Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 05/14/2009

Dear Sgt. Shaft,
The Armed Services YMCA will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2011. YMCA support to the military commenced in 1861 and has been continuous since that time. It began when a group of YMCA volunteers offered to provide services to men in uniform engaged in the Civil War.

YMCA support to the military has been continuous through the Civil War, Spanish-American War, Mexican War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War and the war on terrorism. Until 1983, YMCA support to the military was managed through a department called Armed Services YMCA of the USA.

In 1983, the department was separately incorporated in the state of Illinois. The Armed Services YMCA of the USA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with the sole mission of serving military service members - single and married - and their families. The focus of the ASYMCA is on the junior enlisted, primarily pay grades E-5 and below, offering low-cost programs.

Our programs enhance their lives in spirit, mind and body. In cooperation with unit and area commands, the ASYMCA offers programs and services that strengthen families and encourage individuals to achieve their fullest potential.

The Armed Services YMCA continues its work through 17 branches, 11 community YMCA affiliates and 6 Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security affiliates in 15 states and Puerto Rico.

In recognition of the 150th anniversary, the ASYMCA has petitioned the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service that a stamp be designed to commemorate this anniversary.

All the best,
Frank Gallo
Rear admiral, USN (retired)
National executive director
Armed Services YMCA of the USA

Dear Admiral,
The Sarge joins you in urging the U.S. Postal Service to issue a stamp honoring your fine organization's 150 years of service to our military patriots and their families.

Shaft Notes
• The Sarge is looking forward to joining the Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF), along with Reps. Bob Filner, California Democrat, and chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Gus Bilirakis, Florida Republican, and their guests at the 24th annual congressional awards reception from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on June 16 in Room 334 of the Cannon House Office Building.

The event, held in conjunction with the foundation's Flag Day observance, honors members of Congress, the press and volunteers.

The recipients of the 2009 George "Buck" Gillispie Congressional Award for Meritorious Service are Sens. Thad Cochran, Mississippi Republican, and Jim Webb, Virginia Democrat. 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 Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, will be presented to J.J. Green of WTOP and artist Tom Nielson.

This year's recipients of the George Alexander Memorial Award for Volunteer Service are Amadeo J. Szaszdi, VA budget analyst, and the late William H. Eddy, VA counseling psychologist.

The Corporate Volunteer Award will be presented to Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.

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. For more information, call the BAVF at 202/462-4430.

The reception follows the June 14 Flag Week picnic in Silver Spring. Flags that have flown over the U.S. Capitol will be presented to many guests.

This year's picnic will honor Master Jhoon Rhee, patriot and friend of America's veterans.

Invited guests will enjoy an afternoon of fun and patriotism. There will be plenty of refreshments, and as usual, Chef Lakis will prepare his famous New York hot dogs, Washington style, and guests will be serenaded with the sound of oldies but goodies and patriotic music.

• The Sarge is also looking forward to joining fellow National Press Club members, their guests and others at the June 11 luncheon featuring Gen. James T. Conway, the Marine Corps commandant.

Gen. Conway attended Southeast Missouri State University and was commissioned in 1970 as an infantry officer, serving initially with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif., as a rifle platoon commander and as the battalion's 106 mm recoilless-rifle platoon commander.

Subsequently, he served as a company commander in the Infantry Training Regiment, as executive officer of the Marine Detachment aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego and as Sea School director. He later commanded two companies in the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division and later commanded two companies of officer students and taught tactics at the Basic School. His next tour of duty was as operations officer for the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit, where he spent 13 months at sea and in contingency operations off Beirut.

He has held several overseas posts and also served as senior aide to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Most recently, he was commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and commanded two combat tours in Iraq.

Gen. Conway has in the past urged the White House to "rally the country to war," arguing that it could help address the challenge of recruiting 92,000 additional troops to boost the size of the Marines and the Army.

Those interested in attending the noon lunch should call Pat Nelson at 202/662-7500.

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.

BAVF is a tax deductible organization, CFC Number 11282. Monetary gifts are gladly accepted and welcome.
To donate online, please use this link to Independent Charities of America.
Please use the address listed below when sending your contribution via postal mail or including BAVF as a beneficiary on your will.

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