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Sgt. Shaft: Archives
November 05, 2009: VA Home Loan Open To Spouses
October 29, 2009: One VA Gravesite Reserved Per Vet
October 22, 2009: Aid, Attendance Help Some Veterans
October 15, 2009: Siblings not Covered by Benefits
October 08, 2009: Agent Orange Contact Must Be Direct
October 01, 2009: Agent Orange-Parkinson's Link Debated
September 24, 2009: VA Benefits Available Online
September 17, 2009: Offsets Phase Out
September 10, 2009: Brain Injury Therapy Available
September 03, 2009: More Aid for Caregivers Likely
August 27, 2009: Severity of Disability Taken Into Account
August 20, 2009: Claiming Service-related Death Benefit
August 13, 2009: Spouse Benefits have Limitations
August 06, 2009: How to Obtain Earned Medals
July 30, 2009: Agent Orange Fallout Real
July 23, 2009: File Benefits Claims Within A Year
July 16, 2009: Widow Eligible for Benefits
July 09, 2009: Dog Tag Comes From Ex-Sailor
July 02, 2009: Sierra Club Funds Camps for Military Families
June 25, 2009: Separation Pay Review Pending
June 18, 2009: A Long-Overdue Thank-You
June 11, 2009: VEAP Conversion to MGIB Limited
June 04, 2009: Severance-pay Tax Refunds
May 28, 2009: Widow Eligible for Benefits
May 21, 2009: Guarding Military Access
May 14, 2009: Armed Services YMCA nears 150th
May 07, 2009: Navy Cut Fingerprints on Tags
April 30, 2009: VA Can Assist Homeowners
April 23, 2009: Spouse's Refunds Automatic
April 16, 2009: Law Requires Recoup of SSB
April 09, 2009: Disability Pay Uniform
April 02, 2009: Death Pension Option For Spouses
March 26, 2009: May Celebrates Military
March 19, 2009: Service-linked Disability Key to Aid
March 12, 2009: Visit US War Dead Overseas
March 05, 2009: Benefits on Inactive Duty
February 26, 2009: Time Works Against Widow
February 19, 2009: Divorce Decrees Inert
February 12, 2009: Divorce Risks Benefits
February 05, 2009: FRA Eyes Possible Health Cuts
January 29, 2009: How ALS Listing Affects Benefits
January 22, 2009: GI Bill Benefit to be Increased
January 15, 2009: Army Offers Health Tuition
January 08, 2009: Move to Streamline Absentee Voting
January 05, 2009: Updated Insurance not Tied to Combat
December 29, 2008: Medical Retirement System is Complex
December 18, 2008: VA Retired Pay Still Taxable
December 11, 2008: Exposure Rule Omits Thailand
December 04, 2008: Survivor Status for Ex-Spouse
November 29, 2008: Make GI Bill Extension Retroactive
November 20, 2008: Care Available for Blind Vets
November 13, 2008: Law Covers More Care Costs
October 30, 2008: No ALS Link to Get VA Benefit
October 23, 2008: Pay, Benefits for Retirement
October 16, 2008: Accident Victim Gets Aid
October 09, 2008: TRICARE Covers Spouses in the Gap
October 02, 2008: Disability Pay Applications
September 25, 2008: Increase for Unemployable
September 18, 2008: National Programs Help Vets
September 11, 2008: Family Gives to Widow's Burial Costs
September 06, 2008: Forum for Wounded Soldiers
August 28, 2008: Disease's Ties to Herbicide
August 21, 2008: Initiative Supports Veterans
August 14, 2008: Medal Info is Available Online
August 07, 2008: Retirees: Caution when Choosing Health Care
July 31, 2008: Veterans' Tax Benefits
July 24, 2008: Retirement Offers Insurance Choices
July 17, 2008: VA Claims Process
July 10, 2008: Stuck with SBP
July 03, 2008: TRICARE and Burial Benefits
June 26, 2008: TRICARE, OHI Reimbursement
June 19, 2008: Support a Day for the Children
June 09, 2008: Agent Orange Compensation Won't Offset Retirement Pay
June 02, 2008: TRICARE Acts as 'Medigap'
May 27, 2008: Navy Dog-tag Decoded
May 19, 2008: Medicaid a Supplement
May 12, 2008: Wii Gifts to Vets Fall Short
May 05, 2008: Improved Pension has Limits
April 28, 2008: Be Wary of Caller Soliciting for 'VA'
April 21, 2008: VA Benefit 'Error' Written Into System
April 14, 2008: New GI Bill Called Test of Commitment
April 07, 2008: 'Forgotten Widows' Offered an Annuity
March 31, 2008: Defense Renews Attempt to Raise Health Care Fees
March 24, 2008: Realities Beg G.I. Bill Revision
March 17, 2008: Status Merits Inurnment
March 10, 2008: Arlington Cemetery Eligibility Online
March 03, 2008: VEAP Vets Deserve a Chance
February 25, 2008: Arlington Allows Urns
February 18, 2008: Disability Benefits Don't Vary by State
February 11, 2008: Veterans Homes Seek Wiis
February 04, 2008: Waiver Needed to Switch School Aid
January 28, 2008: Long-Term Care Options Vary by State
January 21, 2008: No Refunds for Vets
January 14, 2008: U.S. Not Liable for Mishap
January 07, 2008: Inmate's Dependents Must File for Aid
December 31, 2007: VA Backlog Delays Pay
December 24, 2007: Tricare Deserves Review
December 17, 2007: Counseling Can Aid Abused
December 10, 2007: E-mail Helps Gain Benefits
December 03, 2007: Arlington Burial Expedited
November 26, 2007: Vets Dental Care Limited
November 19, 2007: Dems Saluted for Vets Bill
November 12, 2007: Paper of Marine Reservist Found
November 05, 2007: ASU Center to Serve Veterans
October 29, 2007: Widow Should Seek TRICARE
October 22, 2007: VA Helps Disabled Veterans
October 15, 2007: Forgotten Widows Benefit
October 08, 2007: Wanted: Benefits Staffers
October 01, 2007: Disability Pay not Taxable
September 24, 2007: Reporting Spousal Abuse
September 17, 2007: VEAP vs. MGIB Benefits
September 10, 2007: Long-term Health Care
September 04, 2007: VA Dental Coverage Limits
August 27, 2007: Limits Apply to Leave
August 20, 2007: Discontinuing SBP Payments
August 13, 2007: Tricare's Antiquated Policy
August 06, 2007: Vet Seeks Full-Term Benefit
July 30, 2007: ROTC as Military Service
July 23, 2007: Filing Agent Orange Claims
July 16, 2007: Firm Offers Vets Free Help
July 09, 2007: Getting Help with TRICARE
July 02, 2007: Legion Seeks Volunteers
June 25, 2007: Dogs Trained to Aid Wounded
June 18, 2007: Benefits Limited for Divorcees
June 11, 2007: Artist Helps Heal Wounds
June 04, 2007: Website Locates Defense Offices
May 29, 2007: Press Social Security for Credit
May 21, 2007: Insurance Rules for Pregnancies
May 14, 2007: Military Pay Act Praised
May 07, 2007: Blinded Vets Program Diluted
April 30, 2007: EchoTaps to Sound Again
April 23, 2007: Florida Vets Get Runaround
April 16, 2007: Survivor Benefits Catch-22
April 09, 2007: Discharge Form for Reservists
April 02, 2007: Formula Determines SBP Cost
March 26, 2007: Vet Due Retroactive Benefits
March 19, 2007: Vet's Claim Tied to Proof
March 12, 2007: Fighting TRICARE Increases
March 05, 2007: The Best Battle Monuments
February 26, 2007: Vet Social Security Boost
February 20, 2007: Bills to Extend Benefits
February 12, 2007: DIC Offset a Dark Secret
February 05, 2007: ChampVA Site Offers Help
January 29, 2007: VetGuide Explains Credits
January 23, 2007: War Injured Have Benefits
January 16, 2007: Dropping Health Coverage
January 08, 2007: TRICARE Can Cut Costs
January 02, 2007: Cause Helps Ease Hospital Stay
December 26, 2006: Retroactive-Pay Backlog Cut
December 18, 2006: War Veteran Deserves Medal
December 11, 2006: No Retreat on Lending Reform
December 04, 2006: Rehabilitation Must be Centralized
November 27, 2006: Urgent TRICARE Fix
November 20, 2006: Retirees Eligible for TRICARE
November 13, 2006: Research Key To Coverage
November 03, 2006: TRICARE-VA Ties
October 30, 2006: Retiree TRICARE Clarification
October 23, 2006: 'Volunteer Draft' Necessary
October 16, 2006: VA Spouse Burial Benefits
October 09, 2006: Creditable Military Service
October 02, 2006: 'Volunteer Draft' Solution
September 25, 2006: Vet Seeks Arlington Burial Details
September 18, 2006: Veterans Ensured Loans
September 09, 2006: Lawmakers Fight for Marines
September 05, 2006: No Papers Needed for Burial
August 28, 2006: Widows Seek Info on Disease
August 18, 2006: Iraq Veteran Seeks Job Help
August 14, 2006: Spouse VA Loan Guarantees
August 07, 2006: Support for Walter Reed
July 27, 2006: On/Off-Base Gas Prices
July 24, 2006: Vets Entitled to TRICARE
July 17, 2006: Accounting for BRS Funds
July 12, 2006: Benefits Safe in Divorce
July 03, 2006: Benefits for Military Widows
June 26, 2006: Death and VA Compensation
June 19, 2006: Benefits Safe from Creditors
June 12, 2006: Phone Service for Deaf
June 05, 2006: Cutting the Service Corps
May 30, 2006: DIC Eased for Widows
May 22, 2006: VA Exam Encouraged
May 15, 2006: Audible Drug Labels
May 08, 2006: Rectifying Reserve MGIB
May 01, 2006: Leaders Should Bear Burden
April 24, 2006: Bill for Ethiopian Rights
April 21, 2006: Hilton Evicts Wounded Heroes
April 17, 2006: Consulting Doctors on Pay
April 10, 2006: Old Glory's Protection
April 03, 2006: Troops Caught in Red Tape
March 28, 2006: Let's Hear it for ScripTalk
March 20, 2006: Requesting War Records
March 13, 2006: Spousal Abuse and Divorce
March 06, 2006: New Policy on Duty Pay
February 27, 2006: TRICARE Hikes Hit Retirees
February 21, 2006: An American Legion Honor
February 13, 2006: Security vs. Disability
February 06, 2006: College Credit for Service
January 30, 2006: Reservists Receive Preference
January 23, 2006: High Health Costs Hurt Troops
January 17, 2006: Honoring Shughart's Sacrifice
January 09, 2006: Bill Seeks to Honor Fallen POWs
January 03, 2006: Program Helps Injured Troops
December 27, 2005: VA Budget Inadequate
December 19, 2005: Options in Health Insurance
December 12, 2005: Concurrent Benefits Confusion
December 05, 2005: Reservists and Veterans
November 29, 2005: Separation-pay Issues
November 21, 2005: Plaques Honor Veterans
November 14, 2005: Readjustment Pay Hurts Vets
November 07, 2005: Tricare Prime Areas Change
October 31, 2005: Widow Benefits Inequality
October 24, 2005: Seeking VA Recompense
October 18, 2005: Predatory Lending to Military
October 10, 2005: Merchant Marines at Arlington
October 03, 2005: One-Year Rule
September 26, 2005: Agent Orange Link Questioned
September 19, 2005: Retirees and Military Burial
September 16, 2005: Congress Urged to End Offsets
September 06, 2005: A Hero's Recognition
August 29, 2005: Baffled Beneficiary
August 23, 2005: Burning Old Glory
August 15, 2005: Burial Eligibility
August 08, 2005: VEAP to MGIB
August 01, 2005: TRICARE Travesty
July 25, 2005: A Father's Valor
July 18, 2005: Flag Amendment
July 13, 2005: 'Free' Health Care?
July 05, 2005: Protecting the Flag
June 27, 2005: VA Help Granted
June 20, 2005: Shift in Funding
June 13, 2005: Restore Full Pay?
June 07, 2005: Divorcing a Retiree
May 31, 2005: Disability Claims
May 24, 2005: Fate of a USMC Veteran
May 16, 2005: Flag Amendment
May 09, 2005: Securing Photographs
May 02, 2005: Military Records
April 25, 2005: CHAMPVA Coverage
April 18, 2005: Vocational Rehab
April 14, 2005: Baseball Vets, Guard Support
April 13, 2005: CSRC, Brown Bags, USERRA
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About Sgt. Shaft
 Sgt. Shaft was hatched in April of 1982 at the home of the veterans' newspaper, Stars & Stripes, in Washington, D.C. This moniker combines the name of its creator, John Fales, Marine MOS in Vietnam and "Scout Sgt.," with the military expression when wronged, "Shafted."
Sgt. Shaft's wry sense of humor, empathy for the underdog, and strong love of country and fellow veterans closely mirror the nature of its creator.
In addition to writing the column, John Fales is President of the Blinded American Veterans Foundation. His decorations include Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, and South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Sgt. Shaft has no twin.
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