Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 02/14/2005

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
Where (who) do I contact to get information on how to get a Purple Heart car license plate in Maryland? I’ve tried the Md. Motor Vehicle Bureau and various “Purple Heart” telephone numbers, but no success so far.

In Vermont I had a plate that showed (shows a drawing of Vermont Purple Heart Plate that includes a line ‘COMBAT WOUNDED VET). Does Maryland have anything similar? Thank you for any lead you might give me.

Joseph R.
Gaithersburg Maryland

Dear Joe
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) has issued the Purple Heart license plate since July 1989 for veterans qualifying for this award. More than 1, 500 Purple Heart recipients living in Maryland currently have Purple Heart plates on their passenger cars, multi-purpose vehicles, motorcycles and trucks weighing 10,000 lbs. or less.

Any Maryland veteran who has been awarded the Purple Heart can apply to the MVA to obtain the Purple Heart plate. Applicants must submit an application for Military Related License Plates (form VR-120) and one of the following documents along with their application: a copy of their Discharge papers (Form DD214), written proof from the National Personnel Records Center confirming their military service or their medal certification. These documents along with a fee of $25 in addition to the standard registration fee should be submitted to the MVA Specialty Plates Unit, at MVA headquarters, 6601 Ritchie Highway, N.E., Glen Burnie, Maryland 21062. Applications may also be mailed to the same address.

The MVA also issues 12 other combat related medal plates, including a new one issued in November 2004 honoring W.W.II veterans. Additional information on all these license plates can be found on the MVA web site www.marylandmva.com, or by calling MVA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-950-1682.

Shaft Notes
As promised the Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF) has sent a $3000 check to the injured Marines Semper Fi Fund, This donation will go to helping the wounded and their families at Bethesda Naval and Walter Reed Army Medical Centers. As you may recall from a previous column, George Skypeck has generously donated hundreds of his “Assured Victory” prints to the Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF). A copy can be obtained for a $100 tax-deductible contribution to BAVF... Anyone else who wishes to obtain an assured victory print and help our wounded heroes and their families can send a $100 tax deductible contribution to the BAVF at PO Box 65900, Washington DC 20035-5900.

The original painting, “Assured Victory is now on public display loan to Arlington National Cemetery’s Visitor’s Center. It depicts the terrorists attacks and events of “September 11, 2001,” in New York City (World Trade Center) and Washington, D.C. (the Pentagon). It depicts the heroic sacrifice of the brave police, firefighters, and Pentagon employees as well as showing the resolve of America’s gallant military forces to bring the “War on Terrorism” as President George Bush termed it, to the terrorists no matter their haven, location or support base worldwide. To that end, the painting depicts the first units to respond: the US Air Force’s B-1,B-2, and B-52 bombers and AC-130 gun ships; the U.S. Army Special Forces, Rangers, the Marines with both an MEU and attack F-18 aircraft from US Navy aircraft carriers; the U.S. Coast Guard and seaport and inland waterway security; the Army and Air National Guard forces, the FBI and CIA; the Department of Homeland Security and the many unseen faces of America’s reserve forces.

The main centerpieces are the famous “Statue of Liberty” in New York City’s harbor, and the “Statue of Armed Freedom” which rests atop the U.S. Capitol building dome of Congress in Washington, D.C. and overlooks the Pentagon. To me, both symbols define the American sense of spirit, duty and compassion-we welcome all peoples as friends, and oppose all enemies with the entire might of our people. They also represent the “Twin Sisters of Victory”. Below them is a purple and black mourning ribbon blending into the purple and white ribbon of the Purple Heart Medal linking the Pentagon to the World Trade Center casualties, and the two symbols of American sacrifice, which probably will continue as the war progresses: the military’s “Purple Heart Medal” (for deaths and wounds in combat), and the new government civilian “Defense of Freedom Medal,” as well as the new “Global War on Terrorism Service Medal” and the “Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal” The entire background of the painting is the American flag...”The Stars & Stripes” which still flies at “Ground Zero” in NYC and at the Pentagon....and now briskly in the hearts of Americans everywhere.

A special thanks to the Pitney Bowes Corporation for agreeing to mail the prints to the generous donors

Recently The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) and The American Legion sent letters to FCC Chairman Michael Powell outlining their concerns with regard to a proposed access charge which would likely increase the cost of using calling cards-90% of which are used by our men and women serving their country.

Congress weighed in on the issue. Next years massive appropriations bill included language to protect prepaid calling cards. The language expresses the intent of Congress, noting that “The conferees are aware that members of the armed services and their families make extensive use of prepaid phone cards. The FCC is considering subjecting these cards to increased regulation. The conferees direct the FCC not to take any action that would directly or indirectly have the effect of raising the rates charged to military personnel or their families using prepaid phone cards.”

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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