The president of our company is planning several events for May as the Military Appreciation Month but I've never heard of this before. Is this legitimate? I see there is a Web site behind this at www.nmam.org but still wonder if this is just one of those self-proclaimed holidays.

Bill

Dear Bill:

I am not familiar with the organization, but the month is definitely real. I suggest you go to the Defense Department's America Supports You site. The link is at www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou

Dear Sgt Shaft:

I am interested in making a donation and acquiring a print "Assured Victory 9/11."

Rufus G.

Dear Rufus:

George Skypeck generously donated hundreds of his "Assured Victory" prints to the Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF). The Web site is www.bavf.org. Anyone who wishes can obtain a copy by making a $100 tax-deductible contribution to BAVF. These donations will go to helping the wounded and their families at Bethesda Naval Hospital and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The original painting is on public display loan to Arlington National Cemetery's Visitor Center. It depicts the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the heroism and gallantry of the police, firefighters and Pentagon employees on that day and of the American military forces fighting the war on terrorism worldwide.

The main centerpieces are the famous Statue of Liberty in New York City's harbor and the Armed Freedom statue, which rests atop the U.S. Capitol dome and overlooks the Pentagon. The symbols define the American sense of spirit, duty and compassion and represent the Twin Sisters of Victory. Below them is a purple and black mourning ribbon that becomes the purple and white ribbon of the Purple Heart Medal, with other medals being represented.

A special thanks to the Pitney Bowes Corp. for agreeing to mail the prints to the generous donors. You should be receiving your print from them soon.

Shaft notes

I am looking forward to receiving this year's AMVETS Past National Commander A. Leo Anderson Free State Award of Excellence, which will be presented April 4 at Turf Valley Resort, 2700 Turf Valley Road, Ellicott City, Md.

AMVETS, I am told, started this awards program in 1987 and has continued it ever since. Former recipients include Gov. William Donald Schaefer (1987); Beverly Byron (1988); Helen Bentley (1989); Louis Goldstein (1990); A. Leo Anderson (1995); Clarence Bacon (1999); Dennis Smith (2004); and Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (2007).

I was glad to attend the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) ceremony that honored military men and women who administer life-saving medical treatment to our troops on the front lines at the Third Annual Angels of the Battlefield Gala. The keynote speaker for the event was Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of the U.S. Central Command.

ASYMCA has worked with the military services to select Navy and Coast Guard Corpsmen and Army, Air Force, Reserve and National Guard medics who represent their respective services and received an award on behalf of their fellow corpsman and medics for their dedication and commitment to service.

"Our brave medics and corpsmen have been side by side with our men and women in uniform as they have been sent into battle. Our combat medics are our Angels of the Battlefield, the wounded warriors' best friend, the calming presence in the fury of a firefight and the first to be called for help," said retired Air Force Gen. Eugene Habiger, chairman of the National Board of Directors of the ASYMCA. "Our military medics are the first to turn back, risk their lives and administer help, and we recognize them for their service, their dedication, their sacrifices and their bravery."

The following service members will represent their military branch and receive an award on behalf of their fellow corpsmen and medics for their dedication and commitment to service:

• Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Waiters, of Lacey, Wash.

• Air Force Staff Sgt. Stephanie Cates, Neenah, Wis.

• Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class William Jordan, of Columbia, Md.

• Thomas Geary of Navy Health Affairs, of Saint Anthony, Idaho

• Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Michael Ryals, of Lillington, N.C.

• Coast Guard Health Services Technician Petty Officer 3rd Class Sarah Hanson, of Pendleton, Ore.

• Master Sgt. Marty Snider, Air National Guard, of Hedgesville, W.Va.

• Staff Sgt. Matthew Lavoie, Army National Guard, of West Greenwich, R.I.

• In addition to Gen. Petraeus, the program included remarks from former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Tennessee Republican, Rep. Adam Smith, Washington Democrat, and ABC News reporter Bob Woodruff. Many other members of Congress and high-ranking officials from the Department of Defense also attended. The Honorary Host Committee is comprised of U.S. senators and U.S. representatives. The underwriters of the Third Annual Angels of the Battlefield Gala are BAE Systems, Health Net Federal Services, Science Applications International Corp. and TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

VA legislation

The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is applauding the chairmen of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committees for reintroducing advance funding legislation for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"The VA has had to cope with far too many budgets that came too late to adequately meet the needs at hand," said Glen M. Gardner, Jr., a Vietnam veteran who leads the 2.2 million-member VFW and its Auxiliaries.

"We applaud Senate VA Committee chairman Daniel Akaka (Hawaii Democrat) and House VA Committee chairman Bob Filner (California Democrat) for reintroducing this legislation into the 111th Congress. It will greatly improve the quality of healthcare the VA provides for America's veterans."

We urge the entire Congress to get onboard in support of this legislation.

• Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax 301/622-3330, call 202/257-5446 or e-mail sgtshaft@bavf.org.