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The American Legion Magazine, a leader among national general-interest publications, is published monthly by The American Legion for its 2.7 million members. These wartime veterans, working through 15,000 community-level posts, dedi- cate themselves to God and Country and traditional American values; strong national security; adequate and compassionate care for veterans, their widows and orphans; community service; and the wholesome development of our nation’s youth.

May 2003 1 The American Legion Magazine 700 N. Pennsylvania St. P. O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 (317) 630-1200 http://www.legion.org National Commander Ronald F. Conley Published by The American Legion EDITORIAL Editor John Raughter Managing Editor Jeff Stoffer Contributing Editor Steve Brooks Assistant Editor James V. Carroll Assistant Editor Matt Grills Assistant Editor Elissa Kaupisch Editorial Administrator Patricia Marschand General Administrator Brandy Ballenger AMERICAN GIS TRAPPED IN General Administrator Robin Bowman THE TRAGEDY OF THE HOLOCAUST GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION Graphics/Production Director Jon Reynolds –AN UNTOLD STORY Art Director Holly K. Soria Designer Douglas Rollison A film by four–time Academy Award® Designer King Doxsee ADVERTISING winner Charles Guggenheim Advertising Director Diane Andretti Advertising Assistant Sara Palmer “An emotional steamroller of an experience. I don't think anyone Advertising Assistant Leslie Hankins The American Legion Magazine who sees it will ever forget it.” –David McCullough P. O. Box 7068 Indianapolis, IN 46207 FOX ASSOCIATES, INC. Premieres Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00pm ET (check local listings) Publisher’s Representatives Chicago: (312) 644-3888 PBS.org New York: (212) 725-2106 Los Angeles: (213) 228-1250 Detroit: (248) 543-0068 Atlanta: (404) 497-7690 San Francisco: (415) 989-5804 THE AMERICAN LEGION NEW COLLECTORS KNIFE HONORS AMERICA’S PATRIOTISM MAGAZINE COMMISSION Dennis J. Henkemeyer, Chairman, Sauk Rapids, MN; Samuel Barney, Vice Chairman, Lancaster, OH; Charles E. Hartman, National Commander’s Representative, Eau hÇ|àxw jx fàtÇw Claire, PA; James J. Charleston, Consultant, Island Lake, The Stars and Stripes represent the “Liberty and Freedom” that IL; Casimir F. Sojka, Consultant, New Rochelle, NY. Com- Richly sculptured bolster combines mission Members: Harold F. Arnold, Statesboro, GA; J.O. has been defended by our American Armed Forces for over 200 antiqued and polished finishes Berthelot, Gonzalez, LA; Vincent E. Blank, Vinton, IA; years. “United We Stand,” re-affirms the resolve of all Americans to James P. Comiskey, Pittsburgh, PA; Donald R. Conn, protect and preserve our great Nation. South Bend, IN; James W. Conway, Charlestown, MA; Bet- Now, this spirit of patriotism and love of Country is captured in a Individually tylou Evans, Laurel, DE; Philip B. Finley, Colby, KS; James masterful collector knife issued by Paralyzed Veterans of America. numbered Hall, Hopewell, NJ; Theodore Hartmann, Smithton, IL; Hoy M. Haught, Huntsville, AR; Charles R. John, Duncan, OK; J. The stainless steel blade is personalized with the collector’s name, Fred Mitchell, Brewton, AL; Silas M. Noel, Frankfurt, KY; the words “United We Stand” and an exclusive serial number. Everett G. Shepard III, Woodstock, CT; George G. Sinopo- Your purchase supports Paralyzed Veterans of America in providing li, Fresno, CA; Robert E. Vass Sr., Huntington, WV; Frank assistance to veterans to help them sustain the dignity and C. Ward, Greenville, SC; Delores A. Ziegler, Bellevue, WA. independence every American deserves. NEC Liaison Committee: William W. Kile, Chairman, JUST $39.50 WITH A LIFETIME Petersburg, WV; Alfred Pirolli, Philadelphia, PA; Marco A. MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE. Valenzuela, Tempe, AZ; William E. Wilkin, Rialto, CA. FREE FLAG PIN WITH ORDER Copyright 2003 by The American Legion The American Legion (ISSN 0886-1234) is published Mail to: Paralyzed Veterans of America monthly by The American Legion, 5745 Lee Road, India- Veterans Commemoratives Order Center napolis, IN 46216. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, 1250 Easton Road, Suite 290, Horsham, PA 19044 Stainless steel IN 46204 and additional mailing offices. Annual non-mem- YES. I wish to order____(qty.) UNITED WE STAND collector blade engraved ber and gift subscriptions, $15 ($21, foreign); post-spon- knives with my name engraved on the blade. I need send no with your name sored and widows’ subscriptions, $6; single copy, $3.50. money now. I will be billed for $ 39.50* per knife prior Member annual subscription price $3.00, which is includ- to shipment. Please send me a free flag pin. ed in annual member dues. POSTMASTER: Send address Heavily plated with changes to The American Legion, Data Services, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Internet address: Name ______22 kt. gold and NAME TO BE ENGRAVED ON BLADE http://www.legion.org. polished by hand Address ______Change of Address: Notify The American Legion, Data Services, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. (317) 860- ______3111. Attach old address label, provide old and new City______State_____Zip ______• LIMITED FOREVER TO JUST addresses and current membership card number. 45 CASTING DAYS Canada Post International Publications Mall (Canadian Signature ______Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 546321. Re-entered (ALL ORDERS ARE SUBJECT TO ACCEPTANCE) • LIMIT: TWO KNIVES second-class mail matter at Manila Central Post office Telephone (______) ______PER COLLECTOR dated Dec. 22, 1991. *Plus $4.95 for shipping & handling PA residents add 6% state sales tax. • FREE FLAG PIN WITH ORDER Printed in USA UWS-KNI-ALM-05/03 ©ICM 2002-2003 Actual size is 7-1/4” (extended) Member Audit Bureau of Circulations VISIT VETERAN’S COMMEMORATIVES ONLINE AT WWW.VETCOM.COM Revolutionary • Easy-to-Use New CORDLESS Electric Mower! The Amazing NEUTON™ makes it easier than ever before to care for small lawns! • REMOVABLE BATTERY plus RECHARGER. 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Time to act Fitting tribute way they have been under Bush, The author of “The Case for Pre- Bill Mauldin’s cartoon “Good- Clinton and Bush. emptive Strike” (March) says a lot bye, Old Friend” (Parting Shots, – Maurice M. Matthews, Pittsburgh of things you won’t hear in the me- March) is a great tribute. I served dia blitz depicting in the European Theater between Breach of contract our president as a January 1943 and October 1945, I’m outraged at the thought that warmonger. and I always looked forward to “the only thing preventing Wash- Those against Stars & Stripes. My wife has framed ington from reneging was a moral conflict in Iraq that drawing. commitment,” as stated in the arti- don’t realize that – Ervin Krueger, Hemet, Calif. cle “A Legacy of Broken Promises.” in war it pays to In my 25 years of practicing law in be the visiting No surprise upstate New York, an offer by one team. As an ac- Jonathan Turley’s article “A party to compensate another for tive-duty Navy member about to Legacy of Broken Promises” performance of an act creates an head to the Persian Gulf, I fully un- (March) was most disheartening unenforceable unilateral contract. derstand we are doing what’s nec- but not surprising. Our govern- When the other party has complet- essary. Why does it seem that many ment’s sorry response to the needs ed performance, a bilateral contract Americans would rather wait until of its veterans once an emergency is created enforceable in a court of we have another tragedy equal to ends continues to the present. In law. The concept is, “I’ll give you or worse than Sept. 11 before they my opinion, the worst case of all $10 if you mow my lawn.” If you see we must act now to protect our has been the lack of response to don’t, OK, but if you do, you are country’s future? Gulf War Syndrome. At least for entitled to the $10. This is the law – Charles T. Canterbury, Virginia Beach, Va. World War II and Korean War vet- in all states. We should sue in state erans, our government took several courts for what was promised. Armed missionaries decades to break its promise. For – Richard J. Lanzara, Venice, Fla. I strongly disagree with Jack Gulf War veterans, our government Spencer’s article “The Case for reneged on its responsibilities from Barrage of numbers Preemptive Strike.” By the time the get-go, invoking a policy that Amen to “A Deluge of Dubious this letter appears, the United was at best incompetent and at Statistics” (March). The ignorance, States will most likely have invad- worst downright duplicitous. naivete and just plain lethargy with ed a country that didn’t provoke It’s a sorry state of affairs when which the public hears and believes our attack. In addition, the inva- it takes financing from Ross Perot the endless barrage of numbers sion will have taken place with to shed some light on the fact that spewed forth by the mainstream extremely strong international op- the health problems our Gulf War media is unbelievable. Shoddy, un- position from both our historical veterans are suffering are quite challenged “research” results in bo- allies as well as our enemies. possibly the result of minimal ex- gus “statistics” that are quoted and The George W. Bush “preemp- posure to poison gas. If Truman misquoted to further the latest tive-strike foreign policy,” which had been president during this pe- agenda. Examples cited by author includes the use of nuclear bombs riod, Gulf War veterans would Jeff Stoffer don’t even begin to de- as first-strike weapons, initially was never have been abandoned in the scribe the stupidity of it all. proposed by a Pentagon hawk dur- – Charles P. Busbey, Dripping Springs, Texas ing his father’s presidency. Then- president George H.W. Bush imme- WE WANT Statistics’ two sides diately dismissed the policy as be- When reading Jeff Stoffer’s ar- ing too much like the policies of YOUR OPINIONS ticle about statistics, one must pre-World War I and World War II The American Legion Magazine wel- keep in mind the prime axiom Germany: if we dislike you or covet comes letters concerning articles concerning them: “What statistics your resources, we will invade you that appear in the publication. Be reveal is interesting. What statis- and take them for ourselves. As a sure to include your hometown and tics conceal is vital.” true combat hero of World War II, a daytime phone number for verifi- – David Brazelton, Bradenton, Fla. the elder Bush’s position on this cation. All letters are subject to edit- new bellicose war policy has far ing. Send your opinions to: Too easy on Brits more credibility with me than his The article “The Fighting Irish” son’s position. The American Legion Magazine (March) was good, but it was too I am afraid our soldiers are P. O. Box 1055 easy on the British, who subjugat- being put in harm’s way for frivo- Indianapolis, IN 46206 ed the Irish for centuries. It’s OK lous reasons. Our armed forces You can also contact us via nowadays to talk about allies. should defend our nation, not be e-mail directly or through the Look how the government speaks used to forcibly evangelize the World Wide Web: of France, who by the generosity world as armed missionaries of e-mail: [email protected] and skill of French officers made the American way of life. Internet: http://www.legion.org our revolution succeed. – John Morrell, Port St. Lucie, Fla. – Bill Deckelman, Alexandria, Va.

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Not quite 800 years and think seriously about sending to give the top economic strata tax Thank you for a quality publica- a child to college.” Imagine being breaks while shortchanging others tion that excels in accuracy and de- able to restore that dream by do- who are without health insurance pendability, with one recent excep- ing nothing more than raising the and, in many cases, jobs. He be- tion. Robert McGarvey’s article minimum wage. lieves in the discredited idea of “The Fighting Irish” contained one Is it possible? Working 40 trickle-down benefits. Norwood is notable error. The opening sentence hours a week, 52 weeks a year at right about the best welfare pro- stated that Irish Protestants and $8.14 an hour will result in a gram being jobs, but he and his Catholics “have been at each oth- gross income of $16,931 but a net kind have done almost nothing to er’s throats for about 800 years.” of $15,636 after FICA holdings. help the unemployed get them. The Protestant Reformation did not On this amount you might some- – Ken Curtis, Valley Park, Mo. occur until 1517, and Protestants how raise a family and purchase a were not an issue in Ireland until low-cost home. However, you Waste of time about a century later. Maybe the need not waste time thinking I laughed as I read the words of Irish and the English have struggled about sending a child to college OPM Director Kay Coles James re- for 800 years, but most certainly unless purchasing a bus ticket garding veterans preference for not Catholics and Protestants for qualifies as part of the dream. federal government jobs (“Vets more than 400 years. I sincerely hope Kerry gets bet- Benefit From Hiring Preference,” – The Rev. J.D. Scott Jr., Milton, Del. ter advice as well as statisticians for Legion News, February). In the 10 his upcoming presidential race. He years since I left the Army, I’ve ap- Fuzzy math obviously needs some guidance. plied for more than 40 federal jobs In March’s Big Issues, Sen. – David A. Geiger, Murphysboro, Ill. — many for which I was overqual- John Kerry, D-Mass., says mini- ified. I’ve had one interview. A rel- mum wage “must be increased to Old argument ative who works for a federal enti- $8.14 an hour just to restore the Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Ga., ty told me not to waste my time, purchasing power it had 33 years echoes the timeworn argument that because any job posted “they al- ago,” when those of that era increasing the minimum wage ready know who will get it.” “could own a house, raise a family causes unemployment. He wants – Dean Wingerd, Meadow Bridge, W.Va.

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his month, Americans honor those Centuries later, France also made seri- who gave their lives in service to ous efforts to take care of its veterans. The Ttheir country. Our citizens will gather Hotel Royal des Invalides received and for Memorial Day ceremonies across the lodged all officers and men crippled or old country and pay respects to U.S. service- and frail, and it guaranteed sufficient funds members killed in the line of duty. for their subsistence and upkeep. Approxi- America is very good at remembering mately 111,394 soldiers were admitted to those who died, but too often, it forgets the Invalides between 1692 and 1769. A about those who lived. Everyone who goes school to teach illiterate veterans to read to war comes home changed. Some of the and write and make them more marketable scars are visible and easy to see. Others are for preferential employment also was creat- invisible, but they still hurt. There are hid- ed at the facility. den scars associated with war that only a Additionally, the French government veteran knows. The “hidden scars” can created a uniform pension system for all stay with a veteran long after the visible retiring professional soldiers and officers of wounds heal. the same rank, basing the payments on These men and women put their lives rank and length of service. National on hold, said goodbye to their families and Early America was no different. In Commander then marched off to face an enemy intent 1636, the Pilgrims – at war with the Ronald F.Conley on killing them. But they went anyway. So- Pequot Indians – passed a law that made Chase Studios ciety has a moral obligation to those who Plymouth Colony responsible to support came home, an unwritten contract that any soldiers disabled during the conflict. America is says, “You put your life on the line for this That carried over to the Revolutionary country; now this country will be there for War, when pensions were expanded to very good at you.” It’s not a handout. It’s something our provide for those disabled in the line of remembering veterans have earned. duty, those veterans serving for a specified In 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court over- period of time, and to the widows of those those who turned a U.S. Court of Appeals decision killed in the war and veterans having undermining the tax-exempt status of The served a specific period of time. died, but American Legion. In explaining the court’s The first official pension legislation for decision, Justice William H. Rehnquist the colonies was enacted in 1776, when too often, said, “Veterans have been obliged to drop the Continental Congress voted to provide it forgets their own affairs and take up the burdens half-pay for officers and enlisted men dis- of the nation, subjecting themselves to the abled in the line of service and rendered about those mental and physical hazards as well as incapable of earning a living. The benefit economics and family detriments which continued for the duration of the disabili- who lived. are peculiar to military service which do ty. Several states also provided land grants not exist in normal civilian life. Our coun- to former soldiers, and in 1811 the govern- try has a long-standing policy of compen- ment created the country’s first domicil- sating veterans for their past contributions iary and medical facilities for veterans. by providing them with numerous advan- Fifty years later, civil war split America. tages. This policy has always been deemed In five years, hundreds of thousands of sol- to be legitimate.” [citations omitted] diers either died or were wounded on Honoring the moral obligation to veter- American soil. President Abraham Lincoln ans didn’t start in America. Western culture knew it was society’s responsibility to take has a history of taking care of its veterans. care of those who would soon be returning Ancient Rome was one of the greatest mili- home from battle. During his second inau- tary powers in history. Once its soldiers had gural address, he said, “… let us strive on served their country, their government did- to finish the work we are in, to bind up the n’t fail to pay back the men who had taken nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall them to greatness. Upon retirement, veter- have borne the battle and for his widow ans of the Roman army could expect to re- and his orphan, to do all which may ceive a grant of land and a pension. Some- achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace times, colonies of retired soldiers were among ourselves and with all nations.” founded in conquered territories as outposts The post-Civil War era saw the establish- of the empire. Prior-service veterans often ment of veterans’ homes providing domicil- were given extra pay and privileges. iary care. The homes eventually were

8 May 2003 The American Legion Magazine

commander’s message Veterans have been obliged to drop their own affairs and take up the burdens of the nation … Our country has a long- standing policy of compensating veterans for their past Library of Congress opened to veterans of the Indian Wars, the this broad-based epidemiological study contributions Spanish-American War and the Mexican now is under way. by providing Border period, as well as discharged regular Today, veterans still find themselves members of the armed forces. running in bureaucratic circles when it them with But as our country grew and modern- comes time to seek health care, file claims ized, it took a step backward when it came and receive benefits. Because of a lack of numerous to honoring its promises. President funding by the government, wait times for Franklin D. Roosevelt wiped out $400 mil- VA health care can span more than a year. advantages. lion in veterans benefits in 1933, and al- Approximately 700,000 veterans are wait- This policy though his action was reversed a year later, ing to have VA claims adjudicated. Some it was a preview of things to come. Viet- die in line waiting for the care they has always nam veterans came home to indifference earned. Veterans aren’t allowed to use on the part of their fellow citizens. Some Medicare at VA facilities, despite the fact been deemed were harassed by Americans who never they’ve been paying into the Medicare sys- to be fully understood the United States’ involve- tem their entire working life. Veterans still ment in the Vietnam War. The sacrifices bear the burden of proof when it comes to legitimate. they made were lost in the politics of the getting benefits for war illnesses. Funding – Chief Justice era. Those whose experiences in Vietnam continues to increase to study Gulf War left them shocked and needing help illness, but many of those suffering from it William H. weren’t given the guidance they needed to go untreated because no link has been es- Rehnquist successfully readjust to civilian life. tablished yet. Along with the psychological remnants Somewhere along the line, the words to of Vietnam came the other not-so-visible the contract blurred. After the fighting scars. Agent Orange, a herbicide containing stopped and the celebrations ended, socie- cancer-causing dioxin, was sprayed by U.S. ty moved onto other priorities. The benefits troops in Vietnam. Many of those exposed veterans earned and deserve fall by the to the dioxin developed cancers and other wayside. Money wasn’t an issue when ailments. But their pleas for help fell on these men and women were called to duty, deaf ears. Many in the government said a and it shouldn’t be when it comes time to study of these health effects could not be repay them for their service. conducted. However, in 1986 The Ameri- On Memorial Day, we remember those can Legion and Columbia University Viet- who paid the ultimate price for America’s nam Veterans Study findings were freedom. But we must never forget those published, demonstrating that it is possible who served and came home. They too paid to carry out such a study. A follow-up to a price.

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Jeep is a registered trademark of DaimlerChrysler Corporation. *Must present current military ID or discharge papers at time of purchase. See your dealer for details. Critical Condition American Legion leads national effort to save the VA health-care system.

National Commander Ronald F.Conley was not surprised by the thousands of “I Am Not a Number” survey forms from frustrated veterans that poured into National Headquarters during the first weeks of the campaign. Tom Strattman he dreams of 47-year-old Navy veteran Joe Lopez are Congress to declare all 25 million veterans can go to VA for health scorched by the hell of post-traumatic stress disorder. It care, yet have another provision of T law that says VA is only authorized all comes back: carnage in the hangar bay, the groans of to extend care to the extent that resources are made available through appropriation acts.” mortally wounded men, the scent of death – everything he American Legion National Commander Ronald F. Conley, experienced during U.S. rescue operations off the coast of who has been personally visiting VA facilities from coast to coast, Cambodia in spring 1975. When in treatment for PTSD, says mandatory funding is the an- swer. In an interview that begins Lopez is a hard-working father and proud veteran. When he on Page 16, Conley says: “The bottom line is VA needs a budget does not get the medication he needs, it all comes back, the it can depend on. Otherwise, the response to overwhelming bucket that hovers over his head, poised to purge all the demand will always be to cut costs and services and to exclude gruesome contents of his first detail in Southeast Asia. certain veterans.” Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., chair- Last winter, nearly nine months veterans across America, he added man of the House Veterans Affairs passed with no treatment, no his name to a list. Such lists are Committee, introduced mandato- meds, for Lopez. He had moved found in every state. Thousands of ry-funding legislation in the 107th from New Mexico to Colorado and men and women wait months, Congress. On Page 52, Smith was advised that if he wanted the even years, to see doctors. Their makes the point that “VA health specialized care of a VA medical access to VA health care has been care is the only major federal facility in his new location, he restricted and denied because health-care program that isn’t would have to get in line for it. the system is mired by the funded by a guaranteed, fixed for- Like hundreds of thousands of imbalance of unprece- mula. As a result, VA’s budget dented demand and doesn’t keep pace with needs for inadequate funds. services.” That’s the gap that And so, health care is rationed. keeps a veteran Only so many can get it. The rest like Joe Lopez wait. “For elderly veterans, nothing wondering when is more precious than time,” Con- and if he will ever ley writes in a special report that see a VA doctor. starts on Page 44. “I have talked In an inter- with some who feel VA is simply view with The waiting for them to die.” American Legion The American Legion’s nation- Magazine that wide “I Am Not a Number” cam- starts on Page paign, Page 14, has shown the col- 32, VA Secretary lateral damage of this national cri- Anthony J. Principi recognizes sis. More than 3,000 veterans the predicament. “One way or offered their stories in the opening the other, this imbalance months of the effort, putting flesh has to end because it’s not and blood on an issue that should fair,” Principi says. “It’s not never be reduced to statistics. A fair to veterans for sample, including the story of Joe Lopez, follows. This assemblage of articles stands as much more than a recognition of a national crisis. It is a call to action. America’s vet- erans and their families are de- pending on their fellow veterans for answers.

May 2003 13 The American Legion Magazine Faces Behind the Cases ‘I reveals humansideofcrisis. American Legioncampaign A public andthosewithpower toimprove thesystem. designed tochangethatperception forveterans, the Number” campaign,launchedlastNovember, was than numbers. swore toprotect thatthey are regarded aslittlemore appointments. months, even years, forinitialprimary-care Hundreds ofthousandsveterans are waiting days. Worse, many haven’t even gottenthatfar. or toseedoctors onover-scheduled appointment T he American LegionMagazine They feelthatintheeyes ofthegovernment they The AmericanLegion’s nationwide “IAmNota Military service: Age: Colo. Colorado Springs, Joseph Lopez oe ButIcouldnotputthememoriesoutofmymind. more. Igotupandcouldnotwatchitany- the groaningandblood. the beach-headlanding…whatgot tomewasthemoaningand thesmellofnapalm from thesmell, amount ofcarnagetoview, n mietdne.Ikp aigteedem.Iwasonthe Ikepthavingthesedreams. and imminentdanger. amd menonthe USS maimed, some horribly themenwhowere wounded, what Iremembered, and andIbecameverydisturbedbywhatsaw watching, there, Iwassitting whichwasmyfirstoperation inSoutheast Asia. tion, xeine”B hne theycovered theSS Bychance, Experience.” The American to watchthePBSspecial “Vietnam: Part ofherhomeworkwas a report on Vietnam.” I’mdoing “Dad, cametomeandsaid, at thetime, whowasintheseventhoreighthgrade daughter, My Iwasasingledadliving inNewMexico. 1996, Inthespringof earned afterIwasdischarged. otherthantheeducationbenefitsI government, Ididnotwantanythingfromthe traumatic stress. Iknewnothingaboutpost- until Igotintomy40s. My story: moving tonewstate Frustration: VA ed, waiting hours inlinetogetprescriptions sy merica’s veterans believe theVA health-care Am Not aNumber’ T facility: enx onn,Iwk pa ,tebig Isensedserious trembling. Iwokeupat 3, he nextmorning, stem isworth saving. Butthey are frustrat- 47 I hadnoinklinganythingwaswrong ooaoSrns oo,Vet Center Colo., Colorado Springs, Difficulty gettingappointmentafter U. 14 S. ay 1973-1983 Navy, May 2003 Coral Sea ntehna a,that on thehangarbay, Mayaguez opera- the scheduledtime, according tosurvey respondents. into aVA clinicforanappointmentis1.6hours past
lists onetotwo years deep. Many saidtheirnameshadbeenaddedtowaiting en monthseachforprimary-care appointments. writing, veterans reported waiting anaverage ofsev-
tive results from thestudyare revealing: timonies, abodyofhumanevidence. Still,quantita- problem withmore statistics. Itisacollection of tes- entific survey. Itwas notundertaken toburden the ment applicationpaperwork. been waiting monthsforany response tohisenroll- doctor forayear totheGulfWar veteran whohas the World War IIveteran whoistoldhecannotseea continue topourin.Storiesoffrustration spanfrom survey between November andFebruary. Surveys The average wait toseeadoctorafterchecking Of the3,135surveys received atthetimeofthis apndt ewieIwsi h ay Ihavecontactedpeo- happened tome while IwasintheNavy. I’m seekingtreatment forsomethingthat seeking financial help. Iamnot a bucketalwaysoveryourheadabout tofallonyou. Ihad onlybeeninColorado foreightmonths. was funny. which saying theyhadbeentryingtocontact mesince1998, Igot aletterfrom VA inColorado I contactedmycongressman, After It’s anatrocity. andmysituationhasgottenworse. doctors, Ihavenotbeenseenbyany VA Nomedication. appointment. No Sevenmonthswentby. they toldmeitwouldbe30days. and Icalledthem60dayslater, would contactmein30days. Thousands ofveterans responded totheLegion’s The “IAmNotaNumber”campaignisnotsci- fIdnttk ymdcto,tedem oebc.It’s like thedreams comeback. If Idon’ttakemymedication, ekIwshr,Iwn noteV.They saidthey Iwentintothe VA. week Iwashere, Iwentbacktoworkandraised mychildren. ed. great psychiatristthere andthe medicationIneed- They gavemea IwasdiagnosedwithPTSD. hands. re r Istarteda me andgavemyapsychiatricanalysis. like Iwashavingapost-traumatic-stress episode. r andhe anoldpointman, Italkedtoafriend, hour. Iwenthomeandcriedforoveran that moment. butIdidat I neverbefore inmylifefelthomicidal, butwehavetolayyouoff.” “We’re sorry, and said, andmysupervisorcameup up andwenttowork, T Itwasoverwhelminganddisturbing. own home. inmy ontheshoalsoffCambodia, whale boats, gmno niersat,butIstillwokeup egimen ofantidepressants, cmeddIg oteV.He saiditsounded ecommended Igotothe VA. i a 8yasatrtefc.Tenx a,Igot The nextday, his was18yearsafterthefact. ebrn h mls seeing bloodonmy membering thesmells, oe oClrd iemnh g.The first I movedtoColorado ninemonthsago. TheyI wentto interviewed VA in Albuquerque. ‘The trouble is that the men in these hospitals are ‘cases.’ They are represented by so many pieces of paper in some bureau in Washington. We want to humanize the whole thing, and say, ‘Here is Jim Smith’s case, my friend. What do you propose to do about him?’That is the thing that we want to do, and we can do it. It is our primary motive for living.’ – National Commander F.W. Galbraith, speaking at the 1920 American Legion Commanders and Adjutants Conference, about the “warehousing” of World War I veterans

Fifty-eight percent of those who returned surveys said they had an appointment rescheduled by VA. The waiting game The wait for that rescheduled appointment averaged Initial responses to The American Legion’s “I am Not a Num- 2.6 months. ber” campaign ranged from the typical to the incredible.
Theodore R. – The Villages, Fla.: Acquired a Universal On a scale of 1 to 10, veterans who responded gave Access Card at the Miami VA hospital before moving to VA an average quality rating of 6. central Florida. He applied at the Leesburg VA Clinic and was told his card didn’t apply to the area. He filled out The American Legion will continue to collect sur- forms for a waiting list and called six months later for a vey responses and do everything in its power to ele- status report. He said they lost his forms, so he reapplied vate the issue to those who have power to make VA and has heard nothing. His wait has been 15 months. health care a higher priority and get answers for vet- Thomas M. – Shoreview, Minn.: Applied for VA care in March 2001 and received an acceptance letter in May erans in need. 2001. He was told he’d be contacted by mail regarding an In the following pages, you will find a mere frac- initial appointment. He has heard nothing since. tion of the thousands who are caught in the so-called Francis G. – New Prague, Minn.: Has been waiting for VA “backlog.” They are the faces behind the cases, an appointment for 18 months. He has contacted VA and human casualties in the battle for an adequately was told he is “in the system.” funded health-care system. George K. – Los Angeles: Checked in and waited three hours to see a doctor. He says his primary doctor wanted They are the “Jim Smiths” of the 21st century. And to see him in two months, but he could not get in for four the question remains the same as it was for Comman- months. Later, he received a call that the appointment der F.W. Galbraith in 1920: what do you propose to needed to be rescheduled for two months after that. do about them? Carl Y. – Highlands Ranch, Colo.: Waited 11 months for appointment. He wanted a physical for upper respiratory problems he feels are related to Agent Orange. He said that once he saw a doctor, “they denied any responsibili- ty,” and says he was told VA is “broke.” ple I served with in other parts of the country. They have the same problems. VA is acting as if they are not responsible. Every Merle B. – Edgewood, Md.: Waited three years and time I deal with them, I get depressed. I want to change it some- never got an appointment. He finally gave up. how. I am not a number. I am a man. I am a man who served his Roland B. – Toronto, S.D.: Waited 18 months for a pri- country to the best of my ability for many years. It’s degrading to mary-care appointment. He has multiple sclerosis and go to VA, and my situation has gotten worse. takes medication for his blood pressure. He waited a year for an appointment that VA canceled. Jack M. – Sparta, Tenn.: Has been waiting 11 months for Armand a primary-care appointment. He says he is expected to live three to five more years. Dandurand David M. – Fruitland Park, Fla.: Has been on a waiting Minneota, Minn. list for five years to change his primary care from Age: 66 Gainesville, Fla., to Leesburg. Military service: U.S. Air Force, Peter G. – Villas, N.J.: Has been waiting five years for a 1957-1961 primary-care appointment. VA facility: Sioux Falls, S.D., VA Claude R. – North Fort Myers, Fla.: Received a letter Medical/Regional Office Center from VA on Dec. 19 canceling his appointment for March 9, Frustration: Primary-care appoint- 2004. Roberts had not even been notified he had been ment rescheduled three times given an appointment in the first place. My Story: I have been waiting Richard T. – Winter Haven, Fla.: Has been waiting since more than two years to see a VA March 2002 for an appointment. He says he called 10 primary-care doctor. My original times and was told he was on the list. He visited Tampa in appointment has been rescheduled person, where a customer-service agent told him, “In order three times: eight months the first for me to get an appointment, someone has to die.” time, and six months each the second and third times. I still Darrell A. – King, N.C.: Was diagnosed with cancer. He have not seen a doctor. They canceled each of my signed up with VA more than a year ago and still has not appointments about a month before I was scheduled to see a had a primary-care appointment. He says his leukemia doctor. They said they did not have enough staff to handle my medication costs $2,400 a month, and when his private appointment. I have quit trying. insurance ends soon, he will not be able to afford it.

May 2003 15 The American Legion Magazine In an interview with The American Legion Magazine, National Commander Ronald F. Conley explains why VA health care is now the organization’s highest priority. A Storm on the Horizon

BY JEFF STOFFER leadership of the world’s largest veterans organization. Conley – a ir Force veteran Ronald F. Conley, a third-generation veterans’ health-care advocate for more than three decades in Penn- pipefitter from Pittsburgh, has been on a very strange sylvania – set out to visit at least A one VA health-care facility in every state on his exhaustive journey this year. All across America, he has eschewed travel itinerary. Firsthand and coast to coast, he wanted to un- cocktail hours and banquet tables to punch the clock each derstand the breadth and depth of America’s VA health-care prob- morning, roll up his sleeves and get to work – as he has lem. Soon into the journey, he realized the situation had long ago done throughout his career – in an attempt to steer VA’s be- passed the “problem” stage. “We have a leaguered health-care system away from disaster. veterans’ health- care crisis It has not been an easy job – building was collapsing five years throughout this often frustrating, often fraught after it was built. Ordinary winter country right now,” with political chutes and ladders. travelers to Idaho were renting Conley said during a But when he was sworn in as na- SUVs and heading for Sun Valley; stop at the Legion’s tional commander of The Ameri- Conley was trying to work the National Headquarters can Legion in August 2002, Con- math of how a Boise VA hospital in Indianapolis, after he ley did not expect a vacation. might function – with its 5,000- had visited about 20 VA While polo-shirted snowbirds deep waiting list – if all the Na- facilities in as many hit golf balls around Tampa, Fla., tional Guardsmen and reservists states. “We are creating Conley was at Bay Pines VA Med- on staff were suddenly called to more veterans every day, a ical Center, listening to inside sto- active duty. In Dallas, the com- great many of whom need, or ries from disgruntled patients and mander gazed down the dark cor- are going to need, health care. overworked nurses. While one- ridor of a long-term care facility We’ve got to make sure the VA armed bandits inhaled and and wondered if he was looking system is in place and working exhaled coins down on the strip, at a ghost from the 1940s. efficiently, with timely, quality Conley was elsewhere in Las Ve- This was his odyssey, the fulfill- care. We’ve got to take care of gas, at an ambulatory care center ment of a challenge he made to these veterans.” leased by VA, asking why the himself shortly after assuming As VA considers urgent new

16 May 2003 The American Legion Magazine ways to cut costs – from downsiz- reached this point, and what can her right hand and takes the sol- ing medical facilities to denying be done before it’s too late. dier’s oath – to defend their coun- enrollment for certain demo- try, no matter the place or branch graphic classes of veterans – Con- The American Legion Magazine: of service – the government has an ley hears the low thunder of Why should Americans pay for unwritten contract to care for change, a storm years in the gath- veterans’ health care? them, a moral obligation. These ering. It has been gathering in Ronald F. Conley: Let’s go back people performed the ultimate act overbooked medical centers where to the rationale for any country to of citizenship. They volunteered or budgets seem built to fail, in re- provide benefits and health care were drafted and put on our na- gional service networks called to veterans. It comes from the tion’s uniform to defend with their “VISNs” (Veterans Integrated Ser- Judeo-Christian tradition, since lives, if necessary, our way of life. vice Networks) that compete like the time of the Greek city-state, Many do not return with sharks in a pool of fixed federal through Rome, through Western injuries you can see right away. funds, and in board rooms where civilization, through all elements But they come back permanently business models and budget tools of civilization where we inherited changed. Military service is a life- can’t seem to dig a secure bunker our values. Civilizations provide changing experience. We have for America’s moral obligation to benefits for men and women who learned over the years that many its veterans. serve to protect their way of life. of these changes make them- Something is about to break. In the 20th and 21st centuries, selves known later in life: hyper- Conley knows it. VA knows it. Con- the American people – through tension and PTSD, to name two. gress knows it. Hundreds of thou- their elected officials – have pro- There may come a time, depend- sands of veterans who are waiting vided these benefits through the ing on personal circumstances, in line for health care know it. Department of Veterans when a veteran needs In a recent interview with edi- Affairs and the Veter- to turn to VA for tors of The American Legion Mag- ans Health Adminis- care. That is what azine, the commander described tration. Any young VA was designed the status of veterans’ health care man or woman to do, provide in this nation, how and why it who raises his or that care.

National Commander Ronald F. Conley explains how constant ratcheting of third-party reimbursements is no way to reward success. Tom Strattman Faces Behind the Cases v Practice makes policy. Imaginea the waiting lineswe have now. turned down. Andthere were not a veteran neededhelp,hewas not um ofhealthcare was provided. If certainly inpractice, afullcontinu- the poor–and,ifnotby policy connected, theelderly, thetired, tem thatfocusedontheservice- T harm’s way forAmerica. who were willingtobeplacedin care ofthehealthneedsthose this government candoistake r the basisforVA healthcare, the ting theirlives ontheline. That’s on holdandtooktheriskofput- an education.They puttheirlives lies, jobsandaway from securing time. That’s timeaway from fami- RFC: broken arm,they would treat you? w foot duringyour tourandyou T RFC: first joinedTheAmericanLegion? T eason we provide it.Theleast he American LegionMagazine ALM: ALM: eteran comingintoaVA hospital ent intoaVA facilitylaterwitha Everyone whoserves gives up and thenfoundout thereason Icameisnolonger valid. Iwaitedtwoyearstogetmyfirstappointment was hearingaids. The onlythingIcameto VA for lems duetobudgetlimitations. theFort Myers VA stoppedtreating hearing-aid prob- the doctor, The badnewswasthatthree monthsbefore Isaw hearing loss. The doctorsaidIhadsevere to seeabenefitsofficerinMarch. a yeartogetmyfirstappointment. Ithenhadtowait more than finally enrolledinDecember2001. My story: VA That’s whathappened. I finally saw a I finallysaw VA doctor inFebruary andgotanappointment So, ifyou were shotinthe What was itlike whenyou hadahospital-basedsys- I appliedfor VA healthcare inearly2000andwas 18 May 2003 from insurance companiescame and third-party reimbursements to allveterans, andcopayments eran. Meanstestingwas extended an Aveteran, aBveteran, aCvet- categorizing veterans. You were services. Inthe1980s, they started more outpatientandhome-based of care changedfrom inpatientto changes cameintoeffect.Delivery shifted asvarious legislative It was anall-inclusive system. to tellhimgosomewhere else. No way was any VA doctorgoing who needshisheartlooked at. – 40-percent service-connected – with alegcutoffbelow theknee RFC: T ALM: U. Military service: Age: Fla. Arcadia, Thomas Faye Robert condition funds totreat his formed VAlacks in- see adoctor, ed twoyearsto VA 1971 Frustration: Clinic Fla., Myers, S. facility: VA ay 1950- Navy, 71 What changed? healthcare gradually F W ort ait- Military service: Age: N.C. Conover, Costner Forrest Stephen VA have themoneytotreat myhearingproblem. placed inthelowestprioritygroupandtoldthat VA doesnot thethanksIreceived wastobe than ayeartobeenrolled, Afterwaitingmore IservedinKorea and Vietnam. the military. Frustration: N.C. Salisbury, ical Center, o i otsdet aof.Tecne sgn o,butI’ve The cancerisgonenow, for sixmonthsdue tolayoffs. nowI’vebeenunemployed However, covered thehospitalization. theplantwhere Iworked atthetimeIhadmycancer, Luckily, to anon-VA cancerspecialistbecauseIcouldn’tgetinto VA. Ihadtogo Inthemeantime, Ittook twoyears. just havetowait. They saidIwould not toworrybecauseIwasstillinthe system. Iwentbackafterwaitingayearandwastold ment withadoctor. cation thatitwouldtaketwotothree monthstogetanappoint- whichtoldmewhenIfilledoutmyappli- tried togothrough VA, I family doctorsaysmayberelated tomytime spent in Vietnam. My story: VA u n2 er fsprtos hardships andsacrificesin I putin20yearsofseparations, doctor facility: 55 e er g,IfudotIhdcne,whichmy Ifoundouthadcancer, A fewyearsago, W. W G. aited twoyearstosee Bl”HefnerVAMed- “Bill” U. S. den was onthefamilies. We days, butfrom thenon,thebur- the costfor30 days, 60days or90 them. SomeVAs would pickup homes orVA would doitfor bands andfathers intonursing lies were toldtomove theirhus- budget-driven asitisnow. Fami- the system was notnearlyso VA out ofthesystem. Itusedtobe their husbandswere beingforced who were inVA facilitiessaying ed callingme, wives ofveterans out. InPennsylvania, wives start- where you were tobecategorized. were etc., asnew anddifferent criteria in. Now it’s prioritygroups 1,2,3, ry 1966-1969 Army, hadsomediscretion because Some veterans gotsqueezed establishedtodetermine treatment. kins takesabreak from patient Thomas Tomp- while Unit inPhoenix, Nursing HomeCare HaydenVA Carl T. the cal therapy assistantat aphysi- MaryJo Bruce, equipment issueswith Conley discusses Jeff Stoffer made a push under (former VA paying for it was a different story. good at collecting third-party re- Secretary) Jesse Brown and (for- That’s how we got into rationing. imbursements. But now, every mer VA Undersecretary Kenneth) When you don’t have enough to time a VA hospital director beats Kizer to put a moratorium on re- go around, you ration. his target for those collections, leasing long-term-care veterans the target is raised. That director from these hospitals. We were TALM: Didn’t VA’s ability to col- does not benefit from having able to get that moratorium lect third-party payments offset beaten the target. The reward for passed. Some of those veterans the cost of new demand? a surplus at the end of the year is are deceased now, but they ended RFC: The Veterans Health Care a higher collection target the next up staying in the facility they Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 told time around. We have found this were used to. They ended up dy- veterans they could all come. everywhere we have gone this ing with some dignity. “Come on, enroll in the system,” year. In one state, the third-party A veteran is a veteran, no mat- we were told. And yes, VA was target was $10 million; they col- ter what category he or she is put able to start collecting and retain- lected $13 million, and so the tar- in, no matter what the means ing first- and third-party get was raised to $15 million. If tests conclude. In the 1990s, VA reimbursements. But you have to they don’t collect that money, expanded enrollment, and care understand that they cannot col- they have to find it somewhere, or was made available to all who lect Medicare. That’s a big differ- they have to cut. served. It was a good deal. VA ac- ence between VA and other hospi- tively reached out to veterans tals. And even though VA could TALM: When targets cannot be who did not know they now were collect from third parties, they hit, what are the options? eligible for health-care benefits. had to learn how to do the billing. RFC: Medicine, by its very nature, VA aggressively marketed to get A lot of health-insurance policies is labor-intensive – doctors, phar- them to enroll. And they did. back then said if you received macists, nurses, medical staff, ad- care through a federal institution, ministrators. There are several TALM: What was the problem you were exempt from coverage. things you do if you need to cut with that? That meant they had to change costs in a medical facility. You put RFC: They expanded the system the law. Even then, some compa- off purchases, facility maintenance and took in more veterans, but nies still did not pay dollar for and minor construction. You cut they didn’t substantially change dollar. It took education, time. back on employees. That’s the the budget. The philosophy of a Once VA learned the billing quickest way. In places where the VA for all veterans was great, but process, they got pretty darned budget isn’t sufficient, cutting

been told by my family doctor that I have Type 2 diabetes. I will be rescheduled my appointment three times and recently told me I in real trouble if something doesn’t happen with VA to fix this may not receive it. I was drafted at 18 and served in the Philip- backlog problem. VA should have been there for me. pines. I feel I have help coming to me. VA asks if it’s an emer- At the end of January, a VA doctor in Salisbury evaluated me. I gency, and I always say no. Maybe that makes a difference. I drove two hours to get there. VA had set up booths in the Salis- know they’ve got all the patients they can handle, but I need bury Civic Center. The patient exam rooms were in an unheated help with my pills — that’s all there is to it. gym with two or three doctors and nurses shuffling people around. It was so chaotic they were getting the patient files messed up. My appointment was at 11 a.m., but I didn’t get in Robert C. until 2:30 p.m. I was the seventh person to sign in but about the 50th person to be seen. It felt like they were herding us through Mueller to cut the backlog. Clearmont, Fla. I’ve worked every day of my life, and I don’t expect the gov- Age: 75 ernment to give me something for nothing. I helped them by serving in the military. Why can’t they help me now? Military service: U.S. Navy, 1945-1949 VA facility: Orlando, Fla., Fabian Deutsch VA Healthcare Center Magnolia, Minn. Frustration: Waited 14 Age: 75 months for primary-care appointment Military service: U.S. Army, 1946-1948 My story: I applied for VA facility: Sioux Falls, S.D., VA Med- enrollment at Orlando VA in March 2002 and was assigned to ical/Regional Office Center Priority Group 7c. I called five or six times to find out when I Frustration: No physical after three could see a doctor but was told they were not accepting new years of waiting patients until they got more money from the government. I My story: I applied for VA care in early finally heard from them in February and got a May appointment 2000. I take eight pills a day for my heart, thyroid and gout. to see a primary-care physician. A lot of people could die wait- Medications cost me $300 a month. I would like a physical, so I ing so long to see a doctor. That’s not the way VA should oper- can get cheaper prescriptions. I’ve given up, though. VA has ate. Fourteen months is too long to wait.

May 2003 19 The American Legion Magazine Faces Behind the Cases lack ofdollars. facilities –becauseofa downsizing –peopleand have beensystematically and wards becausethey ple. VA hasemptybeds costs meanscuttingpeo- mine whatfacilitiesshouldbere- process, asVA hastriedtodeter- budget-driven. Throughout the of care and access. Itcannotbe supposed todo–improve quality as thefinalproduct doeswhatitis RFC: cient system? portunity tocreate amore effi- Services) program aviableop- set Realignment forEnhanced T get ridofthecost.Itoldthemthat. money …just getridofthemto people outofthesystem tosave can’t dothat.You cannotpush trying toaccessthatmoney. You v about how tocutcosts. Itbecame ployees whocameupwithideas slush fundhewas paying toem- VISN director hadamillion-dollar see whocancutcostsmore. One T he American LegionMagazine ery aggressive amongemployees ALM: F acilities competeto veterans inthesamemess. we’re goingtohaveevenmore and wegotowar withIraq, ing list. They toldmeIwouldbeputonanothertwo-yearwait- called. r T because theyclaimedIhadn’treturned alettertheysent. Iwasrefused soIcouldcontinuemymedication. checked, Idroveto Tacoma tobe my medicationonemore time. Iwasabletorenew wait atleasttwoyearstoseea VA doctor. they renewed byprescription andtoldmeIwouldhave to Atthe Tacoma VA,more than200milesfromwhere Ilived. whichis Itransferred tothe Tacomaoffice wassobusy, office, SincetheSeattle to renew themedicationonemore time. Iwasonlyable would beatwo-yearwaittosee VA doctor. hadputmeonandsaidit Wash., that mydoctorinChelan, theygavemea90-daysupplyofmedication Atthattime, ago. My story: The potentialisthere, aslong tre n eti ote.Te ee epne,soI They neverresponded, eturned andsentittothem. a anttu.Fruaey I’d madeacopyoftheletterI’d Fortunately, hat wasn’ttrue. If VA doesn’tcleanupthesystem foryesterday’s veterans Is theCARES(CapitalAs- I appliedforveterans benefitsabouttwoyears 20 May 2003 Military service: Age: Mont. Kalispell, W care appointmentaftertwoyears Frustration: System VA 1953 facility: yeD Smith ayne D. those whowere willingtobeplaced 72 ‘The leastthisgovernmentcando is takecare ofthehealthneeds in harm’s wayforAmerica.’ VA Still waitingforprimary- MontanaHealthCare T v think theplanwillberejected by and make asmallerVA system, I the finalplanaimsonlytocutcosts v efficient system betterabletoserve in andofitself.Ifitmakes amore involved –atalllevels. not onlybeinformed–butalso be veteran buy-in.Veterans need ticipation isimportantifthere isto Commission. Veteran par- CARES American Legiononthenational r in avacuum. IapplaudtheVA sec- Sometimes thingslike thishappen k or condemned–we have foughtto aligned –consolidated,expanded costs? school affiliationprogram control etary forplacingamemberofThe U. eterans andtheirorganizations. eterans, ofcourse Iam all forit.If eep stakeholder voices audible. ALM: S. I cannotsay realignment isbad ry 1951- Army, How doestheVA medical- been rescheduled. myappointmentshave Onseveral occasions, far asitdid. itwouldn’thaveadvancedas would havetakenmeSaturday, Ifthey call By Tuesday. ithadgoneintobothlungs. Tuesday, andtheysaidto Icalled Monday, have towaituntilMonday. The nursesaidIwould soIcalled VA. ItwasaSaturday, nia. me togoout. It’s apainfor totally disabledandcan’tgetaround verygood. Iam Ican’teatwithoutteeth. This isnotgoodservice. self. Iendedupgluingthemmy- to gowithoutorfixthemmyself. SoIwouldhave me theywouldn’tfixtheteethtodayanyhow. The nursecameoutandtold did notgetintoseethedoctor. Iwaitedmore thantwohoursand care doctor’s consultation. They refused tofixthemwithoutaprimary- me tostartwith. That’s whytheymadethefalseteethfor a mouthinfection. Iamdiabeticandcannotriskgettingcutor pair them. thinking theywouldtakethemintothedentalofficeandre- hrl fe h et psd,Icamedownwithpneumo- Shortly aftertheteethepisode, Military service: Age: Ind. Attica, Brown Thomas L. Frustration: VA 1973 yV as et elaat Idroveto VA my VA falseteethfellapart. My story: appointmentsrescheduled teeth, facility: and forveterans. More than60,000 because itisgoodformedicine else. Theaffiliationprogram works tion thatdoesnotexist anywhere environment formedicalinnova- patients, willingpatients, andan because VA hospitalsprovide real ex cord injuries. There are dozensof throughs inthetreatment ofspinal maker. Prosthetic limbs. Break- poses ofthathospital. one ofthemostimportantpur- number, andIthinkthatshows Tw does 200 heartoperations ayear. able toattract top-notchdoctors. cause ofthat,VA hospitalsare are unabletodoelsewhere. Be- they are abletodoresearch they an education.They comebecause cause ofmoney. They comefor 54 amples. Thisrelationship works In Indianapolis, theVA hospital o hundred. That’s apretty high VA RFC: not cometoVA hospitalsbe- pitals properly. Doctors do not beabletostafftheirhos- that agreement, they would me thatifthey didnothave with amedicalschooltells has any kindofagreement I waseatingbreakfast when research gave usthepace- VA T old by VA tofixownfalse IllianaHealthCare System Every VA Iwent tothat U. S. i oc,1967- Air Force, SERVICE WATCHES INITIALS DESIRED(3): ❑ I WISHTO PAY ASFOLLOWS: SERVICE YEARS: ❑ SERVICE BRANCH: ❑ ❑ OR, MAILTO: ❑ ❑ years ofservice: personalized withmyservicebranchemblem,initialsand ❑ 1250 EastonRoad,Suite290,Horsham,PA 19044 SERVICE WATCHES W Coast Guard),aswellyourinitialsandyearsserved. Service BranchEmblem(Army, Navy, AirForce, Marineor The backofthewatch casewillbeengraved withyour detail ofyourServiceMedalandfinished ingenuinegold. 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___ Zip _ MEDWAT-ALM-0503 ©2002-2003, ICM Faces Behind the Cases So, really, theanswer isno. they allhave similarchallenges. than any other? try handlingthechallengesbetter how you canvoucher thatout. federal emergency. Idon’tsee to themilitarysystem incaseof important role asthemainbackup needs ofveterans. Also,VA hasan tune tounderstand theunique need ahealthsystem that’s in who neededprosthetic limbs. We people withspinalcord injuriesor specialized care necessarytoserve grammed toprovide thekindof ange orPTSD. They were notpro- pitals didn’tunderstand Agent Or- ans camehome. Mostprivate hos- that outwhenVietnamWar veter- specialized healthcare. We found going towork. VA healthcare is RFC: T is anationalasset. training through thisaffiliation.It medical studentsayear receive RFC: T tals andclinics? care beprovided atnon-VA hospi- T he American LegionMagazine ALM: ALM: Military service: Age: Colo. Pueblo, Tafoya Ernesto A. ubo eae h nomto ohsad.The aide said my Irelated the informationtohisaide. Pueblo. It’s beenmonthsandstillnocall. let meknow. They saidthey’d go toanyfacilityinthestatejust getinto VA. Itoldher I’d was willingtotravel totheir facilityoranotherone. VA Icalledthe Iwaitedandbuttheynevercalledme. lem. said IshouldcalltheColorado SpringsfacilityifIhada prob- they Inthemeantime, as soonadoctorbecameavailable. Iwenttothenewfacilityandaskedthem tonotifyme closed. thePuebloBoulevard facility Afterseveral months, physical. promised tonotifymewhenadoctorbecameavailabledo The center processed itinfrontofmelessthan30seconds. The ladyatthedesk and Ihadturneditinfourmonthsearlier. Ithadn’tbeenprocessedyet, a foothightofindmyapplication. VA andthat’s onlybecauseIwentinpersontothe get anIDcard, Ittookmore than four monthsjustto ment witha VA doctor. two andahalfyearstogetanappoint- My story: ment aftermore thantwoyears Frustration: VA 1946-1983 NavalReserve, U.S. 1946; A voucher system? It’s not They’re allunder-funded,so I finallygaveupand contactedmysenator’s officein fclt nClrd pig.The ladyIspokewithaskedif facilityinColorado Springs. They hadtolookthroughastackofforms centerinPueblo. facility: Why can’tveterans’ health Is any region ofthecoun- 76 I’ve beenwaitingmore than ubo oo,Clinic Colo., Pueblo, Still waitingforappoint- U. 22 S. ay 1943- Navy, May 2003 ae .Carroll James V. care centerleased by VA inLas Vegas. A workerrepairs acollapsingambulatory and abudgetthatdoesnotreflect doctors, nurses andpharmacists, access, recruiting andkeeping backlog ofveterans tryingtoget sues through VA are thesame: RFC: T are theconsistencies? ALM: The general operational is- Acr oss thecountry, what Everyone saysIhavetobepatientandwait. Ihaven’theard anythingsince. contacted VA aboutmycase. Hetoldmehisstaffhad letter fromthesenatorinJuly2002. Igota senator wouldlookintoitandtoldmetobepatient. they’re goingto. T They’ve beentellingusthatfor60years. take care ofme. thegovernmentsaidthey’d when Isignedupforthemilitary, That’s depressing. can’t gethelp. VA nate compared tosomeofmybuddieswaitinginlineatthe Istillconsidermyselffortu- deteriorated thepast twoyears, Eventhoughmyhealth has abled whenIretired fromservice. maintain myhealth care untilmy VA benefitscomethrough. re Iam half agoandhavenotreceived myinitialappointment. My story: more thanayear Frustration: e ae’ olwdtruhyt anditdoesn’tseemlike hey haven’tfollowedthroughyet, tired andacancersurvivorwho hadtogobackwork T ’ o aigtegvrmn wsm ntig But I’m notsayingthegovernmentowesmeanything. hospitalwhoare in much worseconditionthanIamand he DepartmentofDefenselistedmeas100-percent dis- I appliedfor VA healthcare almostayearand Still waitingforprimary-care appointment after Military service: Age: Fla. Kissimmee, Haley Robert B. VA Center facility: They’re allinthehundreds of seen adozendifferent figures. forms. Itshouldnotexist atall. go. Thebacklogtakes many they don’thave anelsewhere to Maybe they goelsewhere. Maybe VA don’t believe they willever seea tients. Andthere are somewho are no longer acceptingnew pa- facilities are sobacked up,they v in line–that’s allbacklog.Some because somany others are ahead r ties andappointmentsthatare peals process, overbooked facili- claims, caseshungupintheap- serve them.Decisionsoninitial ple whoare waiting forVA to RFC: T or they handleitinasmallway. V and psychiatric patients. Notall Alzheimer’s disease, dementia cern aboutalackofcare for demand. Ialsohave agreat con- ans are init? “backlog,” andhow many veter- 65 escheduled over andover eterans have beentoldtheirVA ALM: As are equippedtohandlethat, doctor, andsothey give up. How many are init?Ihave “VA backlog”refers topeo- rad,Fa,VA Healthcare Fla., Orlando, What doyou meanby the U. S. i oc,1954-1958 Air Force, Create Your Own Outdoor Room...In Just Seconds!

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Fires .45 ACP

Capacity: 7+1 Overall Length: 81/2" Weight: 21/2 lbs. Maker: Colt’s Manufacturing Co., Inc.

“As these Colt .45’s pass into available. Each pistol is mirror polished and plated public exhibits and private with beautiful, yet heavy-duty, Hard Nickel plating. collections, each is destined The Silver Tribute Limited Edition is strictly restricted to only 1,000 per service branch. for historical and collector Considering the many millions of Americans who greatness. Each is an Official served in the Armed Forces during the “.45 era”, the Colt Collectible.” 20th Century, the edition limits are highly restricted. — Colt’s Manufacturing Co., Inc. In each category, your pistol will meet your closest scrutiny because it is custom gunsmithed to museum ay farewell to the “Golden Age of Military Small quality, with these special features: holder, after your reservation is received here. Arms”. It has drawn to a close. ● Experienced gun polishers carefully burnish and polish SOur fighting forces are entering the high-technology Satisfaction Guaranteed the steel surfaces to a mirror finish. Your satisfaction is guaranteed or you may return “Star Wars/Land Warrior” era of “smart” weapons tied ● Elaborate, yet traditional, military panoplies of classical laurel your Colt within 30 days for a full refund. in with back-pack computers, satellite up-links, laser leaves, banners, and historical inscriptions are laid down in guidance and thermal imaging video displays. Each of these special Colts is a tangible link to your deep bas relief by indelible acid etching along the slide. American past immortalized in steel for the As we fondly recall this Golden Age — this era of ● The symbol of the service branch honored forms the focal future, to help veterans, families and patriotic our lifetime — one firearm comes to mind that best point of the slide, flanked by the service branch name, its embodies the spirit of those of us who served in the Americans remember our military service and the war- proud motto and the four stars of its senior, flag-rank officer. fare we fought during this “Golden Age”— our age — of 20th Century. Its founding date, etched in a yet another foliate banner, It’s the Colt M1911A1 .45. From 1911 to 1985 — even the “.45 era” of the 20th Century. embellishes the lower front side of the slide. Continue the mission . . . lest we forget. in “second-life” service in the 1991 Gulf War — it ● Custom-designed, fired-enamel cloisonnés enhance served longer than any other military small arm in the both right and left grips, displaying the initials of the RESERVATION world — past, present, or, likely, future. And it was the service branch honored. The color of the enamel work is Satisfaction guaranteed or return within 30 days for a full refund. most, powerful issue pistol, ever. Its passing, due to Yes, please enter my reservation for the Colt Armed Forces Tribute(s) distinctive to the service branch honored. selected below. I understand each is accompanied by a Certificate of NATO standardization of 9mm, is still bemoaned. ● The custom Rosewood grips are hand finished to a Authenticity attesting to the edition limit, special Registry Number, the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force corresponding deluxe high gloss. purity of plating, and Official Colt Collectible status. U. S. Army U. S. Marine Corps Now, Colt and The American Historical Foundation ● Verification of the origin of each as an Official Colt Collectible appears with the maker’s name on the reverse U. S. Navy U. S. Air Force are proud to issue Official Colt Collectibles, separate My deposit (or credit card authorization) of $195 per Colt is firing M1911A1 .45’s, to honor each of our Armed side of the frame, deeply etched on the presentation side enclosed. Please charge or invoice the balance due prior to Forces — U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air of the slide and imprinted on the Certificate of delivery. . . Force — in your choice of 24-Karat Gold plating or Authenticity. This document also verifies the edition Golden Tribute: in ten monthly payments of $190, or in full, Hard Nickel plating. limit; the purity of the plating; and the Registry Number, and/or which is proceeded with the initials of the service branch Silver Tribute: in ten monthly payments of $170, or in full. “Firsts” in Collecting! honored (i.e. USMC 001), as engraved on the pistol. My full payment of $2095 per Golden Tribute and/or $1895 This announcement presents two important “Firsts” How to Reserve per Silver Tribute is enclosed. in arms collecting: (1) This is the first Official Colt The Colt Golden Tribute and Silver Tribute Limited Please include the wall-mounting, American Walnut Display Case, Collectible .45 Limited Edition to honor each of our Edition M1911A1 .45’s are available exclusively through with locking glass lid, adding one final payment of $149. Please personalize my .45 at $29; send the Engraving Form to me. Armed Forces. And (2) this is the first Official Colt The American Historical Foundation. To reserve or for If I cancel my reservation prior to delivery I will receive a full refund, less a Collectible Limited Edition .45 with coverage of questions, simply call our Member Relations staff toll commissioning fee of $195. inscriptions extending all the way to the lower front free, at 1- 800-368-8080, 9am-9pm (ET), M-F, or return Check or money order enclosed. side of the slide. Please charge: Visa, MC, Am. Ex. or Discover COL RICHARD E. SMITH The Colt “Golden Tribute” USMC 1952-1972 Card No.______Exp. ______The 24-Karat Gold Plated Golden Tribute is a firing Signature ______Museum Piece; each gleams like a valuable Gold Personalized Engraving: If this pistol is to honor Virginia residents please add 4.5% tax. nugget, as rich 24-Karat Gold plating glistens across you, a family member or a friend, name Name______each mirror-polished pistol. As your guarantee of and personal/military information will be lasting beauty and value, the plating is to Jewelers engraved on the reverse of the slide, upon request. Address______Grade-Heavy thickness. This Limited Edition strictly the Reservation to “Columbia”, circa 1817, our National Daytime Telephone ( ______) ______restricted to only 500 pistols per service branch. Historic Landmarks Headquarters and Museums, as featured on The History Channel. The American Historical Foundation “Silver Tribute”—Hard Nickel Plating 1142 WEST GRACE STREET RICHMOND,VA 23220 For veterans and collectors who prefer a Show If you do not have a Federal Firearms License, we PHONE:(804)353-1812 FAX:(804)359-4895 EMAIL:[email protected] Quality, yet rugged finish, the Colt Silver Tribute is will help coordinate delivery through your local FFL TOLL FREE, 9AM-9PM, ET, M-F: 1-800-368-8080 © AHF MMIII B327 Faces Behind the Cases achieved withadiscretionary timely mannercannotbe are overwhelmed. erally break down andcry. They that whenthey gohome, they lit- and sodedicatedtotheirmissions and nurses whoare sooverworked have talked tosomeemployees who allshare thesamegoals. ButI directed andmonitored by people the armedforces. VA isstaffed, in atimelymannerforveterans of to fulfillitsmission–qualitycare VA the VA health-care budget? T for veterans. They are goodpeople. idea. Let’s putthembacktowork running theseVISNs?Ihave an do withallthepeoplewhowere the question:whatare we goingto more cohesive system. Thencomes think we would have abetter, RFC: VISN system were collapsed? T pete fora of money, they are forced tocom- RFC: T he American LegionMagazine ALM: ALM: toreceive thefundingrequired The goalofqualitycare ina he ie,andI’mstillwaiting. three times, Ihavecalledtwoor buttheyhaven’tfollowedup. physician,” “We’re goingtosetyouupwithaprimary-care lem andsaid, a physician’s assistantat VA meformybackprob- saw ago, More thanayear have developedanunrelated backproblem. I Sincethen, Iwasdischarged fromthemilitary. ankle fusion, AfterIhadan andnowI’mat30-percent disability. Guard, My story: Frustration: My story: If we collapsetheVISNs, I Mandatory funding.We need What canbedoneabout What would happenifthe lack I brokemyankleasaparatrooper intheNational loteeytm o al youcannotget Almost everytime youcall, of funding. Hard toreach VA bytelephone Military service: Age: Texas Harlingen, Schell John S. VA 26 facility: Military service: Age: Texas Galveston, Edward Benavidez VA 1979-1989 tional Guard, Texas Na- 1958-1962 and1965-1968; MarineCorps, U.S. 1956-1958; Guard, Frustration: ment afterayear May 2003 78 facility: 63 cle,Txs Clinic Texas, McAllen, Houston VA MedicalCenter Still waitingforappoint- U. S. the BayPines VA MedicalCenter. Commander Conleyhis WWI Army portrait at shows 108-year-old veteran, Alfred Pugh, U. ry 1942-1946 Army, eign-aid packages andpork-barrel fice theirhealthcare tofundfor- V should live uptoitsobligations. ov have tosellCongress over and projects. Veterans shouldnot ging Congress tofundtheirpet groups outthere whocomebeg- line withallthespecial-interest erans shouldnothave tofallin budget. That’s theproblem. Vet- S. eterans shouldnothave tosacri- Army National er onwhy thegovernment me knowwhat’s going on. would beniceifI wouldgetacallornoteinthemail letting It want togetintothesystemincase somethingcomesup. I Itleavesyouwondering whathappened. and nowitis2003. Ihavenothadareply, submitted theformsinspring2002. Iwasnotifiedtosendinmyservice records and mer 2001. My story: two years Frustration: but acompanycouldneverrunthisway. The withit, governmentgetsaway vide servicetoveterans. VA isnotdesignedtopro- It’s justnotworththeeffort. doctor. they canspendtheextra moneyittakestogoaregular They’d rather forfeitmoviesandeatingoutso the system. don’t comeingeneric. becausesomemedications That’s frustrating, medication. talking about. thepeopleonphonehavenoideawhatyou’re through, Whenyoufinallydoget The linesare alwaysbusy. through. Many ofmyfriendsare frustrated andhavedroppedoutof Another problemisthat VA onlypaysforgenericformsof ae .Carroll James V. I sentinaformtoenroll VA healthcare insum- Still waitingtobenotifiedaboutenrollment after Military service: Age: Mich. Escanaba, Gill Roman T. VA Medical Center facility: of war? eral budget,especiallyinatime put toogreat astrain on thefed- funding forveterans’ healthcare RFC: ex be tocutcostsandservices ov on. Otherwise, theresponse to VA care, tobefair. Thebottomlineis also needstheabilitytobillMedi- indexed annuallyforinflation.VA costs, adollars-per-veteran budget, r datory fundingwould give VA the r fall inthe107th Congress andal- funding legislation,introduced last correct priorities. projects. It’s amatterofsetting T save money inthelongrun. not abudget-buster. Ithinkitcan health care afterthewar. Thisis guarantee fundingforveterans’ should alsobemakingplansto r already makingbudgetplansto delayed costofwar. We are esources itneedstomeetits eady thisyear intheSenate. Man- ebuild Baghdadafterthewar. We 74 ALM: clude certainveterans. erwhelming demandwillalways needsabudgetitcandepend We V solve itallwithmandatory- rnMuti,Mc. VA Mich., Iron Mountain, eterans’ healthcare isa W ouldn’t mandatory U. S. ry 1951-1952 Army, If you have contracted MESOTHELIOMA or LUNG CANCER due to exposure to AsbestosAsbestos

You may be eligible to be compensated for your group verdicts of $166 million. injuries by bringing a lawsuit against the We maintain a staff of over 50 attorneys and 250 asbestos industry. support personnel all primed to work closely At Weitz & Luxenberg we maintain an extensive with you to achieve maximum results. This practice in representing the interests of asbestos may explain why over 60% of all asbestos cases victims. In fact, we represent thousands of on the New York City trial docket for the year victims, from all across the United States, and 2002 were handled by Weitz & Luxenberg. were instrumental in upholding the constitution- ality of asbestos litigation through the landmark For further information, and a free informa- Brooklyn Navy Yard and Consolidated tional booklet, call the law firm of Weitz & Powerhouse trials, resulting in combined Luxenberg today.

Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. LAW OFFICES Setting the standard in product liability litigation 180 Maiden Lane • New York, NY 10038 1(800)476-6070 www.weitzlux.com The statute of limitations of your Future verdicts or settlements cannot respective state will help determine be predicted from prior results. e-mail: [email protected] your ability to file a claim. Faces Behind the Cases lies ontheirnumbers forbudget at thesametime, thesystem re- driven away from thesystem, but sioned. Veterans are now being ment they swore toprotect? being abandonedby thegovern- need tobeahigherpriority. erans ofthisnation.Veterans address thehealthcare ofthevet- amount ofmoney thatwe feel can just askingforareasonable and thestars andthesun.We are W tions onthatintelligentview. and we make ourrecommenda- crunch. We lookatitintelligently, lars. We realize there isabudget out dollars anddollars anddol- and we can’treach inandpull money well inWashington, D.C., this. We know there isnobig being fiscallyirresponsible about game anymore. have toplay thepoliticalshell V v have mandatoryfundingevery RFC: T T he American LegionMagazine A. Butifwe have it,we won’t eteran inAmericaisgoingtouse ALM: e’re notaskingforthemoon Also, Idonotbelieve thatifwe The AmericanLegionisnot in adifferent category. soonI’llbe ButifIhavetokeeppayingforthem, Category 8. soI’ma pressure? Ihavethemoneytopayforthemnow, make meeligibleforlow-costdrugsthatIneedmyblood sowhycan’t VA acceptthatand insurance atmyhometown, could getafree physicalfrommyMedicare supplemental I butsincethenIhavebeentoldit’s been canceled. ber 2003, IwastolditwouldbeOcto- ical examstartinginspring2002. My story: Frustration: VA My story: They are becomingdisillu- facility: Do veterans feelthey are I triedtogetanappointmentfortherequired phys- I hadtowaitthree yearsforapairoforthopedic alT adnV eia etr Phoenix Center, Medical HaydenVA Carl T. VA facilityappearsshort-staffed Military service: Age: Ariz. Buckeye, Gerald DeanPotter 1966-1968 and1970-1983 28 Military service: Age: Minn. Worthington, Virgil Baumgartner canceled andnotrescheduled Frustration: ical/Regional OfficeCenter VA 61 facility: May 2003 70 iu al,SD,VA Med- S.D., Sioux Falls, Primary-care appointment U. S. U. ay 1958-1962, Navy, ‘Health care isasymptom S. RFC: the magnitudeofthisproblem? erans tryingtogetintothesystem? because they have lostjobs. elsewhere. Others are accessing are losingtheirhospitalinsurance tem more andmore becausethey P much. Care delayed iscare denied. ceive it,what’s thevalue? Not w can talkaboutqualityallyou can getthebesttreatment. You are always goingtogowhere they T RFC: to me. It’s adogchasinghistail. dollars. Itdoesn’tmake any sense T ry 1952-1954 Army, ALM: ALM: eople alsoare accessingthesys- ant; ifyou cannotgetintore- after thewarisover.’ of abiggerproblem. a tendencytoforget those whofought One reason isquality. People P Our nationhas eople whoare notfamiliar Does thepublicunderstand Then why are somany vet- Military service: Age: Minn. Rosemount, LaPole Lawrence M. don’t wanttohave towaitforanemergency. I I’m gettingtoan age where whoknowswhatcanhappen. Ijustwanttogettheprocessoverwith. the waitwasayear. ButIwassurprised wasn’t surprisedIwasplacedon a list. soI of noticebyveterans andhadquiteafewguyssignup, Iknewthe VA wasgettingalot unless Ihaveanemergency. weeks afterI’d enrolledandsaid itwouldbeaboutayear, people inCongress had toputupwithmyproblems. Iwishsome just don’tseemtohavepeoplewillinghelpout. They without pillsIneedforbloodpressure andarthritispain. andIhavewentuptotwoweeks being renewed ontime, Rightnowmyprescriptions aren’t weeks forthereplacement. when Ineededanewfootformyprosthesishadtowaitfour and Ihadmyleftfootamputatedwhileonactiveduty, shoes. VA 1957 My story: year primary-care appointmentaftera Frustration: Medical Center facility: 68 VA Minneapolis VA Still waitingfor calledmaybesix U. S. ry 1954- Army, tion. Andifpeopledon’tknow known by the nonveteran popula- until we improve it.It’s notwell this crisisisgoingtogetworse impact ofbudgetshortfallsorthat like this. They donotrealize the r views are appalled.They donot this, the reporters doingtheinter- lic generally doesnotunderstand. trayed. Thatissomethingthepub- point offrustration. You feelbe- budget thistime. You gettothe in becauseitjustwasn’t inthe facility andfindoutyou can’tget y for you whenyou getout.Then ing thegovernment willbethere the war onterrorism progresses. ans isvery likely toincrease as conception. Thenumberofveter- as they claimitis. That’s amis- so many say, decliningasmuch the numberofveterans isnot,as public doesnotunderstand isthat budget game. Anotherthingthe The veteran ispaying forit.It’s a free. Veterans earnedthiscare. care isfree forveterans. It’s not with thesystem thinkVA health ealize thatcare forveterans is ou godown toaVA health-care As Itravel anddointerviews on Y ou gointotheservicebeliev- COPYRIGHT ©2003 USCG™ S-5028 OF7648R-1 ADVERTISEMENT MEDIA SERVICES Unclaimed valuable uncirculated State Quarters available for only the cost of protective capsule – no matter what their value All have increased substantially in value and some by over 275%

This Important Notification has been released to inform LOT 1 – 1999 LOT 2 – 2000 LOT 3 – 2001 LOT 4 – 2002 you of an opportunity for you to receive unclaimed U.S. 2003 Newest Statehood Quarter Statehood Quarter Dollars FREE including the second Alabama Quarter Dollar of 2003, Alabama. THE IMAGE OF HELEN KELLER IS The United States Commemorative Gallery has a FEATURED ON THE ALABAMA STATEHOOD QUARTER.FLANKED number of Statehood Quarter Dollars in their vault that ON THE RIGHT BY A CAMELLIA have gone unclaimed by a small percentage of customers. BRANCH AND ON THE LEFT BY In addition, this also allows you to be among the first to SOUTHERN PINE NEEDLES,KELLER Delaware Massachusetts New York Tennessee receive the new Alabama Statehood Quarter Dollar FREE. IS SEATED ABOVE A BANNER THAT These Statehood Quarter Dollars are all uncirculated READS “SPIRIT OF COURAGE.” TO HER RIGHT, HER NAME IS INSCRIBED and are in special protective capsules. IN BRAILLE. All of these Statehood Quarter Dollars have already appreciated by at least 100% and some by over 275%! United States Commemorative Gallery Officials have decided to offer these unclaimed U.S. Statehood Pennsylvania Maryland North Carolina Ohio Quarter Dollars FREE to select regions of the country to ensure equal nationwide opportunity. Your region has been specially selected to receive these unclaimed Statehood Quarter Dollars FREE. You only need to cover the small cost of the protective capsules and seal- ing labor costs for these unclaimed and Uncirculated Statehood Quarter Dollars. New Jersey South Carolina Rhode Island Louisiana Uncirculated Collector coins have the highest value because they are in perfect mint condition. Circulated coins are usually damaged through rubbing surfaces or other coins. Also, acid from people’s hands cause coin metal to corrode. This is why it is important to seal uncir- culated coins in protective capsules while wearing gloves. The United States Commemorative Gallery has put Georgia New Hampshire Vermont Indiana these unclaimed, uncirculated Statehood Quarter Dollars into separate lots for each year the Quarter Dollars were released. There is one Statehood Quarter Dollar for each state minted to date. The unclaimed, uncirculated Statehood Quarter Dollar lots that are available will include the highest appreciating uncirculated Statehood Quarter Dollars - Delaware and Connecticut Virginia Kentucky Mississippi Pennsylvania both over 275%. The other 18 Statehood Quarter Dollars have appre- ciated by at least 100% and could appreciate much more in the future. These are New Jersey, Georgia, The FREE unclaimed Statehood Quarter Dollars will be sent to you in UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE GALLERY brilliant, uncirculated condition and protected by our specially designed Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, OFFICIALS CAREFULLY SECURE UNCIRCULATED Protective Capsules. You only pay for the capsules and sealing labor New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, STATE QUARTERS IN PROTECTIVE CAPSULES which is $2.20 each. Rhode Island, Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, WHILE WEARING WHITE PLACEMENT GLOVES To claim your FREE Statehood Quarter Dollars by phone call 1-800- Louisiana, Indiana and Mississippi. The newest release, TO PREVENT THEM UNWANTED EXPOSURE. Alabama, is also sure to substantially increase in value. 600-3227 and ask for operator 89748 to get your Free Statehood Quarter Dollars and Protective Capsules. Operators are on duty No matter what their value, every Statehood Quarter Monday through Saturday 7am - Midnight EST. Dollar is FREE. All you need to do to claim them is remit the cost of the protective capsule and sealing labor cost, To claim your FREE Statehood Quarter Dollars by mail, fill out below which is only $2.20 each. This protective capsule is criti- and mail this Claim Form to the address below. Check which lots you cal so that the Statehood Quarter Dollars will not be han- want. There are 5 Statehood Quarter Dollars for each year. Therefore, each lot contains 5. dled and therefore will maintain their highest possible uncirculated value. All of these Statehood Quarter Dollars ____ 1999 Statehood Quarter Dollar lot only $11 plus $3 S & H. have been placed into the protective capsules by special- ____ 2000 Statehood Quarter Dollar lot only $11 plus $3 S & H. ly trained United States Commemorative Gallery Officials ____ 2001 Statehood Quarter Dollar lot only $11 plus $3 S & H. who wear special white placement gloves to insert the ____ 2002 Statehood Quarter Dollar lot only $11 plus $3 S & H. quarter into the protective capsule and seal it. ____ ALL 4 Statehood Quarter Dollars lots which includes every You may claim one or all 4 of the lots that are now Statehood Quarter Dollar minted to date protected in a special available. There are 5 quarters in each lot. The U.S. mint Protective Capsule for only $39. You will also receive FREE only mints 5 statehood quarter dollars each year. If you Shipping and Handling if you order all 4 lots.You will also get the claim one lot, you only pay $2.20 each for the protective new 2003 Alabama Statehood Quarter Dollar, FREE. capsules in that lot which comes to only $11 plus $3 Return this Claim Form to the address below. Enclose Cash, Check shipping and handling. If you claim all 4 lots of uncircu- or Money Order payable to U.S. Gallery.To order by Credit Card, lated 20 Statehood Quarter Dollars minted to date, you fill out below. will get FREE Shipping and Handling and receive all 20 Enclosed is $______in: Statehood Quarter Dollars for only $39. If you order all 4 [ ] Cash [ ] Check [ ] Money Order lots you will also get the new Alabama 2003 Statehood (Make check payable to U. S. Gallery.) Quarter Dollar FREE. IMPORTANT: You must call Toll-Free 1-800-600- Or charge my: [ ] VISA [ ] MasterCard [ ] Discover/Novus 3227 or return the Unclaimed Statehood Quarter Dollar [ ] Am. Express/Optima Claim Form on this page immediately. You must claim Account No.: ______Exp. Date: _____/_____ your FREE unclaimed Statehood Quarter Dollars within VAULT PHOTOGRAPH: UNCLAIMED, UNCIRCU- Signature: ______10 days from reading this notification, or we will offer LATED, STATEHOOD QUARTER DOLLARS them to another selected region of the country. If ordering by mail, print Name and Address Here: These Statehood Quarter Dollars produced by the ______United States Mint have been one of the biggest sensa- NAME tions in the history of coin collecting. We expect that they ______will appreciate in value substantially in the future. ADDRESS Remember, each Statehood Quarter Dollar is only minted for 10 weeks of one year. After that, no more will ______CITY STATE ZIP CODE be minted. That is another reason why they are so valu- Mail to: U.S. Commemorative Gallery able. And the Statehood Quarter Dollars are uncirculated United States Commemorative Gallery FREE Coin Offer, Dept. 89748 and, therefore, you will not be able to find them in your National Processing Center change. The uncirculated Statehood Quarter Dollars that A private gallery not affiliated with the united states government or any 7800 Whipple Ave. NW have been put into a protective capsule have a greater government entity. Canton, OH 44767 value. They also make great gifts. Faces Behind the Cases gress todiscuss theseproblems. w meet withthepresident, andI to gomeetwithhim.Iwould secretary ofVeterans Affairs wants problem. Iwould goanywhere the at thesametableanddiscuss ings, everybody needstositdown together. Asintelligenthumanbe- could sitdown andhit90percent derful world itwould beifwe correct orbest.Butwhatawon- tions are necessarily100-percent or best.Idon’tbelieve VA’s solu- are necessarily100-percent correct r on decisionsthataffectthemdi- have tofighteven have avoice r fought afterthewar isover. The a tendency toforget thosewho a biggerproblem. Ournationhas RFC: health-care system? the financialviabilityofVA T tional challengeinfront ofus. that around. We have aneduca- from you. We’re tryingtoturn taking away andtakingaway there’s aproblem, they willkeep T ectly. Idon’tthinkmy solutions eal insultisthatveterans now he American LegionMagazine ALM: ould meetwithmembers ofCon- er etn h uaon;eeyn a ennc.They everyone hasbeennice. we’re getting therunaround; Wedon’tfeel scriptions becausewecan’tafford the cost. mywifehashadtostoptakingsomepre- because ofthat, and been payingformyprescriptions outofmyownpocket, Ihave back andtoldthewaitcouldbeup toanotheryear. Wewere called WeleftamessageinMay2002. three months. ruary 2002wecalled VA andwere tolditwouldbeanother r for metoaseedoctorandthatwewould a referral “today” Anursecalled andsaidshewouldsetup and returned them. Wefilledoutalltherequired formsagain told toapplyagain. T appointment andwastoldmynamenotinthecomputer. wife calledinOctober2001toinquire aboutthestatusofmy My 2000 andwastoldatthattimeitwouldbeayearwait. My story: ciealte eln stetm fteapitet InFeb- eceive alettertellingusthetime of theappointment. e ocue htm iems aebe ot Wewere hey concludedthatmyfilemusthavebeenlost. Health care isasymptom of Is more atstake here than I submittedallformsrequired by VA inNovember 30 May 2003 Military service: Age: Minn. Apple Valley, Schoepke Jr. Rudolph P. after twoyears primary-care appointment Frustration: V VA 1954-1956 et Center facility: 68 about 14,000. was hewastold, where thebacklogofpatientswaitingforprimary-care appointments, VA MedicalCenter, Fla., Conley meetswithadministrators andtopstaffatBayPines, eran treatment inyears tocome. sis willhave great bearingonvet- What we donow tosolve thiscri- America thinksaboutveterans. also atacriticalpointintheway it inastateofcrisis?Yes. We are ans needtimelyhealthcare, yes. Is health care issoimportant.Veter- lusioned, andthatiswhy veterans’ k The moral obligationhasbeenbro- been abletoaccessthatdream. the veteran. Theveteran hasnot all. Thatistheaverage feelingof School. Ajob. Retirement. That’s the Americandream. Afamily. military wanted anopportunityfor t al Minn., Paul, St. en. Thatiswhy veterans are disil- Still waitingfor The person whowent intothe U. S. Army, ae .Carroll James V. r oa evc.Uncle Samhasturnedhisbackonus. try loyalservice. I’mfrustrated becauseIgavemycoun- vere bursitisin myhip. as wellasjointpainandse- suffer fromhighbloodpressure, Istill exposed tonerveagentsandcontact VA if Ineedhelp. Defense sentmealetterstatingthat myunithadbeen the Departmentof InDecember2000, nose allmorninglong. Iblewsootoutofmy Isleptbyoilwells. eration DesertStorm, DuringOp- it’s beentwoyearsorso. a primary-care physician; have beenwaitingsincethatfirstappointment tobeassigned I itwasn’t highwhenIwasdischarged. However, pressure. tions becauseIhadentered themilitarywithelevated blood letter from VA statingthat itcouldnotprovidemewithmedica- Ireceived a Later, see adoctoraboutmyhighbloodpressure. to to7p.m. Iwaitedfrom10a.m. Once Igottheappointment, My story: back fromthem. Wedon’treally expecttohear just saythey’re waytoobusy. I waitedsixmonthsformyfirst VA appointment. Military service: Age: N.C. Elizabeth City, Riddick Ahnighto E. can’t help Frustration: Center VA 1979-2003 Army Reserve, facility: The AmericanLegionMagazine. Jeff Stofferismanagingeditorof moral obligationtouphold. put inofficethatthey have a constantly reminding thosewe take timeandpersistence and writing oneletter. It’s goingto phone call.It’s notgoingtotake ing. It’s notgoingtotake justone need tofightformandatoryfund- sure onourofficialslocally. We problem nationallyandkeep pres- ans. We have tostay aware ofthe its endofthebargain withveter- it thatthegovernment holdsup case forus. Itisuptoussee 45 No oneisgoingtomake our apo,NC,VA Medical N.C., Hampton, fe ogdly,VA saysit After longdelays, U. S. Army andU.S.

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*The minimum deposit to open an American Legion Money Market Account is $5,000. Good for new money on consumer accounts only. Limit one offer per household. Fees may reduce earnings. Except where prohibited by law, if you close the account within the first 365 days, a $50.00 early closure fee will be assessed. 5.00% introductory interest rate is paid on balances of $99,999 or less and is good for the first 90 days after your account is opened. After that, the rate will vary and is tiered depending on the balance in your account. As of March 5, 2003, minimum balances and APYs for The American Legion Money Market Account are: $0 - $999.99, 1.65%; $1,000 - $2,499.99, 1.84%; $2,500 - $4,999.99, 2.03%; $5,000 - $24,999.99, 2.29%; $25,000 - $99,999.99, 2.40%; $100,000 - $499,999.99, in the range of 2.40% to 1.85%; $500,000 and above, in the range of 1.85% to 1.82%. Please note that no interest will be paid on balances below $10 after the first 90 days your account is open. Account offered by First National Bank of Omaha. Member FDIC. Offer expires 6/6/03. VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi faces complicated challenges in providing health care to America’s veterans now and in the future. ‘The final safeguard is me’ BY JAMES V. CARROLL pension and other entitlement pro- grams and $30.2 billion for health care and other discretionary fund- nthony J. Principi, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, ing. Another $225 million is requested for construction. The A commanded a river patrol boat in the Mekong Delta request represents a 7.7-percent increase over 2003, the largest re- when he served his country in uniform. Today, he steers one quested increase in VA history. Still, virtually everyone agrees of the largest ships in the federal government, one that is that’s not enough money to meet demand that grew more than 30 threatened by a tsunami of hundreds of thousands of U.S. percent beyond projections for this year. veterans seeking health care. Principi is between a rock and a hard place. Congress first orders As secretary of the Department ernment’s second-largest depart- VA to open its doors to all 25 mil- of Veterans Affairs, Principi is re- ment. But funds are inadequate, lion eligible veterans but then sponsible for a nationwide system and too few employees are tasked fails to provide enough funds to of health-care services, benefits with trying to stem a fast-rising serve one fifth of them. The re- programs and national cemeteries tide of demand for VA services. sult? Veterans are waiting in long for America’s veterans and de- Principi’s request this year for lines for health care and benefits. pendents. With a budget of more $63.6 billion for VA in the presi- In its effort to provide quality than $51 billion and more than dent’s 2004 budget includes $33.4 health care to enrolled veterans, VA 200,000 employees, VA is the gov- billion for disability compensation, cut off sign-ups for Priority-8 veter-

32 May 2003 The American Legion Magazine James V. Carroll ans earlier this year. That group to all veterans, but VA’s budget VA will overcome its challenges. includes veterans who are not be- will not accommodate unlimited In a recent interview with The ing compensated for military-relat- access and at the same time pro- American Legion Magazine, Prin- ed disabilities and who have vide timely, quality care. cipi detailed VA’s challenges since incomes of approximately $30,000 Since 1996, VA enrollment has his appointment and confirmation or more. To offset the cutoff, VA more than doubled, Principi says. in 2001. He speaks candidly about and the Department of Health and It has climbed from 2.9 million to tough choices, his successes and Human Services are working on a 6.8 million. Last year, 830,000 shortfalls, and why he believes plan that would allow Medicare- veterans enrolled. More than half VA will remain an American asset eligible veterans to choose VA as were Priority-8 veterans. In 2002, for generations to come. their Medicare provider. The plan VA treated 1.4 million more veter- would open VA health care to more ans with 20,000 fewer employees The American Legion Magazine: veterans and, in return, VA would than in 1996, he says. Even with The backlog of veterans waiting six recoup costs through payments the suspension, 380,000 veterans months or longer for medical care from a private health plan contract- in Priority Groups 7 or higher are ranges from 300,000 to 650,000. ed by Medicare. VA+Choice expected to enroll in 2003. Why the wide range of numbers? Medicare would be a win-win situ- Even with fiscal constraints on Anthony J. Principi: It’s easy to ation, Principi says. the number of veterans VA can be confused with regard to the Veterans organizations worry serve, Principi stands behind the backlog because there are so that suspension of Priority-8 en- care VA does provide. Despite many types of claims. When I rollments is one step toward a greater challenges lurking around came on board in 2001, there smaller VA. To some extent, Prin- the corner, such as homeland-se- were approximately 650,000 cipi agrees. He says he wants to curity obligations, war and concur- claims of one sort or another – provide health care and benefits rent receipt, he remains confident education, disability compensa-

May 2003 33 The American Legion Magazine tion, pension and housing. I am ent overall numbers. But ratings- who says the backlog is not com- most concerned about disability- related decisions – those de- ing down is misleading the veter- compensation claims and claims cisions regarding disability com- an population. I am very proud of for pension. These claims were at pensation – are the ones that the folks in the trenches in Veter- 432,000 at the beginning of 2002. were about 430,000 in October ans Benefits Administration who By March 2002 we had brought 2002. Also keep in mind, when I are making that happen. We are that number down to 400,000 became secretary, there were the seeing tremendous progress. The claims, and by December they claims for diabetes and the evalu- fact that elderly veterans are now were down to about 340,000. ation of claims brought about by getting decisions on claims after That’s not withstanding the fact the Veterans Assistance Act. waiting up to four years is a very, that each month we get 60,000 While those claims were not tech- very significant accomplishment. new claims to add to that pile. nically a part of the official num- We could debate the total num- The trend has been superb in ber, they were sitting there ready bers, but the fact of the matter is reducing the backlog of claims. to be brought under control. That that veterans are being better- Our Tiger Team has done a contributes to part of the confu- served because we have wonder- tremendous job of exceeding its sion regarding claim numbers. ful people with new leadership goals every month in dealing that are making it happen. with claims of the oldest veter- TALM: Are you saying good peo- ans who have been waiting over ple can argue the numbers and TALM: You have said that you are a year. We are reducing the num- both are correct? comfortable with a 250,000 back- ber of education and housing AJP: You could argue that, but log. Why is that? claims as well. the bottom line is that the back- AJP: The first decision I made as Confusion over backlog num- log is coming down, and it’s com- secretary was to establish a goal bers stems from the use of differ- ing down significantly. Anybody – a very ambitious goal, but you

VA m e ans ‘value added’ for America BY ANTHONY J. PRINCIPI available low- or no-down payment mortgages. This year, almost 400,000 veterans will attend he Department of Veterans Affairs exists to school on the Montgomery GI Bill. Veterans’ educa- provide a wide variety of programs and serv- tion benefits led the way to federal financial assis- Tices to America’s 25 million veterans and tance for higher education, Pell grants and the like. sometimes to their family members and survivors. More important, it raised expectations about higher But like ripples in a pond, VA’s programs spread to education and opportunities as the nation saw the touch many lives, entire communities and indus- number of four-year college graduates rise from tries, and, in fact, the entire nation. 160,000 in 1939 to 500,000 in 1950. All Americans benefit when former military This year, almost 64,000 disabled veterans will members make successful transitions from their receive vocational rehabilitation training to pre- service duties to civilian life. Our nation can take pare them for civilian careers. These careers will full advantage of the unique attributes, skills allow them to continue making meaningful contri- learned, discipline, teamwork and motivation young butions to their communities. men and women acquire while on active duty. This year, 88,000 veterans will be laid to hon- During World War II, Congress — driven by the ored rest in VA’s 120 national cemeteries. Memo- proposal for a comprehensive rehabilitation pro- rial benefits represent our last opportunity to say gram proposed by The American Legion in 1943 “thank you” and provide a lasting tribute to a — enacted the GI Bill of Rights. That legislation veteran’s service. transformed America in truly revolutionary ways. The VA’s 4.9 million insurance policies comprise Much of everyday life in America is the product of one of the largest life-insurance programs in the those GIs and the benefits they used to create new world and the seventh largest in the United States. lives for themselves and a new country for all of us. The $570 billion in coverage provides a bedrock of Each working day, VA guarantees more than 700 financial security for veterans and their families. home loans for young men in uniform as well as vet- Today, we treat more than 4 million veterans erans who enter the ranks of home ownership. Vet- each year at more than 1,300 sites. And we’ve erans’ home-loan benefits helped turn America from driven down the cost of care as well, while consis- renters into a nation of homeowners with widely tently being ranked one of the top health-care

34 May 2003 The American Legion Magazine have to start somewhere. To rect? Is the effective date correct? TALM: How? bring this backlog under control I That’s what veterans want. They AJP: Instead of doling out claims set a goal of 250,000 claims and want a correct rating and the to sit on a desk for six months, 100 days processing time. Given right effective date. We are at, or we are looking at individual our personnel strength and our close to, an all-time high in sub- claims as they come in. We are ability to handle these claims I stantive quality. identifying those claims that can feel having 250,000 in the inven- I don’t think we have forsaken be handled immediately. As an tory allows us to handle veter- quality for timeliness. In my example: a pension claim that has ans’ claims in 90 to 100 days. I view, quality is also timeliness. the needed paperwork can be know it’s a difficult goal to ac- You can have a perfect quality signed off as it arrives. A widow complish, but I’m absolutely de- record, but you never get any can get her pension – her death termined to succeed. claims decided – maybe a few. gratuity – in a timely manner. They are perfect and you have a We’re also specializing more. TALM: Has quality suffered in 100-percent quality record, but no We’ve centralized training so that the process? one is getting answers to their we don’t have 58 regional offices AJP: We monitor quality every claims. Is that quality? I don’t taking skilled rating specialists off month and hold our leadership think so. Quality encompasses line to train new people. These accountable. Quality is very both timeliness and accuracy. are a couple of practical, hands- high, especially substantive Justice delayed is justice de- on management changes that are quality. There’s procedural quali- nied. Unfortunately, this depart- making a difference. ty, such as filling out forms cor- ment was building a track I don’t mean to underestimate rectly. That’s important, too, but record of having justice delayed. the difficulty. We are not there what really is important is sub- We are intent in trying to yet. We’ve got a lot of work to do, stantive quality. Is the rating cor- reverse that record. but we are making progress. I

health-care system in the country with 14,000 VA innovations physicians and 37,000 registered nurses. This na- VA’s partnership with America’s medical schools has revo- tional resource is even more important during the lutionized medical research and medical education. It has: war against terrorism, for it may be called upon to
Developed and tested some of the first effective provide significant assistance in the event of mass therapies for tuberculosis. casualties. We are proud of our responsiveness to
Invented the implantable cardiac pacemaker. local and national disasters. In each case, VA
Pioneered the concepts that led to the CAT scan. quickly deploys to serve veterans and their com-
Provided innovations for first successful liver transplants. munities stunned by these overwhelming events.
Developed the nicotine patch. As a partner in the National Disaster Medical Sys-
Took part in the first successful drug treatments for high tem, VA is involved in planning, coordination and blood pressure and schizophrenia. training to prepare for a variety of catastrophic
Developed the Seattle Foot, allowing people who have lost legs to walk, run, jump and participate in sports. events. We are prepared to provide assistance to the Defense Department and other agencies as we strengthen the nation’s ability to prevent and providers for quality. In fact, VA’s innovations in respond to future terrorist attacks. In fact, VA already patient safety have been cited by the Institute of has mobilized an early intervention transition service Medicine as a standard for the rest of the nation. to aid service members undergoing treatment and We have done this not by cutting corners but rehabilitation for injuries sustained in the war on by delivering care more effectively. An integral terrorism. Likewise, VA works with the Federal part of our ability to deliver care more effectively Emergency Management Agency to ensure our gov- is our ability to deliver data more efficiently ernment continues to function and our agency con- throughout our system. Recently, The Wall Street tinues to provide services to veterans during crises. Journal wrote that VA is “leading the movement to These facts reflect not only our nation’s grati- unlock the data lurking in hospitals to help doc- tude for the service of millions of people who re- tors improve patient care and reduce errors.” turn to civilian life after serving in uniform, but We all benefit from this leading-edge expertise. they also represent a reinvestment in the future In fact, more than 40 percent of the physicians potential of each veteran and in America. practicing medicine in America today received all or part of their training in VA medical centers. Anthony J. Principi is secretary of the Department VA operates the largest integrated national of Veterans Affairs.

May 2003 35 The American Legion Magazine must tell you, it’s not easy. on the hospital wards how Something can come down ’Something can come down many nurses, LPNs and the pike tomorrow, like the pike tomorrow, like concurrent nursing assistants they concurrent receipt, and have. Some tell me they swamp us with work and receipt, and swamp us are a little short; others say we would never achieve ratios are just about right. our goal. Congress might with work and we would It’s an issue that needs to pass a new law, or the be carefully monitored. court might hand down an never achieve our goal.‘ Not just because of the opinion that requires us to do have to make VA medical centers nursing shortage, but because of something else. Those are the available to men, women and funding shortages in general. great unknowns that are hard to children who might be injured in There are plenty of nurses to be factor in. But we are making sub- an attack like in New York or found – it’s just that we do not stantial progress. Washington, we will find room have the money to hire them. for them and care for them. That becomes a problem. TALM: Is the Medical National Preparedness Act of 2001 one TALM: Has the national nursing TALM: Providing medical service such unknown? crisis impacted VA? to America’s veterans depends on AJP: I’ve been very concerned AJP: The nursing shortage im- adequate resources. Is that not about it. It’s not funded. That’s pacts not only VA but also all correct? the problem. I think we play a health-care institutions. However, AJP: Yes. I want to care for all very important role in prepared- I’m gratified to learn that VA has the veterans I possibly can, but I ness. VA is ideally situated across been very successful in recruiting don’t have all the money I need the country. But we have an im- and retaining our skilled nursing to do that. Some tough policy portant mission of health care for workforce. I think one of the in- decisions have to be made. And veterans. I hate to see us embark tangibles that shelters us from once we make those policy deci- on a new mission without ade- the brunt is VA’s mission. VA sions, we must ensure we are quate resources. We don’t have nurses, at least all I’ve talked to, adequately funded – whether it’s enough resources to handle the love caring for veterans. They through the current scheme mission we currently have very imagine their dad in that hospital where we get discretionary dol- well, let alone a new mission. bed or their uncle or aunt. That lars or through mandatory fund- But we are trying to do things. intangible, coupled with a good ing. It’s a real struggle every We are trying to ensure our med- compensation program and op- year to increase co-pays or cut ical centers are prepared and we portunities for growth, makes us off Priority-8 veterans because have needed decontamination very competitive. we do not have the money to equipment and stockpiles of The crisis hasn’t hit us too take care of them. pharmaceuticals. We are doing hard yet. It may in the future, so One way or the other, this im- what we can, but spending hun- we need to be ready for that. We balance has to end, because it’s dreds of millions of dollars that do have pockets of nurse short- not fair. It’s not fair to veterans we don’t have is something I do ages. We’ve tried to make VA at- for Congress to declare all 25 mil- not want to do. tractive to keep up with the pri- lion veterans can go to VA for vate sector by adjusting our health care but have another pro- TALM: Is VA prepared to step salary rates and incentives. We vision of law that says VA is only in in the event of a national have found that once we get authorized to extend care to the emergency? them, nurses like us. extent that resources are made AJP: One of the things about this available through appropriation country is our ability to respond TALM: VA nurses and doctors acts. It doesn’t mesh. You end up to attacks, to become mobilized, tell American Legion National turning people away or putting to marshal our resources and Commander Ronald F. Conley them in long waiting lines. come together to meet whatever that nurse-to-patient ratios are emergency might befall us. This too high at some hospitals. Is TALM:You mention mandatory is a very generous country, and that the case? funding. Would that not provide veterans are willing to participate AJP: Any time the ratio is out of a solution to VA’s inadequate re- to help fellow veterans. That’s balance it’s a concern in regard to sources? why men and women serve this patient safety and quality of care. AJP: It would. There’s no ques- country. They are willing to fight It’s one thing to say we do not tion about it. But the overarch- for their country, and it doesn’t have a shortage and another to ing question becomes: how stop when they hang up their uni- say we have one nurse for 16 to many veterans do the American form. They are prepared to offer 19 patients. That’s inadequate. people want to take care of? whatever help they can. If we When I travel, I ask chief nurses Twenty-five million? Twenty mil-

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“I love my hearing aids - they are wonderful. I can Mr.Mrs.Ms. hear every word my minister says in his sermon. I wish I had known before I spent $2,000.” Address G.W. - Tellico Plaines, TN City/State/Zip lion? How many? If Bill response to a question that Gates was a veteran and ‘I want to care for all his or her greatest challenge he had no service- is getting doctors to see pa- connected disabilities and the veterans I possibly can, tients. Physicians may be do- served two years on active but I don’t have ing research and other duty, should he get the things, but we have more promise of lifetime health all the money and more veterans coming to care? Do we prioritize in us for medical care. any way? Those are the I need to do that.’ We need to meet that mis- questions one needs to ask. health care for which we would sion by first treating patients. Sec- Historically, VA has been a receive a payment from HHS. ondly, we must be good stewards health-care system for the service- We hope the plan is up and of the public trust in managing disabled, the poor who have no running later this year. I believe it the taxpayers’ dollars wisely, effi- other options and specialized is a win-win situation for HHS ciently and effectively. Thirdly, services like spinal cord injury. and most importantly, from my we must ensure that people are Today we are open to all 25 mil- perspective, the VA. doing what is expected of them to lion veterans. If we are going to care for veterans who come to us. stay open for all 25 million, we TALM: You have said you are less probably would need mandatory than enamored with VA TALM: Capital Asset Realignment funding because you can never affiliations at some medical for Enhanced Services has get there from here. schools. Why? alarmed many veterans because it But there are other impli- AJP: I think affiliations and med- seems to be geared toward creat- cations. What about national se- ical education have been impor- ing a smaller VA. What curity? Are we saying to a young- tant to VA over the past half-cen- assurances do they have that ster he or she needs only serve tury and will continue to be an CARES will not diminish VA two years on active duty to get important relationship and part- health care? lifetime health care? Will that nership in the future. However, AJP: The final safeguard is me. have an impact on retention of those partnerships have to be in I’m going to have to be convinced the force of skilled people who balance. We both need to derive that it’s right for veterans in the may have a lucrative job on the equally from that partnership. future. I think what’s critically outside? Will it impact insurance When one side derives more than important in CARES is that we coverage? Would an employer de- the other side, then that’s wrong have data integrity. It has to be cide not to provide insurance cov- and unfair. analyzed very carefully, not from erage to veteran employees There are some cases where just the bricks-and-mortar aspect because VA care is free? Like VA may be shortchanged. That’s but clearly from the demograph- everything else, there is a price. unacceptable. We have a respon- ics – what the veterans’ popula- sibility to care for veterans. Our tion is going to be and what the TALM: If VA were to become a primary mission is patient treat- needs are going to be. It has to Medicare provider, would the ment. We have a robust educa- encompass a lot of factors. cash infusion open services to tion program and research pro- I’m confident we have excel- more veterans? gram to enable us to achieve that lent people working on this. I’ve AJP: Yes, it would. VA and the primary mission: caring for vet- assembled a commission of good Department of Health and erans in a timely, quality man- people, very thoughtful people, Human Services are working to ner. When it fails to do so, I be- who know and believe in VA, give Priority-8 veterans aged 65 come concerned. people who are not intent on clos- or older access to a VA+Choice I think we are at that point in a ing VA facilities but willing to Medicare plan if they can’t enroll couple instances but certainly not make some tough recommenda- in the VA health-care system. It’s all. We have affiliations with tions to me. I think we have a lot a first step but a great step for- medical schools that do more of safeguards built in. Rather than ward. I have worked very closely than their fair share, and we are accept or reject recommendations with HHS Secretary Tommy the beneficiaries of that partner- right away, I will send the CARES Thompson to provide this new ship. Unfortunately, there are a commission out to take testimony option for eligible veterans. Un- few cases where that is not the on the record from stakeholders. der the program, Priority-8 case. It takes strong leadership on This additional step will give me Medicare-eligible veterans could the part of VA medical center di- the level of confidence I need to enroll, and VA would become the rectors and VA chiefs of staff to be make the right decisions.
veteran’s provider of choice. He mindful of the important respon- or she could not go out to anoth- sibility to the veteran patients. I James V. Carroll is an assistant er Medicare provider. We would am deeply concerned when a editor at The American Legion provide pharmaceuticals and medical center director tells me in Magazine.

38 May 2003 The American Legion Magazine

THE STATE OF VA HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA A System Wor th Sav ing BY RONALD F. CONLEY American National Commander, The American Legion

Legion National t Cheyenne, Wyo., I listened with frustration to a VA Commander Ahospital director who explained that in 1995, his facili- Ronald F. Conley’s ty treated 6,000 patients with a staff of 385. Today, his staff glimpse inside the has been cut to 340, while the patient load has soared to nation’s veterans’ 13,000. To make ends meet, the director – a doctor himself – health-care system treats veterans alongside the physicians he manages. They reveals just how routinely shuffle patients from floor to floor to put veterans critical conditions next to caregivers – the kind of triage you might expect on a have become. battlefield. But not in a VA hospital. In Cheyenne, as demand has mand. And veterans are the vic- more than doubled in the past sev- tims of that miscalculation. Veterans, VA en years, beds often are left empty The VA medical center in Far- because too few qualified nurses go, N.D., has no air conditioning, and Congress can be hired to tend them. That, in no emergency room and a $4.8- a microcosm, is the bitter irony of million budget deficit. The aging must work VA health care today. Our govern- veteran population in that com- ment designed the system, asked munity is expected to grow 18 together to veterans to enroll in it and now percent over the next 10 years. fails to cover the cost. It is Ameri- At Bay Pines VA Medical Cen- ca’s most under-funded mandate. ter in Florida, the backlog of pa- prescribe the Staff shortages are epidemic, facili- tients awaiting primary-care ap- ty improvements are paralyzed, pointments was reduced to right medicine and the time it takes to get in to approximately 14,000 when I vis- see a VA doctor is unconscionable. ited; inability to match a reason- for the future. Service does not, by any stretch of able number of nurses with the the imagination, keep up with de- fast-rising tide of patients had

40 May 2003 The American Legion Magazine Sue Wudy, a patient at Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, takes a forced the facility to shut off new pitals in case of attack on the Unit- moment to talk about her care, while hospital admissions. Every ward I ed States. If that should happen, in waiting with fellow veterans for an visited was under-staffed. Some almost every instance veterans appointment. Jeff Stoffer had only two registered nurses for would have to be evacuated to every 32 veterans. other hospitals so active-duty ca- ance carriers than ever before, de- At the Boise, Idaho, VA medical sualties could be treated. There’s spite decisions in Washington to center, the problem is a shortage not room, let alone medical staff, deny access for veterans most like- of doctors, nurses, pharmacists to treat both. ly to have insurance. Directors na- and medical technicians. That Meanwhile, about two-thirds of tionwide start their budget years doesn’t leave much. National the buildings on the Butler, Pa., VA deeper in the hole every time the Guardsmen and Reservists make Medical Center campus stand va- target is raised. Some are forced to up a significant portion of staff cant. Veterans there are waiting for tap into building reserves to cover there, a common condition in VA a much-needed nursing-home ad- the cost of treating patients. facilities throughout the country. dition, frozen in its tracks by VA’s Pending the final outcome of In Boise, where the waiting list for national realignment effort known the CARES process, virtually every primary care runs deep into the as CARES – Capital Asset Realign- overdue VA building project is in thousands, I am gravely concerned ment for Enhanced Services. limbo. Or at least it is supposed to about what would happen to the In Louisville, Ky., the director be. I was alarmed to discover dur- veteran patients if all the backup said his hospital simply needs to ing my travels that there are fore- military personnel were suddenly be torn down and rebuilt. gone conclusions about survivors called to active duty. It is a con- VA health-care administrators and casualties of CARES, the final cern I have for many areas of the have more pressing needs than recommendations of which are country as America fights the war bricks and mortar. They must not due until next fall. I was told on terrorism and sends more and come up with innovative new that a facility in Texas is already more troops to the Middle East. ways to hit their operating budg- earmarked to be retooled and Several medical centers I visited ets, which require more aggressive “marketed” to veterans once the double as emergency military hos- collections from third-party insur- process is completed. Another fa-

May 2003 41 The American Legion Magazine Faces Behind the Cases spend intolerably longperiodsof w – everyone iswaiting, waiting, ington toFlorida–even inHawaii Maine toCalifornia,from Wash- could beheard intheirvoices. tors. Thathospital’s deathrattle they hadtrouble recruiting doc- the system eachmonth.They said many new patientswere entering nurses work there atall,orhow not tellmehow many registered administrators Ispoke withcould nurse-to-patient ratios. Infact, Prescott, Ariz.,couldprovide sions are outthere. how many otherforegone conclu- domiciliaries, Icanonlyimagine clinics, 137nursing homesand43 Among VA’s 163hospitals, 850 percent between 1998and2002. unique patientsthere by 76 increased thenumberof an stakeholders who those whouseit:theveter- beneath thenosesof decades ofservice, right for thechoppingblockafter Arizona, appears headed cility, atahistoricfortin T he American LegionMagazine aiting. Veterans continueto And allacross America,from No onewhometwithmein Military service: Age: Fla. Port Orange, Ash Robert D. VA dctrc ugr meitl.While Iwaitedfor VAed cataract surgery to immediately. hetold me Ineed- thedoctorinNovember, When Ifinallysaw which VA rescheduled twice. for aprimary-care appointment, My story: surgery Frustration: facility: 56 oe oFoiai 02 Iwaitedseven months I movedtoFloridain2002. atn ec,Fa,Clinic Fla., Daytona Beach, Lost jobwaitingfor VA toschedulecataract U. 42 S. ry 1966-1968 Army, May 2003 oepeiu hntm.Ihave more precious thantime. F who feel VA issimplywaiting redryvtrn,nothingis or elderlyveterans, communicated withsome simply waiting forthemtodie. talked withsomewhofeelVA is more precious thantime. Ihave v w their lives, many veterans must the first timeinthefinalyears of Often enteringtheVA system for care they earnedandnow need. time tryingtoaccessthehealth booked physicians. on endtoseeridiculouslyover- v they have anappointment,these date down theroad. Then,once r appointments, whichare often months forinitialprimary-care processed. They are toldtowait months fortheirpaperwork toget need. They are toldtowait escheduled forasecondorthird eterans are forced towait hours eiled aboutthefacilitiesthey ait untilfinaldecisionsare un- At F or elderlyveterans, nothingis theMinneapolisVA medical for themtodie. Military service: Age: D.C. Washington, Parker Norman A. ing togetmyjobback. I’mhop- thesurgery wasscheduledforlateFebruary. with VA, AfterIargued and saiditwasimperative Ihavethesurgery. IcalledbackinJanuary the runaroundanditaggravated me. Igot would beayearbefore Icouldhavethecataract surgery. theperson Ispokewithinformedmeit second timeIcalled, The The firstcallwasnotreturned. Icalled VA twice. sight. Ilostmyjobbecauseofpoor eye- schedule thesurgery, Frustration: Medical Center VA 1986-2003 National Guard, 1981 and1991; I’m fedupwithit. and It’s been abigheadache, been whirledaround incircles. I’ve me forthesameinformationover andoversince1991. They’ve beenasking fled aroundbetweendifferent doctors. andI’vebeenshuf- been calledaliarandtreated likeachild, I’ve proval for VA care for thoseconditionsbecauseofPTSD. Ihavebeenwaitingtogetap- sion andhighbloodpressure. andI’vebeentreated fordepres- an, My story: the runaround facility: 44 I’m aPersianGulfveter- W F sigo,DC,VA D.C., ashington, eels VA hasgivenhim U. S. ry 1978- Army, 52 patients–alone. RN tohandletwo wards –upto shifts itisnotuncommonforone month, andonweekend andnight about 40hours ofovertime a Iowa, Iwas toldthatnurses work w hours ofovertime every two ton, Ky., Iwas toldthateight many facilitiesIvisited.InLexing- ures. Overtime isexpected at erans’ health-care fundingmeas- ber whenit’s timetovote on vet- derstanding Iknow she’llremem- VA had anew understanding ofthe stopped her. Afterthetour, Snowe r the veteran knew hehadalready double-dose ofmedicine. Luckily, nearly gave himanaccidental had worked somuchovertime she a veteran whotoldherhisnurse eceived hismedsfortheshiftand eeks ismandatory. InKnoxville, health-care crisis. Itisanun- ical Center. There, shemet the Togus, Maine, VA Med- Snowe joinedourtourof care physician. before seeingaprimary- an average wait ofoneyear 1 center, approximately 1,000 veterans canexpect U.S. Sen.Olympia I expected this to be an eye- willing to fight to the death under holders on any and all matters re- opening experience. the flag of the United States. We lating to the future of VA services Going town to town, door to are not adversaries. We all share or benefits, including facilities re- door, asking tough, candid ques- the same goal: to provide veterans alignment. There is a big differ- tions of VA directors, staff, patients an efficient federal health-care sys- ence between being briefed and and veterans in the community, I tem capable of meeting the needs being involved. The veteran’s role have gained a firsthand perspec- of the people it was designed to cannot be that of a silent partner. tive on the status of VA health serve. I see several ways to reach We are the voice of service to our care. It is not a regional problem. that goal, including: fellow veterans. It is a national crisis. Along the
Restore VA enrollment status way, I have described my findings
Pass legislation to make VA for Category-8 veterans, the high- to the media. Reporters have been health-care funding mandatory est income bracket. They are most shocked. That’s because much of rather than discretionary. Taking capable of generating revenue the public thinks all veterans get the politics out of the VA health- from third-party insurance carri- all their health care for free. I have care budget would be a monumen- ers. Cutting them out severs a rev- elevated this issue among veterans tal step in the right direction. Vet- enue stream. themselves. erans should not have to beg for
Put VA health care back under I also have made it clear that if money, competing alongside politi- one umbrella. If that means col- we want change – if we believe, as cal-action committees, lobbyists lapsing the 21 networks (VISNs) The American Legion does, that and big business in order to see a nationwide that govern regional this is a system worth saving – vet- doctor in a timely fashion. Manda- VA health-care facilities, so be it. erans must act now. No one else is tory VA health-care funding legis- Competition among the VISNs, going to solve the problem for us. lation introduced both in the 107th for budget dollars and grants alike We cannot look the other way. and 108th Congresses would serve has led to regional disparities of the purpose, if passed. care. Quality care in a timely A Three-Way Partnership. Three
Make VA a Medicare provider. manner can and must be provid- sets of players figure into the equa- Permit VA to bill and receive re- ed fairly across the system. tion: veterans, VA and Congress. imbursements from Medicare for VA must be able to deliver con- All are partners. All share in a sa- services provided to qualified, sistent care for veterans suffering cred obligation to fulfill America’s Medicare-eligible veterans. from debilitating psychological clear intentions to provide health-
Require active involvement and disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, care benefits to those who were participation with veteran stake- dementia and homelessness,

My story: I have a 20-percent VA disability rating, but primary- Paul G. care physicians leave Fresno so fast I haven’t had an appoint- Meredith ment with a doctor since April 2002 and many East Wenatchee, Wash. cancellations. At least six of my appointments have been rescheduled since 2000. Age: 87 I retired from active duty in July 1991 after Military service: U.S. Navy, 20 years in the Air Force – Vietnam, Grenada, 1934-1940 and 1942-1945 Desert Storm – and had service-connected VA facility: Spokane, Wash., hearing problems. I applied to go into a VA VA Medical Center hospital in 1994 after going through numer- ous doctors at now-closed Castle Air Force Frustration: Long waiting Base and LeMoore Naval Air Station, which time, can’t use Medicare said they only saw active duty, 1994-96. I was My story: After quite a hassle, I finally got my red, white and not allowed to go to the VA hospital in Fresno blue card. But that does not mean a thing because one must because of my salary and employer’s insurance. Then I lost my then be assigned a doctor for any treatment. That takes one to job in 1997 because the company I worked for went bankrupt. two years. My big beef is that I pay $58 a month for Medicare, Finally, I received my first hearing aid from VA in 1999 in and VA cannot bill for it. I also pay $118 a month for supple- Brooklyn, N.Y., and a second one in late 2000 in Fresno. Other mental health insurance. I have no drug coverage, and I have a appointments I had at the Fresno VA clinic were often can- couple of really expensive prescriptions. You have to have a celed, delayed or forgotten. Most of the time, they said it was doctor even to get a pill. If you’re low-income, you just go because the primary-care provider had left, and I had to without. That’s what a lot of them are doing. reschedule. After many frustrations and losing another job in March 2002, I had a VA rep assist me in getting a higher dis- Milton Paul Smith ability rating for my hearing loss. I had to wait until November Fresno Calif. 2002 for the disability screening and in late December I finally Age: 55 got an appointment for a screening, but as yet have not heard the results. Military service: U.S. Air Force, 1971-1991 Overall, VA care and rules are so weird and time-consum- VA facility: Fresno, Calif., Vet Center ing that the whole VA experience is a joke, on me. I remain Frustration: Frequent rescheduling of appointments unemployed with no health insurance.

May 2003 43 The American Legion Magazine Faces Behind the Cases to veterans. and mental-healthcare available ferences inthelevels oflong-term the nation,Ihave foundgreat dif- oming orNew York City. Across whether they are inrural Wy- w the bestinnation.”Iamal- anything wrong withVA here. It’s mander. Iamsure you won’t find ing, “Welcome tomy state, com- this year have greeted meby say- P They literally holditalltogether. tion: employees intheVA system. ple whodeserve great apprecia- unique andselflessgroup ofpeo- ty tocorrect. going totake time, effortanduni- gus. It’s afundingproblem thatis ton, Dallas, MinneapolisandTo- T Cheyenne matchestheproblem in we few questionsfrom my list,and tal directors andtopstaff.Iaska Then we sitdown withthehospi- etorship, prideandconnection. tionwide nursing shortagehasled ampa, Pittsburgh, Boise, Lexing- eople WhoCare. T ays he American LegionMagazine V Until then,veterans rely ona allrealize theproblem in eterans throughout America Frustration: Indianapolis Roudebush VA MedicalCenter, mlyet loigm ortr owr.Iwenttoaprivate allowingmetoreturn towork. employment, took monthsfor VA to sendtheproperlettermyplace of It in acastforeightweeksandoffwork anothereightmonths. Iwas VA fused myankleandinsertedthree screws. uary 2002, InJan- andIwasoffworkmore thanayear. was unsuccessful, The operation Iunderwent surgery in August 2000. operate. Ittookthree yearsfor VA todecide cided toreturn to VA. Treating theinjurybecamesocostlyIde- dealt withthepain. For thenextfewyears I just I’d forgotten aboutit. tion program. ter statingIhadbeenacceptedfor VA’s vocationalrehabilita- Ifinallyreceived Two alet- yearslater, Ileft. logical evaluation. andrecommended forapsycho- Iwascalled “hostile” my leg. Iaskedwhatthathadto dowith cramps andbegivenMotrin. ER andwaited12hoursonlytoreceive alecture onmenstrual Iwenttothe mylegbeganbotheringme. Later, back from VA. Ineverheard waited sixmonthsfortestsandabonescan. I discharge fromthe Army foranankleinjuryinjumpschool. My story: treatment ofaservice-connected disability delightedtoseesuchpropri- ple o Abnft n18,followingamedical I appliedfor VA benefits in1989, W aited aninordinate amount oftimefor While thena- Military service: Age: Ind. Fort Wayne, Bible Christopher A. VA 1988-1989 Army, U.S. 1980-1986; Guard, aeSse,Fr an;Richard L. Fort Wayne; Care System, 44 facility: 40 May 2003 VA NorthernIndianaHealth U. S. a familiarpattern. to startthenew fiscalyear. Thatis million deeperdeficitfrom which a new target of$17million,a$2 w hitting $15millionwhenthegoal great internalaccomplishment, beat itby $2million.Itwas a party reimbursements andthen the facility’s budgetgoalforthird- administration hustledtoachieve ter inIndianapolis, thestaffand doctor treats 50 aday. day. Innearby Louisville, theER see between 65and70 patientsa gency-room doctorscrambles to from theDayton area alone. approximately 11,000 callsamonth attempts. Nurses saidthey fielded mild ailmentstoserioussuicide Nurse” program. Callsranged from states lastyear through a“Tele- mately 670,000 patientsfrom nine v ence each–have reached outto av the Dayton, Ohio,VAMC –who look inward foranswers, nurses at many facilitiesinthecountryto Army National eterans, providing care toapproxi- as $13million.Thereward was erage about20 years ofexperi- I have talked tohundreds of In Lexington, Ky., oneemer- At Roudebush VA MedicalCen- alwt rths Weshouldn’tbetreated thisway.wall withcrutches. standingupagainstthe people withcastssittingonthefloor, andI’veseen200peoplewaiting— foot doctorhas30chairs, The waitingroomforthe Iwaited sixhours. 30 minutesorless. Isatunderaposterat VA thatsaysyou’llbetreated in for April. but VA rescheduled it My nextvisitwasscheduledforJanuary, sayingit’s whathewouldhaveordered inthefirstplace.brace, The doctoraskedwhere Igotthe one mynextvisitto VA. Iargued tosee months withoutseeingtheorthopedicdoctor, Havinggoneeight practice andpaid$550forafootbrace. r Imaynotbeabletoget and givenmyjob situation andmyage, MyCOBRAcoverage expires inthesummer,priced insurance. soIcannotgetreasonably Iamawidower, me offafter23years. myemployerlaid AttheendofJanuary2002, an appointment. before Icouldget stating thatitwouldbe “many months” 2002, 3, Ireceived aletterdatedJan. see aprimary-care physician. Ihavenotbeenabletoreceive anappointmentto To date, 2001. My story: aoal rcdisrne To be withoutitisterrifying. easonably priced insurance. I enrolledatDenver VA MedicalCenteron April 20, Military service: Age: Colo. Englewood, Gedeon William J. appointment aftertwoyears Frustration: Denver System, VA facility: wa seem, thatgratitude goesalong their gratitude. Simpleasitmay they receive andeagertoexpress v patients outsidetheVA system, w V ing adifference inaveteran’s life. the satisfactionthey getfrom mak- for thesededicatedcaregivers is more money elsewhere. Thepayoff many cases, couldbemaking service from thestaffwho,in y of VA health-care facilitiesthis v having sacrificedalifetimeofper- blind, paralyzed oranamputee, Middle East.Apatientmay be or sometoxin encountered inthe due toexposure toAgent Orange prematurely infiltrated theirbodies cal. Itcouldbethatadiseasehas physical. They may bepsychologi- person. Theproblems may be and didnotcomehomethesame of theirpatientswent away tofight sisters. VA nurses know thatsome cles, brothers, mothers, auntsand nurses seetheirfathers, theirun- 59 ear. They praise thecare and eterans are thankfulforthecare eterans ofallcategoriesindozens eterans, thenurses tellme, make onderful patients. Unlike many In theeyes oftheirpatients, VA y toward closingthesalarygap. Eastern Colorado HealthCare Still waitingforprimary-care U. S. i oc,1962-1966 Air Force, sonal independence in tal, 250 open-heart surger- one battlefield flash. Americans do not quarrel with ies were performed for VA nurses look into the the cost of funding VA health care. veterans last year. At eyes of these people and Roudebush in Indianapo- see something others do They quarrel with pork-barrel budget lis, the affiliation program not readily understand. gives veterans 200 heart Walk down the corri- expenditures.They quarrel with surgeries a year. dors of any VA hospital in In some areas, VA has America, where veterans foreign-aid allocations in the partnerships with military young and old weather tens of billions when a domestic hospitals. In Augusta, Ga., the storms of their mili- the Army hospital tary experiences and the issue like the VA budget, despite its provides cardiac surgery maladies life has dealt for VA patients, and the them, and it is obvious recent increases, comes $1.9 billion VAMC performs neurolog- they need and deserve a short of maintaining an ical surgery for the Army. unique brand of care. Such agreements are often Thank God for a unique inadequate status quo. efficient and practical. brand of people willing to However, in most cases provide it, people who are not the advancement of medical re- across the country, the agreements slaves to a paycheck. search, the education of doctors must be renegotiated every time and to the veterans themselves, there is a change of command at Making Ends Meet. To keep qual- who receive some of the most up- the base. That’s the wild card. ity medical staff on bare-bones to-date treatment in medicine to- When you aim to establish budgets, VA facilities rely heavily day. Medical-school affiliations longterm consistency in health-care on their affiliations with medical have made VA hospitals incuba- delivery, wild cards do not help. schools throughout the country. tors for research breakthroughs in Tucson’s VA Medical Center has For instance, the Salt Lake City spinal-cord treatment, heart sur- one of six veterans’ Blind VA Medical Center provides train- gery, prosthetics and many psy- Research Centers in the nation ing for more than 1,100 students a chological conditions. and state-of-the-art imaging equip- year from the University of Utah. In Tucson, where the University ment. The equipment alone Relationships such as this, all of Arizona has a research and train- makes radiologist recruitment a around the nation, are essential to ing partnership with the VA hospi- snap, compared to other medical

in the basement in one of the buildings, down a very dark and Karen E. Daden empty hallway. After I was sent there, they had no idea why I Stratford, Conn. was there. I thought, “Fine. I have just wasted my day.” I would Age: 50 much rather go to a doctor of my own choosing. Military service: U.S. Army, I would give my right arm to talk about this to the secretary 1976-1982 of Veterans Affairs. What we need is better care. This needs to be a national debate. VA facility: VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven Campus William Ray Hooks Frustration: Disillusioned after Denver, N.C. 17 years of wading through Age: 69 enrollment process, appoint- Military service: U.S. Air Force, 1953-1957 ment delays and doctor turnover VA facility: W.G. “Bill” Hefner VA Medical Center, Salisbury, N.C. My story: I initially applied at West Haven in 1982, after I in- jured my back and knees in the Army. I waited a day and a half Frustration: Still waiting for primary-care and then sought care elsewhere. I was discharged with a 10- appointment after 18 months percent disability, affecting my quality of life and what I could My story: I’ve been waiting for a primary-care appointment do to make a living. From 1991 to 2001, when they finally gave since December 2001. Recently I received a letter stating my me 100-percent disability, I had to carry my own health insur- appointment would be June 9. My only experience with VA has ance, and I am still carrying that. My physical problems wors- been an automated phone system. It’s next to impossible to ened to the point where I could not work anymore, and my talk to someone. You have to leave a message. Sometimes disability check goes directly to cover the cost of my insurance. they call you back, sometimes they won’t. I spoke to a person The waiting time at VA is unconscionable. The system is once and asked where I was on the list. She wouldn’t tell me. broken. The trust is gone. I have found that VA seems to beat She said 8,500 people were waiting. VA needs additional help. the veteran down until they won’t come back. That way they The government doesn’t want to pay money for veterans after don’t have to spend so much money, and their budget looks they leave the service; that’s the impression I get. I was draft- good. A couple of times, when I’ve gone in, they have had no ed into the Army but decided to serve in the Air Force. I didn’t idea why I was there. I was sent to a women’s clinic that was volunteer. I gave them four years of my life. They owe me.

May 2003 45 The American Legion Magazine Faces Behind the Cases Lexington, Ky., canmake $20,000 good conscience. feel they canretire atall,notin severity oftheshortage, donot more. Others, recognizing the have 35years ofexperience or America’s VA facilities. Many out ofretirement tofillshiftsin are notinstalled. where permanentmedicalstaff larity, athighercosts, tofillin summoned withincreasing regu- doctors alike, however, mustbe ness sense. Temporary nurses and does notalways make goodbusi- I have foundthatoutsourcing the payroll. At many VA facilities, y surgery serviceswhen$190,000a y r stand theeconomicswhendi- opportunities. So,Icannotunder- caregiver, Tucson offers dozensof all healthcare. For aprofessional only forotherVA facilitiesbutfor v w persist, mainlyduetomoney. The staff positionswhere shortages T ector tellsofpaying $500,000 a he American LegionMagazine ear would putanorthopedist on ear forsubcontracted orthopedic eterans makes itamodelnot ork thatfacilitydoeswithblind Nurses are commonly called I was toldthatapharmacistin aio,S.D. Madison, George Bargmann Military service: Age: oto rsrpin.I Ahdtefns itcouldserveusbetter. If VA hadthe funds, cost ofprescriptions. Iwouldlikethereduced I’llprobablynever getin. more thanIdo. I’msure somepeopleneed thehelp er receive anappointment. my appointmentwasindefinite–andthatit’s possibleIwillnev- r statingmyappointmenthadbeen another letterarrived, Duringthesummer 2002. 20, ing myappointmentwouldbeDec. Ireceived aletterstat- information onobtaininganappointment. My story: ment rescheduled indefinitely Frustration: Medical/Regional OfficeCenter VA My story: Frustration: shdldfrFb 5 03 hnatidlte ae stating Then athird lettercame, 2003. 25, escheduled forFeb. facility: 66 nDcme 01 IvisitedtheSiouxFalls VA toget In December2001, I movedtoFlorida approximatelythree years ago iu al,SD,VA S.D., Sioux Falls, plcto ea,two-yearwaitforappointment Application delay, Notified by VA appoint- ert sad Fla. Merritt Island, Frank Drabel Military service: Age: VA Based OutpatientClinic U. facility: S. 46 65 ry 1955-1958 Army, May 2003 V r ec,Fa,VA Community- Fla., ero Beach, U. S. os ur,1955-1979 Coast Guard, them nottobeafraid. Hekissed moment foreachchild.Hetold wife andfive children. Hetooka One ofthemenstoodbefore his were their orders toheadout.They National Guardsmen received w Looking intotheFuture. having todomore withless. competitive, always facedwith what tocutkeep paychecks budget growth. They mustdecide demand increases withsingle-digit lenge: meetingdouble-digit static, somethinghastogive. salary schedule. Whenbudgetsare plete restructuring ofthefacility’s bring theminoftenmeansacom- macists becomemore vital.To for prescription-drug benefits, phar- And, asmore veterans turntoVA Office ofManagementandBudget. T offer VA certainlycannotmatch. new BMWsassigningbonuses, an some communities, pharmacistsget than hecanattheVA hospital.In a grocery store orchainretailer more ayear working inthebackof ry gettinganidealike thatpastthe as inSouthDakota, two young That isevery VA director’s chal- goingtotheMiddleEast. Frustration: N.C. Salisbury, Medical Center, Military service: Age: N. K VA With percent ofthe$700amonthIliveonmedications. Iampaying43 own money–Ican’tafford –treating it. Ihavespentquite abitofmy have beenwaitingtogetinto VA, WhileI thatmycaseisextreme. manydoctors, several people, Ihavebeentoldby whichisa noncurable disease. psoriasis, Ihave That’s whatithastakenmetoseeadoctor. right now. months tobetreated foramedicalconditionthataffectshim My story: itemr epc hnti,whenIlaidmylifeontheline. a littlemore respect thanthis, Ibelieveshould get of myownfree willtofightformycountry. a littlebetter. VA 1948-1963 Corps, neet Iwasdisappointed. interest. butthatseemedtobeofno a service-connecteddisability, This is Ittooknearlytwoyearstogetanappointment. my card. Iaskedforanappointmentahearingtestoncegot loss. Ihaveaservice-connected10-percent hearing eight months. That tooksixto and appliedformyUniversal Access Card. ’s outee og oKra n hysn etee Iwent andtheysentmethere. I volunteered togoKorea, enneth Bungay facility: iksoo N.C. Wilkesboro, hl,ta iuewl oedw,andIwillbeabletolive that figure willcomedown, help, 70 When I I cannotseewhyaveteran shouldhavetowaitsix W. T G. he timeittakestoseeadoctor Bl”HefnerVA “Bill” U. S. Marine their lives. A bitewillhave beentaken from they gave theirtimetoAmerica. big career opportunitybecause stress disorder. They mightmissa of hepatitisorpost-traumatic ans oftheGulfWar orintheform illness like thatsuffered by veter- P might notbevisibleforawhile. They may behurt.Theirwounds they may befrom war experience. lies willneedthem,changedas men willbeveterans. Theirfami- be theirconnection. w each nightforthenorthstar. He other two, ages3and5,tolook their third child.Hehadtoldthe w y throughout history. Theother American servicemenandwomen has beenplayed andreplayed by scare him.Itwas amomentthat The imminenceofwar didnot sian Gulfmeantnothingtohim. wife. MountingtensioninthePer- each andthen,ofcourse, forhis them. Hehaddifferent words for each one. 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U.S. NAVY RECRUITMENT TRUCK © 2003 The National Motor Museum Mint,™ 22 South Smith St., Norwalk, CT 06855-1040 e •RESERVATION FORM• bl a il National Motor Museum Mint, Dept. USMA-0002 a v 22 South Smith St., Norwalk, CT 06855-1040 A Please reserve the following. I need to send no so money now. Al One World War II Truck Only $10 (valued at $30) ❑ Army ❑ Navy ❑ Marines ❑ SAVE! All Three models (One of each) Only $25 ❑ BEST OFFER: Two sets, (Six cars) Only $45 (Limit two sets per address) Add $5 postage and handling per request CT residents please add 6% Sales Tax Enclosed is Check or Money Order OR Charge it: ❑Visa ❑MasterCard ❑Amex ❑Disc Acct# Exp. Name U.S. MARINES RECRUITMENT TRUCK Address FOR OTHER GREAT COLLECTIBLE CARS VISIT US AT: www.motormint.com City State Zip Faces Behind the Cases people withmissinglower limbs maker. Ithelpedinvent away for gave modernmedicinethepace- v w VA health care. Certainly, noonein re tus quo.Americanswillnotquar- of maintaininganinadequatesta- increases, comes$1.9billionshort the VA budget,despiteitsrecent billions whenadomesticissuelike eign-aid allocationsinthetensof spending. They quarrel withfor- care. They quarrel withpork-barrel with thecostoffundingVA health sy to soldiers like them. created tofulfillAmerica’s promise be there. Thesystem was, afterall, adversities lifedealsthemVA will understanding thatnomatter what part ofthatbeliefstemsfrom an back, thingswillbebetter. At least in theirheartsthatwhenthey come they lefttheirloved ones, believing knew mightoneday come. Bravely, T he American LegionMagazine eteran andnonveteran, better. It orth saving. l withmandatoryfundingforVA stem. Americansdonotquarrel shouldquarrel withit. It hasmadethousandsoflives, The VA health-care system is It isagoodsystem. Itisajust But they hadorders, orders they ic ierltvl ertehsia,butIspeakwith other since Iliverelatively near thehospital, It’s not sobadforme ing thesamething onanygivenday. so tothehospitalandgothrough sameprocedure. SoIcontinue tomakethetripevery12daysor eight months. Iwastoldthewaitingtimeisnowsixto about beingassigned, whenIasked Duringmylastvisit, assigned aprimaryphysician. on thenumberofvetswhoshow uponaparticularday. depending twoorthree, where yougoandwaitanotherhour, and tellsyoutogopickupyourprescription at thepharmacy, andsomePA meetsyouinthehallway wait fourtosixhours, You OKmyprescriptions. more oftenaphysician’s assistant, or weeks andwaitfourtosixhoursjusthaveaphysician, Imustgoto VA everytwo monthsafter signingup. seven, r cie oohrmdclatninfrsx nowapproaching eceived noothermedicalattentionforsix, mntaoe Usually150orso ofmybrothervetsare do- I amnotalone. Iwastoldthatittakessixmonths tobe When Isignedup, 48 May 2003 Military service: Age: N.C. Durham, GentryJr. Guy C. VA 1952-1960 Corps, r the hospitalstaffandhelpIhave My story: staffing at VA facility Frustration: Medical Center cie npecitos Ihave eceived onprescriptions, facility: 64 Although Iappreciate uhm .. VA N.C., Durham, ogdly,short Long delays, W ten, we have heard aboutthemany America treats itsveterans. Soof- threshold ofchangeintheway gress foranoverride. mustered enoughuproar inCon- members ofthisorganization sions toprotect veterans’ benefits, R Deal. WhenPresident Franklin D. all theirgainstofundtheNew ans Administration, facedlosing affairs, theprecursor oftheVeter- a cohesive agency forveterans’ collection offederal programs into battle toreorganize adisjointed naires, whohadearlierledthe Depression. That’s whenLegion- to 1933,thedepthofGreat times, butlet’s turntheclockback know theseare difficulteconomic health care intactandvibrant. I that turnsover inourhometowns. It ismoney well-spent, money that dependupontheirpresence. there butinlocalcommunities only totheveterans whogethelp VA many taxpayer-funded programs, to walk andeven tojump.Unlike oosevelt vetoed Legion-ledprovi- orld War IIveterans whoare U. healthcare pays dividendsnot T We oday, we againstandata S. Marine mustfighttokeep VA Military service: Age: N.C. Hickory, Masche Ernest A. o vial.Itmustbeafundingproblem. not available. Ifindithard tobelievethatmedicalprofessionalsare Carolina. DukeUniversityandtheofNorth medical schools: Wehavetwofineteachinghospitalsand scriptions refilled. from thehospitalevery10to12daysjusthavetheirpre- vets whilewaitingwhomustdrivehundreds ofmilestoand U. u hsoetm.I’mafraid Imightdiebefore helparrives. but thisonetime. I’venever askedforathing served becauseI lovemycountry. I Ineverwasacrybaby. and $650monthlyonmymedications. Wespendbetween$535 Isufferfromangina. four bypasses. Ihadopen-heart surgery fouryearsagoandhavehad income. MywifeandIare onafixed you’llget acall.” ber ispicked, “Whenyournum- Iwasinformed. “Everyone’s waiting,” long. Irecently contacted VA andaskedwhatistakingso ment. Ihavebeenwaiting sincethenforaprimary-care appoint- 5. letter statingIhadbeenacceptedandplacedinPriorityGroup My story: than ayearofwaiting appointment scheduledaftermore Frustration: Medical Center VA S. facility: ryRsre 1945-1953 Army Reserve, 75 ple nMrh20.O u.2,Ireceived a 23, On Aug. I appliedinMarch 2002. seil,NC,VA N.C., Asheville, No primary-care U. S. Army and American Legion. national commanderofThe R w ev ties, ontime. Noveteran should professionals inup-to-datefacili- serve from competitively paid to receive thehealthcare they de- to grind.We simplywant veterans changes. We have nopoliticalax are not askingforwholesale and thestars andthemoon.We bright future. us, toensure VA healthcare hasa fight, asourpredecessors didfor is forthoseveterans thatwe must pected todeclineinthelongrun.It v tyranny worldwide, thisnation’s fight terrorism, despotismand of war.” AsAmericacontinuesto “Only thedeadhave seentheend or 1975.Aphilosopheroncesaid, one expected itafter1945or1953 making war veterans after1919. No No oneexpected ournationtokeep ans Americaproduces every year. of the300,000 ormore new veter- passing every day. Solittlewe hear eteran populationcannotbeex- onald F. ConleyofPittsburgh is aiting forhimorhertodie. er have tobelieve VA issimply We are notaskingforthesun
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International Coins & Currency Premier Bathrooms have the largest range of 62 Ridge St., Dept. 4352, Montpelier, VT 05602 walk-in bath tubs in the country, and buying Remember – Premier’s Walk-In Bath tubs give you independence, security and Order at 1-800-451-4463 one helped me regain my independence.” confidence, to enjoy your bathroom again. www.iccoin.net (many more great deals) 4352 Veterans deserve guaranteed access to health care tem of funding for vet- Congress Awaiting congressional action erans’ medical care, Two bills requiring mandatory VA funding await action in the U.S. and to ensure that should make Senate. The Veterans Military Personnel Fairness Act of 2003 (S. funding keeps pace 19) was introduced by Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., and had 29 co- with the number of vet- sponsors as of Feb. 4. The Veterans Health-Care Funding Guaran- funding tee Act of 2003 (S. 50) was introduced by Sen. Tim Johnson, D- erans seeking care. S.D., and had 13 co-sponsors by Feb. 6. This legislation would As of late February, no such bill was yet introduced in the House. have shifted veterans’ mandatory. health care from a dis- cretionary budget item BY REP. CHRIS SMITH, R-N.J. a guaranteed, fixed formula. As a to mandatory funding. s chairman of the House result, VA’s budget doesn’t keep Military retirees’ health care Committee on Veterans Af- pace with needs for services. (TRICARE for Life) and veterans Afairs, I fought successfully Under the system, the VA med- disability benefits already are for record budget and appropria- ical-care budget competes with mandatory budget items. Our tions increases in the past two every other discretionary item in proposal would simply have treat- years. Despite spending more the budget. In the appropriations ed veterans’ health-care funding than $25 billion on health care for process, unbudgeted increases in in a similar manner. veterans this fiscal year, federal VA medical care, as has been expe- Without legislation such as HR funding has not kept pace with rienced in recent years, force Con- 5250, veterans’ health care will the demand for VA health care. gress to either underfund VA health continue to be underfunded and In its fiscal 2002 budget sub- care or cut funding for other wor- VA will be forced to continue ra- mission, VA projected 3.7 million thy programs such as NASA and tioning care or consider cutting off veterans would use its health-care the National Science Foundation. access to hundreds of thousand of services; last July, VA estimated As long as the VA medical care veterans, many of whom lack or 4.9 million veterans in 2003 – a budget remains discretionary, VA’s have inadequate health-care cov- 31.5 percent increase. However, ability to meet surges in demand is erage. Some are concerned, how- VA did not request the funds to impaired. This is not a logical or ever, that enacting this legislation meet this projected demand. defensible way to provide care. would create a new “entitlement” Year after year, Congress is pre- Providing health-care services and “bust the budget.” Such mis- sented with short-sighted, inade- to those who risked their lives to apprehensions must be overcome quate administration budgets and protect our freedom is not – nor to successfully enact this legisla- struggles with the daunting task should it ever be – considered a tion. We must build an even larg- of finding enough funding just to discretionary function of the fed- er, bipartisan coalition of support maintain current VA services. Es- eral government. Our nation has a for a comprehensive solution to sential care is being rationed sacred obligation, as President the annual funding crisis for veter- through unconscionable delays in Lincoln said so eloquently, “... to ans’ health-care programs. scheduling appointments. In fact, care for him who shall have With the 108th Congress now last year VA reported 300,000 vet- borne the battle and for his wid- under way, I have begun to reach erans were waiting at least six ow and his orphan …” out to leaders in both houses of months just to see a doctor for To address the chronic short- Congress, and in both parties, to the first time. This figure does not falls in funding for veterans’ med- find a solution to veterans’ health- include veterans waiting to enroll. ical care that have occurred in re- care funding that guarantees better One major cause of this crisis is cent years, I, along with Rep. access for all deserving veterans. that, unlike health care for mili- Lane Evans of Illinois, introduced When our country has been at tary retirees, Medicare or much of legislation last year to change the risk, America’s veterans have al- the Indian Health Service, funding way that care is funded. Our bi- ways answered the call. Now we for veterans’ medical care is a dis- partisan legislation, H.R. 5250, must do the same for them.
cretionary decision. VA health care the Veterans Health Care Funding is the only major federal health- Guarantee Act of 2002, would Rep. Chris Smith, is chairman of care program that isn’t funded by provide a secure and stable sys- the House VA Committee.

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52 May 2003 The American Legion Magazine “When American troops were called to risk their lives for freedom, they didn’t say ‘you have to wait 14 months for me to fit it into my schedule,’ but that’s what many of our comrades are told by VA.” – National Commander Ronald F. Conley

They get it. They know the only way to protect you and this way of life is to kill or capture those who would kill us.” Senate Minority Leader Daschle, D-S.D., warned that na- tional security depends on fair treatment of veterans. “The men National Commander Ronald F. Conley discusses problems facing VA health care at the Legion’s Washington Conference. Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Harry Reid, D- and women in the military today Nev., joined him in a press conference following the legislative rally March 4. James V. Carroll and those considering joining the military are watching the way comes to the American flag and ists unless you have a knee on America treats its veterans. What all that it represents, we must their chest and a knife at their message does it send to them if fight and continue to stand to see throat and pray the positions are America breaks its promises to that it is never, ever desecrated. never reversed … As we go to our veterans? The last thing our With your support, lobbying and work for freedom and security, we troops in the Persian Gulf need to advocacy, we must see that that need to go to work for the flag that worry about is whether they can never happens.” brings our Constitution and com- depend on the government to Frist’s passion for Old Glory fort to our troops everywhere,” keep its promises if, God forbid, was matched by Medal-of-Honor Brady said. “If that flag is precious something happens to them.” recipient Patrick Brady, chairman enough to cover their coffins, it’s Daschle used the opportunity of the Citizens Flag Alliance. “As precious enough to be protected.” to drum up support for S.19, a bill our troops prepare to battle ene- The troops were also on the he introduced which would pro- mies of our Constitution overseas, mind of U.S. Army Vice Chief of vide full concurrent receipt and we need to go into battle with Staff Gen. Jack Keane, who briefed end the practice of deducting vet- this Congress. Some members Legionnaires about the war on ter- erans’disability compensation who support flag-burners have rorism. “This is the first time since from military pensions. “Our bill said that our troops are fighting World War II that we have says, ‘If you earned both, you get for the right to burn Old Glory. I deployed our soldiers directly on both, period,’” Daschle said. doubt that anyone would dare say behalf of the American people. Pelosi, D-Calif., said it’s unac- that to the face of our troops.” Every other time it’s been to help a ceptable that hundreds of Brady, a retired U.S. Army ma- beleaguered nation where some thousands of veterans wait six jor general, also took on the anti- thug has imposed his will on other months or longer each for VA ap- war movement. “There is no people. It’s always been a noble pointments. “These are not just greater threat to peace than the cause and our soldiers have numbers, these are men and simple-minded notion that there is always been brave and have done women who served their countries, no threat. Peace is the ultimate an outstanding job, but our and we will not tolerate these de- victory of the warrior, and the soldiers know what this is about. lays. We must take care of our vet- warrior pays the ultimate price for “This is about the American erans. In January, I opposed the peace, not the peace demonstrator. people. Our soldiers, sailors, air- administration’s abrupt cut-off of “You don’t negotiate with terror- men and Marines understand it. access to VA health care for

May 2003 53 The American Legion Magazine Newton, Franklin claim major Legion awards in Washington Entertainer fices of ordinary you is that what I have given is the Wayne Newton Americans who best I had to give, and it’s the part and photographer serve in our of me that I’m most proud.” Tom Franklin were nation’s armed Franklin, who works for The honored with forces. He leads Record newspaper in Bergen Coun- awards at The USO tours to per- ty, N.J., photographed three fire- American Legion’s form for deployed fighters raising the U.S. Flag over 43rd annual Wash- troops. In his per- the wreckage of the World Trade ington Conference. formances, he of- Center following the Sept. 11 at- Newton, known ten says something tacks. He received The American to fans as the positive about the Legion’s Spirit of America award. “King of Las Ve- Newton values of our great “Those firefighters, indeed our gas,” received the 2003 National nation and about the people who entire nation, fittingly looked to Commander’s Public Relations guard those values with their lives. Old Glory as a symbol of comfort award at the national Mr. Newton is a great entertainer and strength,” said Past National commander’s luncheon. and a great American.” Commander Richard J. Santos. “Wayne Newton is a king with “Receiving this award is a hum- “Mr. Franklin’s work is a snapshot the common touch,” National bling experience for me because of our national resolve and a mov- Commander Ronald F. Conley said. what I have given pales by com- ing tribute to the unifying symbol “He’s an extraordinary talent who parison to most everybody in this of our republic.” acknowledges publicly the sacri- room,” Newton said. “All I can tell – J.R.

164,000 veterans without service- great concerns about policies that ny J. Principi as a secretary for connected disabilities. The admin- he initiated. The problem lies at Veterans Affairs. “The American istration says this would apply only the footsteps of the city that Legion and VA are true partners,” to veterans who make too much you’re in, the Congress of the Principi said. “Partners and money. Under the administration’s United States. It’s up to you to friends may not always agree on definition, too much money means close the gap.” every issue, but they always work as little as $25,000 a year.” Although Conley voiced his dis- for a common goal. Washington is Conley described VA’s backlog satisfaction with the status quo, he a town of too much divisiveness as unfair. “When American troops was encouraged Ohio Legionnaire and bickering between parties, were called to risk their lives for Robert Ray was picked to serve on interest groups and individuals. freedom, they didn’t say ‘you the national VA CARES Commis- There has got to be a better way, have to wait 14 months for me to sion. “The American Legion is and I believe the partnership we fit it into my schedule,’ but that’s married to VA,” Conley said. “It is have sets an example of what the what many of our comrades are not a marriage that is going to end better way can accomplish.”
told by VA. The problem doesn’t in divorce but in ‘death do us part.’ lie at the footsteps of the VA sec- Neither needs to die.” John Raughter is editor of The retary, even though we have some Conley then introduced Antho- American Legion Magazine.

Murtha, Cunningham honored for their support of flag Two congressional champions of namese guards for making an der Ronald F. Conley. “They are the flag-protection amendment re- American flag. “I would say to wartime veterans and members of ceived The American Le- those … who think it’s OK The American Le- gion’s Distinguished Public to burn the American flag, gion. They support Service Award at the annual ‘Go to hell,’” Cunningham a strong national Washington Conference. said to rousing applause. defense. They have Reps. Randy “Duke” Murtha, a former Marine, an outstanding track Cunningham, R-Calif., and is the first Vietnam veteran record on veterans’ John Murtha, D-Pa., were to serve in Congress. “Any- issues. They also honored because their vot- one who has seen my house believe, as polls say ing records reflect a com- knows that I have a flag most Americans do, mitment to the principles of pole that’s 30 feet high with that the people, not Cunningham The American Legion. a light on it and an Ameri- the courts, should Murtha Cunningham, a Vietnam veteran can flag that flies 24 hours a day.” decide how our nation’s flag and former “Top Gun” instructor, “I can’t say enough good things should be treated; the people recalled how an American POW about Reps. Cunningham and clearly want our flag protected.” was beaten repeatedly by his Viet- Murtha,” said National Comman- – J.R.

54 May 2003 The American Legion Magazine big issues U.S. Postal Service privatization Rep. Philip Crane Rep. Danny K. Davis SUPPORT R-Ill. D-Ill. OPPOSE The U.S. Postal Service is in I would suspect that our dire straits. Financially, it is op- founding fathers, especially first erating in the red with a debt Postmaster General Benjamin of $13 billion and liabilities up Franklin, would oppose privati- to $80 billion. Last year, the zation of the U.S. Postal postal service reported a rev- Service. The founders saw that enue deficit of $1.68 billion a national mail system was a and is projected to report a fundamental function of gov- deficit of $1.5 billion by the ernment, and they empowered end of this year. Congress, in the U.S. Constitu- Mail volume is decreasing. In 2002, the service tion, “to establish Post Offices.” is expected to experience a drop of 6 billion pieces Our postal system ensures universal service. from the amount reported in 2001. With the This means all individuals can send and receive increased use of e-mail and other advances in mail for the same price and at the same delivery fre- communication, decreasing mail volume will con- quency, whether they live in a city like Chicago or in tinue to plague the a rural area in Arkansas. I want to see the postal service. The United States of Let’s not confuse In response to this the late 1700s was mail delivered in a problem, Congress urged markedly different than the need for reform businesslike the U.S. Postal Service to the United States of the with privatization. develop the USPS’s 21st century. Changes are manner. Transformation Plan. Un- needed in our postal system. However, let’s not der the plan, the service confuse the need for reform with privatization. will change from an “independent government enti- I am perplexed by calls to privatize government ty” that delivers mail in a “businesslike manner” to functions, as though privatization is some kind of a “government-owned enterprise” that delivers mail panacea related to efficiency and effectiveness. in a “more businesslike manner.” Since Sept. 11, the people of this great country see How is that transformation? federal employees, especially U.S. Postal Service Like the U.S. Postal Service, I want to see mail letter carriers – and all postal employees – in a new delivered in a businesslike manner. But why not light. Following the terrorist attacks, the American take it a step further and privatize it? people knew they could count on the men and My legislation would privatize the postal service women of the postal service to continue to deliver by transferring its assets to its employees through billions of pieces of mail. an employee stock-ownership program. As stock- Conversely, the layers of the onion have been holders, postal employees would directly reap the peeled back on the private sector. What has been benefits of efficient and affordable service as well as exposed has not been pretty. Efforts to privatize the receive incentives to develop new services to meet operation of public schools in several jurisdictions, consumer needs. Under my bill, employees would for example, have met with failure. have five years to complete the transition, after The USPS is not living in the past. It released a which any business could deliver any class of mail. comprehensive transformation plan of short- and In addition to increased productivity, privatiza- long-term changes deemed necessary for its continued tion has other benefits. viability. Boosted by a dedicated workforce, the USPS For example, service would be subject to the same continues to provide efficient mail service at reason- laws that regulate private companies, including con- able prices, using the highest available technology. sumer protection and truth in advertising. In addi- However, we need postal reform. The USPS is op- tion, a privatized postal erating under legislation service could generate up that is more than 30 years to $3 billion in state and YOUR OPINIONS COUNT old. The postal service local tax revenue. Senators and representatives are interested in needs flexibility in order Privatization is the constituent viewpoints. You may express your views to maintain universal answer to saving the U.S. in writing at the following addresses: service and to sustain its Postal Service. It is the The Honorable (name) The Honorable (name) viability in the market best way to put govern- U.S. Senate House of Representatives place. Congress and the ment resources to their Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 president should provide most efficient and Phone: (202) 224-3121 Phone: (202) 225-3121 the postal service with the responsible use. tools it needs for reform.

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Terrorism 101 ical freedom, privilege and prop- What are college textbooks erty they think persecution has teaching American students denied them,” which begs the about terrorism? That’s the ques- question: what political freedom, tion Franklin and Marshall pro- privilege or property did the U.S. fessor Stanley Michalak sought to Embassy staff deny the Ayatol- answer in a recent essay for the lah’s followers in 1979? Likewise, Foreign Policy Research Institute. what did the victims of Sept. 11 In the wake of Sept. 11 and the deny bin Laden in 2001? global war it unleashed, the answers are both “From reading these texts,” Michalak concludes, sobering and worrisome. “it is not even clear whether terrorism is a signifi- In his survey of 10 major textbooks, Michalak cant problem.” But those books that do make such found a mix of “sloppy definitions,” warmed-over a conclusion offer solutions that range from the myths and moral relativism. For example, one text obvious to the laughable. One author advises argues that “killing civilians with a bomb dropped world leaders to “avoid wars (and) avoid making on a building … is no different than killing civilians enemies.” Another urges the reader to understand by planting a bomb in a building.” Never mind the the motivations of terrorists: “It is often the only motives or objectives. Another textbook defines ter- way open to them.” rorism as “the use of violence to achieve a political Given these texts, perhaps our best hope is that objective.” By that definition, every war ever fought college students will live up to their reputations – no matter how just – was an act of terrorism. Still and leave the books on the shelf. another tells us that “terrorist groups seek the polit- – A.W.D.

The cost of war Not including the war in Iraq or the domestic costs of homeland security, America has spent $28 billion on the global war on terrorism. These costs are certain to rise, especially when new operations in the Philippines and continuing op- erations in the Middle East and Afghanistan are included. In fact, a recent analysis by the British newspaper The Guardian noted that congressional officials estimate that deployment costs for a war in Iraq could approach $13 billion. The war itself could end up costing $60 billion to $100 bil- lion. Of course, we should keep these costs in perspective. Hudson Institute’s William Odom remind- A Colombian police officer stands guard over 1,200 seized kilograms of cocaine. Corbis ed a New York Times interviewer, “At the height of the Cold War, we Deeper in Colombia In addition, Washington wants used to spend 7.2 percent of GDP U.S. Special Forces have been U.S. troops to help the Colombian on defense and intelligence. We training Colombian troops in an army protect an oil pipeline critical spend less than half that now.” ongoing war with narco-terrorists, to the nation’s economy from sab- Moreover, all of the war’s costs but U.S. forces are not yet cleared otage. According to The Washing- must be weighed against the cost to participate in combat oper- ton Post, guerillas “blew up the of doing nothing and hoping Sad- ations. However, after a U.S. citi- pipeline 170 times in 2001.” The dam Hussein, Kim Jong-Il, al-Qai- zen was killed execution-style and number of bombings dropped da and their ilk will just go away. others were held by heavily armed to 42 in 2002. As we learned on Sept. 11, we can rebels, the White House has au- It may only be a matter of either pay these costs with tax dol- thorized elements of the military time before American troops are lars and troops – or we can pay to conduct search-and-rescue op- drawn directly into the Colombian them with our cities and civilians. erations. civil war. – Alan W. Dowd

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I also noticed I was starting 1-800-539-1643 to experience an increased libido.” BONUS SPECIAL REPORT Stan – Wilton, ND “Aging and Its Effects on Energy, Youthful Sex Drive INDIVIDUAL RESULTS WILL VARY. THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION and Stamina” by Dr. Richard Cohen AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. AMP, 90 BRIDGE STREET, WESTBROOK, ME living well Alternative therapies in using vitamins and supple- Herbs and ments to boost health. Memorial Sloan-Ket- supplements gain tering Cancer Center has launched a new popularity amid Web site, Mskcc.org/ aboutherbs, debate on where patients can learn effectiveness. more about herbs, BY TARA PARKER-POPE botanicals and other supple- Makers of herbs and supple- ments. The site explains benefits ments promise a range of health and side effects and contains links benefits, from slowed aging and to scientific research. Anyone tak- cancer prevention to boosted ing a supplement also should libidos and better sleep. But are check the site to learn how the these claims backed by science, or product they desire might interact Comstock are they just marketing hype? with other drugs. For years it’s been tough to fig- For instance, anyone interested that it reduces the risk of heart ure out. Part of the problem is that in the popular supplement SAM-e, attack or stroke, but many nutri- few supplements have been ade- often used to treat depression and tionists believe flaxseed products quately studied, and many studies arthritis, would learn the supple- are one way to increase the are flawed. But a handful of new ment can cause problems if taken amount of healthy omega-3 fats in sources are shedding light on the with popular antidepressants or the daily diet. murky world of supplements and anxiety drugs. Finally, because the makers of pointing consumers toward the “These substances contain ac- herbs and supplements don’t have products with the most science tive agents that can be very help- to adhere to the same standards as behind them. ful to patients,” says Barrie Cas- drugmakers, it can sometimes be The American Dietetic Associa- sileth, Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s difficult to tell if you’re getting a tion has published “The Health chief of integrative medicine. “By reliable product. Professional’s Guide to Popular the same token, however, they The Mayo Clinic suggests con- Dietary Supplements,” a book that have the potential to cause harm.” sumers buy only single-herb prod- is far more consumer-friendly and Cassileth points out that the ucts rather than combinations of useful than its name suggests. supplement St. John’s Wort can herbs, which may not contain all The book lists supplements al- interfere with the liver’s ability to the ingredients promised. The clin- phabetically and includes a list of process major medications, ic has more advice about buying the purported benefits as well as including chemotherapy. At the herbs and vitamin supplements at what science has shown so far. same time, the herb may be a the food and nutrition center found The book also points to foods that good option for patients suffering on its Web site, Mayoclinic.com. can be eaten to receive the bene- mild depression. fits of particular vitamins or herbs. Other supplements are worth a Tara Parker-Pope is an author and One of the most helpful parts of second look. Early evidence shows health writer for The Wall Street the book is the appendix. It lists that glucosamine may improve Journal. various categories such as aging, symptoms of osteoarthritis and insomnia, cancer prevention and possibly be as effective as anti- Living Well is designed to provide arthritis, followed by a inflammatory drugs. general information. It is not comprehensive list of the supple- Another popular supplement, intended to be, nor is it, medical ments and vitamins that make flaxseed, promises to reduce risk advice. Readers should consult their claims in that area. It is an essen- of heart disease, stroke and can- physicians when they have health tial resource for anyone interested cer. Evidence does not suggest problems.

60 May 2003 The American Legion Magazine living well Dark side of the sun

black, brown and tan; spots of Unusual skin white, gray, red, pink or blue. Protection is the p Diameter – a change in size changes could (usually bigger); most melanomas best medicine are larger than a pencil eraser. Even if you’ve had severe sunburns during your life, it’s not too late to mean cancer. start taking better care of your skin. Treating a suspicious mole is Wearing sunblock is a good start, but BY DR. NELDA P.WRAY usually limited to cutting out affect- examining yourself and discussing ed tissue along with a small skin cancer with your doctor also are important. Here are some tips that If you ever spent significant time amount of healthy tissue surround- can help you protect your skin: in the sun, even if it was 50 years ing it, but surgery alone is not al- ago, you should be concerned ways effective. If the melanoma has • Examine your skin frequently. about your risk of developing spread into the bone or throughout Knowing your moles will help you melanoma – a skin cancer strongly the body in its lymphatic fluids, recognize minor changes that might be skin cancer. associated with solar exposure. doctors may use radiation or • Remember your ABCDs: asymmetry, Melanoma develops in pigment chemotherapy to kill cancer cells border, color and diameter. cells – usually in the skin, but that remain after surgery. • Use a sunscreen (SPF 15-30 or also in the eye and other areas. It higher), especially on children and anyone with fair skin, freckles or can take years, even decades after Vulnerability to Melanoma. Older red hair. a sunburn, to develop. The Ameri- white men are particularly vulner- • Watch out for the sun even on can Cancer Society reports that able to melanoma, but the Nation- cloudy days and especially on snow, melanoma accounts for only 5 al Cancer Institute says being where you get almost twice as much sun exposure as on dry land. percent of all skin-cancer cases young, dark-skinned or female is • Schedule regular full-body skin but about 80 percent of all skin- no guarantee of safety. Melanoma examinations with your doctor. cancer deaths. is one of the most common can- • If you suspect that you have been About 53,000 new melanoma cers in young adults, and although misdiagnosed, see a dermatologist cases are discovered in the United it is particularly rare among dark- for a second opinion. States each year, usually because skinned people, it can develop un- of detection of minor changes in der the fingernails and toenails, ordinary moles. Early detection of and on the palms and soles. no standardized guidelines exist such changes is the Among fair- prioritizing who gets screened or key to survival. skinned women, how often. melanoma tends to Miller’s research calls for pri- Easy as ABCD. The develop on the mary-care physicians to carefully ABCD checklist is a lower legs. Among examine all men older than 50 for widely used men, it’s more abnormal moles. Swetter and col- reminder to help commonly an up- leagues screened 374 high-risk vet- people tell the dif- per-body erans through self-assessment sur- ference between an condition. veys and examinations by derma- ordinary mole and a Researcher Don- tologists. They examined those sign of melanoma. ald Miller, VA Med- with suspicious moles more close- If a mole falls into ical Center in Bed- ly and found 21 participants had one or more of ford, Mass., notes skin cancer. Both studies found it these categories, that many veterans important for older male veterans especially if it has are older white to be examined for signs of changed, have a males and are par- melanoma. doctor examine it. ticularly suscepti- p Asymmetry – ble to melanoma. Dr. Nelda P. Wray is chief research when one half of Miller and Susan and development officer for the the mole is shaped Swetter of the Palo Veterans Health Administration. differently from the Alto VA Health other. Care System have Living Well is designed to provide p Border – ragged, published studies general information. It is not in- notched or blurry stressing the im- tended to be, nor is it, medical ad- edges. portance of screen- vice. Readers should consult their p Color – uneven ing high-risk popu- personal physicians when they color; shades of lations. Currently, have health problems.

May 2003 61 The American Legion Magazine comrades

How to Submit a Reunion contact name, address, telephone number and e-mail address. Send The American Legion Magazine publishes reunion notices for vet- notices to The American Legion Magazine, Attn: Comrades Editor, erans. Send notices to The American Legion Magazine, Attn: Com- P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206, fax (317) 630-1280 or e-mail rades Editor, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206, fax (317) 630- [email protected]. The magazine will not publish the names of indi- 1280 or e-mail [email protected]. viduals, only the name of the unit from which you seek people. Listings Include the branch of service and complete name of the group, no are published free of charge. abbreviations, with your request. The listing also should include the Life Membership notices are published for Legionnaires who have reunion dates and city, along with a contact name, telephone number been awarded life memberships by their posts. This does not include a and e-mail address. Listings are published free of charge. member’s own Paid-Up-For-Life membership. Notices must be submitted Due to the large number of reunions, The American Legion Maga- on official forms, which may be obtained by sending a self-addressed zine will publish a group’s listing only once a year. Notices should be stamped envelope to The American Legion Magazine, Attn: Life Mem- sent at least six months prior to the reunion to ensure timely publication. berships, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206. “Comrades in Distress” listings must be approved by the Legion’s Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation division. If you are seeking to verify an Other Notices injury received during service, contact your Legion department service “In Search Of” is a means of getting in touch with people from your officer for information on how to publish a notice. unit to plan a reunion. Listings must include the name of the unit from “Taps” notices are published only for Legionnaires who served as which you seek people, the time period and the location, as well as a department commanders or national officers.

AIR FORCE (Vietnam), Cleveland, Dan Gilloti, (440) 934-1750, 83rd Arty, Frankfurt, Germany, 9/28-10/10, Al [email protected]; 1st Cav 82nd FA Bn, Schuller, (916) 990-0508, [email protected]; 84th 4th Ftr Grp Assn, Addison, TX, 10/16-19, Scott Lafayette, IN, 6/12-14, Alva Snider, (765) 762-2032, Eng Bn Const, St. Louis, 7/20-22, Richard Sharp, Perdue, (817) 512-4568, [email protected]; [email protected]; 1st Cav Div Assn, Killeen, (314) 821-8640, [email protected]; 90th Chem 5th AF 8th Ftr Grp Assn 33rd, 35th, 36th & 80th TX, 6/11-15, Dennis E. Webster, (254) 547-6537; 3rd Mortar Bn, York, PA, 9/21-25, Charles Petron, (717) HQ 8th Ftr Cnt & All Support Units, Branson, MO, Bn 7th Inf Div 199th LIB (Vietnam, 1968-1969), 741-2741; 96th Inf Div “Deadeyes,” Tulsa, OK, 7/23- 10/2-4, John Mark, (847) 678-5075, onmarkp51@aol. Reno, NV, 7/16-20, Tony Lato, (702) 361-7208, 26, Steve Melnyk, (313) 271-5778; 101st Abn Div, com; 5th Cbt Comm Grp 5th MOB, Warner Robins, [email protected]; 3rd Med Dispensary (Germany, Reno, NV, 8/12-18, Resty Habon, (916) 688-3003, GA, 5/23-25, Richard Gillis, (478) 922-1377, rtgillis@ 1953-1955) San Francisco, Sept, Alvan St. Jacques, [email protected]; 104th Timberwolf Inf Div, Costa cox.net; 13th AF (All Units), Des Moines, IA, 9/9-13, (518) 842-8115, [email protected]; 3rd Port, Fort Mesa, CA, 8/25-9/1, Glen Lytle, (316) 636-5334, Phil Dyer, (231) 843-9597; 13th Bomb Sqdn, St. Eustis, VA, 5/16-18, Pete Ostrowski, (757) 878-2627; [email protected]; 106th Inf Div, Cincinnati, 9/10-15, Louis, 9/17-21, Bill Madison, (425) 337-8130, 4th Abn Ranger Co, Cruise, 11/3-8, Ed McDonough, Marion Ray, (618) 377-3674, raybugleboy@ [email protected]; 30th SSDS, Sandusky, OH, (609) 889-1211, [email protected]; 4th Emerg charter.net; 125th AAA Gun Bn (WWII), Columbus, 9/4-6, Robert Denbo, (513) 932-5436, rdenbo@your- Rescue Sqdn, St. Louis, 9/17-21, Chet Gunn, (781) OH, July, Bud Vollmer, (614) 866-2574; 126th AAA net.com; 43rd Bomb Grp (H) 63rd, 64th, 65th & 944-6616, [email protected]; 8th FA Obsn Bn, Gun Bn (ETO), Frankenmuth, MI, 6/20-21, Henry 403rd Sqdns 5th AF, Corpus Christi, TX, 10/6-12, Sarasota, FL, 9/26-28, Clarence Anderson, (580) 479- Smith, (810) 664-6389, [email protected]; 148th Max Axelson, (210) 681-4581; 44th Air Refueling 3272, [email protected]; 10th Armd “Tiger” Div, Inf Rgt, Camp Perry, OH, 8/22-23, Bruce Eberly, Sqdn (SAC), Kitty Hawk, NC, 9/2-6, Roger Meekins, Nashville, TN, 8/29-31, Tom Bubin, (269) 342-0115, (937) 773-8625, [email protected]; 163rd Inf (252) 473-5288, [email protected]; [email protected]; 11th AAA AW Bn SP, Assn (MT Chpt), Helena, MT, 9/12-14, LeRoy 62nd Troop Carrier Grp 4th, 7th, 8th, 51st & HQ Sioux Falls, SD, 8/21-24, Ed Lamers, (605) 694-2788, Michalson, (406) 442-1147 Sqdns (WWII), Baltimore, 9/24-27, Andrew [email protected] Tagnanelli, (717) 770-2037, [email protected] 189th AHC 604th Trans Det 519th Med Det 6th Sig 14th Cbt Eng Bn, Branson, MO, 9/11-13, Stanley Det, Atlanta, 10/2-5, Gerry Sandlin, (256) 737-0859, 90th Strat Recon Wing (SAC), Branson, MO, 11/5-9, Schwartz, (859) 498-4567, [email protected]; 15th [email protected]; 238th Eng Cbt Bn, Chuck Hale, (785) 865-5794, chuckhale@earthlink. Cbt Eng Bn, Springfield, MO, 7/3-6, Don Anderson, Hickory, NC, 7/16-20, Jesse Miller, jmj756@msn. net; 126th Bomb Wing (France), Branson, MO, (281) 373-5838, [email protected]; 20th Coast Arty com; 264th FA Bn (WWII), Cincinnati, 9/5-7, Bob 10/3-6, Gene Westerman, (847) 742-8711, Harbour Def, Corydon, IN, 8/16-17, Cecil Fravel, Latz, (330) 493-4657, [email protected]; 299th [email protected]; 305th Bomb Grp Memorial (812) 738-2623; 20th Eng Bde (Vietnam), Fort Cbt Eng (Vietnam, 1969), Niagara Falls, NY, Guy Assn, Louisville, KY, 9/16-21, John Butler, (203) 795- Leonard Wood, MO, 7/24-27, Jerry Manint, (217) 678- Karo, (920) 458-5790, [email protected]; 304th 3020; 379th Trans Co 36th Bn (Fort Bragg, NC, 8159, [email protected]; 24th Inf Div, Tucson, AZ, Sig Opns Bn (WWII), St. Charles, MO, 10/28-30, Mar 1960-Sept 1961), Clyde Westmoreland, (931) 9/17-20, Wally Kuhner, (843) 766-8890; 28th Inf Div Wayne Mueller, (248) 680-1948, [email protected]; 381-4083, [email protected]; 459th Bomb Grp 15th 109th Rgt, Portland, OR, 9/10-14, Jordan Stockton, 313th Inf Assn 79th Cross of Lorraine Div, New AF (WWII), Las Vegas, 9/18-21, Harold Sanders, (503) 466-0780, [email protected]; 32nd Inf Rgt Orleans, 7/15-20, Joseph Napoli, (410) 668-8469; (661) 250-2115; 461st Bomb Wing B-52/K-135 “The Queen’s Own,” Branson, MO, 9/7-10, Helen 321st Sig Bn, Amana, IA, 8/14-16, Charles Gartzke, 4128th Strat Wing (SAC, Amarillo AFB), Dyckson, (352) 597-5912, [email protected]; (319) 828-4338; 335th Radio Research Co ASA Shreveport, LA, 10/22-25, Bill Davies, (501) 225-2400, 33rd Inf Div, Orlando, FL, 9/18-20, Bill Endicott, (Vietnam, 1967-1972), Las Vegas, 7/17-20, Ron [email protected]; 799th AC&W Radar Sqdn, (425) 741-3549, [email protected]; 39th Cbt Palfrey, (919) 845-8972, [email protected]; 356th Joelton, TN, 8/22-23, Jerry Swanson, (805) 544-0909, Eng Rgt (WWII), Jefferson City, MO, 8/29-31, Stanley AAA Searchlight Bn (WWII), Galveston, TX, 10/2-4, [email protected]; 1381st GS Sqdn, Gasawski, (618) 397-3925; 40th Inf Div 40th MP Co Elmer Peters, (712) 659-3684; 398th AAA AW Bn Cheyenne, WI, 8/15-17, Mike Daronco, ldjuly@aol. (Korea), Branson, MO, 5/18-20, Innis Wood, (804) (Korea), Branson, MO, 11/9-12, Arlie Schemmer, com; 3610th A&E Sqdn, Harlingen, TX, 9/11-13, 580-3001; 40th Inf Div 160th Rgt E Co, Columbus, (636) 228-4474 Jack Katchmarik, (816) 444-4716, popskc_36@ NE, 8/22-24, Paul Swartz, (724) 662-2269, yahoo.com [email protected] 413th/523nd Army Ord, Nashville, TN, 8/8-10, Ralph Pickering, (419) 629-3997; 434th Ftr Sqdn 479th Ftr 6461st & 21st TCS “Kyushu Gypsy” (Japan & 43rd Inf Div 169th Rgt 2nd Bn H Co (1950-1952), Grp, Grand Forks, ND, 10/1-4, Kermit Brickson, (218) Korea), Charleston, SC, 10/22-25, Richard Grimm, Windsor Locks, CT, 9/26-28, Ed Jarsen, (860) 644- 891-4265, [email protected]; 450th Bomb Grp, (803) 431-9402, [email protected]; 6924th Sec 0805; 52nd Armd Inf Bn, Baltimore, 6/12-14, Lester Oklahoma City, 10/9-12, Al Goodman, (847) 543- Sqdn (USAFSS Da Nang, Ramasun), Branson, MO, Grover, (815) 495-9364; 53rd/1st Avn Det “Guns-A- 8381, [email protected]; 467th Bombardment Grp 7/22-25, (618) 566-7887, [email protected]; Go-Go,” Huntsville, AL, 6/14-16, Frank White, (336) (Heavy) 2nd Air Div 8th AF (Europe, 1944-1945), AC-119 Gunship Assn, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 10/3- 498-8972, [email protected]; 55th Ftr Grp 442nd San Antonio, 9/24-28, Ralph Davis, (937) 426-2988, 5, Gus Sininger, (850) 654-0212, [email protected]; ASG, Omaha, NE, 5/14-18, Don Gifford, (402) 727- [email protected]; 504th AAA (All Btrys), AF Photomapping Assn, Nashville, TN, 10/1-5, 5755, [email protected]; 63rd Inf “Blood & Akron, OH, 10/16-19, D. Schmip, (330) 336-5816; Dwayne Flatt, (731) 427-7783, [email protected]; Fire” Div, Columbus, OH, 8/13-17, Leonard 533rd Eng & Boat & Shore Rgt, Asheville, NC, 9/9- Berlin Airlift Vets Assn (1948-1949), Tucson, AZ, Zimmerman, (517) 321-2950; 64th Troop Carrier 12, Steve Pentek, (561) 748-9896; 635th TD Bn, 9/26-29, J.W. Studak, (512) 452-0903; Burtonwood Grp, Traverse City, MI, Oct, Aldy Glauch, (231) 946- Topeka, KS, 9/27, Bill R. Davies, (816) 452-5095, AFB (Warrington, England), Nashville, TN, 10/14- 1313; 65th Armd FA Bn, Minneapolis, 8/20-24, [email protected]; 709th MP Bn, Covington, KY, 18, Richard Iwanowski, (773) 767-1810; GEEI Mobile Wallace Eckdahl, (952) 929-4078, [email protected]; 9/4-7, Gene Jordening, (662) 893-2735, 17287285@ Depot Activity EI, Oklahoma City, 9/12-14, Jim 70th Heavy Tank Bn Armor Assn, Radcliff, KY, 9/11- bellsouth.net; 726th Amph Tract Bn, Barboursville, Street, (405) 733-5041, [email protected]; Red 13, Ashley Anderson, (317) 861-4124; 71st Inf Div WV, 9/26-27, E.A. Mills, (304) 525-7537; 748th Horse Sqdns, Lake George, NY, 6/20-22, Jim Riley, 5th, 14th & 66th Inf Rgts Cav Recon Trp Sig Corps Railway Operating Bn, Tampa, FL, 10/2-4, Bernard (518) 872-0718, [email protected]; Sampson Med & Arty Units, Charleston, SC, 9/3-7, Mason Messer, (813) 685-3998, bernmar@mymailstation. AFB Vets Fellowship (New York), Burlington, VT, Dorsey, (704) 552-0366, [email protected]; com; 757th Tank Bn (WWII), Billings, MT, 8/28-30, 9/21-25, Walt Steesy, (607) 532-4204, samafbvet@ 73rd AAA AW Bn (SP), Branson, MO, 9/24-27, Harry Fredolin Rottler, (573) 883-3604; 841st Eng Avn Bn aol.com; Texas Towers, Daytona Beach, FL, 10/23- Walters, (574) 255-4471, [email protected]; (WWII & Korea), Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/8-12, Jack 26, Ken Taylor, (719) 392-6952, [email protected] 76th Inf Div, Charlotte, NC, 9/4-7, Bob Donahoe, Murphy, (239) 997-9940; 926th Sig Bn Sep Tact Air (508) 240-1201, [email protected]; 77th Ord Cmd (WWII), San Antonio, 8/7-9, Carl Threadgill, ARMY Depot Co, Albuquerque, NM, 10/1-5, Lowell Medin, (254) 662-0760, [email protected]; 8605th AAU (847) 359-4194, [email protected]; 79th Inf Div 5th ASA FS Det 5 2nd Sig Svc Bn, Charleston, SC, 1st AAA AW Bn, Branson, MO, 9/17-19, Lester 315th Inf Rgt (WWII), Rosemont, IL, 8/28-30, Les 9/4-7, George Akerhielm, (315) 682-9460, gjaker@ Kenfield, (717) 939-4621; 1st Bn 30th FA Rgt Brantingham, (269) 657-3078, [email protected]; juno.com; A Btry 44th FA Bn 4th “Ivy” Div

62 May 2003 The American Legion Magazine Versatile New DR® FIELD (Germany, 1953-1956), Evansville, IN, 10/17-18, Larry McCullough, (419) 456-3216, hemc@bright. net; B Co 9th AIB 6th Armd Div, Cleveland, 7/24-27, Glenn Bleman, (440) 969-1566; C Btry 793rd FA Bn and BRUSH MOWER… 7th Army (Ansbach, Germany, Hindenburg, Kaserne, Mar 1952-Sept 1954), Richard W. Conley, cuts down and chops up tall, wiry field grasses (724) 866-7119, [email protected]; Cbt Infantrymens Assn, Harrisburg, PA, 10/9-12, Ed Zebrowski, (860) —even 2-1/2"-thick hardwood saplings! 793-0728, [email protected]; Constabulary Assn, CONVERTS in seconds Killeen, TX, 9/23-26, Don Worrall, (254) 547-1691, • RECLAIMS meadows, roadsides, fencelines, without tools to a — [email protected]; Delta 4th Bn 31st Inf 196th LIB, Branson, MO, 7/31-8/2, Vance A. Van Wieren, (269) trails, pond edges, and woodlots...any area Pro-Style 543-3661, [email protected]; HQ & HQ Det 23rd too overgrown for ordinary mowers! LAWN MOWER... QM Grp (1951-1954), Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/7-11, Donald Reid, (864) 859-1745, [email protected]; • PIVOTING MOWER DECK follows the Merrill’s Marauder Assn, Columbus, GA, 8/8-10, ground without scalping. MULCHES most Ray Lyons, (602) 996-4176; Tank Co 86th Inf Rgt 10th Div (1955-1957), Minneapolis, 9/22-25, Charles vegetation into small pieces — so there’s Epple, (612) 824-0042; US Disciplinary Barracks, nothing to trip over or pick up. Powerful SNOW Fort Leavenworth, KS, 8/8-10, Diana Vandevelde, THROWER... [email protected] • 4-SPEEDS, POWER-REVERSE! 11 to 17 HP with and without electric-starting! COAST GUARD USCGC Eastwind WAGB 279, Boston, 5/23-26, LeRoy • LOADED WITH NEW FEATURES and Grant, (508) 668-2417, [email protected]; options — built-in fuel gauge, hour DOZER and USCGC Winona, WPG/WHEC 65, Port Angeles, WA, meter, light, brakes! DOZER and 9/12-14, Cliff Rocheleau, (360) 582-0925, roch@ more! olypen.com; USS Hurst DE 250, Cruise, Oct, Don Mercereau, (941) 497-3071, [email protected]; MADE IN USA USS Lowe DE 325 (WWII), Williamsburg, VA, 9/15-18, GSA Approved 1-800-548-7100 Tom Taylor, (410) 335-5598; USS Menges DE 320, Denver, 9/14-18, Robert Babcock, (307) 235-6248, YES! Please send me your FREE Catalog and Video about the [email protected]; USS Princeton CG 59, San new DR® FIELD and BRUSH MOWER, including models, pow- Diego, 9/5-7, Bob Neumeyer, (619) 461-4344, ered attachments, and factory direct savings now in effect. [email protected] Name ______AML JOINT Address ______Berlin Airlift Vets Assn, Tucson, AZ, 9/26-29, Lewis City______State ______ZIP______Whipple, (318) 965-9860, [email protected]; PBY Catalina Internat’l Assn, Arlington, VA, 8/28-9/2, E-mail______© 2002 CHP, Inc. Don Mortimer, (631) 298-2685, pbydon@optonline. 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NAVY USS Cromwell DE 1014, USS Dealey DE 1006, USS Kilauae AE 26, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph USS John Willis DE 1027, USS Van Voorhis DE Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; USS 11th NCB (WWII), York, PA, 10/2-4, Robert 1028, USS Lester DE 1022, USS Hartley DE Kiska AE 35, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, Munich, (636) 240-3505; 31st NCB, Branson, MO, 1029, USS Joseph K. Taussig DE 1030, USS (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; USS 10/2-10/5, Jane Foster, (928) 537-9294, Courtney DE 1021, USS Hammerberg DE 1015 Lackawanna AO 40, Kansas City, MO, 9/28-10/3, [email protected]; 64th NCB (WWII), Nashville, “The Newport Dealeys,” Lancaster, PA, 10/2-5, Linus Hawkins, (337) 824-3048, [email protected]; TN, 9/11-14, David Johnson, (931) 379-3619; 71st Bob Kitchen, (215) 698-1858, [email protected]; USS Lake Champlain CV/CVA/CVS 39, Cocoa Seabee Assn, Louisville, KY, 6/18-21, Fred Balke, USS Crux AK 115, Myrtle Beach, SC, 11/9-12, Beach, FL, 10/23-26, Eugene Carroll, (607) 532- (502) 241-4160; ACORN 34, Branson, MO, 9/24-29, Wilton Price, (919) 365-5926; USS Dace SSN 4735, [email protected]; USS Lassen AE Keith Malcom, (360) 832-4531; ACORN 52, 247/607, New London, CT, 10/10-12, Dick Geiler, 3, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, Charlotte, NC, 10/5-10, Ralph Snyder, (217) 698- (860) 889-2846, [email protected]; USS Detroit [email protected]; USS Lavallette DD 448, 9122; Antarctic Support Activ Det Alfa (1969- AOE 4, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436- Charleston, SC, 9/3-7, Fred Lampe, (828) 459- 1970), St. Louis, 6/6-8, Dale Cockrill, (770) 387- 6814, [email protected]; USS Diamondbead AE 1744, [email protected]; USS Lloyd Thomas 2270, [email protected]; Avn Repair & 19, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436- DD/DDE 764, Annapolis, MD, 4/25-29, Robert Overhaul Units 1,2,3,4,5 & Navy 140, Sheboygan, 6814, [email protected]; USS Drew APA 162, Scherrer, (757) 467-6270, [email protected]; WI, 9/10-12, Charles Roska, (920) 467-9066, Rapid City, SD, 9/29-30, Gerald Anderson, (307) USS LST 384, Emporia, KS, 9/17-22, Norman [email protected]; CASU (F) 56, Belleville, MI, 856-2930, [email protected]; USS Edgar G. Morray, (620) 342-1838, [email protected]; 9/18-21, Walter Ask, (507) 932-3545, mnclown- Chase DE 16, Albany, NY, 10/9-12, Elmo Allen, USS LST 907, Rochester, NY, 9/25-28, Shirl [email protected]; Farragut NTS, Oelwein, IA, 5/17, (601) 956-7255; USS Ernest G. Small DD/DDR Reinhart, (585) 586-3402, [email protected] Lou Pirillo, (319) 283-1513; NAF Washington 838, Colorado Springs, CO, 9/4-7, Delbert (1967-1972), Dayton, OH, 8/1-3, C.J. Pendleton, Felisiano, (559) 275-0433, [email protected] USS LST 1153, Virginia Beach, VA, 10/17-18, (419) 658-2984; Navy Nuclear Weapons Assn, Milevoy Kotay, (717) 273-6389, [email protected]; Branson, MO, 10/9-12, Paulette Picoult, (918) 426- USS Emmons DD 457/DMS 22, Charleston, SC, USS Lyman K. Swenson, DD 729, Boston, 8/28- 5904, [email protected] 10/22-26, Ed Hoffman, (336) 764-4933, 31, Don Snider, (619) 421-3651, dd729secretary@ [email protected]; USS Essex AG 83, cox.net; USS Madison DD 425, Gulf Shores, AL, NAMRU 2 (WWII), Gainesville, FL, 10/10-12, Baltimore, 9/25-27, John Larkin, (410) 647-4967, 9/21-25, George Vickers, (334) 874-8188; USS Chuck Davison, (815) 756-2618; NSA/NSF [email protected]; USS Eunice PCD 846, Maryland BB 46, Florence, KY, 10/2-6, Dick (Vietnam), San Diego, 10/10-12, Robert Woolner, New Orleans, 6/19-22, Harry Kalbach, (641) 524- Beaman, (831) 722-4966, [email protected]; USS (661) 251-8813, [email protected]; ODIN Grp 2811, [email protected]; USS Everett F. Mauna Kea AE 22, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph (WWII), Belleville, MI, 9/18-21, Walter Ask, (507) Larson DD/DDR 830, Reno, NV, 10/5-9, Al Pierre, Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected] ; USS 932-3545, [email protected]; Orphans of (775) 423-6775; USS Fargo CL 106, Charleston, Mauna Loa AE 8, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, the Pacific, Rapid City, SD, 9/8-11, Robbie SC, Oct, Fred Huntington, (757) 499-5076, (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; USS Mazama Roberts, (352) 787-0968, [email protected]; [email protected]; USS Firedrake AE AE 9, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436- Parachute Rigger Assn, San Diego, (858) 566- 14, Toledo, OH, 9/3-8, Jim Smith, (419) 782-4439, 6814, [email protected]; USS McCandless DE/FF 0596, [email protected]; PATSU 1-2, Belleville, [email protected]; USS Firedrake AE 14, 1084, Norfolk, VA, 8/7-10, William Fanelli, (386) MI, 9/18-21, Walter Ask, (507) 932-3545, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, 767-5147, [email protected]; USS Memphis [email protected]; Seabee Vets of [email protected]; USS Flint AE 32, Milwaukee, CL 13, Corning, NY, 9/18-20, Bob Brown, (276) America, Adamstown, PA, 10/4, Joseph Tack, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, randlgaul@ 623-1626, [email protected]; USS Mississinewa (215) 275-0044, [email protected]; SLCU 36 pa.net; USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT 59, Virginia AO 59, Providence, RI, 7/23-27, Mike Mair, (608) Boat Pool Baker, Ruidoso, NM, 9/11-13, Donald Beach, VA, 9/23-28, Jim Stewart, (215) 943-7626, 348-3057, [email protected] Brown, (501) 767-5341; USS Agawam AOG 6, [email protected]; USS Fred T. Berry Washington, 9/10-12, John Nicholson, (937) 323- DD/DDE 858, Mobile, AL, 10/16-19, John USS Monssen DD 798, Mobile, AL, 10/23-26, Earl 0173; USS Akutan AE 13, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Titsworth, (203) 531-6618, [email protected] McClure, (319) 648-2462, [email protected]; USS Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; Montague AKA 98 (WWII), Myrtle Beach, SC, USS Albany CA 123/CG 10/SSN 753, Norfolk, VA, USS Frybarger DE/DEC 705, San Diego, 10/15- 10/16-19, Nolan Haugh, (717) 244-2839; USS 8/2-10, Erick Emrick, (757) 631-9418, 18, Alex Boyd, (804) 233-0581; USS Fulmar AM Montpelier CL 57, Silverdale, WA, 8/19-23, Jackie [email protected] 45/YMS 193, Laughlin, NV, 6/14-16, Wally Frazier, (513) 231-4402, [email protected]; Gosnell, (928) 758-8832; USS Furse DD/DDR USS Mount Baker AE 4/34, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, USS Alcyone AKA 7, Lexington, KY, 9/17-20, King 882, Jacksonville, FL, 10/8-12, Maurice Tuttle, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; Richeson, (859) 873-8907, kricheson@peoplepc. (631) 749-0274, [email protected]; USS George USS Mount Hood AE 11/29, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, com; USS Algol AKA 54 (All Eras), New Orleans, A. Johnson DE 583, Atlantic City, NJ, 9/8-11, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; 8/20-23, Anthony Soria, (209) 722-6005; USS Walter Grinspan, (516) 681-1464; USS George USS Mountrail APA 213, Culpepper, VA, 10/2-5, Alhena AK 26/AKA 9, Charleston, SC, 10/1-5, Clymer APA 27, Clymer, PA, 9/25-27, Fred Don DiCoio, (973) 696-3725; USS Murray DD/DDE Clyde Meyers, (225) 664-4786, clydemeyers@ Pellegrene, (734) 676-7671, [email protected]; 576, Branson, MO, 8/27-31, William McCall, (765) yahoo.com; USS Anne Arundle AP 76, USS Gilligan DE 508 (WWII), Muscle Shoals, AL, 762-2290, [email protected]; USS Nicholas Wilmington, NC, 10/2-4, John Weber, (843) 448- 9/9-11, Doug Myers, (256) 446-6356, emy- DD/DDE 449, Branson, MO, 9/10-14, Louis 0504; USS Arkansas BB 33,Cherry Hill, NJ, 10/1-5, [email protected]; USS Great Sitkin AE Janezic, (703) 590-4560, [email protected]; Darrell Baker, (623) 548-6200, darkansastravler@ 17, Virginia Beach, VA, 9/11-14, Doug Hauser, USS Nitro AE 2/23, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph aol.com; USS Ashtabula AO 51, Atlanta, 6/19-22, (334) 277-2151, [email protected]; USS Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; USS Paul McGinty, (770) 233-8916, paulingriffin@ Great Sitkin AE 17, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Ogden LPD 5, Seattle, 9/25-28, J.MacFarlane, aol.com; USS Basilan AG 68, Milwaukee, 8/17-21, Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; USS (781) 331-5511, [email protected] Arnold Dunbar, (863) 696-7881; USS Beale Golden City AP 169 (WWII), Indian Wells, CA, DD/DDE 471, Amana Colonies, IA, 7/25-27, Mary 6/12-15, Leonard Holinski, (313) 386-4559; USS USS Okanogan, Chicago, 9/14-18, Ed Collins, Beth Willis, (515) 827, 5268, mbwillis@ Haleakala AE 25, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph (773) 631-5568, [email protected]; USS globalccs.net; USS Bennington CV/CVA/CVS 20 Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected] Oklahoma City CL 91,CLG/CG 5 & SSN 773, (1944-1970), Baton Rouge, LA, 9/24-27, Stephen Jacksonville, FL, 9/24-28, Frank Zaccaro, (727) Leeds, (850) 484-9144, [email protected]; USS USS Hanson DD/DDR 832, San Diego, 9/25-27, 372-9692; USS Otus AS/ARG 20, Tucson, AZ, Benson DD 421, Gettysburg, PA, 9/18-20, Nancy Louis DeLancey, (717) 567-3538; USS Haverfield 10/24-26, William White, (520) 325-9874, Bailey, (813) 782-9473, [email protected] DE 393, Roanoke, VA, 10/2-6, Daniel McHugh, [email protected]; USS Oxford AG 159/AGTR 1, (502) 426-3594, [email protected]; USS Henley Alaska Tour, Aug, George Cassidy, (860) 535-1171, USS Bordelon DD/DDR 881, New Orleans, 9/17-21, DD 391, St. Louis, 9/19-21, Mrs. Roy Anglen, (217) [email protected]; USS Paricutin AE 18, Barney Oursler, (410) 789-2281, rbosr@worldnet. 887-2372; USS Hinsdale APA 120, Asheville, NC, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, att.net; USS Boxer CV/CVA/CVS 21/LPH 4, Seattle, 9/14-17, Bob Alexander, (828) 628-2192, [email protected]; USS Piedmont AD 17, Kansas 9/25-28, Ed Weddle, (509) 773-4839, wedd@gorge. [email protected]; USS Hocking APA City, MO, 10/16-19, John Geraghty, (732) 341-0709, net; USS Bunch DE 694/APD 79, Nashville, TN, 121, Milwaukee, 9/16-19, Frank Rathje, (920) 922- [email protected]; USS Preble DD 345/DM 9/8-12, David Hibbs, (717) 637-7723, jbwdlh@ 1024; USS Huntington CL 107, Albuquerque, NM, 20/DLG 15/DDG 46/DD 88, San Diego, 10/9-12, netrax.net; USS Bunker Hill CV 17, Seattle, 9/2-7, Al 9/11-14, Gene Volcik, (512) 926-7008, evolcik@ Gene Wamsley, (513) 248-4026, genew15@ Skaret, (206) 935-0314; USS Bushnell AS 15, Key aol.com; USS Intrepid CV/CVA/CVS 11 (1943- juno.com; USS President Adams APA 19, West, FL, 5/30-6/2, Andrew Gorto, (570) 826-1811, 1974), New York, 8/13-16, Laurence Blackburn, Arlington, VA, 8/14-18, Bill Vormbrock, (860) 376- [email protected]; USS Butte AE 27, Milwaukee, (215) 345-5690, [email protected]; USS James 5557, [email protected]; USS President Hayes 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, randlgaul@ William Ditter DM 31, Branson, MO, 8/25-29, APA 20, Arlington, VA, 8/14-18, Bill Vormbrock, pa.net ; USS Camden AOE 2, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Edward Faytak, (814) 756-3092, [email protected]; (860) 376-5557, [email protected] Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; USS USS Janssen DE 396, Roanoke, VA, 10/2-6, Daniel Cebu ARG 6, San Antonio, 10/13-17, Clinton McHugh, (502) 426-3594, [email protected]; USS USS President Jackson APA 18, Arlington, VA, DeWolfe, (830) 833-5314, [email protected]; USS John R. Craig DD 885, San Diego, 9/10-14, Rex 8/14-18, Bill Vormbrock, (860) 376-5557, Chara AE 31, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) McNay, (949) 768-6327, [email protected] [email protected]; USS Puget Sound AD 38, 436-6814, [email protected]; USS Chemung AO Lancaster, PA, 10/2-5, John Seymour, (901) 853- 30, Detroit, 9/17-21, Robert McBrayer, (313) 928- USS Kasaan Bay CVE 69, St. Charles, MO, 9/10- 1450, [email protected]; USS Pyro AE 1/24, 3109, [email protected] 14, Charles O’Neal, (706) 323-4483, mcwoneal@ Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, aol.com; USS Katmai AE 16, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, [email protected]; USS R.A. Owens DD 827, USS Cockrill DE 398, Roanoke, VA, 10/2-6, Daniel Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; Virginia Beach, VA, 9/11-14, Bernie Duffy, (757) McHugh, (502) 426-3594, [email protected]; USS USS Keppler DD/DDE 765, Biloxi, MS, 9/25-28, 583-5675; USS Rainier AE 5/AOE 7, Milwaukee, Crescent City APA 21, Arlington, VA, 8/14-18, Bill Willard Darrell, (631) 586-4565, tincan765@ 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, randlgaul@ Vormbrock, (860) 376-5557, [email protected]; hotmail.com pa.net; USS Rall DE 304, San Antonio, William

64 May 2003 The American Legion Magazine Shumate, (303) 838-2177, fc2canddona@vfw- William M. Wood DD/DDR 715, Arlington, VA, 10/2- 15th AF 450th Bomb Sqdn (Manduria, Italy, Jan- online.com; USS Randall APA 224, Orlando, FL, 4, Chuck Traub, (757) 340-9056, [email protected]; June 1944), Richard Devlin, (513) 221-4882 9/23-28, John Walsh, (732) 367-6472, USS William P. Biddle APA 8, Kansas City, MO, 17th, 18th Spec Opn Sqdns (Vietnam, 1969-1973), [email protected]; USS Rich DE 695, Virginia 9/17-21, Don Skouse, (816) 478-3403; USS Willis Gus Sininger, (850) 654-0212, [email protected] Beach, VA, 6/5-8, Ed Black, (910) 439-6194; USS DE 395, Roanoke, VA, 10/2-6, Daniel McHugh, (502) 25th Sig Bn C Co (Kaiserslauter, Germany, 1960- Rigel AF 58/AR 11, Norfolk, VA, 9/11-14, Bill Short, 426-3594, [email protected]; USS Woodrow 1964), John L. Skrbec, (708) 389-6864, jskrbec@ (315) 252-5838, [email protected]; USS Rinehart Wilson SSBN 624, Las Vegas, 10/10-12, Aiden prodigy.net DE 196, Treasure Island, FL, 9/10-12, Patrick Marcel, (941) 697-1834, [email protected]; USS 27th Army Inf Div 165th Rgt G Co (South Pacific, Santelli, (727) 217-0277, [email protected]; USS Wrangel AE 12, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, 1942-1945), Alfred Mills, 1601 Ocean Drive South, Rockaway AVP 29, Cape May, NJ, 10/2-5, Ernie (717) 436-6814, [email protected] ; USS Wright AV Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 Birchfield, (954) 968-8278, [email protected]; USS 1/AG 79/CVL 49/CC 2 All Sqdns, Dayton, OH, 9/10- 30th Trans Co AAM (Langendiebach, Germany, Rodman DD 456/DMS 21, Branson, MO, 9/17-21, 14, Ed Harvey, (229) 872-3940, edgin@caironet. 1957-1959), David W. Thompson, (860) 589-8383 Norman Simonelli, (757) 464-2845, normies@ com; USS Zellin AP 9/APA 3, San Diego, 9/10-14, 31st Inf Rgt 4th Bn Delta Co (Vietnam), Vance A. aol.com; USS Rowe DD 564, Charleston, SC, 9/18- Thomas Hoffman, (909) 795-5318; VP-4 Assn, Las Van Wieren, (269) 543-3661, [email protected] 21, Bob Wood, (616) 866-9483, [email protected]; Vegas, 10/6-9, Lefty Nordill, (702) 255-1218, 33rd Inf Div HQ MP Plt (Pacific Theater, 1946), J.T. USS Rudyerd Bay CVE 81 & VC-77/VC-96 [email protected]; VP-11 (F), Belleville, MI, 9/18-21, Wilson, (270) 251-2713, [email protected] Personnel, Norfolk, VA, 9/25-28, Alvin Mower, Walter Ask, (507) 932-3545, mnclownman@ 35th Armor 4th Armd Div B Co HQ (Erlangen, (909) 358-0538, [email protected]; USS Sabalo msn.com; VP-28, San Diego, 8/14-16, Bob Self, Germany, Aug 1960-Apr 1962), Tom Purcell, SS 302, Reno, 9/3-6, Jeff Owens, (570) 942-4622, (425) 820-7882, [email protected] (760) 364-3488, [email protected] [email protected] 36th AAA Gun Bn C Btry (Fort Bliss, TX & VP-51, Belleville, MI, 9/18-21, Walter Ask, (507) Washington DC, Aug 1950-Aug 1952), Clyde E. USS Sacramento AOE 1, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, 932-3545, [email protected]; VP-54, Ditto, (660) 882-7674 Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; Belleville, MI, 9/18-21, Walter Ask, (507) 932-3545, 39th Bomb Grp 20th AAF (Guam, WWII), Paul USS Salem CA 139, Pensacola Beach, FL, 10/23- [email protected]; VP-92, Bedford, MA, Nicassio, (562) 425-7269 26, Bob Daniels, (352) 315-1397; USS Sangay AE 9/27, Herb Tallent, (207) 985-9497; VP-101, 42nd FA Bn C Btry 4th Div (Gelnhausen, 10, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436- Belleville, MI, 9/18-21, Walter Ask, (507) 932-3545, Germany, 1952-1955), Ray Wood, (972) 247-0296 6814, [email protected]; USS Saratoga CVA 60 V- [email protected]; VP-911, VP-912, VP-913, 43rd Inf Div (Augsburg, Germany, Jan 1953-May 3 Div (1963-1965), Clearwater, FL, 7/18-20, Jimmy VP-914, VP-915, Bedford, MA, 9/27, Herb Tallent, 1954), Don Dietz, (701) 547-3863 Anselme, (727) 204-6415, [email protected]; USS (207) 985-9497; VPB-25 (WWII), Jacksonville, FL, 46th Med Bn 4th Armd Div (Dec 1944-Jan 1945), Satyr ARL 23, Branson, MO, 9/8-12, Bill Janosco, 4/22-25, Edgar Josephsen, (360) 387-2727, Albert R. Kladky, (314) 521-0242, akladky1@ (928) 453-6755, [email protected]; USS [email protected]; VPB-101, Belleville, MI, 9/18- hotmail.com Savage DE/DER 386, Charleston, SC, 10/5-9, Ray 21, Walter Ask, (507) 932-3545, mnclownman@ 47th Eng Co (Fort Wainwright, AK, Oct 1974-Aug Crumley, (770) 532-0904; USS Sea Cat SS 399, St. msn.com; VR-22, Virginia Beach, VA, 10/1-4, Gene 1976), Mark U. Brett, (509) 547-0378 Charles, MO, 9/14-18, Zeke Goodwin, (919) 776- Shonkwiler, (863) 665-8463, [email protected]; 49th Stat Hosp (St. Neots, England, 1943), 6440, [email protected]; USS Seattle VR-24 Det Rota, Denver, 5/1-4, Miguel Barbour, William L. Flagler, (408) 374-6386, flagler@ AOE 3, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436- (301) 769-4569; VW-1 Assn, Reno, NV, 9/15-18, Ed earthlink.net 6814, [email protected]; USS Sennet SS 408, Metzger, (352) 726-4943, [email protected] 51st QM Base Depot HQ Co (Munich, Germany, Mount Pleasant, SC, 5/18-21, Ralph Luther, (843) 1952-1955), Ray Wood, (972) 247-0296 851-7064, [email protected]; USS Shasta AE LIFE MEMBERSHIPS 52nd AAA Bde C Btry 15th AAA (Miller Field, 6/33, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436- Staten Island, NY, Feb 1957-Oct 1961), Michael 6814, [email protected] Post 328, CA: Pete Avina, John E. Coyne, Luis F. Gerrek, (440) 237-5850 Escobar 55th TC Floating Spare Parts Depot (New USS Shelton DD 790, Branson, MO, 9/11-14, Post 791, CA: Louis De La Cruz, Stanley A. Orleans), Lester Voll, 558 Canyon Road, Richard Petrowich, (618) 475-3248; USS Sibley Fimowicz, Charles B. Hagerty, Paul L. Watson, Redwood City, CA 94062 APA 206, Tulsa, OK, 9/17-20, Steve Barnes, (918) George R. Williams 57th Ftr Grp (Alaska, 1947-1948), J.D. Schmidt, 649-0675; USS Silverstein DE 534, New Orleans, Post 430, IN: Joseph Keilman (505) 666-2466 9/10-13, A.T. Dunn, (619) 583-9188, atdunn@ Post 513, LA: Leonard Folse, Morris Marts, John 62nd Sig Bn IX Corps (Sendai, Japan, 1948-1950) cox.net; USS Solace AH 5 (WWII), Bettendorf, IA, Winston Vance Sutley (253) 835-9601, [email protected] 9/16-18, Jim Underwood, (262) 473-5416; USS Post 150, MN: Neil A. Schmakel 71st Spec Opn Sqdns (Vietnam, 1969-1973), Gus Starr AKA 67, Falls Church, VA, 6/26-29, James Post 87, NY: Richard W. LeBar Sininger, (850) 654-0212, [email protected] Widenor, (570) 587-3766, [email protected]; Post 1376, NY: Robert T. Murphy 86th Field Hosp (Seoul, Korea, Oct 1945-Nov USS Supply AOE 6, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Post 254, PA: William M. Bluff, James W. Byrnes, 1946), John Momper, (260) 749-1586, jdmomper@ Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected] ; USS John J. Koehler, Richard Loring, Robert D. Martin msn.com Suribachi AE 21, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, Post 346, PA: Robert F. Davenport 90th AAA Gny Bn (Fort Bliss, TX, 1952-1954), (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; USS Swenning Clarence Mojewski, (618) 542-6539 DE 394, Roanoke, VA, 10/2-6, Daniel McHugh, COMRADES IN DISTRESS 90th SRW (Forbes AFB, KS, 1951-1961), Chuck (502) 426-3594, [email protected]; USS Takelma Hale, (785) 865-5794, [email protected] ATF 113, Topeka, KS, 6/19-22, David Lloyd, (785) A Co 1st Bn 12th Cav 1st Cav Div. Douglas G. 93rd NCB (Southwest Pacific Theater, 1943- 379-9227, [email protected]; USS Talbot Co, Moses needs witnesses to verify two soldiers were 1946), Jim Smith, (410) 326-2376, drumpoint@ Virginia Beach, VA, 10/17-18, Milevoy Kotay, (717) killed and several wounded when a “short round” netzero.net 273-6389, [email protected] ; USS Taluga AO 62, from their own mortars fell on their position in 98th Airdrome Sqdn (1943-1945), Irving Burdick, 19 San Diego, 10/8-12, James Young, (302) 234-7711, October or November 1971 in Vietnam. CID 1449 Burdick Way, Stanfordville, NY 12581, iburdick@ [email protected] aol.com IN SEARCH OF 115th Inf Cannon Co (Bremen, Germany, 1945), USS Tattnall DD 125/APD 19, San Antonio, 10/8-12, Frank Benham, (480) 948-9177 Anthony De Marco, (609) 859-1238; USS Taylor 1st Aug Readiness Grp Sig Det (Mannheim, 126th Bomb Wing (Laon, France, 1951-1953), FFG 50, Jacksonville, FL, 6/24-27, Patrick Bosco, Germany, 1960s), John Bergeron, (508) 291- Gene Westerman, (847) 742-8711, westy1931@ (708) 757-9108, [email protected]; USS 3453, [email protected] aol.com Thomaston LSD 28, St. Louis, 11/6-8, Dave 1st Bn 48th Inf B Co (Gelnhausen, Germany, 159th Avn Bn 101st Abn Div Chinook Heli (Phu Hammock, (319) 396-5065, mmcret81@mcleodusa. 1963-1966), Harrison Gresham, (319) 364-4380, Bai or Camp Eagle, Vietnam, 1968-1972), Randy net; USS Thompson DD627/DMS 38, Colorado [email protected] Kirby, (303) 628-6910, [email protected] Springs, CO, 9/15-19, Milton Trujillo, (719) 543-5931, 1st Cav 11th ACR (1971-1973), Kenny Trujillo, 650 177th FA Bn (July 1947-July 1950), C.R. Cook, P.O. [email protected]; USS Tisdale DE 33, Indian School Road #137, Phoenix, AZ 85012 Box 304, Benton, KY, 42025 Westminster, CO, 9/5-7, Karen Harvilla, (303) 665- 1st Comp Sqdn APO 877 (Ascension Island), 252nd Remount Sqdn (New Orleans, 1942), 0253, [email protected]; USS Titania AKA 13 Patrick H. McCarthy, (315) 343-8874 James Ezell, (504) 288-2847 (WWII & Korea), Amano, IA, 9/11-14, Cliff Trumpold, 1st Rgt 3rd Bn 3rd Div “Carlson Raiders” (Fleet 264th FA (WWII), Bob Latz, (330) 493-4657, rlatz@ (319) 622-3103; USS Vesole DD/DDR 878 (1945- Mar, Feb 1942-Mar 1944), R. Payne, P.O. Box mindspring.com 1976), Milwaukee, 9/24-28, Raymond Gorenflo, 304, Benton, KY 42025 291st MP Co (Redstone Arsenal, AL, 1961-1964), (845) 896-2074; USS Vesuvius AE 15, Milwaukee, 2nd Howitzer Bn 92nd Arty (River Barracks, Bob Clapsaddle, (717) 762-1767, gclapsad@ 9/17-21, Ralph Gaul, (717) 436-6814, randlgaul@ Giessen, Germany, APO 169, 1960-1962), Arthur innernet.net pa.net; USS Virgo AE 30, Milwaukee, 9/17-21, Ralph Horak, (516) 433-2248, [email protected] 302nd MP Escort Co (USA D-Day, France, Gaul, (717) 436-6814, [email protected]; USS 3rd Inf Div 64th Tank Bn A Co 4th Plt (Korea, Holland, Germany, 1943-1945), Bill Heath, (253) Waller DD/DDE 466, Bloomington, MN, 9/17-20, 1951-1953), George Krumins, (856) 825-5545 863-1481, [email protected] Duane Pingeon, (507) 831-3882, dpingeon@ 7th Eng A Co (Vietnam, 1969-1970), Kenneth 317th Field Maint Sqdn (Neubiberg AFB, rrcnet.org Green, (215) 248-4999, [email protected] Germany, 1955-1958), Jacques A. Hahn, (651) 8th AF Football Team (Walker AFB, Roswell, NM, 429-5136 USS Weiss APD 135, Mobile, AL, 10/15-19, James 1947-1948), Irv Etter, (262) 767-9971 317th Trp Carrier Grp 39th Sqdn (Tachikawa & Morton, (716) 945-3679, [email protected]; USS 10th Inf Div E Co 87th Inf 4th Plt (Fort Riley, KS, Cele, 1947-1949), Lynwood Davis, (337) 238-2966 Westchester County LST 1167, Westchester June 1952-Jan 1953), Don Dietz, (701) 547-3863 352nd Trans Co Light Truck 48th Trans Grp 6th County, NY, 7/3-6, Robin Norcutt, (763) 425-2733, 10th Radio Relay Sqdn (Elmendorf AFB, 1952- Bn Co (Long Binh, Vietnam, July 1968-July [email protected]; USS Wickes DD 578, 1954), Joe Bell, (270) 389-1650, joebell39@ 1969), Tom Henrichs, (850) 626-2638 Witchita, KS, 9/24-28, Ed Arzinger, (316) 744-0590; hotmail.com 377th Stat Hosp, (Seoul, Korea, Oct 1945-Nov USS Wilhoite DE 397, Roanoke, VA, 10/2-6, Daniel 13th Armd Inf 3rd Armd Div (Fort Knox, KY, June 1946), John Momper, (260) 749-1586, jdmomper@ McHugh, (502) 426-3594, [email protected]; USS 1951-Sept 1951), Levi Brown, (540) 825-2384 msn.com

May 2003 65 The American Legion Magazine CLASSIFIED LEGION SHOPPER onRzo Classified Advertising, Joan Rizzo, REMITTANCECOPY AND TO: SEND ADVERTISING accepted atthediscretionofpublisher. Alladvertisementsare cover dateofissuedesired. Advertising copymustbereceived60daysbefore DEADLINE: 2,550,000permonth. CIRCULATION: stateandzipcodesasthreewords. allcity, words; Count streetaddressesandboxnumbersastwo $24perword. RATES: can LegionMagazine.” Please makeremittancepayableto “The Ameri- is payableinadvancebycheckormoneyorder. Allclassifiedadvertising FAX (212)779-1928. 2106, Av DRINK TOKENS. Catalog, (800) 233-0828. (800) Catalog, DRINK TOKENS. CASINO SUPPLIES/PLAYING CARDS SECRETS OFREVELATION, (800)948-2786. NC27612, Raleigh, AL, Dept. 5122BurOakCircle, Write: lishing Group. IvyHousePub- BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. MA 02152-2909. Winthrop, 2Somerset Ave., Gagin, Stephen R. plus$4.95s&h, check/money orderfor$19.95, A Roja's crewofSatanicpirates huntsherdown. USS Massasoit ATF-167 inherfinalhoursas followthe and thestormracked CaribbeanSea; Setinthetropicalrain forest ofHonduras man. Rojaisjustthat SantanaJ. a raging hurricane. a madmanattacksNavyshipinthemiddleof SIERRA, BRAVO TWO BOOKS &MAGAZINES (800) 700-4515. Patented "no-slipclip." Catalog, SUSPENDERS. APPAREL Legion Magazine, T he American LegionMagazine albea w.tperai.o,or send vailable atwww.stephenrgagin.com, e., ut 10 e ok Y106 (212)725- NY10016. New York, Suite 1110, / o soits n. 3475th Inc., c/o Fox Associates, ySehnR ai.Only Gagin. by StephenR. www.1stbooks.com. 66 a 2003 May The American 1.9 al(0)5264,www.1SingleFeather. Call(800)542-6041, $10.99. AFFORDABLE LOWPRICEDCIGARETTESstarting at W Earn$2,000monthly. CELLULAR TOWER LEASES. INTEREST TOALL OF (877) 945-0704. friendly, fast, CIGARETTES START $9.75!Easy, freelighters. ping, freeship- Volume discounts, (877) 945-0862. Calltoll-free, CIGARETTES AT DISCOUNTPRICES. MISCELLANEOUS 80L,Idpnec,M 45,www. eckraus.com/offers/lm.asp. MO64054, Independence, Box Kraus, 7850-LM, (800)841-7404. FREE CATALOG, WINE &BEERMAKING (800)798-6167. SWORDS, (940)455-2519. BOY SCOUTPATCHES, (800)451-9728. OLD GUITARS, W (308)745-1102. hunterslodge.info, www. AFFORDABLE HOMES/ACREAGES, REAL ESTATE (808) 325-7707. SunshinePenpals, ASIAN WOMEN! Overseas. (931)879-4625. TN38504, Allardt, Box 310-Alm, Meetnicesingles. FREE CATALOG. PERSONALS WWW.GIDOGTAGS4U.COM. com. MEN • • • 1-800-255-2511 Call toll-free: models 2- and4-passenger amphibious ATVs MAX 6-wheeldrive 1-800-255-2511 Call toll-free: models 2- and4-passenger amphibious ATVs MAX 6-wheeldrive 1-800-992-WIDE Afghanistan ant/have one?www.walkertowers.com. Afghanistan Choice ofSpecialForces in Choice ofSpecialForces in ANTED REcatalog FREE 200 styles quality High EEE HITCHCOCK SHOES Dept. 5EHingham,MA02043 - EEEEEE, SIZES5 , SW IDE www.wideshoes.com Recreatives Industries Inc. www.maxatvs.com Recreatives Industries Inc. www.maxatvs.com SHOES , INC. - 13 NY StateResidents AddSalesTax/Price Subjecttochange L Only L D VISIT OURWEBSITE:WWW.LIGCOINS.COM to: J Zirbel, Box JZirbel, Maplewood, #101, 274 WI 54226 to: For illustrated plans, $9.95 send insects. ficial Save bene- to expensive or poisons No lures. safe. Absolutely before they lay eggs. their inexpensive trap June the capture to Bug my Use make to plans simple, a grubs. ing infestation of cycle the Break lawn-destroy- of S

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May 2003 67 The American Legion Magazine parting shots “We would rather do business with 1,000 al-Qaida terrorists than a single American.”

– Sign at a funeral home in Philadelphia

PERSONALLY, I’VE NEVER READ the Hippocratic Oath that doctors take – but I think it’s against poverty.

BIZARRE FACTS p A duck’s quack doesn’t echo, and no one knows why. p On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year. “Where does this go?” p On average, people fear spiders more than they do death. p “Go” is the shortest com- p Thirty-five percent of the people plete sentence in the English who use personal ads for dating language. already are married. p If Barbie were a person, her p Elephants are the only animals measurements would be 39- that can’t jump. 23-33. She would stand 7 feet p Only one person in 2 billion will 2 inches tall. live to be 116 or older. p On average, Americans eat p No word in the English language 18 acres of pizza every day. rhymes with “month.” p “Typewriter” is the longest word A MAN BUYS a pet parrot that can be made using letters only and brings him home. But on one row of the keyboard. the parrot starts insulting him, so the man picks up the parrot and throws him in the freezer to teach him a les- student retorted. son. He hears the bird squawking “What’s your name?” the pro- for a few minutes, and all of a fessor demanded. sudden the parrot is quiet. The The student pulled up his pant man opens the freezer door, and legs and answered, “You tell me.” the parrot walks out, looks up at him and says, “I apologize for of- FOR LOVERS OF WORDS fending you, and I humbly ask p What’s the definition of a will? your forgiveness.” It’s a dead giveaway. The man says, “Well, thank p A backward poet writes inverse. you. I forgive you.” p A chicken crossing the road is The parrot then says, “If you poultry in motion. don’t mind my asking, what did p The man who fell into an uphol- the chicken do?” stery machine is fully recovered. p Every calendar’s days are A COLLEGE STUDENT walked numbered. into his ornithology class and p The short fortuneteller who es- found five birds with bags over caped from prison was a small their heads so only their feet were medium at large. visible. “What’s this?” he asked. p Those who get too big for their “It’s an exam,” the professor britches will be exposed in the end. explained. “Your job is to identify p Acupuncture is a jab well done. “Jane isn’t here right now. She’s at each bird by looking at its feet.” p If you don’t pay the exorcist, the mall, jump-starting the economy.” “What a stupid test,” the you’ll be repossessed.

68 May 2003 The American Legion Magazine Asbestos Cancer Hits Former Sailors

Many sailors who served their country proudly aboard ships in the World War II, Korean, and Vietnam War eras, are now being diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers.

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