BAVF - Sgt. Shaft Column, November 3, 2010

Blinded American Veterans Foundation - PO Box 65900 - Washington DC 20035-5900

Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 11/03/2010 Caricature of Sgt. Shaft

Dear Sgt Shaft:
For 38 years, we non-paid volunteers in the Golden Rule Society have been helping support our troops, veterans and their families.

We're now offering what we call "Patriot eGames" to all who protect and serve.

The family oriented computer games are free and make fun gifts to share with friends, family and nonprofit organizations.

In living the Golden Rule, we can't exclude anyone ... so we include everyone.

You may share this e-mail as thanks and respect to all who served, fought and even died defending our freedoms.

For those who wish to get their free "Patriot eGames," visithttp://www.goldenrule.skybuddy.net.

Warmest personal regards to you and yours,

Len
Capt. Len Kaine, U.S. Navy-retired
http://goldenrulesociety.org

Dear Len,
It is projects like yours that reinforce the following words by Abba Hillel Silver that so aptly reflect what is good about America -- our people:

God built a continent of glory and filled it with treasures untold;
He carpeted it with soft-rolling prairies and columned it with thundering mountains;
He studded it with sweet-flowing fountains and traced it with long-winding streams;
He planted it with deep-shadowed forests, and filled them with song,
Then he called unto a thousand peoples and summoned the bravest among them.
They came from the ends of the earth, each bearing a gift and a hope.
The glow of adventure was in their eyes, and in their hearts the glory of hope.
And out of the bounty of earth and the labor of men,
Out of the longing of hearts and the prayer of souls,
Out of the memory of ages and hopes of the world,
God fashioned a nation in love, blessed it with
Purpose sublime -- and called it AMERICA

Shaft Notes
The Sarge joins the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) in its concern about states and territories that are disenfranchising military and overseas voters by violating voting law, and is urging Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice to take decisive action against them.

Although provisions of the FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) require ballots be mailed to absentee voters at least 45 days prior to the general election, information on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website (www.fvap.gov) and in media reports indicate that some jurisdictions are not in compliance with the Sept. 18th deadline for this year's federal election.

"FRA supports the Department of Justice's efforts to remedy the unacceptable delays in sending absentee ballots to service members," said Joe Barnes, FRA's national executive director. "All possible steps should also be taken to expedite the processing of cast ballots and ensure all absentee votes are counted in the November 2010 and all future elections."

House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (California Democrat) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve H.R. 3219, the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010, amended and approved by the Senate earlier. The most recent House action sends the bill to President Obama for his signature. The legislation improves and modernizes certain benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) for veterans and their families.

H.R. 3219, as amended – provides in part for:

Enhanced employment opportunities:
Reauthorize the recently expired V.A. work-study program and expand the type of work available for participating veterans, population of eligible veterans, boast a diverse energy industry, and have the ability to carry out such a training program.
Prevents homeless veterans:
Reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program for fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
Authorize an additional $10 million to provide dedicated services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children.
Ensures the welfare of veterans and their families by increasing insurance limits:
Increase many of the outdated insurance policy amounts and terms for our veterans, many who are severely disabled or have suffered traumatic injury.
Increase the maximum loan guarantee amount under the Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance program.
Allow totally disabled veterans to receive free Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage for two years following separation from active or reserve duty.
Protects service members called to combat:
Allow the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to receive and investigate certain Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act claims.
Honors fallen service members and their families:
Allow a parent whose child gave their life in service to our country to be buried in a national cemetery with that child when their veteran child has no living spouse or children.
Increase burial and funeral benefits and plot allowances for veterans who are eligible for a burial at a national cemetery or who died in a V.A. facility from $300 to $700.

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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