Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 12/05/2005

Dear Sgt Shaft
Knowing of your commitment to our Nation’s veterans, I wanted to make you aware of some misinformation currently circulating on Capital Hill.

Senator Richard Durbin recently sent a Dear Colleague letter requesting support for a clarification of current statute in regards to veterans’ preference for reservists, but misstated OPM’s position on the issue. I advised Senator Durbin under separate cover that OPM’s policy position has always been and continues to be that reservists who have been separated or discharged from otherwise qualifying active duty service are preference eligible under 5 U.S.C. section 2108(1).

OPM’s commitment to veterans remains strong and we look forward to working with the veterans’ community on this and other important issues.

Linda M. Springer
Director
U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Dear Director
I join you in urging Senator Durbin to clarify his amendment language and make it clear that the clarification is retroactive so that those reservists who received veterans' preference and are currently working for the Federal Government do not have their preference eligibility called into question.

Shaft Notes
Legislation which will prevent those who commit murder from being buried in military cemeteries and from receiving military honors at their funerals was unanimously adopted recently by the U.S. Senate, and is now part of the Senate’s Defense Authorization Bill (S. 1042).

U.S. Senator Larry Craig, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs said recently that he is pleased to report that the Senate has unanimously agreed to protect the dignity of our nation’s cemeteries," Craig’s bill would prohibit the military from playing Taps or presenting an American flag at the funeral of those who have, or who could been, sentenced to death or life in prison. The legislation applies to both national cemeteries run by the federal government and cemeteries for veterans run by state governments which were funded with VA grants.

The legislation was offered as amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill. It is nearly identical to legislation Sen. Craig introduced in October (S. 1813). The new legislative language, which the Senate has adopted, allows for a person whose sentence is overturned, commuted by the President or a state governor, to retain burial benefits.

Because the Senate and House-passed versions of the Defense Authorization Bill are different, a joint House-Senate committee will have to approve a final bill which both houses will then vote to ratify. Craig began the drive to protect the nation’s cemeteries after listening to testimony offered by Vernon Davis, whose elderly parents were brutally murdered in Maryland by Russell Wagner, a military veteran. The killer’s remains are now inurned at Arlington National Cemetery.

Celebrating Veterans Day, 2005, all McCormick & Schmick’s (MS) restaurants in the country offered complimentary lunch and dinner entrees to vets. The Portland, Oregon based restaurant group (42 restaurants in all) once again served thousands of veterans nationwide, including the Sarge who enjoyed dinner at MS in Bethesda Maryland. It was far and away one of the most successful philanthropic endeavors in the company's history. The idea was conceived by company chairman Bill McCormick.

Thanks also for the following moving poem, which was written by a Marine in Okinawa. His only request was that people read it.

‘Twas the night before Christmas,
he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about,
a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle,
just boots filled with sand;
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges,
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different,
it was dark and dreary;
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone,
curled up on the floor
in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle,
the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world the children would play
and grownups would celebrate
a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
my life is: my God,
my country, my corps."
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep.
I couldn't control it;
I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still
and we both shivered
from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark, night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over,
with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa,
it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch,
and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend,
and to all a good night."

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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