Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 10/18/2004

Dear Sgt SHAFT:

The Non Commissioned Officers Association and Disabled Sports USA teamed up to host recuperating Soldiers, Marines, and Airman from Walter Reed Army Medical Center for a weekend at Kent Island, Maryland.  The occasion was to learn how to become a team member and competitor in Outrigger Canoe Racing.   The Kent Island Cup 2004 – a 26.5 mile Outrigger Canoe Race with competitors from across America was taking place that weekend.  Watching the team races that went around the island in the morning from charter boats began the excitement of the day and they eagerly wanted to do more than just watch.   

That Saturday afternoon these special warriors - military men and women of the Uniformed Services - and their guests learned to paddle Outrigger Canoes.   Three training hours later they emerged as members of four eight person outrigger canoe teams.  These disciplined service members from “minute one” were committed to the challenge!  Off came prosthetic arms and legs as they donned life jackets in preparation for some to learn how to paddle with one arm and for others how best to face the challenge of maximizing their body strength to get more oomph out of every paddle stroke.  They left the shoreline each marching to a different drummer and came back hours later with a precision stroke of paddles entering and exiting the water in unison.   Every person watching marveled at their skill, stamina, and zest to compete!

Their 500-meter race was Sunday morning and a crowd of folks from the assembled national outrigger canoe teams, Kent Island Yacht Club, and countless others gathered to cheer them on.  Teams raced in two pairs with the top two teams taking part in a “race-off” to decide the winner.  Team four eventually won bragging rights for the weekend but all the participants were truly winners.   You and your readers will be delighted to know that one of the local teams raced the clock on the 500 Meter course and their race time was only seconds faster than our number four team and approximately 30 seconds faster than the remaining 3 teams!

I liked every person I met who were not only true heroes in America’s War on Terrorism but today remain heroes overcoming countless challenges that will make them role models for anyone who sustains a disability.   Specialist Corey McGee received a spinal chord injury while serving in Iraq was a participant and among many comments exclaimed “Lizzie and I can do this together!”  No doubt this experience will be the beginning of a lifetime of watercraft challenges.

Sgt Shaft, NCOA has made the commitment to purchase an Outrigger Canoe to be delivered for springtime 2005 for Disabled Sports USA to make this opportunity available for not only war wounded or injured but all service members and veterans whose life styles would be enriched and wellness facilitated by being a participant and team member on an Outrigger Canoe!  The Canoe will be maintained at the Kent Island Yacht Club.  Members of the Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club are being further trained and ready to introduce people with disabilities to the excitement, challenge, and camaraderie of the Outrigger Canoe Family. 

Richard C. Schneider

NCOA Executive Director

Dear Dick,

Kudos to the NCOA,   Disabled Sports USA, and members of the Kent Island Yacht Club  for hosting our recuperating heroes and their families from Walter Reed to an adventurous weekend.   Also a special salute to NCOA for their commitment to purchase an outrigger canoe to extend this adventure to other folks with disabilities

Shaft  Notes

The Sarge is once again looking forward to joining

 To An

OPERATIONS GLORY TO THE CORPS LUNCHEON

Commemorating the

CORPS 229^th ANNIVERSARY on

Wednesday 3November 3 2004

Commencing at 11:30 AM at the

MARINE BARRACKS, BAND ROOM, located at 8^th & I Streets, Washington, DC., The

Guests of Honor will be

GENERAL MICHAEL HAGEE, Commandant of the Marine Corps

GENERAL WILLIAM NYLAND. ASST. COMMANDANT

 And SGTMAJ JOHN ESTRADA, SGT. MAJOR OF THE MARINE CORPS

Reservations are available at $50.00 each, and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis BUT NO LATER THAN 4:00 PM, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2004.    Proceeds in excess of costs will be contributed to the Young Marines.

Further information may be obtained from Al Barry or Taunya Ferguson at 703-412-4170 or e-mail: fergust@aaicoarp.com. Checks should be made payable to: “Gang of 30” and mailed to Al Barry, 200 12^th  Street South, Suite 802, Arlington, VA 22202.

Prior to the luncheon, libations will be served at 1100.  No Host bar where good fellowship prevails (to include sea stories and fairy tales).

The Sarge joins Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) in expressing gratitude that CONGRESS has ended the unfair TAX ON MILITARY WIDOWS MOAA and the 35 members of The Military Coalition, representing nearly six million veterans, made an all-out assault on the issue this year.

About 255,000 widows of military retirees now draw survivor benefits under the plan.  Congress elected to phase out the reduction so the drop in income will cease totally in 3 ½ years. 

Carolyn Epling, MOAA member and survivor advocate from New Mexico, said “I scarcely have words to express the joy I feel at learning that the Military Widow's Tax will be eliminated in 3 ½  years.  As most military survivors truly served and sacrificed in support of their husband's careers, this tax, imposed only on us, has been especially painful to bear.  I am so grateful that Congress has seen fit to correct this inequity. “  

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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