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12 The Heat is On Experts Ralph Nader and Sallie Baliunas debate the significance of global warming. iBThe Fury and the infamy The world must know the war on terrorism will end on our nation's terms. By Alan W. Dowd 24 Fighting for Peanuts America too often rewards the courage of her men and women in uniform with low pay and poor housing. By fames V. Carroll

32 The Allies we Left Behind veterans go to war again, this time to save the endangered Montagnard culture. By Jeff Staffer

40 Miracles on the Mountainside i Disabled veterans find camaraderie and challenges at a winter sports clinic in Colorado. By Elissa Kaupisch departments

! 4 vet voice 8 's Message A Chance to Give Back 10 Big issues New anti-terrorism measures 44 Living weli VA's research on Parkinson's disease, and centenarians' secrets. 48 Legion News Vietnam veterans' dog tags come home. Legion supports overseas troops, a new Chapel of Four Chaplains and the Sept. 11 Memorial Scholarship. 56 Comrades 64 Parting Sliots

COVER: Global warming proponents insist the planet's atmosphere is heating up and that America must answer with a more efficient energy system. Others cite a lack of evidence that the phenomenon is human-induced. Masterfik/Mike Dobel

The American Legion Magazine, a leader among national general-interest publications, is published monthly by The I Amehcan Legion for its 2.7 million members. These wartime veterans, working through 15,000 community-levei posts, dedi- cate themselves to God and Country and traditional Amehcan 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.

January 2002 1 The American Legion Magazine [ .

SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW CUSTOMERS THE AMI ONLY Get a 2002 American i.eeion Eagle Dollar at our cost! f For Goi and Counlry with Free can't purchase an Uncirculated American Eagle silver dollar directly You 700 N. Pennsylvania St. Delivery from the U.S. Mint. But you can now purchase this official U.S. silver P.O. Box 1055 dollar from Littleton Coin Company at our cost, and with FREE Indianapolis, IN 46206 shipment toyour home! (317) 630-1200 http://wvvw.legion.org The beautiful and sought-after $1 American Eagle is over National Commander Richard J. Santos ^ . 99.9% pure silver, and carries the same design as the popular "Walking Liberty" Published by The American Legion silver coins of 1916-47. EDITORIAL You'll also receive our fully illustrated Editor John Raughter

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NEW COILECTORS KNIFE HONORS AMfWCA'S PATRIOTISM Dennis J. Henkemeyer, Chairman, St. Paul, MN, Samuel Barney, Vice Chairman, Lancaster, OH: Charles E. Hart- man, National Commander's Representative, Eau Claire,

PA, James J. Charleston, Consultant, Island Lake, IL;

Casimir F. Sojka, Consultant, New Rochelle, NY. Commis-

sion Members: Harold F. Arnold, Statesboro, GA; J.O. The Stars and Stripes represent the "Liberty and Freedom Richly sculptured bolster combines Berthelot, Gonzalez, LA; Vincent E. Blank, Vinto, lA; has been defended by our American Armed Forces for over 200 antiqued and polished finishes James P Comiskey, Pittsburgh, PA; Donald R. Conn, years. "United We Stand," re-affirms the resolve of all Americans to South Bend, IN; James W. Conway, Charleston, MA; Betty- protect and preserve our great Nation. lou Evans, Laurel, DE; Philip B. Finley Colby, KS; James

Now, this spirit of patriotism and love of Country is captured in a Hail, Hopewell, NJ; Theodore Hartmann, Smithton, IL; Hoy masterful collector knife issued by Paralyzed Veterans of America. M. Haught, Huntsville, ar, Joe D. Mercer, Oklahoma City,

OK; J. Fred Mitchell, Brewton, AL; Silas M. Noel, Frank- The stainless steel blade is personalized vnth the collector's name, furt, KY, Everett G. Shepard III, Woodstock, CT; George G. the words "United We Stand" and an exclusive serial number Sinopoli, Fresno, CA, Robert E. Vass Sr, Huntington, VW; providing Your purchase supports Paralyzed Veterans of America in Frank C. Ward, Greenville, SC; Deiores A. Ziegler, Belie- assistance to veterans to help them sustain the dignity and vue, WA, NEC Liaison Committee: Ray White, Chairman, independence every American deserves. Huntsville, AL; William W, Kile, Petersburg, wv; John W. Stingerie, Hawthorne, NV, Jerrold W. Wilson, Harrison, OH. Copyright 2001 by The American Legion

FREE FLAG Pii\ WITH ORDE The American Legion (ISSN 0886-1234) is published monthly by The American Legion, 5745 Lee Road, India- Moil to: Paralyzed Veterans of America napolis, IN 46216. Penodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, Veterans Commemoratives Order Center IN 46204 and additional mailing offices. Annual non-mem- 7453 Shipley Avenue, Harmons, MD 21076 ber and gift subscriptions, $15 ($21, foreign); Post-spon-

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/' in annual member dues. POSTMASTER: Send address money now. I will be billed for $ 39.50' per knife priot ed changes to The American Legion, input Services, PC. Box to shipment, rteose sera/ me o free flog p/n. 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Internet address; http://vww/.legion.org. Nome Change of Address: Notify The American Legion, Input Services, RO. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. (317) 860- Address 3111. Attach old address label, provide old and new addresses and current membership card number Canada Post International Publications Mall (Canadian City State Zip Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 546321. Re-entered second-class mail matter at Manila Central Post office Siqnature dated Dec. 22, 1 991 .

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Verse appropriate true and must be accepted by another ideology that sought - Thanks for printing Micah 7:8 every American citizen if our world domination: communism." "Rejoice not against me, O mine country is to survive. That's Israel's tactic, instructing enemy; when - DuaneA. Torvik, Grants Pass, Ore. America how to behave in her role

I fall, I shall as a world leader. arise" - on Tough to read American Legion veterans de-

the cover of I read Benjamin Netanyahu's serve a lot better than the advice the Novem- testimony "A Wake-Up Call From of a man who has caused so much ber issue. In Hell." It wasn't easy. His words re- trouble for us in the Middle East. recent years, ferring to those who dare resist Is- - Lee Dinsmore, Elcho, Wis. when laws rael's seizure of its ancient home- and rulings land describe Israel's own habits. iviandatory service have been "They train, arm and indoctri- In the November issue, Sen. Zell enacted that nate their killers from within safe Miller, D-Ga., claims "the U.S. Ma- plainly state havens on territory provided by rine Corps changed my life." As a you can't say or do things in the terrorist states," he says. Israel is World War II Navy veteran, I agree name of God, it's good to see The widely regarded as a terrorist state that military service can benefit American Legion motto "For God by much of the world, much of young men. A past commander of and Country" in the headlines. It's the world that American has paid our post once complained to his especially good during this tragic little attention to and that we now buddies that he had a teen-age period in our nation's life. find ourselves threatening and grandson who was absolutely

- Charles E. Trump, Carlisle, Pa. bombing. "Often these regimes worthless and would probably be provide the terrorists with intelli- in jail before he was 21. Somehow A welcome warning gence, money and operational as- the grandson ended up in the 82nd Benjamin Netanyahu's "A Wake- sistance," he continues. Israel has Airborne and served during the Up Call From Hell" (November) provided intelligence, money and Gulf War. He came home a should be on the desk of every operating assistance to its agents changed man - an honorable, re- member of Congress. Thanks for sent out to assassinate people in spectable, self-disciplined citizen publishing it. Every American other countries, people labeled as of good character. needs to hear this warning. enemies because they insist the Former U.S. Ambassador Alan - Lew Fiero, Red Wing, Minn. Palestinians fight to recover land Keyes - who in my opinion was the they lost - the kind of people we best candidate for president in the Don't target Arabs usually call heroes. last election - endorsed a period of The speech you published by Insulting the intelligence of mandatory national service for all former Israeli Prime Minister Ben- members of the House of Repre- able-bodied 18-year-old males. He jamin Netanyahu puts our military sentatives, Netanyahu - an Israeli- suggested three months of boot in harm's way by attempting to American whose arrogance got the camp followed by military service, destroy the U.S. -Arab coalition better of him - says, "To under- the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Con- created by President Bush. This stand the true dangers of Islamic servation Corp or some other gov- article, with its bashing of Arabs militancy, we can compare it to ernment program with rigid disci- and Palestinians, shows poor judg- pline and good leadership. ment by the magazine. Let's have Such an opportunity would pro- articles by the head of an Arab WE WANT vide young men with valuable state and a Palestinian to get both YOUR OPiNiONS training and a chance to show sides of the issue. their gratitude for the many bless-

- Ronald F. Thomas, Middleton, Wis. The American Legion Magazine wel- ings of cidzenship in this great na- comes letters concerning articles tion provided to them by those Terrifying but true that appear in the publication. Be who have gone before. A program Benjamin Netanyahu's address sure to include your hometown and like this could in a few years have to the House of Representatives' a daytime phone number for verifi- a profound impact on our coun-

Government Reform Committee cation. All letters are subject to edit- try's culture. -JackH. Stuart, Cloverdale, Calif. should be required reading for ing. Send your opinions to: everyone in our government, from The American Legion Magazine the lowliest clerk up to and Rights over peace P.O. BOX 1055 including the president. It is a To the Neville Chamberlain Indianapolis, IN 46206 message and a warning to the "peace at any price" and Bertrand American people from a man who You can also contact us via Russell "better red than dead" knows his subject and is far more e-mail directly or through the peaceniks who oppose retaliation capable of analyzing the World Wide Web: against the Taliban, remember that intentions of Islamic extremists e-mail: [email protected] we are endowed by our Creator than our FBI or CIA. Although ter- Internet: http://www.leglon.org "with certain inalienable rights, rifying in content, this speech is among these are life, liberty and

4 January 2002

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When duty called, they answered. Our fathers, brothers, uncles, r The Franklin Mint Please mall by January 31, 2002. cousins, the kids we went to school with. Fifty-eight thousand ^11 Franklin Center, PA 19091-0001 died. And for those who returned home there were no marching Please enter my commission for Jungle Squad by Ron bands, no ticker-tape parades—only the heart-rending memo- Spicer I need SEND NO MONEY NOW. I will be billed for my collection

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Quick Order # 23553-01-001 The Franklin Mint www.franlclinmint.com Siiaring Your Passion For Coiiecting aol Keyword: Franmin Mint vet voice! the pursuit of happiness." With Call for reform All about control the attacks of Sept. 11, anthrax We must do something about The article "Who's the Boss?" and the murder of 15 Christians at reforming campaign finance ("How (October) gave me a good feeling worship in Pakistan, who can Loud Does Money Talk?" October). as a former teacher and principal. I deny that the Taliban desires to As it is now, the rich and the power- was considered a disciphnarian take these rights not only from ful - with their money - choose the and a traditionalist who let those in America, but also from winners of primaries and general students know who was in charge people throughout the world? elections. We the people don't be- - the teaching staff and the admin-

- Jerry Mazenko, Garden Grove, Calif. cause we can't afford to in the way istration. For 26 years I didn't wor- of political contributions. Ask the ry about students' equality. They Need younger vets man on the street how much he's were to respect their instructors, After reading "Men of Honor" given to politicians and he'll likely thereby learning what they needed

(November), I laugh in your face. The "big guys" to become successful in life. In no regained some are the ones making contributions way were they considered on the pride. The arti- and eroding our democracy. same level as adults.

cle was well- When businesses or the wealthy Happily, I report that we graduat- written and de- shell out large sums to politicos, ed 100 percent of students almost

scribed the uni- you must know they consider it an every year. The majority of them ty and love for investment that will have a good went on to post-secondary educa-

one another return. They don't give away mon- tion and are doing extremely well. I men share that ey. The saying goes, "He who pays don't believe any were scarred emo- seem to come the piper calls the tune." tionally because they weren't treat- only through Last, this business of campaign ed as adults while being juveniles.

war. However, I contributions being freedom of The few students who became fail- also believe the article is a wake- speech is hokum. We're all sup- ures or less than successful just up call when it speaks of men posed to have equal votes, and if a happened to have parents who let aged 78, 81 and 87. We need corporation - which isn't a person them do as they pleased. younger veterans in our ranks to - can outspend me or anyone else - warren D. Nelson, Ashby, Minn. carry on for those who have gone to influence politicians and parties, before - and to keep The Ameri- it's getting more votes than us. Buy American can Legion alive and active. - Barn/ Q. Wiiite, Columbus, Ohio Since Sept. 11, Americans have

- Robert H. Toms, Westminster, ivid. been showing their pride and loy- Stop money flow alty by buying flags and other pa- Try three volleys After carefully reading the pro triotic items. That's great, except

I enjoyed Larry Bingham's arti- and con sides of the campaign-fi- for one small detail. , a com- cle "Men of Honor." I have been nance reform issue, I see little dif- munist nation that hates the free- involved with a similar group, ference between the two except doms we enjoy, is making millions the Memorial Rifles of American magnitude. Anyone who gives any of American dollars from shipping Legion District 11 in , for amount of money to an officehold- most of these products. Personally, four years now. Our detail er, whether elected or appointed, I'd rather show my patriotism by includes veterans from every offers a bribe. Anyone holding of- purchasing products made by branch of the service except the hce who accepts any amount of Americans, even if they aren't red, Coast Guard - we can't find any money accepts a bribe. Such situa- white and blue. Doing such helps - and three women. In addition tions should be handled under ex- our economy by putting Ameri- to funerals, we do a variety of isting bribery laws. cans back to work. Buy American. programs for events such as Vet- The only fair system would be to The job you save could be yours erans Day. forbid a person holding office from or your child's.

The article mentioned a 21-gun accepting any amount of money for - Edward J. Deckerd, Perryvllle, Mo. salute for the deceased. It's actu- any purpose or from any outside ally a three-volley gun salute. A source. The officeholder should Stop foreign aid

21-gun salute is reserved for have to run for re-election on his I read the article "How to Fix heads of state, such as the presi- own merits without any corrupting the Spare-Parts Dilemma" (Octo- dent. I usually correct the media influence from outside. This would ber). My solution is to use the mil- and those writing programs for level the political playing field, lions of dollars spent by our coun- funerals and other events. A upon which officeholders currently try on food and medical supplies squad may have as few as five have a tremendous advantage. Can- for "refugees" - aid that actually and as many as eight riflemen fir- didates not holding office would be ends up in the hands of our ene- ing. In addition, not all rounds go allowed to accept any amount of mies in Afghanistan and North off, so the number can vary con- money from any source. - on the desperately needed siderably. To say three volleys is What would such a system be spare parts for our military's more accurate. called? Term limits. weapons and equipment.

- R. Dean Deci

6 January 2002

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time classic every last intricate component comes to life once more in rehinded in full. But this is a one-time-only release, once gone will not be precise scale ratio: double-beam headlamps, twin mnning boards, hand- repeated again. So ACT NOW! operated windshield wipers, balloon tires mounted on working wheels. © 2001 The National Museum Mint, 1 Eversley Ave., Norwalk, CT 06851-5844 ^ Also Available—World's First Pickup Truck "^NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM MINT, Dept. SFTE-0846 1 Eversley Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851-5844 Please send me the following on your money-back guarantee, less p&h. One Model T Only $10 (valued at $39.98) 1925 Ford Runabout Pickup Truck Model T Set of both models Only $20 Pickup BEST OFFER: Two Sets Only $40 (Limit two sets per address) Captures in Add $5 p&h no matter what you order Precise Detail (CT residents please add 6% Sales Tax) Enclosed is (Check or Money Order) All of its Unique OR: Charge it: Visa MasterCard Amex Features- Acct# _Exp.. •Wood-Look Plank Bee Name Scale 1:32 •Louvered Hood 72" Long •2-Man Cab Address. • Plus Dozens More City _State_ -Zip_ FOR MORE COLLECTIBLE CARS VISIT US AT www.motormint.com E-mail address: commander's message A chance to give back

When veterans join The American and at application. Only one grant per Legion, a promise is made to them. household will be approved. Individuals Their fight for affordable health are eligible for a maximum amount of care becomes our fight. Their struggle for $1,500. Posts are eligible for a maximum improved benefits becomes our struggle. amount of $5,000. The funds are not The welfare of their families becomes our meant to replace insurance compensation concern and responsibility. The Preamble to or to provide support for an extended time. the Constitution of The American Legion Since 1989, the Legion has made 3,913 phrases it best by describing this commit- grants from the fund, keeping numerous ment as "devotion to mutual helpfulness." posts from closing and giving thousands of The National Emergency Fund continues members a much-needed boost in recovery. to rank highly among Legion programs. In the aftermath of such disasters such as Since its re-establishment in 1989, follow- the San Francisco earthquake in 1989, Hur- ing Hurricane Hugo, the fund has provided ricanes Andrew and Iniki in 1992, the Mid- more than $3.5 million in financial assis- west floods in 1993, the Los Angeles earth- tance to Legion family members and posts. quake in 1994 and the North CaroUna When a tornado, flood, hurricane, earth- floods in 1999, The American Legion National quake or other natural disaster affects one awarded thousands of dollars in aid. Commander of our own, the National Emergency Fund Richard J. Santos provides grants to Legionnaires and posts A Continuous Challenge. The Legion's Chase Studios to help rebuild their communities, homes long-term goal is to have $5 million in the and lives. Funds are available within days National Emergency Fund. This amount

. . . even a through a department application-review would permit grants to be issued solely process. The review assesses damages and from the annual interest. Our short-term little hit - determines grant amounts. The application goal is to raise $500,000 in the next nine given is then forwarded to National Headquarters months. I have asked each department to for approval. seek out donations based on its 2002 mem- immediately However, the fund is limited. Consider- bership goal and a pro rata of the National ing that we annually grant about $300,000 Emergency Fund goal. - can go a to members and posts, and the fund cur- As an incentive, I will pubHcly recognize long way in rently stands at $780,000, it is clear that certain department at the Le- replenishing the National Emergency Fund gion's 2002 National Convention in Char- helping the must remain a priority. I encourage every lotte, N.C. Special recognition will be given department, every post and every Legion- to commanders in each of the six Big victims of naire to give from their hearts to keep this Twelve categories who achieve the highest fund strong. It is realistic to expect that by percentage of their goal. natural - Aug. 1, the fund will be $500,000 richer Each contributed dollar is used for the disasters." pushing us over the $1 million mark. express purpose of rendering financial as- sistance to members and posts. Adminis-

Meeting a Need. I was employed for more trative costs for maintaining the fund come than 30 years as a property insurance claims from existing budget areas.

adjuster. During my career, I saw more than If two natural disasters occurred tomor- my fair share of hurricanes, earthquakes, row, the National Emergency Fund is avail-

tornadoes and floods. I spent many weeks, able for aid. However, the fund would be sometimes months, walking the grounds seriously drained. Join me in making the where people suffered catastrophic damage fund a priority for your department, dis- to their homes, businesses and personal trict, post, unit or squadron. With a con-

property. If I learned anything from the ex- certed nationwide effort, we will elevate

perience, it is that even a little bit - given the fund to the dollar amount needed to immediately - can go a long way in helping ensure that we are able to help Legion fam- the victims of natural disasters. ily members and posts, regardless of the Legionnaires, Auxihary and Sons of The number of grant applications or disasters. American Legion members and posts may Let us not miss the chance to help and give apply for temporary financial assistance back to our own Legion family. available through the National Emergency Fund. Applicants must be members in To make a contribution to the NEF, con- good standing at the time of the disaster tact your state's headquarters.

January 2002 8 1 The American Legion Magazine | "

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] New anti-terrorism measures Rep. Ron Paul Rep. Anthony weiner OPPOSE R-Texas D-N.Y. SUPPORT

The shocking attacks on the The events of Sept. 11 World Trade Center and the demanded swift action on the Pentagon remind us that the pri- part of Congress to ensure that mary responsibility of the gov- the law enforcement and intelh- ernment is to protect the securi- gence communities have the ty and liberty of our nation's tools they need to wage the war citizens. Therefore, we must do on terrorism. At the same time, what we can to enhance the we must make sure that any ability of law enforcement to new measures do not infringe prevent future terrorist attacks. on the liberties that make our For example, the government can mandate better country unique. Congress has achieved both goals. data sharing among federal agencies that deal with The new anti-terrorism package is little more than terrorism. The government also should restrict im- a common-sense effort to bring law enforcement migration from countries that sponsor terrorism. into the 21st century. In this era of cell phones, we The government can do much more under laws allow for roving wiretaps to track terrorist suspects existing before Sept. 11 to fight terrorism. The com- regardless of what phone they might use. Recogniz- bined annual budgets of ing the Internet as a com- "I am afraid our the FBI, the CIA and var- munication source, we "The new anti- citizens stand to ious other agencies expand the law that al- terrorism package amount to more than $30 lows law enforcement to lose large parts of billion. Perhaps Congress access phone records to is little more than a their liberty - should consider redirect- include Internet traffic, common-sense ing some of the money with safeguards prohibit- maybe not today, spent on matters of low- ing access to the content effort to bring law but over time, as er priority to counter- of those e-mail communi- enforcement into terrorism efforts. cations. We seek to ex- agencies grow more Since the attacks, our pand information sharing the 21st century." comfortable officials have located and iDetween agencies so gov- arrested hundreds of sus- ernment's left hand knows what the right is doing. exercising their pects, frozen millions of I personally pushed for language to enhance the new powers." dollars in assets and re- tracking and monitoring of foreign students. Seeing ceived authority to as how we currently have no system for monitoring launch a military attack against the ringleaders in foreign students (the pilot of the plane that hit the Afghanistan. The war against terrorism started out Pentagon along with many other known terrorists satisfactorily without additional laws. entered the on student visas), this However, many of the new counter-terrorism only seems logical. measures are major infringements of the American In the case of all of these expanded powers. Con- people's constitutional rights. I am afraid our citi- gress took precautions to see that civil liberties are zens stand to lose large parts of their liberty - protected. In addition to rejecting outright some of maybe not today, but over time, as agencies grow the most controversial proposals by the Bush more comfortable exercising their new powers. administration, all of the surveillance provisions are The most constitutionally offensive measures are slated to expire in four years so Congress will have not limited to terrorism, but apply to any criminal the opportunity to review them and ensure that activity. Some of the new police powers granted to they are not being abused. the government could be applied even to those en- Looking back on the McCarthy witch hunts gaging in peaceful and our internment of protests agamst govern- Japanese-Americans dur- ment policies. Freedom YOUR OPINIONS COUNT ing World War II, history and security are not mu- Senators and representatives are interested in has taught us many tually incompatible; on constituent viewpoints. You may express your views valuable lessons on the the contrary, only a free in writing at the following addresses: dangers of overreacting society can ever be truly The Honorable (name) The Honorable (name) to national-security secure. Our goal must be U.S. Senate House of Representatives threats. The anti-terror- to take liberties away Washington. DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 ism measures prove that from terrorists, not from Phone: (202) 224-3121 Phone: (202) 225-3121 we have learned our les- American citizens. sons well.

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IS ON patterns, a sea-level rise that may Administration, flood coastal and low-lying areas and submerge entire island corporations nations, a surge in human health problems due to higher tempera- ignoring problem tures, the accelerated spread of tropical diseases and a loss of im- portant ecosystems. BY RALPH NADER Unfortunately, that day, too, has come. There is strong scientific 'f magine a day far in the future consensus: global warming pres- when wind-energy technologies ents a clear and present danger to

- ^ are able to produce 20 percent health, environment and economy. of America's electricity; automo- The problem of global warm- biles get 60 miles to the gallon; ing demands that the United and light bulbs last 10 fimes States take immediate action to longer, use 75 percent less electric- reduce its emissions of green- ity and are just as bright as those house gases, foster a rapid switch used by the representatives and to more energy-efficient technolo- senators in Congress. gies, dramatically step up invest-

The truth is when it comes to ments in modern public transit, energy technologies, the future cut subsidies for fossil fuels and has already arrived. launch a program to, finally, har- Today's technologies are suffi- ness the plentiful supply of solar cient to meet a significant percent- energy. age of our electricity needs using It is now past time for the Unit- wind power. Toyota and Honda ed States, the leading greenhouse are selling hybrid automobiles gas-emitting nation, to take far- that can go 60 miles on a gallon of reaching steps toward the cleaner, gas. And almost any hardware more efficient economy that the store in the country stocks com- global warming threat demands. pact fluorescent light bulbs, which The Clinton administration did require a fraction of the electricity too little to address the global- used by incandescent bulbs and warming problem. Unfortunately, more than pay for themselves. Re- the current Bush administration, placing one traditional light bulb barring a public outcry, is willing with a compact fluorescent bulb to derail even modest efforts de- can reduce carbon dioxide emis- signed to conserve energy and sions by about 500 pounds over limit fossil-fuel emissions. the life of the bulb. Federal policy over the past Now imagine that scientists are century has largely failed to pro- telling us the atmosphere is heat- mote an energy system based on ing up and that we are likely to safe, secure, economically afford- witness a rise in extreme weather able and envi- >^see Nader, page u

12 January 2002 [ The American Legion Magazine 3

Studies lack hard evidence that warming

Is human-Induced BY SALLIE BALIUNAS

rr^he decision to mount America's largest mili- tary invasion, the D-Day landing on the Nor- J mandy beaches, relied on a weather forecast. Meteorologists studied decades of weather maps from the North Atlantic in order to gain forecasting acumen. Then on June 4, 1944, 5,000 ships carry- ing 86,000 soldiers crushed against the waters of the English Channel, while 13,000 support aircraft held for an unfavorable June 4 weather forecast. But the June 5 forecasts indicated improved condi- tions, so Gen. Eisenhower ordered the D-Day inva- sion for the next day. If that forecast hadn't been accurate, the assault troops might never have reached Normandy's beaches. Thus, modern sol- diers have come to know the importance of reliable weather forecasts for technological battlefields. Today a scientifically accurate understanding of weather and climate is essential for economies built on technology. Human use of coal, oil, natu- ral gas and other fossil fuels has increased the con- 1^ centration of carbon dioxide in the air. The belief is that this added CO2 is causing a significant warm- ing of the climate. Conservation The latest report of the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), using several com- puter simulations, forecasts a human-made global- champion warming trend between 1.4 and 5.8 degrees C by 2100, with a middle value of about 2.8 degrees C. Ralpli Nader To prevent the warming, the Kyoto agreement asks America to drastically cut its CO2 emissions and energy use by about 40 percent from today's squares off consumption, which surely will yield a worldwide economic disaster. Yet are the forecasts of human- against noted made global warming in the century ahead reliable? Will things turn out as badly as some say? And can cutting back fossil fuel use really reduce astropiiysicist global warming? The answer to the first question is "not very." Sallie Baliunas on The second, "not likely." The third, "not much, if anything at all." To know why, we need to look at global warming the scientific record. Natural Causes or Not? Yes, CO2 is a greenhouse gas, which helps keep some of the sun's energy from returning to space. The IPCC forecast of the climate's response to this small amount of extra energy comes from the encoding of present ideas about chmate into sophisticated computer simu- lations. These simulations say that the tempera- ture near the surface and through the first five miles of air, the troposphere, should warm. Has that happened? Compared to the previous five Masterfile/Sill r-iymke centuries or so, the 20th »^see Baliunas, page 15

January 2002 1

1 The American Legion Magazine I r- 1 J 1 ronmentally benign or oppose the efforts of other sessments, on-the-ground results, [Nau&r\ energy sources. The countries to bring the Kyoto Pro- and research and development tax code, budget appropriations tocol into force without the Unit- innovations in the energy- and regulatory processes over- ed States? consuming devices used in our whelmingly have been used to Does your company accept buildings, vehicles and industries subsidize with taxpayer dollars the Third Assessment Report of undeniably show that energy effi- dependence on fossil fuels and the Intergovernmental Panel on ciency and renewable-energy nuclear power. The result: Climate Change as the scientific technologies are superior options increased sickness and prema- basis for action to reduce green- for society. They offer a present ture deaths; depleted family house-gas emissions, particularly and future path that is economi- budgets; acid-rain destruction of carbon-dioxide emissions from cally attractive, safe and secure lakes, forests and crops; oil-spill the burning of coal, oil and gas? from large-scale or long-term risks contamination; polluted rivers The responses to these ques- or threats to public health, future and loss of aquatic species; and tions from the titans of industry generations, the environment and the long-term peril of climate were not the crisp, clear and deci- national security. change and radioactive waste sive missives one might expect in In my opinion, embarking on dumps, not to mention a depend- corporate correspondence. that path requires overcoming the ency on foreign energy supplies. The ExxonMobil Corp. said, power of the oil, nuclear and oth- "Possible human-induced er conventional fuel industries to climate change is a long-term which both the Republicans and ''IfAmerica had risk that we at ExxonMobil take Democrats are indentured. Under very seriously." the thumb of the dirty-fuel indus- priorities other than Not to be outdone. General tries, Congress and the executive Motors replied, "We, as many, branch have refused to adopt even satisfying the oil, gas, have raised concerns with the Ky- the most modest, common-sense coal and nuclear oto Protocol, including its inade- measures. For example, when the quate attention to the develop- president's Committee of Advisors industries, we could ment and global dissemination of on Science and Technology con- new technology." cluded in a 1997 report that dou- set ourselves on a General Electric noted that bling the Department of Energy's sustainable-energy "global warming and the protocol efficiency R&D funding would pro- present highly complex scientific, duce a 40-to-l return on the in- course." political and social questions vestment for the nation. Congress about which there is a great deal responded by proposing deep cuts of uncertainty and disagreement." in the efficiency and renewables

Resistance and Indifference. I think the responses from the R&D budgets. Wasteful energy One might wonder why govern- other corporation officials are policies mean greater energy sales ment officials, when presented equally noncommittal. But they by energy companies. with a host of practical solutions do provide a snapshot of corpo- The Clinton administration's to address the problem of global rate America's posture on one of nod to increased energy efficiency warming, are inert. the most significant environmen- relied largely on corporate wel- Could the lack of action be the tal challenges of the coming cen- fare. Rather than push for an in- result of lethargy, stupidity, inep- tury. That snapshot tells us that crease in auto fuel-efficiency stan- titude, corruption or venality? too many corporate executives dards, the administration estab- Perhaps a Congress marinated in oppose efforts to address the lished the Partnership for a New Political Action Committee cam- causes of global warming - anti- Generation of Vehicles. PNGV is a paign contributions is to blame. quated, inefficient and damaging $1.5 billion subsidy program for Or perhaps the current adminis- technologies - or are unwilling to the Big Three auto companies tration is too close to the fossil- use any of their political or finan- that has done nothing to improve fuel industries. cial capital to advance policies auto fuel efficiency. But it has all as a convenient smoke- In April 2001 , Greenpeace Exec- that benefit the would-be con- served utive Director John Passacantando sumers of the planet. screen behind which the industry, wrote to the heads of the Fortune freed from the need to competi- 100 corporations and asked them Options Abound. Several alterna- tively innovate, fended off new the following questions: tives to such intransigent behav- regulatory requirements for more

Does your company support ior and inaction exist. But it will efficient cars. the ratification and entry into require an aroused and engaged "Energy Innovations: A Prosper- force of the Kyoto Protocol? citizenry with focus and stamina ous Path to a Clean Environment," Does your company support to break the corporate logjam that a joint study prepared by six of the President Bush in his opposition has blocked the development of nation's prominent energy and en- to this protocol? an energy-independence policy. vironmental research and advoca- Will your company support Three decades of detailed as- cy groups, shows ^see Nader, page 16

January 2002 14 1 The American Legion Magazine What is the Kyoto Protocol? The Kyoto Protocol to the U.N, Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted information about two major cH- by consensus in Kyoto, , in December 1997. Although the United States signed the mate effects: water vapor and treaty on Nov. 12, 1998, it has not been fonwarded to the U.S. Senate for ratification. clouds. Little wonder that these The Protocol mandates that: centage. For example, the United States haven't reproduced the would be targeted to reduce greenhouse models industrialized countries must reduce gases by 7 percent below 1990 levels. major features of present or past human-generated carbon-dioxide emis- El Nifio sions of six key greenhouse gases by at Countries will have a certain degree of climate, such as the oscil- least 5 percent below 1990 levels within flexibility in how they make and measure lations, that occur in two- to sev- the commitment period 2008 to 2012. The their emission reductions. en-year periods. They provide no six gases are to be combined in a "bas- Countries will pursue emissions cuts proof that mankind is causing ket," with reductions in individual gases in of economic sectors. a wide range global to occur. translated into "CO2 equivalents" that are warming Both developed and developing coun- then added up to produce a single figure. But what is causing surface tries agree to take measures to limit emis- country "demonstra- temperatures to rise? A chart of Each must show sions and promote adaptation to future ble progress" toward meeting emissions climate-change impacts; submit informa- surface temperatures going back targets 2005. by tion on their national climate-change pro- more than 240 years shows a Actual emission reductions will be grams and inventories; promote technolo- strong correlation between them larger 5 percent. Compared transfer; cooperate on scientific and much than gy and cycles of the sun's magnet- with emission levels projected for the technical research; and promote public ism. Satellite measurements of the year 2000, the richest industrialized awareness, education and training. countnes would be required to reduce past two decades demonstrate the itheir collective output by a larger per- - Elissa Kaupisch sun is a variable star, with its total energy output changing in step century did show again in the late 1970s. Tropo- with periodic changes in its mag- [C^lffffi^cl [DanUllcl^] a warming trend, spheric temperatures showed no netism. This correlation suggests with a globally averaged surface- warming from the inception of that changes in the sun's energy temperature rise of 0.5 C. measurements by balloon-borne output of a few tenths of a percent But look deeper, and the proof instruments in 1957 until 1976. over decades may explain many of of human-induced warming dissi- From 1976 to 1977, an upward the temperature changes over the pates like so much hot air. shift occurred. But between centuries. Measurements made at First, most of the warming oc- 1979, after the advent of daily Mount Wilson Observatory in Los curred before 1940 - before 80 per- global-satellite measurements of Angeles of hundreds of other sun- cent of the CO2 from human activi- tropospheric temperatures, and like stars indicate the amounts of ties was added to the air. This the present, neither satellite nor such changes are entirely possible. means that the early 20th century balloon data show a manmade Evidence of any substantial warming must be mostly natural. warming trend. human-induced warming is, at Second, the cHmate record of Proponents of human-made best, weak. But wouldn't such the past 1,000 years suggests this global warming say soot from in- warming, if it were going on, be temperature rise is hardly unique. dustries has acted as an aerosol to dangerous? Why not take precau- New information about historical mask a larger warming trend. But tions and cut back our use of fos- climate change obtained from that unravels because whereas sil fuels? trees, glaciers, ice cores, coral and CO2 disperses globally, aerosols First, the warming is likely nat- the like indicate a widespread Me- tend to stick more closely to ural, and second, warming proba- dieval Warm Period from about where they are released. And the bly poses less of a threat than 800 to 1200 A.D. Subsequently, southern hemisphere, which is cooling would. People benefited temperatures dropped markedly, relatively free of aerosols, actually from the Medieval Warm Period, creating a Little Ice Age that per- showed a cooling trend. with its equable climate condi- sisted nearly to the 20th century. The point is that the best data tions, compared to the subse- So the 20th century's warming collected from satellites and vali- quent deterioration during the Lit- seems largely a natural rebound dated by balloons to test the hy- tle Ice Age. Fig trees grew in Koln, from the cold spell. pothesis of a human-induced Germany; vineyards were found But what about the past sever- global warming from the release in ; and Vikings sailed the al decades, when the CO2 content of CO2 into the atmosphere shows seas to colonize , Green- of the air rose most dramatically? no meaningful trend of increasing land and possibly Newfoundland. A critical problem for those temperatures, even as the climate After the onset of the Little Ice claiming human-induced warm- models exaggerated the warmth Age, growing seasons shortened, ing is that the computer chmate that ought to have occurred from the North Sea became stormier, simulations predict both surface a build-up in CO2. and life expectancy dropped back temperatures and those of the by about 10 years due to starva- lower troposphere should rise to- What's Wrong with Models? Cli- tion and harsh weather conditions gether. Moreover, the lower tropo- mate models are too simpHstic. of a colder climate. sphere should warm the most. They must deal with more than 5 The 20th century's warming has For more than three decades, million variables, including many extended growing seasons, too. surface temperatures actually fell that are uncertain or unmeasured. And increased CO2 also has helped slightly before starting to rise For example, the models lack key increase crop ^see Baliunas, page 16

January 2002 1 15 The American Legion Magazine I America has led the

scientific study ofglobal proximately $18 billion in [BaliUnas] more peopi? research funding over the No deleterious global climate wanning with approximately past decade. That research effects can be identified with shows the threat $18 billion in research of energy use. Instead, vast catastrophic warming is numbers of people have funding over the past decade. miniscule against the back- been raised from poverty by drop of natural change. The the economic growth that That research shows the best thing now would be to energy use produces. improve the climate simula- threat By contrast, a rash cut- of catastrophic warm- tions and better pinpoint any back in energy use, as re- human effect, while ready- ing is miniscule against the quired by the 1997 Kyoto ing cost-effective measures Protocol could trigger a pro- backdrop of natural change, in mitigation and adaptation. longed worldwide recession. As soldiers can Even economists from the understand, the nation CHnton administration now admit Httle. According to the computer needs a more reliable climate that the price tag for America models global-warming alarmists forecast before launching an as- would run to hundreds of bilUons rely upon, temperatures, after im- sault on global warming that of dollars annually. The rising en- plementing the Kyoto Protocol, could swamp the economy in en- ergy prices needed to enforce con- would decline less than a few ergy regulations from which the servation would especially hurt tenths Celsius by the year 2100 - world might never recover. lower-income workers, who beneath notice, given the bounds spend a greater proportion of of natural climate change. Sallie Baliunas is an astrophysicist their incomes on energy. And America has led the scientific and deputy director of Mount Wil- their sacrifice would accomplish study of global warming with ap- son Observatory near Los Angeles.

[..._„] that a handful of sim- period to zero-emissions cars. And we should place a moratori- [A/aC/erJ pie and straightforward American engineers are awaiting um on commercial logging in our measures could produce a signifi- the "Go" signal. national forests. All of these pro- cant reduction in sulfur-dioxide Adopting stronger efficiency grams would likely help family emissions (the prime cause of acid standards for appliances and pocketbooks and family health as rain) and nitrogen-oxide emissions mandatory energy-performance well as reducing greenhouse gases (a key precursor of ground-level building codes. - a win-win situation. ozone and smog) as well as deep Ensuring electricity policies Also, Washington needs to fol- cuts in emissions of other damag- which promote efficient use of low other allied countries and end ing pollutants, including fine parti- electricity through a range of the ban on our farmers growing cles, toxic metals like mercury and measures, including "net meter- industrial hemp, used for fuel and hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide ing" requirements that companies paper. George Washington grew emissions. pay market prices for electricity it, and former CIA director James If America had priorities other generated by consumers and Woolsey believes it is a national than satisfying the oil, gas, coal passed back to the utility, and security "must" to reduce our re- and nuclear industries, we could eUmination of clean air exemp- liance on imported oil. set ourselves on a sustainable- tions for "grandfathered" fossil- Our country has more energy course by: fuel facilities. problems than it deserves and

Ending fossil-fuel and Establishing a well-funded more solutions than it uses. It is nuclear corporate-welfare employee transition-assistance fund time for the United States to stop supports, including numerous and job-retraining program for dis- letting ExxonMobil, Peabody Coal special tax preferences. placed coal miners, which will be and Westinghouse shape our en- Launching a robust federal easily affordable with the savings ergy policy and for our misguided research-and-development pro- from greater energy efficiency. elected officials to start adopting gram in sustainable renewable- As a first step, the United States an energy strategy based on clean energy sources, so that the practi- should ratify the Kyoto Protocol renewable energy and conserva- cal promises of wind, solar and and then progress beyond its min- tion. Future generations will other forms of renewable energy imal standards. Among key meas- thank us for curbing our fossil- are finally realized. ures required: We must move rap- fuel and atomic appetites. Increasing long-delayed idly to zero-emissions standards auto fuel-efficiency standards (at for cars, even as we commit to Ralph Nader is a consumer advo- least to 45 miles per gallon for creating a satisfactory public-tran- cate and was the Green Party can- cars and 35 miles per gallon for sit system. We must require old didate for president in 2000. light trucks, to be phased in over "grandfathered" coal plants to five years) during a transition meet modern pollution standards. Article design: Holly K. Soria

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How did we

arrive at Sept 1 7, and where are we headed?

BY ALAN W. DOWD

is rare that a turning point in Ithistory can be traced to a spe- cific day, rarer still to a single moment. 8:48 a.m., Sept. 11, 2001, was such a moment - a nightmare-come-to-life that changed the world forever. Within two hours of the twin attacks on New York and Washing- ton, the World Trade Center towers fell from the Manhattan skyline, their majestic silhouettes reduced to rubble as a world gasped. Smol- dering and flaring for more than three months, the ruins even now resemble a volcano. The Pentagon burned for only five days, but the gash in its side serves as a ready metaphor for the physical and psy- chological wounds inflicted not just on America's mighty military, but upon America itself. Fury As the debris confinues to be cleared away from the mass grave and that once was the World Trade Center, some grasp at history to the make sense of the senseless, com- paring Sept. 11 to other moments Infamy of man-made carnage - Oklahoma City, and Antietam are commonly cited. But the com- Vengeance is Not Victory. When achieve what most Americans de- parisons are woefully inadequate. America endured its first day of mand - an end to terrorism itself. Sept. 11 was one of those infamy 60 years ago. President As President George W. Bush ex- moments without precedent, par- Franklin D. RooseveU responded plained, the war on terror "will allel or equal. And as such, histo- to Japan's sneak attack with a not end until every terrorist group ry can offer little solace. What his- promise: "No matter how long it of global reach has been found, tory can teach us, however, is may take us to overcome this pre- stopped and defeated." That will - what lies ahead. And that is war meditated invasion," he thun- take years, if not decades. a long, complicated war. dered, "the American people in Sfill, there are vast differences

The opening shots of this war their righteous might wUl win between World War II and what - fired not by tanks or fighter-jets, through to absolute victory." tomorrow's historians may call but by mass-murderers disguised Years would pass before Ameri- World War III. (Before scoffing at as vacationers, heroin-dealers and ca made good on that promise, that prospect, consider the facts: sadists masquerading as holy before the shock and infamy of Yet again, the world is splitting men, and anonymous assassins Pearl Harbor turned into the fury along the jagged fault lines of ide- wielding envelopes laced with of Midway, Dresden, Normandy ology and self-interest - on one poison and plague - underscore and Hiroshima. The same holds side, democracies and would-be just how complicated this first true today. democracies; on the other, revi- war of the 21st century will be. The early blows of our ven- sionists and revolutionaries. And terror's far-flung training geance, like DooHttle's, may be North America, , Russia, grounds foreshadow just how swift, but victory will not be. In- India and Japan are all mobilizing long it will be. deed, it cannot be, if this war is to for war - and so are the terrorists

18 January 2002 [ The American Legion Magazine needed more warplanes to support the campaign, they were yanked from duty over Iraq, putting Kuwait and at risk. All of these contortions are be- ing repeated in Operation Endur- ing Freedom, but on a much larg- er scale - and at much higher stakes. Indeed, U.S. forces are stretched so thin that the Penta- gon had to ask NATO for a fleet of AWACS planes to monitor our own coastlines. This is one of the tragic, if pre- dictable consequences of neglect- ing the military. Almost 15 years ago, with the Cold War thawing, we shoved defense spending into a freefall. It spiraled from 6.1 per- cent of GDP in 1987 to 2.9 per- cent in 2000, prompting some ob- servers to make ominous compar-

isons to the post-World War I military draw-down. In 1919, the

Images of a smoldering New York City regime. It will end only if we fight country invested 16 percent of sl

All of this should remind us lacks the heavy lift capabilities to As British historian Niall Fer- that we're in uncharted territory. move large numbers of troops and gusson observes, "Since 1968, America itself is on the frontlines. equipment rapidly. The U.S. Army there have been 500 hijackings The enemy has no flag to capture, strained to transport just 24 around the world and more than no capital to occupy. And that is Apache helicopters from Germany 4,000 recorded terrorist bomb- why we cannot expect this to end to Albania during the Kosovo cam- ings." But terrorism's war on - at least not on our terms - after paign. When the Navy diverted America crescendoed in the air strikes, desert combat, coah- carrier battle groups to the 1990s. In 1993, terrorists threw tion-building or even the over- Mediterranean, the Pacific was left their first blows at the World throw of Afghanistan's Taliban exposed. When the Air Force Trade Center, killing six Ameri-

January2002 19

| The American Legion Magazine "America 's friends finally began cans and injuring 1,000. acting like friends, America's enemies easily attack us. And it's Later that year, Saudi the major reason they expatriate Osama bin finally were treated like enemies, want to attack us: They Laden first made news despise the free and the American people finally society by taking credit for the built within America and ambush in Mogadishu, awoke to the nightmare that always the democratic society which claimed 17 U.S. being built around the soldiers. In 1996, a truck lurked just beyond their gaze." globe. To them, these bomb exploded outside symbolize not progress, the U.S. mihtary's Khobar Towers Prime Minister Tony Blair prom- but infection and imperiahsm. in Saudi Arabia. The blast ised to join America in destroying claimed 19 airmen and injured "the machinery of terror." If we Target List. We have every indica- 200 others. In 1998, terrorists fail, Blair warned, terror's next tion that the Bush administration bombed a pair of American em- salvo could be a nuclear weapon. is using the carnage of Sept. 11 as bassies in East Africa, murdering Scores of other countries have grounds to attack global terrorism 224 civiUans and injuring more since closed ranks, with new al- at its roots, no matter where they than 5,000. And in October 2000, lies springing up in such unlike- reach. The tendrils and branches terrorists used a rubber boat to ly places as Tajikistan and may be most visible in the lacer- blast a hole in the USS Cole, Uzbekistan. ated soil of Afghanistan, but like killing 17 sailors. But perhaps nothing is more a poison weed they wrap around All of this occurred against a illustrative than Russia's actions of the globe. Defense Secretary Don- bloody backdrop of global terror- how much the world has changed. ald Rumsfeld recently revealed ism. In fact, 2000 saw an 8-percent Remarkably, Moscow cleared its that bin Laden's al-Qaida network increase in terrorist attacks world- airspace to U.S. warplanes; "has cells in 50 or 60 countries." wide. According to the State De- allowed the former Soviet Even so, according to the State partment, 21,000 people were republics of Central Asia to open Department, the roots of terror run killed or maimed by organized acts their territory to U.S. equipment deepest in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, of terror between 1995 and 2000. and troops; increased military aid , and Sudan. The numbers for 2001 are not yet to the Northern Alliance, a pro- Hamas, for example, has offices tallied, but we know this much: As western group in Afghanistan; and in the Syrian capital of Damascus. a result of Sept. 11, thousands of conveniently conducted armored Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, controlled Americans have been added to ter- maneuvers on the Afghan border. by Syria, is a training ground for rorism's death toll. Wary cold warriors have asked Hezbollah, the Popular Front for why, but the answer is simple: As the Liberation of Palestine and A Changed World. The United Dmitri Rogozin, chairman of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad - all cov- States may have sleepwalked Russian Duma's international af- ered in the blood of innocents. through the past decade, but to fairs committee, concluded, "Just In the lawless deserts of paraphrase Yamamoto, the giant as 60 years ago, Russia and the Sudan, Yemen and Somalia, has awakened. United States have a common en- Hamas, Islamic Jihad and al-Qai- Perhaps for the first time in the emy again." da run boot camps for hijackers, history of terror, the carriers and At home, there is broad sup- suicide bombers and mass-mur- breeding grounds of this scourge port for the anti-terror campaign, derers. When they graduate, they are finally within reach of justice fueled by a sense that both blood scurry into the shanties of Gaza, and punishment. That's because and liberties will need to be shed the crevices of Europe and Russia, the world profoundly changed on before peace can be restored. the festering underside of that awful Tuesday morning in However, in waging this war, Malaysia and Indonesia, the dark

September. America's friends fi- America must maintain a delicate corners of North America. nally began acting like friends, balance between freedom and se- But some places offer more America's enemies finally were curity. Freedom cannot become than just the right chmate for ter- treated like enemies, and the the next casualty of the war on ror. Barbaric and backward American people finally awoke to terror. As Ronald Reagan warned places exist where the heads of the nightmare that always lurked during another time of troubles, state are themselves terrorists. just beyond their gaze. "Regardless of their humanitarian Tehran, Baghdad and Pyongyang NATO's rapid decision to stand purpose, those who would sacri- top the list. with America, invoking its "all for fice freedom for security have Philippine officials have identi- one" clause for the first time in chosen a downward path leading fied North Korea as the prime history, was an early sign that our to totalitarianism." arms supplier for the Moro Islam- allies grasped the gravity of this Bin Laden and his foot soldiers ic Liberation Front, which is wag- moment. Noting that more of his set out to destroy the American ing a guerilla war in and around countrymen died in the World way of Hfe, but not without our Manila. Trade Center massacre than in the help. The fact that we are free is In its 2001 report on terror, the Gulf War or Falklands War, British the very reason terrorists can so U.S. government called Iran "the

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coUectlblestoday.com Pendina credit approval . Special limited-edition presentation i; 295 casting days. Self-standing. Prices higher in Canada. f The Bradford Exchange and All Things Collectible ©2001 BGE 36231-BD ...the Pentagon s war on terror most active state sponsor borrowed somethingfrom about enough." But can a na- of terrorism" on earth. tion accustomed to fast For 22 years, Iranian- every U.S. miUtary engagement food, FedEx and push- trained terrorists have button wars match that the 20th century, and in destabilized U.S. allies of patience? What will from the Balkans to the so doing resembles none of them." America do when the Persian Gulf, shaking the trail to terror grows cold, very foundations of glob- when we realize that a al order. Even so, Washington's II. The answer is yes - and no. As war for our very way of life response to the attacks of Sept. 11 we learned in the first 90 days, requires time? What will we say has forced Tehran to rethink its the Pentagon's war on terror bor- when our allies bleed, burn and old ways: As U.S. bombs began to rowed something from about buckle? And will the resolve still fall on Afghanistan, Tehran sent a every U.S. military engagement of simmer when American bodies secret message to the White the 20th century, and in so doing are dragged through Baghdad or House promising to rescue any resembles none of them. Beirut, when Cairo or Kuwait City American military personnel who As Bush explained, "Americans collapses, if Sept. 11 is repeated might land inside Iran. Time will should not expect one battle, but somewhere else? tell if this is a momentary change a lengthy campaign unlike any or something more permanent. other we have ever seen." We Only the Beginning. Just as these The State Department reports have witnessed surgical strikes questions are hard to answer, this that Iraq's Saddam Hussein began that call to mind the operations war will be hard to fight. But it deploying terrorists into foreign against Belgrade and Baghdad, can be won. Indeed, what some cities in 2000, where they have strategic bombing campaigns view as America's greatest weak- plotted and carried out assassina- reminiscent of the latter days of ness - its distaste for war - will tions. Of course, that's just a Vietnam and multi-agency raids be its greatest asset in waging the small cog of Hussein's vast terror that borrow from the war on war on terror. machine. In fact, the Israeli intel- drugs. Yet to come are sieges and As the eminent diplomat ligence agency traces the Sept. 11 ferocious urban assaults that re- George Kennan explained during attacks to Baghdad, and Egyptian semble Mogadishu; 21st-century the Cold War, the American officials have drawn a triangle of Marshall Plans to prop up teeter- democracy is something like a di- terror connecting Iraqi agents ing allies; draining tests of will nosaur blithely frolicking in the with suicide bomber Mohamed that recall the long, twilight strug- mud: "He pays little attention to Atta and last fall's anthrax blitz. gle between communism and his environment; he is slow to These countries will no longer freedom; and awkward aUied en- wrath - in fact, you practically be underestimated or overlooked. deavors that invoke memories of have to whack his tail off to make As the president declared in what Sicily or Kosovo. him aware that his interests are could be called the Bush Doctrine, Other battles we'll never see - being disturbed. But once he "We will pursue nations that pro- battles fought by cyber-warriors grasps this, he lays about him vide aid or safe haven to terror- who cripple civilian computer with such bhnd determination ism. Every nation in every region networks, unsavory foreign mer- that he not only destroys his ad- now has a decision to make: Ei- cenaries who fight on the terror- versary but largely wrecks his na- ther you are with us or you are ists' terms and turf, and U.S. elite tive habitat." with the terrorists." If Afghanistan forces who kill at close range. In other words, Americans hate is any indication, those govern- It appears that America has the war so much that once they are ments that make the wrong deci- stomach for such a campaign. forced to fight it, they will do any- sions are not long for this world. Any nation that can withstand the thing to end it on their terms. Our body blows of Sept. 11 has a vast adversaries don't understand this. The Virtue of Patience. Pentagon reservoir of resilience. What re- They don't understand that be- planners have no illusions about mains to be seen is whether the neath the soft outer edges of what will be required to enforce country has the attention span democracy exists muscle and the Bush Doctrine. As Navy Sec- and patience for the war on ter- bone that, once flexed, can un- retary Gordon England dryly con- ror. The latter-day who leash an unspeakable fury. And cluded, "This is not going to be a attacked the World Trade Center even now, they don't understand short program." But knowing and the Pentagon had plenty of what they set in motion on Sept. where terror breeds is far easier both. Planning and preparation 11. The infamy has passed, but than uprooting it, which is why for the attacks may have taken the fury has just begun, i the president's war council is tak- three to five years. ing pains to brace the nation for a The president says his adminis- Alan W. Dowd is a frequent long war. tration is equal to the task. "If it contributor to The American Le- Some have asked if this war takes one day, one month, one gion Magazine. will be like Kosovo or Desert year or one decade," he promised Storm or Vietnam or World War in October, "we're patient Article design: Holly K. Soria

22 January 2002

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Association as- First-class US. sociate director for government relations. Studies remains a priority of his adminis- military men and show that military members tend tration. In a visit last spring, Pres- to marry younger, have children ident Bush told thousands of sol- women are living younger and have larger families diers at Fort Stewart, Ga., that de- than their civilian peers. spite current conditions their lot like second-class Nearly 1 million children, or 73 would improve. percent of all military children, are "These problems - from low pay - citizens. younger than 11 , and 40 percent are to poor housing reach across our 5 years or younger. Approximately 6 military and the result is BY JAMES V. CARROLL percent of military members are sin- predictable," Bush said. "Frustra- gle parents, ranging from a low of 3 tion is up; morale, in some places, Roslyn Shelton Riley knows percent of Marines to a high of al- is difficult to sustain; recruitment is the Army. There hasn't been most 8 percent of Army members. harder. This is not the way a great a day in her Hfe she's not Sixty-three percent of all spouses nation should reward courage and held an Army ID card either as a are in the labor force, including 87 idealism. It's ungrateful, it's unwise child Army "brat," an active-duty percent of junior enlisted spouses and it is unacceptable." Help is on Army nurse or as an Army E-1 to E-5, Raezer adds. the way, he promised. spouse. The Army has been her "Military members and their Insufficient pay and housing lifelong family. families want the nation to under- conditions are frequent complaints Riley has personal experience stand that the military family by military men and women. Even with such things as Army com- drives the retention decision," a cursory examination illuminates pensation, housing, working con- Raezer said. "The family's quality the depth and breadth of the prob- ditions, medical care and other of life is a readiness requirement, lem, but fixes will not come pieces of the military quality-of- and even a community as strong quickly, nor cheaply. life puzzle. Times change, she as the miUtary community will says, and so do the puzzle pieces. fall apart if it is asked to do too Housing. Military professionals "The Army is different from much with too little for too long." say overall adequacy and condi- the one I grew up in as a child Because marriages have increased tion of military housing, both and the one I entered 30 years in today's military, the well-being family and single-soldier units, ago," she told the House Subcom- and quality-of-life requirements for lag far behind standards expected mittee on Military Construction families have become more impor- in the civilian marketplace. last year. "It has a greater percent- tant and more demanding. Substan- "Over the last decade or so we age of married families, more sin- dard or inadequate housing, low pay have fallen behind - both in the gle parents, more female soldiers and poor working conditions are construction and in the and families who want a quality pandemic and affect military men maintenance of all our existing of life that is comparable to what and women and their families housing facilities," Sgt. Maj. of the they could achieve as civilians." regardless of service branch. These Army Jack L. Tilley says. "Across

Indeed, the all-volunteer mili- conditions are important because the board, I would tell you that the tary today is predominately a they directly affect recruitment, re- housing we have is inadequate young, married force with children. tention, morale, the family unit and both in the amount and repair.

Currently 55 percent of the military military readiness, the Department of Equally important, I would also is married, and 56 percent of the Defense says. tell you that our soldiers know married population is between the George W. Bush made military that. When it comes to their well- ages of 22 and 29, says Joyce Wes- quality of life an issue during his being and the factors they consider sel Raezer, National Military Family 2000 presidential campaign and it when deciding to make the Army

24 January 2002

1 The American Legion Magazine Approximately 37,200 of the mil- no privacy and precious littie living itary's substandard housing units space. A bunk and locker taking up belong to the Navy, says Duncan an area of 20 square feet is home for Holaday, the branch's deputy assis- nearly 25,000 enlisted sailors.

tant secretary for installations and "There's no doubt about it. Living facilities. Using military construc- aboard ship even when in homeport

tion alone, it would take $4.5 bil- is a huge negative when it comes lion to renovate or replace all of the time to re-enlist," Herdt adds. Navy's inadequate homes. The military did not sink into this More than 70 percent of the quagmire overnight. And the prob- Army's family housing is substan- lem is not the Pentagon's alone. dard. Repair, renovation or replace- Congress also is culpable. Big-ticket ment would cost more than $6 bil- weapons systems are popular re- lion, says Paul W. Johnson, the election handouts to constituents Army's deputy assistant secretary back home. Higher pay and better for installations and housing. living quarters for military men and The Air Force has approximate- women often do not strike the same a career, housing is as high or ly 65,000 substandard or inade- chord. Weapons platforms may nearly as high on the list as pay." quate housing units, says Jimmy mean more jobs, but these state-of- Stateside, Tilley says decades-old G. Dishner, deputy secretary for tiie-art systems often siphon away barracks rooms originally designed installations of the Air Force. money to improve the quality of life for two soldiers now hold three. Bro- The condition and scarcity of on- for military men and women and ken showers and backed-up sewers base housing has forced many mili- their families. So much so that mili- cause hygiene problems for barracks tary families to face an economic tary readiness is being threatened. soldiers. Overseas, Tilley says he was dilemma: how to afford off-base The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in shocked to see many of the same quarters. "Sailors and their families New York and Washington point to buildings still in use that had been living off base are spending on aver- the difficulties faced by the Bush considered old, dilapidated and out- age 15 percent more than their ba- administration. Congress and the dated when he served there as an sic allowance for housing to obtain Pentagon when it comes to doling armor first sergeant in the late 1980s. adequate community quarters," out finite resources. Few would Even more shocking was the obvi- Master Chief Petty Officer of the argue in time of crisis that the top ous fact that little money has been Navy James L. Herdt says. priority should be defeating terror- spent on upkeep and renovation. Many single enlisted sailors have ist enemies. Military readiness re-

Many quarters for single soldiers are it worse. Shipboard surface sailors lies on men and women being pre- substandard, with electrical, plumb- E-4 and below are expected to live pared mentally and physically to ing and heating problems. And off aboard ship even while berthed in carry out their dangerous tasks at base, there is often no air condition- their homeports. They have littie or risk of fife or limb. ing, no closets, limited parking, no In ihe short term, our fighting place for children to play, and the force is ready, says former Chairman water may be unsafe to drink. of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Henry H. Living conditions are little better Shelton. But fijture military readiness at some stations in Europe, Riley depends in part on improving the told the subcommittee. Families quality of life of America's military living on post cope with clogged men and women and tiieir families. sinks and backed up sewers that The Department of Defense can't be repaired. Upon assignment recognizes the inadequacies, Yim to quarters, occupants find warped says. DoD is aggressively pursu- countertops and floors, mildewed ing an initiative to cut out-of- shower walls and ceiling joints, pocket housing expenses by 2005 and dirty, carelessly hung curtains. at a cost of more than $3 billion. But substandard housing is not DoD also is on track to correct the unique to overseas military instal- inadequate and substandard lations or the Army. housing problems by 2010. About 60 percent, or 180,000 But the General Accounting Of- units, of DoD housing inventory in fice is skeptical that DoD's approach die United States is substandard, - military construction, public-pri- says Randall A. Yim, deputy under- vate venture projects and increased secretary of defense for installations. housing allowances - is the right Fixing this problem using only tradi- course of action. Particularly trou- tional military construction is the military's de- money Leaky plumbing in a Hunter Army Airfield bling, GAO says, would take more than 30 years and maintenance building restroom goes unre- sire for a significant increase in the cost as much as $16 billion. paired pending renovation. number of military housing units. A

January 2002 1 25 The American Legion Magazine perceived clamor by military there is a $17.8 billion main- members for additional on- tenance backlog. base housing may simply be a result of deficiencies in hous- Pay. As bad as living and ing allowance formulas used working conditions in the by DoD. According to GAO, 72 military might be, few issues percent of military personnel have greater impact on the say they prefer civilian housing daily lives of the armed if cost is not a factor GAO con- forces than pay. DoD reports cludes that reducing housing as many as 5,000 military allowance disincentives would enlisted families are eligible better satisfy military members for food stamps and tens of and would likely increase the thousands of enlisted per- use of civilian housing. sonnel qualify for Women, While the military sorts out Infants and Children assis- housing priorities, service tance. Eleven pay caps in members wait. Equitable al- the past 15 years have taken lowance for civilian housing is a toll. Despite recent pay at least five years away. Pub- raises, military wages con- lic-private partnerships will tinue to lag behind the pub- not be accomplished lic sector. And the military

overnight. And renovation and knows it. construchon of new military Shelton says the area in housing is not expected to be greatest need of additional complete for another 10 years. defense spending is the mil- "Family members' eyes light itary's most important re- up when the topic of renova- source: its uniformed mem- tion arises," Riley told the sub- bers. To meet this need, committee. "But frowns quick- Shelton, prior to his Sept. ly replace the glow when the 30 retirement, urged Con- expected 2010 completion to date Sgt. Paul Walter returns clothing and equipment in a dark and gress "close the substan- is mentioned." dank Fort Stewart supply facility. A new 178,000-squa re-foot tial gap between what we complex will replace 22 substandard supply buildings now in use. pay our men and women in The Work Place. Many mili uniform and what their tary men and women also face de- I Herdt. Even newer facilities are in civilian counterparts with similar plorable work conditions when disrepair, including skills, training and education are they arrive at their duty stations. bases in Bangor, Wash., and Kings earning. " Low compensation is They are often forced to work in Bay, Ga. Little money is available more than a morale problem, Shel-

dilapidated buildings. Headquar- for regular maintenance. ton said. It strikes at the heart of ters complexes are cramped. Roofs A shortage of ammunition recruitment, retention and leak, runways and streets are shelters at some Marine bases re- ultimately at force readiness. crumbling, and rusted piers create quires around-the-clock sentries The military has been strug- safety hazards, say military lead- to protect more than half the gling the last few years to main- ers. There are approximately 400 Corps' ammunition, says Sergeant tain recruitment quotas for a vari- major military bases across the Major of the Marine Corps A. L. ety of reasons, including the country, and the Pentagon says 69 McMichael. Marine communica- prospect of low pay. This past percent of those installations have tions and electronics students at year, service branches met or ex- significant deficiencies that hamper Twentynine Palms, Calif., split ceeded their annual recruitment troops from carrying out their mili- day and night classes aboard pier- goals, but retaining recruits is still tary missions. That's up from 60 side Navy ships because of limit- a problem, says Air Force Gen. percent in 2000. The military rates ed classroom space. Some Marine Ralph E. Eberhart, U.S. Space only 9 percent of its installations in buildings do not have heat in the Command Commander in Chief.

good condition. It would take DoD winter or air conditioning in the "The challenge is retaining en- nearly 200 years to replace all its summer, McMichael adds. listed military men and women," facilities based on its annual $3.9 Soldiers go to work in converted Eberhart says. "Other people billion construction budget. barracks at Fort Stewart, Ga. Water want them, too, and other people Deteriorating facility conditions at times is unfit to drink. Air condi- are wiUing to pay a lot more than are spread across the military land- tioning continually breaks and boil- we can. Civilian employers want scape. Roads at Newport Naval ers often fail in winter. Tiled floors workers who've received valuable - Station, R.I., crumble under the containing asbestos are crumbling technical training in the military wheels of daily traffic. Many other and computer and phone wires men and women who have expe- Navy bases are also in decay, says dangle from ceilings. Army-wide rience under their belts."

26 January 2002 1 The American Legion Magazine —

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28 January 2002

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These statements have not been evaluated by the food and Drug Administration. Zip This product is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness. * Just pay $4.95 Shipping & Handling. ^ne offer per household Offer expires 03/31/2002J grams are needed, Barnes says. doing a little better. After 15 years These programs require more mon- of pay caps, raises are beginning to ey to enable increased military fami- trickle down. Pay has risen some 8 ly participation. percent to 9 percent the past two Providing tools for enrichment of years and another raise in the range the mind as well as the body is too of 6 percent to 7 percent is expect- important to be ignored. Continued ed this year. Wages for military upgrades of military libraries and men and women remain below that recreation facilities are essential of their civilian counterparts, but quality-of-life components for an the gap is closing, Hutchinson says. educated and fit force, Barnes adds. Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., At the same time, the needs of agrees progress is slow but steady. single military men and women "We cannot turn things around can't be overlooked. Programs such quickly. It will take some time," as the Army's Better Opportunities Johnson says. "We are advancing. for Single Soldiers and the Navy's As long as we make honest efforts Single Sailor program should be ex- to improve their conditions and to panded to provide access to all sin- show our military men and gle military men and women, TMC women we care, I think they will stated. The BOSS program helps understand things are not going to bring single soldiers into communi- change overnight. What's impor- ty decision-making through partici- tant is that we continue to improve Soldiers used an old boxcar for sandblast- pation in the Army Family Action ing operations until construction on a their working conditions and con- plan process and also helps educate multimillion-dollar environmentally safe tinue to work on higher compen- single soldiers about their benefits building recently ended at Fort Stewart. sation for them. It is a fairness is- through cooperation with commis- sue, and we need to treat our pro- sary and exchange officials. The branch. Rapid-fire deployment to tectors of our freedom fairly. Navy's Single Sailor Program is de- places like Kosovo, Bosnia and the "We know people do not go into signed to develop and improve so- Middle East also force military lead- the military with pay as the moti- cial skills and meet the leisure ers to use what maintenance and vating factor, and we may never be needs of single enlisted sailors. repair money might be available for able to pay military men and more urgent matters, like training. women their worth considering the Show Me the Money. Sen. Tim Finch told the House Subcom- sacrifices they are asked to make. Hutchinson, R-Ark., readily admits mittee on Installations and Facilities That does not excuse us, however, America's soldiers, sailors, Marines, that Air Force infrastructure and from our responsibility to provide Coast Guardsmen and airmen are modernization is taking a back seat them with the tools needed to carry asked to do too much with too lit- to near-term readiness. This strate- out dieir missions and provide them tle, but he sees no quick fixes. A gy has resulted in a $5 billion main- with a quality of life they might en- finite supply of money is available tenance backlog at Air Force facili- joy were they civilians. That's not to heal all the ills facing the mili- ties. If current funding levels do not too much for them to ask." tary, its men, women and families, rise it would take the Air Force 200 At the end of the day, military Hutchinson says. The administra- years to catch up, Finch said. men and women want no more or tion, DoD and Congress are busy Another factor siphoning mainte- no less for their families than do developing priorities to address the nance dollars is surplus military their civilian counterparts, most urgent quality-of-life needs. bases. Congress has closed 97 bases McMichael adds. "There are no

Congress is working to fix in- since 1988, but die military says it microwave solutions for problems equitable Basic Allowance for still has 23 percent to 25 percent in life whether you are in or out of

Housing schedules, minimize more buildings than it needs. Many uniform. What's important is that housing shortages and replace sub- congress members, however, appear there is a system in place to pro- standard quarters, says Rep. David to be reluctant to close more bases - vide progress. We have such a sys-

Hobson, R-Ohio, chairman of the especially if diose bases are in their tem. Marines know we may never House Military Construction Sub- districts. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., get everything we want, but we committee. But the fixes will take a vocal advocate of military reform, will never get less than we need. " time - 2005 to eliminate housing introduced legislation last spring to allowance inequities and 2010 to authorize additional rounds of base James V. Carroll is an assistant solve the housing standards and closures in 2003 and 2005. He says editor of The American Legion availability problems, Hobson says. additional base closures could save Magazine. Fixing what USA Today calls our $20 billion by 2015 and approximate- "military slums" may not be so easy. ly $3 billion annually thereafter. Photos by James V. Carroll

Congressional budget caps in recent When it comes to military pay, years have strapped military mainte- our airmen, soldiers. Marines, Article design and illustration: nance operations in every service sailors and Coast Guardsmen are Doug Rollison

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Vietnam veterans George Clark, a leather- nic last spring in the North Caroli- skinned combat veteran na piedmont, these two warriors, lead the fight to save who has fought in wars men whose life stories are embroi- around the world, could not be- dered in battle scars and hang in an endangered lieve his tear-streaked eyes. Final- the milky ball that used to be ly, after more than 30 years, he discovered the fate of Charley Dot Montagnard culture. ABOVE left: Montagnard soldiers like Y Homok, one of 17 Montagnard Khip Nye, who fought alongside Green Berets in 1968, were studies in BY JEFF STOFFER (mountain-yard) aborigines he quick the commanded during U.S. Special ways of weapons, courtesy George dark Forces missions in southeast Asia. below; When he served in the U.S. Spe- "Charley was my radio operator," cial Forces in Vietnam, George Clark commanded a reconnaissance platoon Clark said. "He was glued to me that included 17 Montagnards. "They from December 1968 to April didn't get half the credit they deserved 1970. He saved my life dozens of for what they knew," said Clark, who times; he took a burst for me." said his life was saved numerous times In the unlikely setting of a pic- by Yards, courtesy ceorge Clark

32 [January 2002 The American Legion Magazine Homok's left eye, found each stroyed in the war," said Tom- other again. No camouflage, no my Daniels, a Special Forces automatic weapons, no radios Vietnam War vet who has or grenades. They embraced, been fighting for Montagnards wept, laughed and spent the since the first group of rest of the afternoon just like refugees came to North Caroli- old times: glued together. na in 1986. "If you work the But the reunion did not numbers out, in 25 years they bring closure - not at this will be gone. Extinct." Retired Col. David "Bulldog" Smith welcomes a pair strange picnic where little young Montagnard men to the United States during Impassioned American vet- about Vietnam has healed. an annual STMP Memorial Day rendezvous in North erans and humanitarian organ- Clark and his fellow Green Carolina. Jeff stoffer izations alike describe the situ- Beret veterans have long mem- ation as a modern-day holo- ories about the Montagnards, a troops anymore. We had no caust. At least half the Montagnard culture whose freedom they are weapons. No ammunition." population - calculated at more still fighting to save. In 1986, Eban was among a than 1.5 miUion in the 1960s - has lucky few Montagnard resistance been erased since U.S. troops A Bitter Aftermath. For most fighters - survivors of the Vietnam pulled out. Vietnamese diplomats Americans, the war in Vietnam War's "forgotten army" - who re- officially deny allegations of cul- ended with the fall of Saigon in ceived asylum in the United States. tural leveling through religious

1975. For the Montagnards, that Another group made it out in 1992. persecution, bounty hunting, event was just another setback in Since then, emigration of Montag- forced sterilization, military rule a half-century of hell that contin- nard refugees who qualify for free- and other anti-humanitarian acts ues today. In one of the war's dom in the United States or anoth- against ethnic minorities. Such grimmest consequences, the na- er country under the U.N.'s Orderly acts would violate human-rights tive tribesmen who fought with Departure Program has been a hit- and free-emigration conditions for steakhy allegiance to America, and-miss proposition, fraught with trade with the United States. were left to face the vengeance of deceit, bribes and corruption, ac- Human-rights violations are their communist enemies alone. cording to western humanitarians escalating, say Montagnard Poorly armed and sorely outnum- and Montagnards alike. refugees now living in America, bered, their choices were agoniz- One American relief worker who number about 4,000. The ing over the past quarter-century recalled a confrontation between few western relief workers who - acquiesce, escape or fight to al- an ODP-qualified Montagnard and are permitted police-guarded ac- most-certain defeat - under the a Vietnamese official in the high- cess in the remote villages in Viet- new regime. lands. The native asked about the nam say the Montagnards are be- "Nobody knew what to do," $8,000 fee he needed to raise to ing driven into extinction by com- said Thomas Eban, a 59-year-old join his family in the United munist nationals who want to Montagnard who spent 14 years States. Officially, of course, no turn the highlands into coffee as a guerilla soldier, sealed off such fee is charged. But in reality, plantations. The native popula- from the world, fighting, hiding, no one gets out without up to tion has fallen to no more than moving and waiting for support $15,000 in cash. The rehef worker 750,000, and it's dropping. that never came. "In the moun- said it was an especially awkward "It's all about punishment and tains, we were safe," Eban said. moment for the official. Bounty revenge," said Kay Reibold, Direc- "We tried diplomatic relations, hunting for Montagnard refugees tor of the Vietnam Highlands As- and that did not work. We could- who have fled to Cambodia also sistance Project for Lutheran Fam- n't fight the North Vietnamese reportedly pays well. ily Services in North Carolina. Faded for the Montagnards are "It's a sinister psychological cam- dreams they once held for ethnic paign to beat people's spirits autonomy in their homelands, or down." Reibold, a former docu- even a voice in the national gov- mentary filmmaker, has made 17 ernment. The culture's focus has trips with various delegations to shifted into the more urgent busi- help provide assistance in the ness of simply staying alive, if not highlands since 1988. Two times, in Vietnam, somewhere. she said, medical suppHes were It's difficult to put accurate confiscated at the airport and sim- numbers on the problem, but scat- ply disappeared; on other occa- tered census figures, some gener- sions, suppHes were taken away ally accepted estimates and much from villagers after she left. Charley Dot Homok, left, and George anecdotal information indicate U.S. investigations into the Clark had not seen each other in more than 30 years before they reunited in that this ancient culture is mistreatment of indigenous peo- North Carolina in May They spent the doomed. "Eighty-five percent of ple have been described in official day glued together cregstock the Montagnard villages were de- Vietnam government statements

January 2002 1 33 The American Legion Magazine I as a "rude intervention in another what would become Vietnam can cause, by the time the French ar- country's internal affairs." be traced at least to 200 B.C., and rived, the Dega people had long It's a powder keg in a remote before that, by linguistic channels since been driven from the fertile part of a nation that - according to to Malayo-Polynesian and Mon- lowlands into scattered high-coun- a -based survey - ranks Khmer origins. Although they refer try villages. As many as 56 differ- as the most economically corrupt to themselves as Dega, most west- ent ethnic divisions developed, in Asia. In the central highlands, erners know them by the French each with faintly distinct territorial where the red scare came true, sto- term for "mountain dwellers" be- boundaries and, much like early ries are rampant about government land takeovers and ODP-approved families getting accosted and sepa- The Montagnards' Trail of Tears rated at airports before leaving for the United States. BY MIKE BENGE of contrived authority. Then the International news media communist government stole reported in early 2001 that Viet- In 1966, Vietnamese II Corps ancestral Montagnard lands to namese troops in tanks and heli- commander Gen. Vinh Loc - a plant coffee for export, leaving copters were deployed to snuff out man described by Montagnards little space for them to grow peaceful Montagnard demonstra- as "the wolf who ate the rabbit food to feed their families. tions for religious freedom, proper- and wears its clothes" - invited After last year's peaceful ty rights and against human-rights U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot demonstrations and Vietnam's abuses. The demonstrations were Lodge to Pleiku to commemorate draconian crackdown, thousands reportedly sparked by the govern- a new program for the native of Montagnards again fled to the ment's burning of Montagnard res- people of the central highlands. jungle. Fewer than 1,000 reached idences where Christian church For the occasion, Gen. Vinh Cambodia, and once again be- services were held. After the Viet- Loc forced the Minister for Ethnic trayal has been their fate. More < nam military rolled into the high- Minorities, Paul Nur, a Montag- than 200 Montagnards who lands to vanquish the natives, nard, to wear a loincloth. Nur was thought they had reached sanc- hundreds of Montagnards escaped well-educated and normally wore tuary were sold back to the Viet- into Cambodia, only to be hunted a suit. A buffalo was sacrificed. namese communists by Cambo- down and returned by troops and Vinh Loc directed Nur to pour the dian police, even though the bounty hunters. blood on the ambassador's expen- American ambassador had re- <

' In one of the world's most geo- sive shoes. Lodge was aghast, and ceived assurances from Cambo- graphically remote, poorly moni- American political support for the dia's Interior Minister Sar Kheng tored and politically isolated Montagnards soon dipped. The that this wouldn't happen. Then places, people can disappear or "wolf" had achieved his goal of a U.N. High Commission for turn up dead with few or no ques- portraying the Montagnards as Refugees official, on the advice tions. And aside from a handful of moi - savages. of a Vietnamese communist se- religious organizations and some That experience was typical of cret police officer who had infil- persistent veterans, most of the the way in which Montagnards trated one of the refugee camps, world shrugs and asks, in all inno- have been deceived and exploit- screened out more than 100 cence, "What's a Montagnard?" ed through the years by various Montagnard Christians, and for- political regimes. Today, almost mer soldiers, sending them back Parallels with American Indians. nothing has changed. to prison or death in Vietnam. So-named by French missionaries Just before the communist The UNHCR and the Cambodian who came to colonize Vietnam, takeover in 1975, U.S. Embassy government are negotiating for

Cambodia and Laos in the late representatives met with the min- the Montagnards' return to com- t * 19th century, Montagnards are the ister for ethnic minorities and munist Vietnam, either into jail earliest known inhabitants of the staff to encourage the formation cells or to the grave. Indochina Peninsula. Their roots in of a Montagnard-dominated re- Is betrayal once again to be sistance force to fight the commu- the fate of the Montagnards? nists. The Americans promised support, and the Montagnards Mike Benge spent 11 years in

continued to fight for 20 years. Vietnam as a Foreign Service Of- i

' The support never materialized. ficer, and worked closely with the Ho Chi Minh had promised Montagnards. Benge spent five Montagnards autonomy if they as a prisoner of war Upon his fought on the side of the com- release in 1973, he returned as a munists, but after the takeover, volunteer to Vietnam and Thomas Eban, a respected FULRO sol- those who had done so were ei- resumed his work with the Mon- dier in tine guerilla war, took a job as a villages tagnards, he continues to- gas-station attendant when he came to ther sent back to or which the United States, He waited six years placed in meaningless positions day from the United States. for his family to arrive, jeff staffer

34 January 2002 [ The American Legion Magazine | American Indians, languages and launched his campaign to wrest Viet Minh victory. When that hap- traditions varied from tribe to tribe. Vietnam into communist control. pened and Vietnam was divided in For centuries, Montagnard tribes Both sides battled for Montagnard two, the Domaine de la Cronne existed in isolated solace. The big allegiance, and the French won, was dissolved by clash came in the late 19th century issuing a federal ordinance - Do- President Ngo Dien Diem. when traders, plantation owners, maine de la Cronne - that separat- Thousands of Vietnamese missionaries and Vietnamese na- ed five Montagnard provinces from moved south in the late 1950s, tionals pressed into the mountains, the rest of the country. It was a into the highlands. The Montag- looking for new land to occupy brief taste of autonomy muddied nard culture - which at the time and resources to develop. "The by a Vietnamese nationalist move- had barely begun using written new contact proved disruptive, giv- ment in 1951 and later destroyed language - firmly resisted the ing rise to conflict between the altogether after the communist massive South Vietnamese reset- Montagnard communities and the outsiders, who were looked on as unwelcome interlopers," according Sexual Dysfunction? to a history of the culture produced by Montagnard Foundation, Inc., of WHY WAIT Spartanburg, S.C. "Vietnamese merchants cheated them. Viet- ANOTHER NIGHT. namese and French officials Change your life (and hers!) abused them, and most important- today with a prescription for ly, speculators of both nationalities SomaTherapy-Rx™ were intent on usurping their tradi- tional land holdings." Doing nothing hurts...you, her The Montagnards fought back, feelings, and maybe even your but the French retaliated with an body. Sexual dysfunction in men armed "pacification mission," ac- and women is a medical condition cording to the MFI history. The and usually a sign of a hidden world wars diverted until problem-poor circvdation the late 1940s when Ho Chi Minh perhaps, or even a side effect from medication. It's nothing to be embarrassed about and definitely nothing to ignore, especially when there are new, lOAYS safe, physician-approved lit ill I ilBIH treatments that are drug-free "Space-A" condominium rentals and proven effective 98% of the exclusively for veterans of the time, regardless of the vmderlying US Armed Forces. cause of the problem.

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Sept. 2001 - See www.veteransholidays.com for full details, policies and procedures. vvww.somablue.com Not affiliated with the US Government. tlement and its inevitable blend- self. "The first thing I did was Montagnard tribesnnen in traditional for ing of the cultures. To fight it, learn their culture, their language. tunics perform music visiting Air Force personnel in tine central highlands Montagnard leaders established a It took three or four trips before during the Vietnam War u.s. Air Force political coalition of tribes, called they really learned who I was." Bajaraka, to negotiate again for They soon welcomed him and plain and simple. And in 1964, autonomy. Bajaraka's top officials what he represented. they demanded it with an uprising were summarily jailed. "They may have been illiterate, that drew international media ex- Ho Chi Minh saw an opening. but were very intelligent, artistic, posure and swiftly led to conces- He promised the Montagnards po- mechanical, and could learn sions from Saigon. litical autonomy in the reunited quickly if you treated them with "They negotiated a settlement communist Vietnam if the north integrity," Hicks said. "I became for better representation," Daniels could count on the natives' sup- known as a war leader. We were explained. "For the balance of the port. Deceived by poHtical prom- both of a warrior class. These war, things really improved. The ises twice in a decade, the Mon- people were fighting for the same Montagnards were the largest of tagnards did not know who to things we would - family, com- the minorities, and their lands trust. That's when the U.S. Spe- munity and country. When they were strategically significant. cial Forces showed up. understood we were of the same Whoever controlled the highlands mind, they fell in with us, and we controlled South Vietnam." A Special Relationship. Vietnam used the hell out of them." The uprising gave birth to the Special Forces veterans still affec- "I think everyone got their United Front for the Liberation of tionately call them "Yards" - the lives saved at least a couple of Oppressed Races [FULRO), a mih- indigenous warriors they met, times by the Yards," said Special tary union composed mainly of trained and befriended 40 years Forces retiree Pete Buscetto of At- Montagnards. Soon, Montagnard ago. Almost from the outset, Yards lanta, Ga., who led a 12-man re- courts were reinstated. Highland responded with fierce enthusiasm connaissance team in 1968-69. All languages and cultures were to advanced-weapons training and of his men were Yards. taught in schools. A Ministry of military advice from the elite sol- Throughout a military career Ethnic Minorities was estabhshed, diers. Yards were loyal, stoic and that stretched into the 1990s, headed by a Montagnard minister. smart. The French had already Hicks continued to lobby Wash- Programs for granting land titles trained many of them; some were ington to help the Montagnards. were drafted, with assistance from even decorated soldiers with He's still doing it. And when he the United States. But this was medals from the French Indochina walks through the crowded picnic 1965. This was Vietnam. The big War. And the Yards would ulti- grounds in his green beret and war came. Bombers, choppers, mately prove essential for military hand-stitched Montagnard tunic, rockets, tanks and artillery agility in the dense highland jun- honorary bracelets made especial- stormed across the highlands, and gles between Vietnam and Cam- ly for him jangle around his the Montagnards were right in the bodia. "They needed us, and we wrists. He still is their war leader. middle of it. Ironically, amid the needed them," Clark said. chaos, the stoic aborigines Long before he retired from the The Forgotten Army. One role the attained unprecedented political Special Forces, Capt. David L. Special Forces played in the high- stature in South Vietnam. "Pappy" Hicks of Texas, was a lands during the early 1960s was But all political progress ended covert-operations team leader in to improve relations between the in 1975. When Saigon fell, the Southeast Asia. He met his first Montagnards and the South Viet- Montagnard government and miU- Yard in 1960. A veter- namese government. That was a tary both went into exile, at sepa- an with American Indian lineage, tall order. Although the tribal peo- rate locations in Cambodia, and the he possessed a keen understanding ple had quickly estabhshed good general population in the highlands of matriarchal native cultures like relations with the American advis- was left behind, with muted leader- that of the Montagnards. From his ers, their patience and trust were ship. At a stadium in Phnom Penh, own Ani-Tsalagi (Cherokee) roots, thin with South Vietnam, which the Montagnard government lead- he understood tribal lifestyles. regarded the Dega as savages. The ers and staff were executed. More Hicks carefully introduced him- Montagnards wanted autonomy. than 10 years passed before FULRO

36 January 2002

I The American Legion Magazine | If you have contracted MESOTHELIOIUIA or LUNG CANCER due to exposure to

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respective state will help determine Future verdicts or settlements cannot n ^ i.^ .l* 01-11^ , Call for a free consultation & booklet f If be predictedw w from prior results. your ability to file a claim. militia got the news. Montagnards who were not caught, killed or con- fined in refugee camps, continued to fight what one writer described as a "hit-and-run war" all the way into the early 1990s. Trained by the Special Forces, they would not go down easily.

The New Vietnam Protesters. At the picnic grounds in North Car- ohna, attended by more than 700 Dega and their supporters, Viet- nam veteran John Freeman inter- rupted the annual business meet- ing of Save The Montagnard Peo- ple, Inc., by shouting: "I always tance, food and other forms of re- In spring 2001, Montagnards demon- wanted to be an anti-war protest- Hef for the impoverished residents strated in Wasliington and New York to raise awareness about human-rights er!" The irony was not lost on his of the highlands. "We are not ad- violations in Vietnam. Kevin schoonmaker fellow STMP members, many of vocating that every Montagnard whom fought in Vietnam. Last have free passage to the United Reibold said the Montagnards spring. Freeman joined hundreds States," he said. "We go over there are punctual employees who do of vets and expatriated Montag- to apply humanitarian work. We well in their jobs and, compared to nards on an American Legion-sup- dig wells and put in crops." other immigrants, stand out statis- ported bus tour to demonstrate at Daniels, a former STMP tically for their short spans on the U.S. Capitol, the U.N. Building president, is in charge of Cambo- pubUc assistance. In North Caroli- and at the New York Stock dia Corps, Inc., which works for na, they worship in churches of Exchange. While the Washington the thousands of Montagnards their own choosing, play authentic rally drew limited attention, the who have fled to the remote Montagnard music at nightclubs Manhattan protest garnered cover- provinces of Cambodia. "These around Greensboro, drive mini age in The New York Times. Their provinces are no further vans, buy houses and raise chil- story has since been told on The advanced than the most remote dren on their way to a new, better History Channel and often in the areas of Vietnam in the 1960s," Ufe. Politically and economically international media. Daniels said. "Farming imple- stronger, the U.S. Montagnards "Bracelet sales doubled" after ments and tools are still smelted now dream of saving those still all the coverage, reported Alice and hand-forged, just as they fighting oppression in Vietnam. Clements, treasurer for STMP, were in the Iron Age. Meals are It's not a gun war anymore. "We which raises funds by selling au- cooked over open fires, even in are a patient people," said Eban, a thentic Montagnard bracelets on the province capitals." guerilla army leader who took a the Web at www.montagnards.org. ^ STMP, Lutheran Family Ser- job pumping gas immediately after The organization recently accepted vices and Catholic Charities arriving in America. Six years a $100,000 anonymous college organizations in North Carolina passed before his wife and scholarship donation that will help relocated Montagnards adjust children were reunited with him. serve as an endowment for Mon- to American Hfe. The piedmont "I have big emotions about tagnard education. Supporters are was pinpointed partly because of this," said Y Hin Nie, who came to also building a cultural center they its proximity to Fort Bragg and its North Carolina with the '92 group call the "Longhouse Project" - a resident network of Special Forces after spending 17 years in the jun- museum to showcase Dega culture veterans and for the lush environ- gle. "I prayed to be saved. I and history. ment comparable to the hill coun- believed that one day God would "We are trying to make our try of Southeast Asia. For new give us peace and freedom and to stand known," said STMP Presi- refugees, that's about where the meet the Americans again. This dent David "Bulldog" Smith, a familiarities end. The world of peace just gave me a spot to work retired Special Forces colonel electricity, jobs, cars, fast food, for my people. Montagnards saved who has made about a dozen subdivisions and television is a far American lives in the jungle. We trips to Vietnam to help the Mon- cry from the malaria, leprosy, came to America. This is their jun- tagnards since 1986. "It is a deli- tigers, snakes and enemies they gle, and (the S.F. veterans) took cate situation." left behind. "It is like walking in a the responsibility to help us." The effort is carefully coordinat- dream," one refugee in his mid- ed to avoid duplication of efforts. 30s said during the picnic. He had Jeff Staffer is managing editor of Cedar Point is Smith's divi- been in the United States only The American Legion Magazine. sion, which travels to Vietnam and about two weeks after spending provides civil-engineering assis- nearly all of his life in the jungle. Article design: Holly K. Soria

38 January 2002

I The American Legion Magazine Soaring Spirit

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credit aporovai Special limited-edition presentation is restricted to collecliblestoday. com Pending . 295 casting days. Prices higiier in Canada, Home of The Bradford Exchange and All Things Collectible ©2001 BGE 35921-80 Participants at the 2001 Winter Sports Clinic, outside Aspen Colo,, rave about the feel- winter sports ing of freedom and adrenaline rush they experience skiing downhill. deliver unexpected Sports Clinic. Trombetta strolls more than 100 are profoundly dis- through the crowds, hailing atten- abled), they encounter similar ob- rewards for dees with a thumbs-up and a stacles - physical, mental, emo- hearty "Go for it!" tional and social - on a daily ba- Mountain-sized problems melt sis. Relating on both levels forges disabled veterans. away, as the towering pines on nearby ridges seem to echo: BY ELISSA KAUPISCH "Reach for the sky. Have courage. PHOTOS BY TOM STRATTMAN Overcome."

can almost feel the Camaraderie Over Competition. Youadrenaline pumping as ath- When Trombetta of Grand Junc- letes from across the nation tion, Colo., started the clinic 15 converge on Snowmass Mountain years ago, he christened it "Mira- near Aspen, Colo., to pit their cles on the Mountainside" after a strengths against the forces of na- participant coined the phrase. But ture and meet headlong the chal- to last winter's 360 disabled ath- lenges of a lifetime. letes, the clinic represents much After heeding their trainers' more than a miracle. They come to last-minute instructions, the ath- the slopes with a goal in mind but letes - paraplegics, quadriplegics, leave with unexpected rewards. amputees, the visually impaired One of them is camaraderie. and those with spinal-cord In most sporting events where injuries - urge their comrades on, one contestant is pitted against an- hollering words of encouragement other, competition can be cutthroat and recognition. and hostile. Not so at the Winter Participants and their family Sports Clinic, where camaraderie members, instructors and other and common bonds run deep. volunteers light up at the sight of As veterans, these men and John Garth of Denver uses special poles the fireball of having Sandy Trombetta, women share the honor called outriggers to help steer his bi-ski founder and director of the Na- served their country. As individu- sled as his instructor skis behind and tional Disabled Veterans Winter als with handicaps (surprisingly. offers directions.

40 January 2002

I The American Legion Magazine " "

the athletes together and drives "Mountain-sized problems melt away, as the them to upUft and support one another. towering pines on nearby ridges seem to echo: "The camaraderie here is unbe- 'Reach for the sky. Have courage. Overcome.'" hevable," one veteran says. "I feel like I've known these folks all my life. went cross-country Confidence and Hope. The clinic is This camaraderie is skiing for the first time more than a week of fun for the

demonstrated every in my life, and I only athletes. The cost is months of in-

time participants cheer fell once. I was really tensive training prior to the event, for the success of others. impressed," Lerese but the results are worth the effort. The athletes not only says, beaming. "Yes- Mastering skills many able-bodied

encourage one another, terday, I learned to people never achieve gives the ath- but they also look for- ski!" letes confidence and courage to ward to reuniting year Meanwhile, a few overcome everyday societal barriers.

after year and forming miles away, a triple "When I first went up the

lasting friendships. amputee who was mountain, I was hesitant to ski wounded in Vietnam down," Lerese admits. "But desire Opportunity, Not Dis- by a land mine enjoys pushed me forward." With fur- ability. In the fresh air snowmobiling for the ther training and practice, his

of the majestic Rocky William White of Hinsdale, first time. "Where confidence flourished. "Participat-

Mountains, disabilities III., displays the ribbon pre- would I ever have had ing in these sports makes me feel

are all but forgotten as sented to him at the con- this opportunity had it better about myself," he says. these veterans - many clusion of the clinic. The not been for the Winter "Just coming down that hill has clinic offers the opportunity of whom are Legion- Sports Clinic?" he asks. given me confidence I never had. for all participants to be naires - get a full six Many participants It makes me feel I can conquer winners, regardless of abili- days of rigorous work- ty or experience. admit having become just about anything. outs from cross-country homebound prior to Third-timer Mike McEnaney, a and downhill skiing, rock climb- their life-changing experiences on Legionnaire from St. Joseph, Mo., ing, sledge hockey, snowmobiling, the mountainside. "Being legally who was diagnosed with multiple snowshoeing and scuba diving. Wind, I never thought I could ski sclerosis in 1993, reports that Some, like John Lerese Jr., are down a mountain - es- \ II hitting the slopes for the first time. pecially at age 75," Lerese, a resident of Erie, Pa., Mayford "Louie" Robu, 4i and life member of The American a second-year attendee, Legion, won't allow his service- exclaims. "But to my related spinal-cord injury to keep amazement, I did it!" him from tackling snowshoeing, Robu, a resident of downhill and cross-country skiing Morning Sun, , and and rock-climbing - sports that a member of Post 112, would challenge even the most lost his sight to macular able-bodied athlete. degeneration and even-

"The first day I was here, I tually lost his freedom and independence. "If

you have a disability, if Sports clinic has you're blind or in a varied sponsors wheelchair, your life pretty much slows The Winter Sports Clinic is sponsored annually by the Department of Veter- down, and you just ans Affairs and Disabled American can't get around hke Veterans. Last winter clinic the was you used to," Robu ex- hosted by the Grand Junction, Cola, plains. "When you get VA Medical Center, VA's Rocky Moun- tain Network and Challenge Aspen, a on these mountains, nonprofit organization founded in you can go fast, you can 1992 to provide recreational experi- turn and do all sorts of ences for individuals who have mental movements you could- or physical disabilities. For registration and other information, contact Sharon n't normally do. So Parks at (970) 248-5590, or write to even though you've lost her attention at Grand Junction VA that mobility in your Medical Center, 2121 North Avenue, Todd Russell, a 31 -year-old quadriplegic from Houston everyday life, you gain it Grand Junction, CO 81501 or e-mail to visits with spokeswoman and actress Bo Derek. Russell, [email protected] while you're here. It who served as a Navy medic in 1991, was paralyzed as feels like freedom." a result of a motorcycle accident.

January 2002 1 41 The American Legion Magazine I ''The athletes not only uplift and encourage one another, hut they also look forward to reuniting year after year and forming lastingfriendships."

ease diminished his memory ca-

pacity. "I wasn't suicidal. I wasn't

depressed. I wasn't waiting to

die," King explains. "But I had

resolved that I was expired, and

there was nothing left. I had giv-

en up on doing things. I mostly Amputee Julius Franklin of Portsmouth, Va. Each participant has one to two instruc- stayed at home." is new to the Winter Sports Clinic. He par- tors and a coach. Here, two instructors Coming to the Winter Sports ticipated in downhill skiing, snowshoeing, help fasten a sl

"I've met people from all over me hope and shown me that I can stops for a moment to greet a dis- the country with different levels be part of something that helps abled skier, then continues tromp- of disability. Many have disabili- someone else. I can help disabled ing across the powdery white snow. ties that are so much worse than vets get out of the house instead "Being outdoors like this elicits my own, yet they are still skiing," of being like hermits. I know from this amazing internal response in McEnaney says. "This gives me people," Trombetta says as he sa- hope that if I get worse, I can still vors a breath of mountain air and ski and do other activities." gestures toward the highlands. "Being out in nature is all-curing. New Outlook, New Mission. The You get to realize how small you physical challenges of the sports and your problems really are in force participants to refocus and the awesome majesty of nature. redirect their thoughts. "When I'm Even the blind people can sense skiing, I'm not thinking about my it; they can feel it and smell it. problems," Lerese admits. They can sense the energy that's Many athletes say they've ac- around them." tually found new purpose in hfe This energy keeps brave veter- as a result of attending the ans coming back to the Winter clinic. Sports Clinic year after year. But First-timer Kirby King, a more importantly, it's this same Legionnaire from Corpus energy that sustains their lives Christi, Texas, is an exam- - bringing new successes, ple. Diagnosed with multi- V new hope and new courage pie sclerosis in 1995, he is * to tackle the challenges of now a paraplegic who has everyday life. been confined to a wheelchair and housebound Elissa Kaupisch is an assistant since 1998. Worse, King is only 48 editor at The American Legion Double-amputee Dana Bowman com- years old. Magazine petes in the timed downhill races. Each A psychologist by profession, he participant has two attempts to set his was forced to retire when the dis- or her own record. Article design: Doug Rollison

42 January 2002

I The American Legion Magazine " Macular Degeneration

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Centenarians' secrets include activity, healthy diet and managing stress.

BY TARA PARKER-POPE and they manage stress well. Perls has mined the secrets of the centenarians into a Centenarians remain the fastest growing demo- life-expectancy calculator found at www.livingtolOO.com. graphic group in the country, with an estimated Some of the secrets of centenarians are obvious - eat 70,000 Americans at or past the century mark. Even well, stop smoking and exercise. Eat lots of vegetables Hallmark now offers a half-dozen birthday cards and cut back on meat, dairy products and sweets. aimed at the 100-year set. Take aspirin to lower heart disease risk, and stay out Granted, many centenarians likely are blessed with of the sun. super-charged genes that protect them from disease and Some of the tips are surprising, though. Healthy healthy allow them to stay "~ living means avoiding longer than most people. preserved and cured But those of us with aver- meats such as bacon, age genes can still learn a sausage, hot dogs, lot from them. bologna and salami. Also The average life avoid processed and expectancy in the United charred meats, which States is 79.5 for women increase cancer risk. and 73.8 for men, accord- Centenarians drink a ing to 1998 figures by the little but not a lot. Exces- National Center for Health sive alcohol damages the Statistics. Researchers have liver and causes acceler- found that those who beat ated aging, which in turn the average by two increases susceptibility decades or more often to disease. have a number of lifestyle Say no to that cup of patterns in common. joe. Excessive coffee Adopting those lifestyle drinking is a sign of habits could give you more stress and can cause years of better health. chronic inflammation of For instance, two peo- the stomach, increasing Lorois ple who die at the age of ^Yie risk for heart disease. 85 may both eventually succumb to cancer. But one Increasing dietary fiber is a healthy idea and may

of them may become ill at 75, enduring illness for the decrease the likelihood of colon cancer. last 10 years of his Hfe. The centenarian strategy Centenarians also enjoy frequent contact with ex- would be to delay that illness until 85, buying an ex- tended family members. The theory is that living tra decade of good health, even though he doesn't close to family minimizes the stress of daily living, live any longer than his ailing counterpart. and less stress translates into better health. Last, centenarians don't spend their older years Play Your Cards Right. "Most of us have been dealt puttering around the house. Studying a second lan- an average set of genes that are still remarkable," says guage or learning how to use a computer or play pi- Harvard assistant professor Tom Perls, director of the ano can actually help you build new brain capacity New England Centenarian Study and author of "Liv- just like exercise builds muscle. The extra brainpower ing to 100." "But we actually play those cards very can help offset any natural losses that occur with ag- poorly with bad health habits, bad diet, not exercising ing. Mastering hobbies and staying active may take and smoking." time, but time is another characteristic all centenari- Centenarians eventually die too, of course, but they ans have in common - at least 100 years worth. often don't face the cadre of health problems that for many people set in around the age of 70. They have Tarn Parker-Pope writes a weekly health column for significantly delayed or even escaped diseases normal- The Wall Street Journal and is the author of "Cigarettes: ly associated with aging, such as Alzheimer's disease, Anatomy of an Industry from Seed to Smoke." cancer, stroke and heart disease. Obesity and smoking are rare among centenarians. Living Well is a section designed to provide general They also post low scores in the area of personality information to our readers. It is not intended to be,

testing called "neuroticism." That means centenarians nor is it, medical advice. Readers should consult their don't dwell on things or feel sorry for themselves. personal physicians when they have health problems.

44 January 2002 [ The American Legion Magazine | As the last rays of sunlight sparkle on the lake and the crisp both cab doors. The rich hues of the truck's deep- chill of evening settles in, the aroma of woodsmoke and the gloss finish are accented with the artist's replica signature in a call of the loon welcome a sportsman back from his day's quest. gleaming gold tone on the truck's hood. This exclusive edition Famed artist and outdoorsman Terry Redlin knows this time and includes a hand-crafted hunting dog, two faithfully detailed place well, and has taken us there time and time again with his decoys, and a replica of a classic twin-barreled bird gun and golden images of tranquil northwoods scenes. Now for the first case. Rubber tires, chrome finished grille, engraved headlights time ever, one of his best loved works is showcased on a new and siderails with a rustic lodge sign complete this die-cast truck.

"canvas" as the premier issue in Terry This unique truck is hand-crafted Redlin's Golden Retreats collection of die- by ErtI® and accompanied by

cast truck replicas. certificate of authenticity. Terry i Redlin's golden vision of an This authentic 1:25 scale j outdoorsman's woodland replica of a classic

retreat can be I 1947 Studebaker yours. pickup truck displays "Quiet Order your of the Evening", truck today! one of Terry Redlin's favorite outdoor paintings on

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©2001 The Hadley Collection ©2001 Terry Redlin Watertown, SD. Visit Zip Jelephone the center's web site ©2001 Racing Champions, Inc. at www.redlinart.com. 97974-002 97974-E94901 living well | VA commits $30 million to Parkinson's research

Parkinson's disease BY DR. JOHN R. FEUSSNER care. The new alone is no longer effective. Parkinson's Disease Research, Ed- The Food and Drug Administra- Parkinson's disease has ucation and Clinical Centers will tion has approved deep brain stim- received a good deal of attention combine three of VA's missions: ulation (DBS) as a treatment for in tlie news media in recent years, outstanding clinical care, medical Parkinson's. DBS involves the im- thanks to its impact on the lives of education and research. plantation of tiny electrodes into celebrities such as Janet Reno, specific areas of the brain to pro- Michael J. Fox and Muhammad vide stimulation to replace the ac- Ali. Of course, many others also tivity that would have come from suffer from the effects of Parkin- the lost nerve cells. son's disease - about 1.5 million Americans, with about 50,000 VA Priority. VA has committed new cases diagnosed each more than $30 million to the spe- year. And yearly, VA medical cial centers and clinical treat- centers treat more than ment trials over the next four 20,000 veterans diagnosed years. The centers will attract with Parkinson's disease. additional support as they de- A slowly progressive disor- velop and expand their der that resuhs from degener- research programs. ation of nerve cells in part of Of course, our research ef- the brain, Parkinson's causes forts in Parkinson's disease ex- tremors, slowness of movement, tend beyond the centers. For ex- stiffness of limbs, and gait or bal- ample, the VA medical centers in ance problems. Patients with , Bedford, Mass., and Parkinson's disease have extreme- Denver are taking novel approaches ly low levels of the brain chemical to studying Parkinson's disease dopamine, although the cause of with support from our Medical Re- the shortage is unknown. Nerve The centers - located in Hous- search Service's Research Enhance- cells use dopamine to send infor- ton; Philadelphia; Portland, Ore.; ment Award Program. VA scientists mation to other nerve cells in vari- Richmond, Va.; San Francisco; and at other medical centers across the ous parts of the brain. The stan- West Los Angeles - operate as a country are studying questions dard treatment for the disease, the national consortium. Each conducts ranging from the most basic aspects medication L-dopa, replaces the research covering basic biomedi- of cellular biology to development lost dopamine. But over time the cine, rehabihtation, health-care de- of new drug treatments. In the past medicine's effectiveness decreases livery and treatment trials. The cen- five years, VA has increased nearly and side effects are more likely. ters will foster new approaches to fourfold its funding for research on Although treatment can alleviate studying Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease and similar de- the symptoms, no cure is in sight They also will participate in a generative disorders of the brain. for this debilitating degenerative landmark clinical treatment trial This broad, sustained commit- disease. that will assess the effectiveness of ment is necessary if VA is to remain implanted deep-brain electrical at the forefront of research into New Treatments. VA has a signifi- stimulators for reducing the symp- neurodegenerative disorders. Bold cant record of achievement in toms of Parkinson's disease. This and innovative approaches are the Parkinson's disease care and re- important study, to involve 300 best way to ensure that our veter- search. In recent years, VA has es- patients over two years, will be a ans with Parkinson's disease have tablished an alliance with the Na- vital step in determining the best the opportunity to receive improved tional Parkinson Foundation and surgical treatment for patients with treatments for this devastating dis- - pledged to the House Veterans Af- Parkinson's disease who are not order. The entire nation will benefit

fairs Committee that it would ag- responding well to medical thera- from VA's leadership in this area. gressively confront the disease. py. It will be the largest, most de- Perhaps the most notable evidence finitive trial in the world of these John R. Feussner, M.D., M.P.H.,

that this commitment is being met surgical approaches, and it will of- is the chief research and develop- are six new centers that have in- fer new treatment options for vet- ment officer of the Veterans Health tensified the effort to improve eran patients for whom medication Administration.

46 January 2002

I The American Legion Magazine | .

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48 January 2002

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Legion outlines plans for troop support Because of recent mail-related an- thrax attacks, the Department of De- fense has placed moratoriums on the "Any Servicemember" mail program as well as "Operation Dear Abby," a 17-year-old morale booster for servicemembers overseas. The increased manpower required to en- sure safe mail handling, coupled with the increased volume of mail that let- ter-writing campaigns generate, would exceed capabihties. DoD offi- cials are working on alternatives to those programs.

The American Legion suggests vari- Businessman Rob Stiff ous ways for Legionnaires to show examines dog tags for sale in a Saigon marl

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I Chapel finds new home

After 12 years of effort by doctrine but rather is a symbol Legionnaires, the Chapel of of strength found in unity with Four Chaplains recently one another and with God. The acquired a new home in Penn- inspiration for the chapel sylvania. Its historic location - comes from the courageous the Philadelphia Naval Busi- acts of the four Army chaplains ness Center, 1201 Constitution who were serving aboard the

Ave. - is connected in tradition USAT Dorchester when it was to the military and dear to the hit by an enemy and hearts of veterans. sank in the North Atlantic on The Chapel of Four Chap- Feb. 3, 1943. lains is a nonprofit organization Kimberly Pierce, executive established to encourage coop- director of the Chapel of Four eration and selfless service Chaplains, says the chapel at among people. It does not pur- the new location was built in port a particular theology or 1942 and is typical of World

War II mihtary chapels. "It has beautiful stained-glass windows, stately pillars and brass chande- And now... liers," Pierce said. "We main- tained its historic appearance." the rest of the story However, because of its age, In a ceremony Nov. 8 at the Indiana World War Memorial in Indianapolis, the chapel was in dire need of 105-year-old

World War I veteran Gustave "Gus" Streeter repair - everything from plumb- received the Purple Heart award he earned 83 ing and wiring to carpet, heat- years earlier. As Streeter was wheeled onstage

ing and air conditioning. Reno- in John J. Pershing Auditorium, an audience of vations were recently complet- nearly 300 people gave Streeter several stand- ed. Negotiations have begun to ing ovations and rounds of applause. American Legion National acquire additional land for the Adjutant Robert Spanogle emceed the ceremony Following the presenta- museum, hall and office space. tion of the Purple Heart medal by Maj. Gen. will fa- The museum house the George Buskirk, adjutant general of the Indiana

mous revolving altar, Dorchester National Guard, National Commander Richard J. artifacts and memorabilia, and Santos presented Streeter with the Purple the history of the ship. Heart citation. A dedication ceremony was Representatives from the state of Indiana The Chapel of Four Chaplains recently and the city of Indianapolis presented Streeter conducted at the chapel Nov. acquired a new home in Philadelphia. with proclamations naming Nov 8, 2001, "Gus 11. For visitors' information, The building, which maintains its his- Streeter Day" U.S. Rep. Dan Burton, R-lnd., pre- torical appearance, has militan/ signifi- contact Kimberly Pierce at sented Streeter with a U.S. Flag that flew over cance to Legionnaires. (215) 218-1943. the Capitol in the veteran's Uonor.jamesv.carron Sept. 11 scholarship aids victims' children

The American Legion Sept. 11 cial burden for one-parent fami- Memorial Scholarship was estab- Where to send lies," National Commander lished by the National Executive Send tax-deductible donations to: Richard J. Santos said. Committee at its October meetings No large pool of money is at The American Legion Sept. 11 in IndianapoUs, honoring those hand, so efforts are under way to Memorial Sciiolarship Fund who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist encourage contributions from Le- The American Legion attacks in Washington and New Finance Division gion family members, corporations York City. The program will help RO. Box 1055 and individuals. Small contribu- the famines of military personnel Indianapolis, IN 46206 tions have already been received, killed on active duty on or after but more are needed. A goal of Sept. 11, 2001, by providing college accidents. As a result, families $20 million has been set to estab- scholarships for their children. need financial assistance. Hsh a trust fund. Figures from the Department of "We know that meeting the Information about the scholar- Defense reveal that on average, in cost of a college education can be ship is being distributed by peacetime alone, 2,000 service difficuU for the average National Headquarters and fund- personnel die each year in training household, but it is a major finan- raising initiatives will begin soon.

54 January 2002

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How to use your National Reunion Registry should also include the reunion dates and city, along with a contact name and telephone number. Please also include a size estimate of the The National Reunion Registry handles all reunion information group- services for The American Legion Magazine. NRR, a division of Mili- Using the Internet is the quickest, most accurate way to access the tary Information Enterprises, Inc., is a private organization that pro- reumon registry. You may check to see if your buddies are planning a vides information about reunions, helps veterans locate old buddies reunion by visiting NRR's Web site at www.MilitaryUSA.com. To pro- and offers other special benefits to veterans and their families. mote the best accuracy and fastest process when listing your reunion, NRR maintains contact information on thousands of reunions and complete the Reunion Registration Form available on the Web site. provides this information free of charge to veterans. There are several ways to register reunions or check reimion list- ings with the National Reunion Registry. Please contact the organiza- Locating a Buddy tion direcdy by writing to NRR/Reunions, PO Box 17118, Spartan- MilitaryUSA.com offers many services for veterans, including tips burg, SC 29301, by faxing (864) 595-0813 or via e-mail at and techniques for locating current or former military members. How [email protected]. Due to the large number of reunions, To Locate Anyone Who Is or Has Been in the Military: Armed Forces NRR cannot accept phone requests for reunion information. Locator Guide is a pracdcal guide to help people locate service mem- To register a reunion, you should include the complete name of the bers. The publication can be purchased by contacting MIE Publishing, organization and branch of service with your request. The request P.O. Box 17118, Spartanburg, SC 29301 or by faxing (864) 595-0813.

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56 January 2002

I The American Legion Magazine | "

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Walter 10/16-20, Ralph Gaul, 436-6814, (717) USS Conyngham, DD 371 /DDG 17, Tampa, FL, Carroll, (803) 366-2016, [email protected]; USS [email protected]; All Seabees Reunion, Port 5/1-6, Len Gordon, (732] 432-0588, Macon, CA 132, , 5/23-27, Bud Hueneme, CA, 4/4-7, Ed Kloster, 280-9495, (626) [email protected]; USS Corpus Christi Bay, Johnson. (603) 888-1418, [email protected] [email protected]; AP Transport Assn, Irving, ARVH 1, Niagara Falls, NY 5/19-21, Ron Reid, TX, 6/6-9, Chuck Ulrich, 747-7426; F3H (516) (860) 267-2825, [email protected] USS Malabar, AF 37, Wheeling. WV 6/21-23, Drivers/Doctors Reunion, San Diego, "Demon" Dean Wise, (304) 845-2783, [email protected]; 2/7-9, Ron Miller, 823-0753, rcmillkirk@ (425) USS Crescent City, APA 21, New Orleans, 12/6- USS Marias, AO 57, San Antonio, 5/16-19. Ray netzero.net 10, Mike Fleischauer, (505) 281-2217, Bower. (863 676-4047; USS McCloy, FF/DE [email protected]; USS Cumberland Sound, 1038, Norfolk, VA, 8/2-4, Clemens Farver, (412) MCB 4, Branson, MO, 8/22-25, Nick Marsch- AV 17, San Antonio, September, Arthur Sadel, 646-3256, [email protected]; USS McCoy hauser, 313-3672, [email protected]; (800) (501) 884-3583, [email protected]; USS David Reynolds, DE 440, Portland, OR, 10/2-6, Ray Corpus Christi, TX, 3/8-10, Gerardo MCB 22, k Ray, DD 971, Everett, WA, 2/26-3/2, Steve Heller. (262) 886-9381, [email protected]; Alvarez, 992-9394; Hampton, (361) MCB 133, Korpal, (626) 962-0962, [email protected]; USS Mount Baker, AE 4/AE 34, San Diego, 3/16- VA, 2/1-3, Dennis Ruocco, 842-1341, (910) USS Denver, LPD 9, San Diego. 1/18-20, Paul 19, Dale Bradford. (760) 740-9710, debrad@ Alumni, [email protected]; Navy Band Hoffman. (831) 663-0523, hoffman_usn@ sd.quik.com Washington, 8/3-4, Don Stratton, (703) 960- juno.com 3733, [email protected]; Navy Heli Alumni USS Nantahala, AO 60, San Antonio, 5/16-19, Assn, Cocoa Beach, FL, 4/16-20, Don Bellemare, USS Donner, LSD 20, Branson, MO, May, Bill Jack Gibbs, (734) 455-9306, jegibbs@ 282-3212, dbellemare@triad. rr.com (336) Gibson, (573) 244-5698, [email protected]; USS mediaone.net; USS Noble, APA 218, Fredericks- Drew, APA 162, Columbia, MD, 5/31-6/3, Richard burg, TX, 4/10-13, Vincent Clarke, (717) 774- Illustrator Draftsmen, Diego, 5/14-16, Navy San Reinstein, (410) 653-1391, plasticman200@ 3172, [email protected]; USS Pawcatuck, AO 421-7546, chasburnett@ Chuck Burnett, (619) hotmail.com; USS Earle B. Hall, APD 107, 108, Phoenix, 6/19-23, David Willis, (602) 233- home.com; Okinawa Seabees 1945, Clinton, MO, Baltimore, 4/18-21, Robert Grimm. (414) 421- 0827, [email protected]; USS Platte, AO 24, 6/11-13, Willis Rohr, 364-5642, (503) 8436, [email protected]; USS Eldorado, AGC Platte City, MO, 5/16-19, Aaron Todd, (918) 227- [email protected]; Patrol Sqdn 3, 11, St. Louis, 9/18-20, Leroy Stepanek, (314) 1295, [email protected]; USS Pompon, SS Orange Park, FL, 12/5-7, Keith Harmon, (402) 831-0227, [email protected]; USS 267, Charleston, SC, 4/26-28, John Lookabill, 792-2559, [email protected]; Patrol Sqdn 40, Electra, AKA 4, Portland, ME, 9/11, Wayland (843) 797-2991. [email protected] Diego, 10/8-12, Robert Foss, 222- San (515) Marders, (703) 830-8191 0112, [email protected]; Pensacola Preflight USS President Jackson, APA 18, New Orleans, Class of 1950, Pensacola, FL, March, William USS Fargo, CL 1 06, Newport, Rl, 9/1 2-15, Fred 12/6-10, Mike Fleischauer, (505) 281-2217, 599-8418, [email protected] Eck, (847) Huntington, (757) 499-5076; USS Farragut, DLG mfleisc261@aol com; USS Preston, DD 795, 6, Evansville, IN, 6/6-8, Gary Jennings, gej1945@ Minneapolis, 9/12-15, Harold Kosbau. (218) 326- School, Norfolk, 5/3-5, Underwater Swim VA, thevillages.net; USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, 5456, [email protected]; USS Purdy, DD 734, Don Stone, 391-6727, [email protected]; (561) CVB/CVA/CV 42, Frederick, MD, 5/15-19, Ronald Norfolk, VA, 5/2-5, Larry Di Pasquale, (_610) 433- Vets, Las Vegas, 5/5-9, USN Armed Guard Reese, (800) 437-0869; USS Fulton, AS 11, 4787, [email protected]; USS Pyro, AE 1/24, Charles Lloyd, 570-0909, (919) clloyd@mc. Sacramento, CA, September, Ray Wilson, (925) Jacksonville, FL, 4/24-27, Edward Stone, (315) rr.com; USN Cruiser Sailors Assn, Annapolis, 513-9271, [email protected]; USS Gen. H.W. 469-3825; USS Randall, APA 224, Niagara Falls. MD, 4/28-5/3, Edward August, (508) 252-3524, Butner, AP 113, Clearwater Beach, FL, 4/29-5/2, NY 9/15-19, John Walsh, (732) 367-6472, [email protected]; USS Albemarle, AV 5, Niagara J. Gordon Fowlie, (727) 442-1514, jgfowlie@ [email protected] Falls, NY, 5/19-21, Ron Reid, (860) 267-2825, aol.com [email protected]; \}SS Amphion, AR 13, San USS Richard S. Edwards, DD 950, Tacoma, WA, Antonio, 5/16-19, Henry Miller, 677-9554, (919) USS Gray, FF 1054, Mobile, AL, July, Andrew 8/15-18, Tom Peterson, (417] 326-2538, [email protected] Gray, [email protected]; USS Hailey, DD 556, [email protected]; USS Roanoke, CL 145, Denver, 9/13-16, Raymond Bloomer, (610) 259- Baltimore. 5/2-5, Forrest Ducette, (520) 743- USS Amsterdam, CL 101, Hershey, PA, 9/9-13, 8299, [email protected]; USS Hallbeak, SS 7383, [email protected]; USS Robert K. Tripp, 324-4787; Atka, Bob (607) USS AGB 3, 352, Groton, CT 6/28-30, Joe Hegyi, (219) 661- Huntington, DD 781, Norfolk, VA. April, Jim Boston, April, John Green, 524-3990. (617) 0715, [email protected]; USS Harry E. Hubbard, McGrath. (919) 550-1664. [email protected]; [email protected]; Audrain, APA 59, USS DD 748, Nashville, TN. 5/15-19. J. Gill, (727) USS Rockaway. AVP 29, Orlando. FL, 4/26-28, 748- Dayton, OH, 5/2-4, Forrest Lanham, (217) 527-9448, [email protected]; USS Iowa, BB 61, Chuck Harris, (602) 274-8980, [email protected];

58 January 2002

I The American Legion Magazine j .

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USS Salamonie, AO 26, Dayton, OH, March, John Patterson, Russ Potter, Ed Rumsey, Fred Werisma, Armd Grp in the Pacific during WWII, contact Nat Lichoff, (419) 668-8666, [email protected]; George Wilson, Harlow Winteringham Sanders, 255 A Doremus Drive, Monroe USS Sample, DE/FF 1048, San Diego, August, Post 185, NJ: Patrick McGlynn Township, NJ 08831 or call (609) 860-5288. Gary Smoyer, (518) 358-4425, glsmoyer@ Post 221, NJ: John Burke Anyone who served with the 37th Div MP Unit in localnet.com; USS Schofield, DEF/FFG 3, St Post 104, NY: Albert Banke Manila, , during WWII, contact Bob Louis, 5/30-6/2, Richard Cohagan, (713) 692- Post 980, NY: Bertha F Phillips Amy, 2726 Echo Lane, Erie, PA 16506 or call 6649, rick [email protected]; USS Shannon, Post 1330, NY: Lem Allen (814) 838-0869. OM 25, Williamsburg, VA, 9/25-29, Jacl< Duegaw, Post 1711, NY: Anthony J. Balcan Anyone who served with the 445th Eng Base (540) 288-9632, jol

(508) 429-6640, [email protected]; USS he fell approximately 1 8 feet from an upper deck to Replacement Draft, 1st Mar Div, contact Bob Turner Joy, DD 951, Boston, 10/3-6, Richard a lower deck and landed on a ledge in July or Chester, 612 Bitterfield Way, Boise, ID, call (208) Asche, (360) 871-9482, [email protected] August 1951. CID 1437 375-4129 or e-mail [email protected]. Anyone who served with JAPO or JUSMAG in USS Uvalde, AKA 88, Branson, MO, October, IN SEARCH OF Spain or France between 1953 and 1969, the James Cunningham, (573) 445-2880, ajsc47@ 16th AF SAC in Spain between 1956 and 1966 or mymailstation.com; USS vicksburg, CL 86, Anyone who served aboard the USS Intrepid in the the 16th AF SAC in Morocco in the 1950s, Philadelphia, May, George Shaffer (732) 382- Pacific during WWII, contact Neil Kirwan, 2 contact Toya Albert, 57 Memorial Place, 3869; USS Wabash, AOR 5, Dallas, June, Dennis Rende Drive, Beacon, NY 12508 or call (845) Manhasset, NY 11030, call (515) 365-4824 or Schrock, (580) 889-7707, drycleaner2000@ 831-4541. e-mail [email protected]. yahoo.com; USS Waddell, DDG 24, San Diego, Anyone who served with G Co, 21st Inf Div or L Anyone who underwent basic training with Fit 6/27-30, Bill Brewer, (410) 531-1250, brewer@ Co, 34th Inf Rgt, 24th Inf Div in Korea in 1950 2434 Sqd 3715 at Lackland AFB in November usswaddell.com; USS Whetstone, LSD 27, and 1951, contact Charles Garrett, 1 29 Maple 1 951 , contact Pat O'Brient at 303 Patton St., Hampton, VA, 8/22-25, Marion Goble, (941) 768- St., Jackson, TN 38301 or call (731) 422-2213. Morgantown, NC 28655, call (828) 437-5137 or 1449, [email protected] Anyone who served aboard the USS Tollberg, APD e-mail [email protected]. 103, contact Ross Letner, 9477 Haines Road, Anyone who served with the 7th Div, 31st FA, C USS Whitney, AD 4, Branson, MO, 4/23-26, Waynesville, OH 45068, call (937) 85-7604 or e- Btry in 1952 and 1953, contact Ralph Mesing, George Cotton, (812) 334-0970, georgecotton@ mail [email protected]. 7625 N 600 W, Decatur, IN 46733 or call (219) aol.com; USS William M. Wood, DD 715, Virginia Anyone who served aboard the USS Tlleflsh, USS 547-4292. Beach, VA, 5/2-4, Charles Traub, (757) 340-9056, Diodon. USS Nereus or USS Bugara Anyone who served with Color Co 391 at the [email protected]; USS Yellowstone, AD 27, in Korea, New London, Conn., or California Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, III., in Atlantic Beach, FL, 1/10-13, Paul Bowen, (352) between November 1948 and June 1952, December 1973, contact R. Rino, RO. Box 854-1387, [email protected]; VB-14/VPB- contact Ruth Trudell, 519 S. Main St., Oconto 40405, San Diego, CA 92164 or call (619) 640- 102, Boston, September, Robert Kirk, (619) 582- Falls, Wl 54154 or call (920) 846-3579. 6996. 6485, [email protected] Anyone who served with HQ or HQ Btry 3rd Armd Anyone who served with K Co, 169th Inf, 43rd Div Div Arty in Frankfurt, Germany, between 1955 and during the Korean War, contact Eugene Cordone, VF/VA/VFA 113 Stingers, Virginia Beach, VA, 1959, contact Charles Burdette, 7516 Clear Fork 597-A Main St., Cromwell, CT 06416 or call 4/25-29, Carleton Cooper, (703) 532-0559, Road, Colcord, WV 25048 or call (304) 854-2195. (860) 635-4719, or Paul A. Morello Sr, 38 Elm [email protected]; VP-11F/VP-51/VP- Anyone who served with Obsn Sqdn 67, VO-67, Road, Cromwell, CT 06416 or call (860) 635- 54/VB-101/PATSU 1-2/CASU F-56, Charleston, contact A.G. Alexander Jr, 328 Karrow Ave., 4138. SC, 9/5-8, Donald Hatcher, (763) 533-8323; VP- Whitefish, MT 59937 or e-mail alexusn@ Anyone who served aboard the USS Rainier, AE 5, 45/VP-205/VP-IVIS-5, San Diego, 10/11-13, aboutmontana.net. 2nd Div, between 1943 and 1945, contact Charles Calwell, (619) 445-5072, [email protected]; Anyone who served at 2026 Station Hosp at Charles Garrett, 129 Maple St., Jackson, TN VPB-25, Tucson, AZ, 4/11-14, Edgar Josephsen, Shepard Field, Texas, between 1941 and 1945, 38301 or call (731) 422-2213. (360) 387-2727, [email protected]; WWII contact Herb Young, 3725 Memphis Lane, Fort Anyone who served with the 478th FA at Black Navy Veterans of Great Lakes, Graduates Worth, TX 76133. Savannah River Def Area in Aiken, S.C, between of Camps Smalls, Lawrence and Moffett, Anyone who served with Pit 442, 9th Recruit Bn at 1955 and 1957, contact Charles "Ben" Napier, Rockford, IL, 8/22-24, Thomas Woodley, (847) Parris Island Boot Camp between June and 120 Overbrook Drive, Rossville, GA 30741, call 249-5510 August 1943, contact Jerome P Steigmann, (706) 866-4336 or e-mail bigben1935@ 15422 North 2nd Way, Phoenix, AZ 85022, call yahoo.com. LIFE MEMBERSHIPS (602) 993-2933 or e-mail [email protected]. Anyone who served with the Korean Military Anyone who served aboard the USS Comstock, Advisory Grp at Taegu or with Det G at the Life Membership notices are published for LSD 19, between 1958 and 1962, contact Paul F Korean Army Tng Center near Kwanju between Legionnaires who have been awarded Life Cote, 772 Kirby Mountain Road, Concord, VT 1954 and 1955, contact Neil Kirwan, 2 Rende Memberships by their posts. Life Membership notices 05824, call (802) 695-1035 ore-mail Drive, Beacon, NY 12508 or call (845) 831- must be submitted on official forms, which may be [email protected]. 4541. obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped Anyone who served at Niigata AB, Japan, between Anyone who served with the 1873rd Eng Avn Bn, envelope to Life Memberships, The American Legion 1953 and 1956, contact Melvin E. Witt, 5310 B Co during the Asiatic-Pacific campaigns during Magazine, RO. Box 1055. Indianapolis, IN 46206. Warmwinds Court, St. Louis, MO 63129. WWII, contact Verdree Lockhart, 2964 Peek Anyone who served aboard USS Somersworth, Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 or call (404) 794- Post 304, FL: Dana Rickman Everette EPCER 849, between July 1956 and September 5208. Post 1 1 1 , GA: Frank Schwitzer Jr 1957, contact Ted Frutchey, 1 Island Acres, Lake Anyone who served with G-2 EUCOM between Post 57, lA: James L. Anderson Ariel, PA 18436, call (570) 689-9927 or e-mail 1946 and 1949, contact Mike Beagan, 6 Post 36, IL: Herman B. Grouse [email protected]. Harwood Lane, Claremont, NH 03743 or Ralph Post 194, IVID: Curtis I. Janney Anyone who served with Logistic Support Co 77 Neeley at [email protected]. Post 69, Ml: J.A. Anderson, Wendell Anderson, Bob in in 1945, contact J.B. McQueen, 2053 Anyone who served with Carrier Aircraft Serv Unit Bartlett, Verio Church, George Fulljames, Rich Hall, Fernlock Drive, Oxford, Ml 48371. 15 on Guadalcanal and Efate during WWII, Art Knapp Jr, Don Lauterberg, Vern Lydens, Jerry Anyone who served with the 762nd Tank Bn, 4th contact Wendell Hubbs, 2404 Idlewood Road,

60 January 2002

1 The American Legion Magazine | Jefferson City, MO 65109, call (573) 635-1579 Reserve Det, 138th AAF Base Unit (Reserve Tng) [email protected]. or e-mail [email protected]. at Denver between 1946 and 1949, contact Anyone who served with the 424th Sig Co Avn, Anyone who went through basic training with Brewster D. Blind, 4321 Avenida Palermo #A, 10th AF U.S. Army at Calcutta, India, between Flight Sqdn 3764 at Sheppard AFB in Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 or call 458-8086. December 1943 and December 1945, contact 331 , (520) Wichita Falls, Texas, between March and May Any Navy Reservist who trained aboard a DMS out Jerry Schons, 2535 25th St. SW #102, Fargo, 1949, contact James Westover, 14770 Kelowna of Charleston, S.C., stationed in Poughkeepsie, ND 58103, call (701) 241-9280 or e-mail Court, Spring Lake, Ml 49456, call (616) 844- N.Y., Fourth of July weekend 1949, contact [email protected]. 1631 [email protected]. Lester Atkins, 2399 Powell St., Southside, AL

Anyone who served aboard USS LST 884 or with I 35907 or call (256) 442-2702. TAPS Co, 3rd Bn, 2nd Mar in April 1945, contact Anyone who served with Fox Co, 2nd Bn, 1st Mar Charles W. Foster, 405 W. Green St., Newman, IL in Korea between 1950 and 1953, contact A.B. Roy W. Green, Dept. of Maryland. Nat'l Sec. Cncl. 61942. McFarlane, 577 Pine Ave., Saddle Brook, NJ Memb. 1976-1977, Nat'l Sec. Cncl. Vice Chmn. Anyone who served aboard APL-30 and MBP-1 at 07663 or call (201) 791-9265. 1985-1990, Nat'l Legis. Cmsn. Memb. 1990- , Japan, and Subic Bay Philippines, Anyone who served aboard the USS Indianapolis, 2001 and Nat'l Legis. Cncl. Memb. 1993-1994 between 1956 and 1957, contact Andy Vitulla, CA 35, contact Fred Sieracki, 70 Orchard St., and 1999-2001. 724 Providence Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15239 or Chicopee, MA 01013 or call (413) 592-9032. George B. Pat Joyner, Dept. of Tennessee. Nat'l call (412) 793-9603. Anyone who served at Big Delta Army Base in Counter-Subversive Activ. Cmte. Memb. 1954- Anyone who served with the 807th Tact Cont Sqdn Alaska between 1942 and 1943, contact Alton 1961, Dept. Cmdr 1963-1964 and Nat'l in Kaiserslautern (Kleberkaserne) or at Landsthul Kay 2521 Ryan Ave., Fort Worth, TX 761 10. Americanism Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1968-1969. AFB, Germany between 1954 and 1957, contact Anyone who served with the 477th QM Truck Rgt, James A. Little, Dept. of Oregon. Nat'l Memb. and Enrico Casaletto, 36 Marianna Road, Salem, NH A, B, C, D or E Cos, Northwest Serv Cmd, along Post Activ. Cmte. Memb. 1964-1965 and 1970- 03079 or call (603) 898-1150. the Alaskan Highway contact Oscar Rosin, 4406 1972, Nat'l Law and Order Cmte. Memb. 1972-

Anyone who served with COMUTRON or Rosin Road, De Pere, Wl 541 1 5 or call (920) 1973, Dept. Cmdr 1990-1991 and Nat'l COMUTWINGS, Pacific Fleet, at Ford Island, 532-4986. Americanism Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1991-1996. Hawaii, between 1945 and 1948, contact Bill Anyone who served aboard the USS Gen. J.C. Leo Maynard, Dept. of Iowa. Nat'l Distinguished Bedwell, R.R. 3, Oakland City IN 47660 or call Breckenridge, TAP 176, between 1957 and 1959, Guests Cmte. Memb. 1969-1970, Nat'l Counter- (812) 795-2224. contact Gerald Burklund, 1452 E 700 N Road, Subversive Activ. Cmte. Memb. 1970-1971, Nat'l Anyone who served with Color Co 391 at Great Paxton, IL 60957 or e-mail [email protected]. Americanism Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1972-1974, Nat'l

Lakes, III., in December 1973, contact Rich Rino, Anyone who served with S Div at Subic Bay Trophies Awards and Ceremonials Cmte. Memb. PO. Box 40405, San Diego, CA 92164 or call Philippines, between January 1952 and January 1974-1977, DepL Cmdr 1977-1978, Alt. Nat'l (619) 640-6996. 1955, contact Ed Maloney at [email protected]. Exec. Cmte. Memb. 1983-1987 and 1996-1997, Anyone who attended QM Refrigeration School, Anyone who served with HQ Btry, 42nd FA at Nat'l Exec. Cmte. Memb. 1987-1991, Nat'l

Class 9C, in Bloomington, III., in August 1943, Geluhausen, Germany between 1952 and 1954, Veterans Affairs and Rehab. Cmsn. Liaison Cmte. contact Bill Lind, 3671 W. Brule Lake Road, Iron contact Kent Eads, 68386 Vistula Road, White Memb. 1987-1988 and 1990-1991, Nat'l River, Ml 49935 or e-mail [email protected]. Pigeon, Ml 49099, call (616) 483-7747 or Veterans Affairs and Rehab. Regional Vice Chmn.

Anyone who served with Co 4251 , 4th Rgt at the [email protected]. 1995-1996, Nat'l Veterans Affairs and Rehab. Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, Md., be- Anyone who served with the 2nd Field Hosp in the Regional Chmn. 1996-1997, Nat'l Veterans tween July and October 1945 or with Electronics Philippines and Hiroshima between 1944 and Affairs and Rehab. Region 6 Memb. 1994-2000, Test at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Patuxent December 1945, contact Bob Marsicano, 4902 Nat'l Legis. Cncl. Memb. 1999-2001 and Nat'l

River, Md., between October 1945 and July Mt. Alifan Drive, San Diego, CA 921 1 1 or e-mail Foreign Relations Cncl. Vice Chmn. 2000-2001. 1948, contact Marvin T Mauldin, 608 [email protected]. IVIartIn T. IVIonroe, Dept. of New Jersey. Nat'l Whippoorwill, Aiken, SC 29803, call (803) 648- Anyone who served with S Div at Subic Bay Naval Memb. and Post Activ. Cmte. Memb. 1975-1976 5506 or e-mail [email protected]. Base, Philippines, between January 1952 and and 1977-1979, Nat'l Legis. Cncl. Memb. 1978- Anyone who served with HQ Lowry Field Air January 1955, contact Ed Maloney at 1980 and Dept Cmdr 1980-1981.

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January 2002 1 63 TTie American Legion Magazine I parting shots

j

"Go ahead. If you make it across, they'll "There's a little spot you missed that's still you." be telling your story for years."

Quite a Sport Letter From College Football combines two grim features of American Dear Dad, life: violence and committee meetings. School i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$

- George Will and Studying very hard. With all my Stuff, I can't

think of anything I need. So if you would like, you

Signs Around Town can juSt Send me a card, aS I would love to hear from A loan company: "Now you can borrow enough you. money to get completely out of debt." Love, your Son In an office: "We shoot every third salesman, and the second one just left." Dear Son,

Scientist's office: "Gone Fission" I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics and oceaNOg- Bowling alley: "Please be quiet. We need to hear a raphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student pin drop." busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is

Garbage truck: "We've got what it takes to take a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh. what you've got." Love, Dad

"Meet Bill Johnson. He holds the organ donor record." "Here it is on the map - the unpainted desert."

64 [January 2002 The American Legion Magazine Asbestos Cancer Hits Former Sailors

• Many who served aboard ship in the 1940's, 1950's, 1960's and early 1970's were exposed to asbestos.

• Due to the long latency period of these diseases, some are now coming down with asbestos-related cancers.

IF YOU NOW HAVE MESOTHELIOMA or LUNG CANCER, OR A LOVED ONE HAS RECENTLY DIED FROM ONE OF THESE CANCERS

For Medical Resources :

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