Travelers encouraged to visit war cemeteries

Dear Sgt. Shaft:

Would you please publish my invitation and encouragement to all armed services personnel and their families, active and retired, to make it a point to visit one or more of our American cemeteries when traveling in Europe, Tunis, Manila, Mexico City or Panama? These uniquely splendid memorials to our war dead buried overseas inspire patriotism, evoke gratitude and teach history. They are the best-cared-for cemeteries in the world and an enduring tribute to the competence, courage and sacrifice of those buried there.

For vivid previews of what can be seen and the history contained within American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries and memorials, your readers should visit our Web site at www.abmc.gov. Those who visit our cemeteries will be glad they went and will forever remember these magnificent tributes to American opposition to tyranny and injustice.

Sincerely,

J.W. Nicholson

Retired brigadier general

Secretary

Dear Gen. Nicholson:

As you know, one of the best-kept secrets of the American Battle Monuments Commission is the Suresnes American Cemetery on the slope of Mount Valerien in Paris. There’s a suburban electric train every 15 minutes to the Suresnes Station. On arrival at the Suresnes Station, visitors should take the Hospital Foch exit, turn right, go up the slope to Boulevard Washington, turn right and proceed about 200 yards to the cemetery entrance. Thomas Jefferson visited the site when he was ambassador to France, and the cemetery itself was dedicated by President Wilson on Memorial Day 1919. During World War II, the Germans executed more than 4,500 political prisoners and Resistance fighters on Mount Valerien. The World War II section was dedicated by Gen. George C. Marshall in 1952.

Shaft notes

• The 2007 edition of the Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents is now online. This annually updated desk reference covering federal benefits programs for veterans and their families is available at www1.va.gov/OPA/vadocs/current_benefits.asp and www1.va.gov/opa/feature/index.asp.

• The Sarge joins American Legion National Commander Paul A. Morin in voicing support for the Total Force Educational Assistance Enhancement and Integration Act of 2007. The bill modernizes the Montgomery GI Bill to more effectively support armed forces recruiting, retention and readjustment after service. It also better reflects a “total force” concept that ensures members of our reserves and National Guard receive educational benefits that match their increased service to the nation.

“The American Legion played an active role in the draft and enactment of the original GI Bill of Rights [the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944],” Mr. Morin said. “When our young men and women returned from World War II to protect our freedom, we fought to take care of them. Today, our country needs to once again ensure that those who volunteer to go in harm’s way are able to enjoy the liberty that they fight so hard to protect.”

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