Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 05/31/2004

Dear Sgt. Shaft,
I am a Vietnam veteran who served in Vietnam from 1969-1970 and I resigned my commission and got out on August 10, 1970. I do not have a copy of my DD214 or DD218 form, my military service discharge certificate, which I need to have in order to get my postponed retirement funds in the Federal Employees Retirement System. I served in the government for almost 19 years and I will be age 62 on the 4th of July this year.

Would you please tell me to whom I have to write to get this DD 214 or DD218 form?

Thank you. I appreciate your great columns in "The Washington Times."

Jim B
VIA INTERNET

Dear Jim
One of the most useful websites I’ve found for vets who are seeking DD Form 214s is http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records/standard_form_180.html

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
I really appreciated you writing about Capt. Angeline Abraham Lazarus in your column of March 29.

It is rare that I see an Asian with many American military awards. I guess there are others who chose to remain private. Please let me know.

Sincerely,
David A.
Baltimore, MD

Dear Dave,
Way too many to mention

Shaft Notes
The Sarge is looking forward to joining the Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF), Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) and their guests at the 19th annual congressional awards reception on Tuesday, June 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room 334 of the Cannon House Office Building. The annual event, held in conjunction with the Foundation's Flag Day observance, honors Senators, members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the media, and volunteers.

The recipients of the 2004 George "Buck" Gillispie Congressional Award for Meritorious Service are Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-NC). The award is named in honor of the late "Buck" Gillispie, a blinded World War II veteran who devoted more than 40 years of service toward efforts to aid in rehabilitation of visually impaired veterans.

The Carlton Sherwood Media Award, named in honor of the Pulitzer and Peabody Award-winning journalist and highly decorated USMC Vietnam veteran, will be presented to George L. Skypeck, military poet and artist, and Allison Seymour, co-anchor, WTTG, Fox Morning News. This year's recipients of the George Alexander Memorial Award for Volunteer Service are John F. Ciac, Coordinator, Visual Impairment Service Team, VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. and Donald Thorson. Thorson, Foundation. The BAVF's Corporate Award will be presented to MCVET, Message of Hope Choir.

The George Alexander Volunteer Service Award was created in memorial of a friend of American veterans who was quite simply known as "Mr. Volunteer."

Rarely in the limelight. Always there in the trenches. Never asking for credit, even when it was so truly warranted. Almost embarrassed when the richly deserved credit was given. No project was too small. No task was too unimportant that he would not put forth his total commitment and boundless energy.

For George Alexander, the miles have been traveled, the promises kept. May he sleep well, knowing that others, in his name, will continue to strive to match his standards of caring and dedication.

A Joint Armed Forces Color Guard will set the stage for the awards ceremony and the Marine Corps' Brass Quintet will entertain guests with a medley of patriotic music.

The congressional reception follows the BAVF Flag Week picnic on Sunday, June 13, in Silver Spring. As usual, the gregarious Chef Lakis, will be preparing his famous hot dogs. Picnickers will be serenaded with live music by the hula monsters.

This year’s picnic will be in honor of Don Garner for his many years of service to our blinded vets. For additional information call the BAVF at 202 462 4430

A congressionally authorized addition to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. will be officially unveiled at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 8, 2004 in a program to be conducted by the American Battle Monuments Commission.

The In Memory Memorial Plaque pays tribute to the men and women who died prematurely due to non-combat injuries and emotional suffering caused directly by service in the Vietnam War, but whose names are not eligible to be added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

The plaque's inscription reads, “In memory of the men and women who served in the Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service. We honor and remember their sacrifice.” The 2x3-foot granite tablet, recently placed in an extension of the plaza where the Three Servicemen Statue is located, will be open for visits by the public after landscaping and repaving of the plaza are complete. The In Memory Memorial Plaque Project Web site at http://members.aol.com/vietwarmem/plaque.htm provides construction updates and more information about the In Memory Plaque.

Expected to participate in the unveiling ceremony are Rep. Elton Gallegly and Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who authored the enabling legislation required to add a new element to Washington's most-visited memorial.

Agent Orange widow and founder of the Agent Orange Widows Awareness Coalition, Genevieve Douglass stated, “This In Memory Memorial Plaque provides the honorable recognition of our loved ones’ ultimate sacrifices in service to our country and provides the solace and healing for the grieving families and friends, who continue to suffer.”

The national dedication of the Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Plaque will be held on the eve of Veteran’s Day, in a candlelight ceremony at 7p.m. Wednesday, November 10th, hosted by Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). A news release announcing the dedication is on the VVA Web site at http://www.vva.org/PressReleases/2004/pr04-030.htm.

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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