Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 10/31/2005

Dear Sgt. Shaft,
I am, the widow of Sgt. Benjamin M. My husband was killed during a night qualifications at Fort Hood, Texas on February 21, 2003. He was shot in the back by a fellow service member and died instantly. After months of investigation it was determined the commanding officers were responsible for Ben’s death.

Since Ben’s death there have been many changes and improvements to the benefits provided to surviving family members. Unfortunately, due to the date on which Ben was killed my daughter and I have been excluded from some of these improvements. For example spouses of active duty personnel killed after November 23, 2003 have the option of signing their SBP benefits over to their child(ren) so they can receive the payment without being subject to the SBP/DIC offset. Currently, this option is not available to Hannah and me. As a result we do not receive SBP because it is completely offset by DIC. Also, in January 2005 families with children began to receive an additional $250 DIC for the first twenty four months following the service members death. Since Ben had died twenty two months earlier we only received this benefit for two months rather than the full twenty four months.

Clearly, the benefits offered to military survivors are inconsistent. This is an inequality which needs to be resolved. The same benefits should be provided to all survivors eligible for benefits as a result of military activity after October 7, 2001. These inequities can be resolved by making all benefits retroactive to October 7, 2001.

Sincerely,
Shauna M
Proud Wife of Sgt. Benjamin M
Cleves, Ohio

Dear Shauna
I urge Congress to review and take action to correct this inequity.

Shaft Notes
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson recently launched "Coming Home to Work" initiative that will assist returning veterans in finding jobs in the civilian workforce.

200,000 servicemen and women separate from military service annually. Unfortunately, young recently-separated veterans suffer significantly higher unemployment rates than other veterans in general or their non-veteran peers. For example, in 2003, the Bureau of Labor Statistics tell us that 11% of veterans ages 20-24 were unemployed. In 2004, that number rose to 13.6 %. And in the first three quarters of 2005, almost 15% of veterans in that group are unemployed.

VA wants to change these statistics! The VA initiative focuses on linking Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to existing resources through local and regional job markets- regardless of where they separate from and where they return to or the career they choose to pursue. It is a comprehensive intergovernmental and public-private alliance that will make sure these members leaving the service are not disenfranchised when they return home form the war on terror. Information will be available via the internet and will provide career counseling and planning services to veterans who need it. It will develop relationships with national trade associations, state governors, private companies and others to help these transitioning veterans.

This initiative is good for veterans, good for the economy and good for America.

I urge Secretary Nicholson to include in this worthwhile project, a co-op educational component to insure these veterans a “degree” of success.

Founders of Operation Homecoming USA, hosts of Welcome Home…America’s Tribute to Vietnam Veterans, which was held in Branson, Missouri in June, 2005, have announced that plans are well underway for Welcome Home 2006. “The impact on those vets who attended last year’s event and the healing that occurred mandated a repeat performance,” stated Gary Linderer, Vietnam veteran and one of the founders of Operation Homecoming USA. “A new corporation, Operation Homecoming Branson, has been established to carry on the work started by last year’s organization. We’ve added a number of new events to this year’s homecoming,” said Linderer. “We’ve also simplified the registration process, reduced the costs for the vets and their families, established a veterans’ locator service for those attending the event, and added a weapons range, a Native American powwow, and air assault demonstrations during the week. In addition, we expanded our Saturday Grand Finale concert to a 2-day Heartland Benefit Concert that will aid a number of charities.

Rob Frank, executive producer for the event, is excited about the national entertainers who have already committed to help make this second homecoming a huge success. “We’ve contacted a number of “A” List and “B” List artists for the Branson On Revue Concert and the Heartland Benefit Concerts. It’s an impressive slate of talent and should guarantee a capacity crowd.”

“Our Vietnam vets and their families are in for a very special homecoming this year,” announced Barb Linderer, executive vice president of Operation Homecoming Branson. “Everyone who attended last year’s event shared a marvelous experience. It’s a shame these men and women had to wait so long to receive the homecoming they deserved. They are special, and they deserve to be treated that way. That is why we selected Branson, Missouri to host this event. We know that the people of Branson will treat them special. It’s a way of life here.” “We’ll announce our list of entertainers at a national press conference in Nashville in the middle of October,” Gary Linderer declared. “Nashville and Branson have come together in a big way to show their appreciation and support for Vietnam veterans. We’re excited about Welcome Home 2006. I only wish every Vietnam vet could be here for it.”

For more information about Welcome Home 2006, go to www.welcomehome2006.org or call 1-800-335-4587

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-257-5446 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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