Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 04/26/2004

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
As you may know, the Veterans Administration Regional Office, Washington, DC, has scaled back its operations in processing certain benefits claims. I have been informed that all veterans residing in Northern Virginia, filing claims for reimbursement for Automotive Adaptive Equipment, will be processed at the VARO, Roanoke, Va. Veterans residing in Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties and other surrounding counties will have their claims processed at the VARO, Baltimore, Md. Only those claims from veterans who reside in the District will be processed at the VARO, Washington, DC.

I can accept the fact of changes being initiated; however, I am at a loss to know when the processing will begin. Can you find out when the procedures will be initiated? Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support of our veterans.

Leon S.
Springfield, VA

Dear Leon:
I have talked with top officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs and they have assured me they will review the process for claiming reimbursement for automotive adaptive equipment. These officials stated that the change was instituted to expedite the claims of veterans, and if there is a glitch in the process, it will be corrected. I will keep you and my other readers apprised of how the VA will deal with this concern.

Shaft Kudos
The Sarge is looking forward to attending some of the Marine Band’s upcoming special concerts in conjunction with events for the National World War II Memorial dedication, May 27-30.

The following concerts will be held outdoors on the National Mall and at the United States Marine Corps War Memorial in conjunction with events for the National World War II Memorial dedication. There is no cost to attend these concerts, and no ticket is required.

WHEN: 11 a.m., Friday, May 28* Free Country, "The President's Own" contemporary country music ensemble
WHERE: Capital Canteen, National Mall, Washington, DC (between 3rd and 7th Streets (next to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)
Information: (800) 639-4WW2 or www.wwiimemorial.com.

WHEN: 7 p.m., Saturday, May 29*
United States Marine Band
WHERE: United States Marine Corps War Memorial North Meade Street and Marshall Drive, Arlington, VA Information: (202) 433-4011 or www.marineband.usmc.mil.

WHEN: 5 p.m., Sunday, May 30*
United States Marine Band
WHERE: Homecoming Stage, National Mall, Washington, DC (between 3rd and 7th Streets and next to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)
Information: (800) 639-4WW2 or www.wwiimemorial.com.

Special concerts are noted with an asterisk (*). Programs for each concert have not yet been announced. For complete program announcements and updates, please visit www.marineband.usmc.mil. Inclement weather cancellations will be announced the day of the concert at (202) 433-4011. For information on any of the above concerts, programs or special guests, please contact "The President's Own" Public Affairs Office at (202) 433-5809 or MorseGD@mbw.usmc.mil. The Marine Band is America's oldest professional musical organization. Founded in 1798, the band has performed for every U.S. President since John Adams. Given the title "The President's Own" by Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Band's primary mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

A very sad farewell to good friend Jack Smith who recently passed away. Jack for many years shared his talent and notoriety as an ABC icon to help his fellow veterans.

Jack was a veteran ABC News correspondent and a media consultant. During his many years with ABC, he won two national Emmys, a Peabody and numerous other awards. Most recently, he developed ABC News' technology beat, helping create the network's "Cutting Edge" segment, and distinguishing himself as the only correspondent on network television covering the digital revolution on a regular basis (for World News Tonight with Peter Jennings and Nightline). Jack also used his distinctive voice and nationally-recognizable presence to narrate or host numerous shows for A&E Biography and documentaries for The Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel. He was the host for TLC's award-winning series on the Vietnam War, The Soldiers' Story.

Based in Washington, Jack was for many years the featured correspondent on ABC News' popular Sunday broadcast, This Week with David Brinkley. He covered foreign wars, five presidential elections, and the White House beat, interviewing politicians, business leaders and foreign dignitaries. Through his father, TV news pioneer Howard K Smith, he witnessed the birth of broadcast news. Jack Smith knew communicating as few others did, and could show you how to speak the news media's language.

A decorated Vietnam combat veteran (Bronze Star and Purple Heart), Jack did extensive reporting and speaking on the war and its aftermath and received wide recognition from the veterans' community. He held degrees from Carnegie-Mellon University (BA, Phi Beta Kappa) and from Oxford (MA).

On April 28, brother Jack will be laid to rest at the sacred grounds of Arlington Cemetery, at 2:00 p.m. And as we say farewell to our brother, these words from Shakespeare’s Henry V continue to echo in our hearts and our minds:

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother. Be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition, and gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves acursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whilst any speaks, that fought with us … “

A fitting tribute to Jack would be to name the future veterans Memorial Visitors Center in his honor.

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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