Sgt. Shaft

SGT. SHAFT: WWII veteran’s benefits restored

My father is a 93-year-old World War II veteran. He entered Harmony Hall in Columbia, Md., an assisted-living facility, in September 2008.

January 4, 2011

SGT. SHAFT: Disabled vet seeks education information

Dear Sgt Shaft: My husband is military -- six years active duty Marine Corps and 13 National Guard Reserve. He is currently receiving a medical military discharge for a back injury sustained during his last activation for deployment.

December 28, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Merchant marine seeks help for cancer

Dear Sgt. Shaft: Hi, my name is David W., and I was merchant marine in Vietnam in late 1969 and went up and down the rivers. I had Hodgkin lymphoma and kidney cancer. Where can I get help. Thank you.

December 21, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Too late for TERA?

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I should have been offered retirement under the Temporary Early Retirement Authority program. Can I apply for this option now?

December 14, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: When are new spouses eligible for survivor benefits?

Dear Sgt. Shaft: When will the military allow "new" spouses to be eligible for survivor benefits if their spouse who is retired and receives retirement benefits, passes away prior to the "new" spouse?

December 7, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Were Calvert sailors affected by Agent Orange?

Dear Sgt Shaft: Please let me know if my ship, USS Calvert [APA-32], is one of those listed in Vietnam for Agent Orange. I thank you.

November 30, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Sailor remembers induction during WWII

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I noted your information concerning U.S. Naval Service during WWII, and the fact that the Navy drafted men into that branch of the service starting in 1943. I was one of the individuals who was inducted into the Navy at the Induction Center at Camden, N.J., on June 21, 1944. I was 18 years of age and just graduated from high school.

November 23, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Can divorced woman reapply for widow’s benefits?

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I was married to Albert H., who retired from the Air Force. We were married in 1996. At that time, I acquired my military ID and Privilege Card. Albert passed away in January 2002. I then remarried in 2006 (and so I lost all my commissary and BX privileges). Now that I am getting divorced, once that divorce is final, can I think reapply for my widow's benefits?

November 16, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: How to find proof of ‘boots on the ground’

Dear Sgt Shaft: My name is Carol. My husband, Ralph, died from lung cancer at age 42. He served in the USAF from 1961-1964 as an aircraft mechanic. During 1964, he was sent TDY (on temporary duty status) from the Philippines to Vietnam. Ralph talked about his time in Vietnam often. I did not find out about benefits for spouses/family of military personnel exposed to Agent Orange until a few years ago.

November 9, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Free ‘Patriot eGames’ for vets, troops

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.

November 2, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: No increase for VA benefits

Dear Sgt. Shaft: I understand that Social Security benefits will not be increased this year. Will the same be true for VA benefits?

October 26, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Where to order braille business cards?

Dear Sgt Shaft: I just recently started in the Washington, D.C., area and had to order new business cards, and I could not find a place that does braille for my cards. Is there a local subcontractor that your office uses? Thank you.

October 19, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Agent Orange victim denied benefits

Dear Sgt. Shaft: My husband is on the Agent Orange list, but cannot receive any benefits because his ship isn't on the list. Is there anything we can do?

October 12, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: VA denies claim for lung disease victim

Dear Sgt. Shaft, I'm so depressed because the VA office denied my claim on behalf of my deceased husband who died as a result of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). He served in Vietnam when Agent Orange was sprayed.

October 5, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Is it OK to burn the flag?

Dear Sgt Shaft: Is burning of U.S. flags now still appropriate? I heard that because of the chemicals used in the manufacture of flags, it was no longer the acceptable method.

September 28, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Widow risks benefits by remarrying too soon

Dear Sgt. Shaft: My 52-year-old friend has been widowed five years. What benefits will she lose by remarrying before age 57?

September 21, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Fears of exposure to Agent Orange

Dear Sgt. Shaft: Is there a complete list of all the Navy units that may have been exposed to Agent Orange?

September 14, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Recouping payment from a vet

Dear Sgt. Shaft, here is good one for you since this repayment of separation pay was not well planned.

September 7, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Would discharge for pregnancy affect benefits?

Dear Sgt. Shaft: My boyfriend and I want to have a child, but I wouldn't be fulfilling my current enlistment if I did get out due to pregnancy. Would I still have some sort of benefits through the VA?

August 31, 2010

SGT. SHAFT: Benefits sought for widowed mother

Dear Sgt. Shaft: My father, who served with the Army Air Corps during World War II, died in 1993. My mother never applied for any benefits from the military. Is she entitled to anything now?

August 24, 2010