Posted by Phil Lee (216.250.238.35) on October 16, 2000 at 22:49:
Senators actions a disgrace to vets
Washington Times, Oct. 16, 2000, page A8
Dear Sgt. Shaft:
I am a World War II combat-disabled Marine Corps veteran and a resident of Maryland for over 50 years. I have been following your columns regarding the naming of the Post Office in Savage after Alfred Rascon, a true American hero. I am appalled at the shenanigans of my two Democratic U.S. Senators, Paul Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski, to kill this deserved honor.
I am dismayed how these two could cater to the will of a small percentage of bigoted and anti-vteran Savage residents at a time when it is so important that the children have a role model of the caliber of Mr. Rascon, a Hispanic-American recipient of the Medal of Honor.
I wonder how Sens. Sarbanes and Milkulski would have responded if Mr. Rascon's ancestry were Greek or Polish. Maybe Savage should be renamed Selma, Md.
- Dick B., Silver Spring
Dear Dick:
The behavior of Maryland's Democratic senators, Sarbanes and Mikulski, and their paid propagandists Jim Wood, Jesse Jacobs, and Sandy Newman is disgraceful.
The manipulative maneuvers they employed to kill the Alfred Rascon Post Office naming bill was simply to schlep the water of religious-intolerant Maryland Delegate Shane Pendergrass and a small group of bigoted Savage residents. As a couple of state delegates recall, Ms. Pendergrass has embarrassed the General Assembly of Maryland by anti-Christian desk-banging antics during prayers on the House floor.
It is ironic that these two U.S. senators opposed the redesignation of the post office building in Savage to be named in honor of Alfred Rascon by using the excuse of representing their constituents' views - for instance that Mr. Rascon did not live in Savage. However, these same senators totally disregarded the overwhelming majority of Marylanders who supported the flag amendment.
The administrative policy of the U.S. Postal Service regarding Plaques Honoring an Individual says: "When a Postal Service building is designated by an act of Congress to honor an individual, the postmaster is notified by Corporate Relations. The postmaster then requisitions one memorial plaque ... providing the name of the individual to be honored. When received, the plague must be displayed in a prominent place in the facility's lobby, preferably above the post office boxes: Maryland residents should ask Mr. Sarbanes and Miss Mikulski how they could have opposed the placement of a plaque - generally measuring about 12 inches by 15 inches - honoring Medal of Honor recipient Alfred Rascon.
Rep, Roscoe G.Bartlett, Maryland Republican and sponsor of the bill to honor Mr. Rascon, , which, incidentally was co-sponsored by all members of the Maryland delegation in the House, was quoted in the Howard County Times as saying, "I never dreamed there would be objection to naming a post office after someone this highly honored that even four-star generals have to salute him."
Even as the U.S. senators from Maryland and a small group of Savage residents dissed Alfred Rascon, a longtime Maryland resident and a true American hero, the Senate considered and passed the following post office naming bills: "Vicki Coceano Post Office Building:' Miramar City, Fla.; "Barbara F. Vucanovich Post Office Building," Reno, Nev.; " James T. Broyhill Post Office Building:' Lenoir, N.C.; "John Brademas Post Office:' South Bend, Ind.; "Matthew F. McHugh Post Office," Ithaca, N. Y.; "Reverend J .C. Wade Post Office," Omaha, Neb.; " James W. McCabe Sr. Post Office Building," Johnson City, N. Y.; "Henry McNeal Thrner Post Office:' Macon, Ga.; "Henry W. McGee Post Office , Building," Chicago; ":Matthew 'Mack' Robinson Post Office Building:' Pasadena, Calif.; "Samuel H. Lacy Sr. Post Office Building:' Baltimore; "Judge Robert Bernard Watts Sr. Post Office: Building:' Baltimore; "Dr. Flossie McClain Dedmond Post Office Building:' Baltimore; "William S. Broomfield Post Office Building:' Royal Oak, Mich.; Alan B. Shepard Jr. Post .Office Building," Derry, N.H~; " Joseph F. Smith Post Office Building," Philadelphia; 'J. L. Dawkins Post Office Building:' Fayetteville, N.C.; "Everett Alvarez Jr. Post Office Building:' Rockville.
None of the bills supporting these names bad hearings in their communities, including the three post offices in Baltimore and one in Rockville. According to Mr. Bartlett, the U.S. Postal Service and Congressional Research Service did not know of a time when a hearing had been conducted. Mr. Sarbanes, Miss Mikulski and their functionaries totally disregarded the supporters of the legislation. At best they spoke with forked tongue to those who called to express their support. For instance, they echoed the sentiments of the Savage bigots, saying that the post office in Savage is historical. Since when is a building built in 1970 considered a historical site?
The Sarge is looking forward to addressing the American Legion Post No.20 at the National Press Club on Oct. 17, at a luncheon meeting on "The Veteran and Politicians." Be assured that the issue of the post office in Savage will be highlighted. Call Past Commander Ken Blackshaw at 703/356-1123 or Commander John Cosgrove at 202/628-3400 for reservations if you would like to attend.
Commander Cosgrove informs the Sarge that "the American Legion Post 20 was founded at the National Press Club on Nov.11, 1919, one year after the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. This post was initially named to honor Gen. John J. Pershing, who had served as commander of the American Expeditionary Force. It was also known as the Pershing Post or the Black Jack Post.
One of the best-known projects of Post 20 was sponsorship of the World II canteen at the Club, where enlisted men from all Allied forces were entertained on Saturday afternoons with Post members serving drinks and hot dogs to all."
Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, ~o. Box 65900, Washington, D.C.
20035-5900; fax to 301/622-3330; call 202/257-5446; or e-mail (sgtshaft@bavforg).