gordon England
Secretary of the Navy

Dear Mr. Secretary
Thanks for your kind words and swift action. While I have your ear, I do hope you and Senator Warner support changing the title of your position to Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps. As the words of our proud hymn echo throughout the world:

If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines."

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
First off, thank you for your service to our country, and for the good that you continue to do now. I'm writing because I'm clueless as to how to proceed and figure you would know where to look. I'm trying to find a way to get a copy of a little card my dad carried in his wallet so I can surprise him for his birthday/Father's Day.

Long story short: Dad is an old sea dog who crossed the Arctic Circle on his way from Northern Europe aboard the USS Newport News back in '62. I suppose that qualifies him for the Order of the Blue Nose or something. But he had a little card that he carried in his wallet for almost 40 years that memorialized that event. (My older brother has a certificate and little card for crossing the equator, so I know they still do it.) Unfortunately, dad's wallet was sitting on his desk in the Navy Command Ctr. at the Pentagon on Sept. 11 and was never recovered. He escaped to safety, thank God, and was able to replace everything in the wallet but his little card. And that was probably the only thing in his wallet he would have wanted to replace. Is there someone I can contact who can help me out in getting a replacement? I'd really appreciate any help you could give me.

God bless,
Dorothy S.
Austin, TX.

Dear Dorothy,
I forwarded your request to the Secretary of the Navy, Gordon England and by now you should have received the following information from his top notch Cando and my favorite flak, Captain Wensing:

Dear Ms Stavrou,
I got a note from Sgt Shaft, the Washington Times columnist and friend to the military and their families. We will do what we can to help you get a replacement "Blue Nose" card for your dad. We will need your Dad’s rate and full name and date and place of crossing the artic circle. The Blue Nose Certificates are also available to you via commercial sources but I recommend you contact LCDR Bob Mehal 757-836-1650 to see what his staff might be able to do to get you the small wallet card for your dad, since he lost his on 9-11 in the Pentagon attack.

Also there is a website to companies that produce the large format certificates:

http://www.usni.org

The Naval Institute also offers an "Action Series" of colorful commemorative certificates for veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War. A fifth certificate may be personalized to reflect participation in any military deployment. These high quality certificates are fitting tributes to those who have served our nation proudly. All Action Series certificates are 11" x 14".

Kevin Wensing
Captain USN

Shaft Kudos
The Sarge is looking forward to visiting The Decatur House Museum 1610 H Street in Washington (Lafayette Square) On 17 February 2004 and a reception at 6:30 P.M. for the kick-off a new exhibit entitled: "The Making Of An American Hero - Stephen Decatur In Tripoli."

This exhibit describes the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps role in the battle against the terrorists of the early 19th century - the Barbary Pirates, and the heroic act of LT Stephen Decatur and his crew who burnt the captured American Frigate USS PHILADELPHIA in Tripoli Harbor on 17 Feb 1804 as well as Decatur's life.

Secretary England will attend and give brief remarks.

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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