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265 N. 9th St., Paterson N.J. STREET 07530 CITY/ STATE . LEGION The Magazine for a Strong America

Vol. 121, No. 6 December 1986 ARTICLE

AMERICA, THE DEBTOR NATION: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 10 Is the richest nation on Earth sinking into a sea of red ink? By Philip C. Clarke

IS YOUR MONEY SAFE? 12 About 160 banks will go belly-up this year. Will yours be one? By Charles Phillips USPS: MORE CHANGES AHEAD 14 Limits on who may use the non-profit rate are included in recommended changes. THE MYTHS OF DIETING 16

"/// eat less, I'll lose weight, right?" Not necessarily, according to recent findings. By Sam Sherman PEARL HARBOR: VIGNETTES OF COURAGE 18

The sneak attack put fire in America's belly and steel in her backbone. By Vernon Pizer AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS 20 Savor the traditional images and retreat into the mellow glow of a down-home Christmas. By Gary Turbak WHAT'S RIGHT WITH AMERICA 22 A "cowboy lawman" pins his badge of hope on the nation's youths. By Hugh O'Brian THE MADNESS OF MAD 24 Shouldn't we change our suicidal policy that leaves us exposed to Soviet attack? By M. Stanton Evans VETERANS' CARE: STRESSING THE POSITIVE 30

VA Administrator Turnage is optimistic about VA capabilities despite budget cuts. REPORT ON THE FALL MEETINGS 32 The Legion's fight against the means test continues. DEPARTMENTS

BIG ISSUES Should Congress Repeal The 55-mph Maximum Speed Limit? 8

LETTERS 2 LEGION NEWS BRIEFS 34 VETERAN'S ADVISER 40

COMMANDER'S MESSAGE 4 POST OF THE MONTH 38 ORBEN'S WORLD 47

DATELINE WASHINGTON 6 LEGIONNAIRES IN ACTION 37 PARTING SHOTS 52

VETERANS UPDATE 29 VETERANS ALERT 38

THE COVER Warm feelings of Christmas. Photo By SieblH. Armstrong Roberts, Inc.

The American Legion Magazine, a leader among national general-interest publications, is published monthly by The American Legion for its 2.7 million members. These military-service veterans, work- ing through 16,000 community-level posts, dedicate themselves to God and country and traditional American values; a strong national security; adequate and compassionate care for veterans, their widows and orphans; community service; and the wholesome development of our nation's youth.

DECEMBER 1986 1 .

LETTERS

American life, in or out of the military, VA. This money will go into the U.S. World Conquest that person should be put to death. Tech- Treasury. Thus, what may seem to be an Panama Canal is going ("Trouble in nology can be replaced. A life cannot. increase in the VA budget for service to Panama," Oct.), Lebanon has been Salvatore Canzoneri all veterans is in reality money allocated destroyed, and Pakistan will be the next Seaford, N.Y. to deny health care to some, receive domino to fall if the Soviets have their some compensation from a few, and

way. It is inconceivable that the leaders delay health care for all. of the 22 nations of the Arab League do Why Conditions? John E. Hein realize that ail the Islamic countries Warren, N.J. not Means test? I do not remember the the from Morocco on West to Mindanao World War II draft board asking me to in the Philippines will become Soviet complete a financial statement when vassal states ruled by the KGB with they sent me the draft notice. Wrong State collaborators, in the same way that the Peter J. Potochnev In your September article, "Tradi- Gestapo ruled Europe. Whitehall, Pa. tionally Untraditional," about external Rolaiidl. Pritikin degree programs and opportunities, it is Rockford, III. You forgot one aspect of the means important to note that Thomas Edison test: While the VA's budget must be College is a New Jersey state college increased to accommodate the 328 addi- located in Trenton, N.J., not New Give Them Death tional employees hired to identify about Hampshire. If an American feeds information to a 10,000, or about 2 percent, of the veter- Colleen A. McDonnell-Wieczorek foreign power ("Espionage in America," ans who will have to pay, not one cent Cliffside Park, N.J. Sept. ) that could cause the loss of just one of these payments will go back to the High Cost To Die At the time of a funeral ("The High CourageAt Reykjavik Cost of Dying," Oct.), families are not prepared mentally or emotionally to deal with funeral directors and are at President Reagan's America would be vulnerable and weak. their mercy to be ripped off. is to decision to stick by And, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, Who SDI in the face of over- "America's weakness is the world's come to the aid of the little guy? Why do whelming political in- danger" The absence of a strong America such a small group of people like fun- fluences at Reykjavik would force upon the world the awesome eral directors have such a stranglehold was an admirable ex- prospect of a militarily superior Soviet on the public? ample of "grace under Union, a country that has never strayed William M. Cain pressure," Heming- from its self-enunciated goal of destroying Landing, N.J. way's definition of democracy. courage. A classic example of compromising a I'm appalled at such a one-sided arti- With the world watching, the Soviets nation's strength that led to catastrophe cle. We in the funeral service maintain offered unprecedented concessions in involved Neville Chamberlain, Britain's facilities and equipment worth hundreds strategic nuclear weapons— providing the prime minister when Hitler unleashed his of thousands of dollars to help people United States concede further research, mass slaughter on Europe. Before the war their grief. perform a development and testing of its space-based began. Chamberlain met repeatedly with during time of We Strategic Defense Initiative. Reagan could Hitler and made concessions and signed service and receive a fair profit for our have shunted SDI to the dustbin of history agreements, all of which he believed efforts. Funeral prices are determined and secured for himself a permanent refer- would lead to a lasting peace. Instead, it by how a family wishes to be served. Not ence in the archives of world peace. helped pave the road to war and Britain's all funerals cost $4,000, just as not all Fortunately, he followed the sage counsel near annihilation. cars cost $ 1 5,000. I feel that most of us of Demosthenes, who told his Athenians Thus, while it's important to preserve the can hold our heads high as funeral 2,400 years ago as Philip of Macedonia memories and incidents of war, it's equally directors. growled outside the gates of Athens: "If important to remember how war started. To GaryL. Couture another, having arms in hand and a large do otherwise is to suffer the consequences force around him, amuses you with the Tecumseh, Mich. of philosopher George Santayana's warn- name of peace while he carries on the ing: "Those who cannot remember the operations of war, what is left but to past are condemned to repeat it." defend yourselves?" Who's EHgible? decision at Reykjavik reconfirmed SDI is a defensive weapons system vital The The November Editors' Corner in- a longstanding American belief that national to our national survival. It is meant to cluded a phrase that read: "eligible non- survival is possible only through strength. deter our enemies through strength. A veterans." We meant to say "eligible It's a belief that has helped sustain Peace strong America does not imperil peace, non-members." Only wartime veterans but a weak one surely will. To compromise on Earth for more than four decades are eligible for membership in The SDI is to invite disaster, because without it The Editors American Legion.

2 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE (

THE AMERICAN LEGION ELECTRIC NOBILITi Declare your independence Editorial Offices with the Rascal Electric 700 North Pennsylvania St. P.O. Box 1055 3-Wheeler. Visit friends, go down Indianapolis, IN 46206 to the hall, travel around town or 317-635-8411 go anywhere you want, when you James P. Dean want. National Commander This little Rascal is rugged Daniel S. Wheeler enough for the outdoors. Its unique Publisher/Editor-in-Chief rear differential drive gives you D. Michael LaBonne traction on dirt and grass. The Editor Rascal's great for indoors too. Its Raymond H. Mahon Managing Editor tires are soft so they won't harm Margaret Bradbury your carpets or floors. Associate Editor Think of all the fun you'll have with family and friends. You'll be able to Joe Stutevilie visit at your leisure. Go to club meetings and social activities. You'll never Associate Editor Simon Smith feel left out. Art Director The Rascal 3-Wheeler is so compact and portable that you can put it in William L. Poff your car's backseat or trunk. And in seconds, you can discormect the seat, Production Manager batteries and frame by hand. Advertising Director Two deep-cycle water-activated 12-volt bat- Donald B. Thomson teries. The American Legion Magazine Rear differential drive system that you sit over P.O. Box 7068 for better traction. Indianapolis, IN 46207 317-635-8411 Built-in 8-amp battery charger with automatic Publisher's Representatives shut-off, plugs into ordinary household current. Transistorized variable speed control. Fox Associates, Inc. Chicago: 312-649-1650 Tip-resistant Ughtweight aluminum frame with New York: 212-984-0729 Lifetime guarantee. Angeles: 213-487-5630 Los Soft-ride non-marking tires. San Francisco: 415-989-5804 Troy, Ml: 313-649-4802 Adjustable swivel handlebar—removable for Atlanta: 404-252-0968 transporting. Easy to use complete dashboard The American Legion controls— forward-reverse, indoor-outdoor Magazine Commission speed selection, fuel gauge for battery power, Milford A. Forrester, Chairman, Greenville, SC; and key switch with two keys. James V. Kissner, Vice Chairman, Palatine, IL; One hand variable speed/automatic brake James R. Kelley, National Commander's Rep- lever that gradually stops movement as soon as resentative, Wayne, PA; George F. Ballard, Belleville, IL; Adolph F. Bremer, Winona, MN; you release the power control. Victor Broom, Fulton, MS; Donald Conn, South Side and Rear Stabilizer Casters, help prevent Bend, IN; James W. Conway, Charlestown, MA; accidental tippage. Lincoln Cox, Kirby, WV; Eugene J. Kelley, Savannah, GA; Halbert G. Horton, Topeka, KS; Frank J. Holcshuh, Youngstown, OH; Russell Best of all. Electric Mobility 3-Wheelers are Medicare and private insur- H. Laird, Des Moines, lA; J. Fred Mitchell, Brew- ance reimbursable and VA approved. ton, AL; J. H. Morris, Baton Rouge, LA; Wayne J. Painter, Milwaukee, Wl; Bruce E. Penny, With just one hand, you can operate your Rascal with the greatest of ease. Seattle, WA; Dr. James D. Shafer, E. Strouds- burg, PA; George G. Sinopoli, Fresno, CA; Ralph See for yourself. Call our toll-free number 1-800-662-4548 and we'll ar- L. Smith, Bartlesville, OK; Dewey C. Spencer, range a FREE NO-OBLIGATION home demonstration. An Electric Mobility Mabelvale, AR; Benjamin B. Truskoski, Bristol, CT; Nathaniel J. McKee, Consultant, Prince- Representative will show you how one of these vehicles will give you your ton, NJ; Casimir F. Sojka, Consultant, New Independence. Rochelle, NY.

Copyright 1986 by The American Legion Call or Write: 1-800-662-4548

Price: annual subscription, $1 2.00; single copy, $1 .50. To subscribe, send $1 2.00 ($1 8.00 in for- Electric Mobility Corp. Dept. 1565 I eign countries) to Circulation Dept., P.O. Box One Mobility Plaza, Sewell, NJ 08080 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. I

Change of Address: Notify The American I Yes, I'd like a FREE no-obligation Legion's Circulation Dept., P.O. Box 1954, Indi- I home demonstration. anapolis, IN 46206. Attach old address label, provide old and new addresses and current I n Please rush me more information. membership card number. Allow 8 weeks for change of address to take effect. Also notify your I Name local post adjutant directly at local post's address. Address

To request microfilm copies, please write to: City University Microfilms, 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 Call 1-800-662-4548 today and we'll ar- State _ .Zip range a FREE NO-OBLIGATION home demonstration. Phone Member Audit Bureau of Circulations

DECEMBER 1i 3 . . —

'Project Concern' Surveying Treatment In VA Hospitals

my election to National mote the significance of that special SINCECommander nearly four document. The Legion already has been months ago, I've chased a doing that through programs such as the whirlwind schedule that in- National High School Oratorical Con- cluded a journey to Central test, a program that will be a half-cen- America and two meetings tury old in 1987. with the President—one to pre- While we look to the Legion's rich sent him with The American Legion's past in promoting American ideals and 1987 legislative priorities and the other strengths, we also must be keenly aware to witness his signing into law a new of our future needs, especially in- veterans' health-care package. creased membership. Our ranks passed

To prepare for Central America, 1 met 2.7 million members this past member- with State Department experts for brief- ship year, but much more remains to be ings on emerging democracies in Costa done. We must sustain our drive and Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador. spirit to reach out into mainstream

Armed with this knowledge, I visited ENACTED — Dean witnesses the signing America and recruit new members, and those countries, met their leaders and of the Legion-bacl

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Queen Elizabeth 2 « Sagafjord Vistafjord Sea Goddess I Sea Goddess II Cunard Countess Cunard Princess DATELINE WASHINGTON

America and the Caribbean, the survey revealed. Among Our CivU Defenselessness other activities, he funds radical leftist groups, provides U.S. Civil Defense capabilities are low and declining. training and arms for guerrilla movements, and sets up That's the estimate of the Federal Emergency Management conclaves for terrorists. Agency, in a study ordered by the House and Senate Armed The objective of Libya is twofold, said the State Depart- Services committees. Unless the trend is reversed, the study ment: to destabilize current governments; and to foster an warned, national survival would be in jeopardy in the event anti-American climate. Libya has been directing guerrilla of a nuclear attack against our country. groups, which it funds, to attack U.S. facilities in those The main problems with the programs, FEMA found, is countries, so far without success. that — despite the law calling for a strong civil defense — Libya's primary client on this side of the Atlantic is federal support has been waning and many of the local Nicaragua, which Libya has helped with money, arms and officials involved are more concerned with responding to training, the State Department concluded. natural disasters in their areas. As a result, there has been a "continued deterioration of the already dangerously low levels of attack preparedness," the study concluded. Other The Moon And Martians findings: The nation's space program may be heading for economic • Emergency alert systems fall off during sleeping hours development of the moon and Mars, if the U.S. government or power failure. follows the recommendations of the National Commission • Emergency operating centers in 26 states lack all the on Space. facilities required, such as independent water supply, emer- The commission's report, dedicated to the seven-member gency electrical power, fallout protection and a 14-day supply crew of the ill-fated Challenger, called for the building of of foods. lunar spaceports and some colonization of Mars in the early • More than a dozen of these centers are located in likely part of the next century. target areas of attack, making their survival highly ques- The moon is considered a realistic goal since it's only tionable. 240,000 miles away, allowing for practical teleoperation of • More than 80 percent of local jurisdictions lack two-way remote machines on the lunar surface by scientists on Earth. radio links between command centers and broadcast stations; Mars is a thousand times farther away from our own globe, 60 percent lack fallout shelters. hence the robotics involved will have to be more sophisti-

cated, but it can be done, the 15-member commission said. Single Moms' Ranks Grow The commission also called for a number of ongoing programs, including a contihuing project to search for Births to single women in 1984 climbed to the highest evidence that life exists —or has existed in the vast recesses level since records were first kept back in 1940. the National of our galaxy. Center for Health Statistics has reported. However, in the first turn-around since 1978, data show that the birth rate among teen-agers declined by 1 percent, accounting for just Second Time Around 13 percent of all new babies in 1984. The administration intends to make sure that good soldiers Unmarried women bore 770,355 babies in 1984, an don't just fade away. Education Secretary William J. Bennett increase over the previous year of 4 percent, according to the and Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger have signed study. That's more than one in every five births nationwide. an agreement to help retired military people attain second The growth in the population of women preferring not to careers in teaching and school administration. tie the knot has outpaced that of all women because of the Each year about 8,000 officers and 22,000 enlisted widespread tendency to delay marriage as well as the persons retire. The average officer, on retirement, was under increasing number of divorces. In 1 974, one in seven women 46 years of age. those, 98 percent had a bachelor's degree, aged 30 to 34 was unmarried. By 1984 the proportion had Of 63 percent, a masters, and 4 percent, a Ph.D. in 1985. The risen to one in four.

enlisted retiree was under 41 , and 40 percent had earned a The District of Columbia ranked the highest in births to degree or had attended college. singles with 569 to every 1 ,000. Utah had the lowest rate "Every teacher should be well-versed in the subject area, with 77 to 1 ,000. be able to communicate effectively, and be of sound moral character," Bennett said. "Retired servicemen and women Gadhafi Slithers West often meet all three of these requirements."

Libya not only sponsors terrorism in Europe and the Mideast, but also encourages "fifth columns" in just about all of the Western Hemisphere countries south of the United Quote of the Month States, according to a State Department survey. Compared to other federal programs, the VA budget has Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has attempted, so far been a victim rather than a culprit in our presentfiscal crisis. without great success, to subvert many countries of Latin Rep. Michael Bilirakis

6 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE BREAKTHROUGH: WEAVING LIGHTNESS AND STRENGTH INTO AIRPLANES.

The lighter an airplane is, the farther it can go or the more it can carry. The problem: How to reduce weight while main- taining strength. Our solution: Use lightweight, high strength carbon fibers. We cut sheets of carbon cloth-thin filaments, woven together-to a precise shape. We build them up, layer by layer, to give them strength. Soft and pliant, these stacks of composite cloth are easily shaped to aerodynamic forms, then cured under pressure at high temperatures. The result: Wings and other parts that are lighter, stronger, more resistant to corrosion and have longer life than comparable metal parts. Because of our use of carbon-epoxy composites for more than 25/6 of our Harrier II structure, America has a plane that can land and take off vertically, go twice as far, or carry twice as much as earlier models. We're creating breakthroughs that make a differ- ence in the way things work and the way people live. We're McDonnell Douglas.

For more information, write to: McDonnell Douglas, Box 14526, St. Louis, MO 63178

MS HEALTHCARE FINANCING ENERGY ©1986 McDonnell Douglas Corporation BIG ISSUES

Should Congress Repeal The 55-mph Maximum Speed Limit?

Sen. J. James Exon, D-Neb. Rep. James J. Howard, D-N.J.

As a former governor Raising the speed limit on with a long record of our nation's interstate high- highway safety leader- YES ways will endanger the lives ship, I say it's time for reason to replace of our citizens, cause thousands of addi- the scare tactics of the universally ignored tional serious injuries and generally elim- 55-mph speed limit. Safety need not be inate many of the safety gains that were

ignored. I do not agree with those who made during the past decade. want the speed limits raised on all roads. In 1974, the first year of the 55-mph Nor do I believe that we should keep a speed limit, 9,100 fewer people died on law that is neither enforced nor enforceable. I predict it will the nation's highways compared to the previous year, revers- be changed on rural interstates in the next Congress. ing a long-standing rate of increases in fatalities. With Without the national and economic security interests that deductions for reductions in travel, about half the decline in prompted the national 55-mph limit in the 1970s, enforce- fatalities was due to the lower speed limit. ment has steadily eroded. State statistics clearly indicate few That estimated reduction due to the speed limit corresponds interstate tickets are issued below 65 mph, which is the unoffi- well to the recent finding of the Transportation Research cial speed limit. This proves that people drive to the enforced Board. After a two-year study mandated by Congress, the limits and not necessarily to posted speeds. This also makes board refused to advocate repeal of the speed limit. In its suspect the argument that the 55 mph-limit saves lives on the study, the board concluded that elimination of the 55-mph rural interstates. speed limit would result in an additional 2,000 to 4,000 There can be no question that unreasonable speed, espe- deaths per year on the nation's highways. The board esti- cially on congested, non-controlled entrance and exit roads, mated there would be thousands more serious injuries, and standard two-lane highways causes excessive injuries paralysis and head and neck injuries. and deaths. Statistics clearly show that more than 90 percent This nation has not made a multibillion-dollar investment of all traffic deaths occur on two-lane roads. in the best road system in the world to have it be less safe than

The interstates were built for safety at higher speeds. As a it possibly can be. If we have provided this road system for result, head-on collisions have been virtually eliminated. our citizens, we must make it safe for them. Hence, today's 55-mph limit on rural interstates is ridiculous. Nobody should be misled about the potential time-savings Statistics show a motorist is 10 times safer, even at higher rea- from raising the speed limit. The savings would be mini- sonable speeds, on a rural interstate than on two-lane primary mal —about one minute per day per driver. When it is realized and secondary roads. The solution is to give states the option that most of these savings would be on pleasure trips, the to set speeds at a higher limit on federal rural interstates. potential cost in human life and suffering because of the The withholding of federal highway funds to prevent lax higher speed limit seems enormous. It is not worth the enforcement of the 55-mph speed limit is faulty and must be additional risk to the nation's motorists to save that small changed. Since up to 49.9 percent of a state's drivers may amount of time. now violate the 55-mph law without losing federal funds, it's The safety considerations so outweigh the small time- obvious why so many states report non-compliance ratings in savings that even those most interested in reducing travel the 40 percent range. time, such as the American Trucking Association, strongly We should provide a reasonable federal highway maximum support the 55-mph speed limit. speed limit on rural interstates, somewhere near where they It is not true that there should be a higher speed limit in are now driving; raise state compliance from 50 percent to 80 Western states. The Western states consistently lead the nation percent to keep all federal in the rate of fatalities, funds; and then require YOUR OPINION COUNTS, TOO with many of them taking strict enforcement. That place in one-car accidents Senators and congressmen are interested in constituent view- is the to real high- on isolated roads. formula points. You may express your views by writing The Honorable (name), way safety and to rebuild- U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510, or The Honorable (name), U.S. The 55-mph speed limit ing the respect of drivers House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515. is a law that saves lives and for the law. should not be altered.

AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE 2 9 2 . 1

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100 lor 500 lor Ifyoyou check here, add $1 ,00 for shipping and 100 mg. VITAIMIN B1 $1.25 $5.50 STRESS FORMULA Desiccated Tablets ' LIVER mail your order by Dec C1 . 1986, we ll include 50 mg. VITAMIN B2 $1.25 $5.50 $9.85 7V2 GRAIN High Potency B Complex & Vit, C your FREE CURIO CABINET 50 mg. NIACIN 85" $3.49 $5.50 CABINET 100 250 100 mg. NIACINAMIDE $1.00 $3.85 $6.50 100 FOR 69* 1,000 FOR 3.50 -195 089 TABS I TABS 400 meg. FOLIC ACID 65< $2.85 $4.95 O 100 meg. B12 65< $2.50 $4.35 100 MCG. SOOIMCG. PRINT NAME 300 meg. BIOTIN $1.45 $6.50 $10.95 250 mg. CHOLINE $1.65 $6.95 $12.00 VITAMIN VITAMIN GLUCOMANNAN SCO MG. 250 mg. INOSITOL $3.75 $16.89 $29.75 B-1 B-1 100 mg. PANTO ACID $1.69 $5.75 $9.75 100 FOR 65< 100 FOR 1.95 100 mg. PABA $1.00 $4.50 $7.85 500 FOR 2.50 500 FOR 7.50 CA^?s695 cV%1350 America THE DEBTOR NATION

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Alarmingly, the United States owes more money than any other nation

in the world. With our vast wealth, we can afford it— but for how long?

By Philip C. Clarke

E ARE mor- ally bound to pay our debts our- selves," said the President of the United States. "We W cannot ex- pect descendants to payfor all enterprises, just or unjust, profitable or ruinous, into which our vices, our pass- ions, our interests may lead us." tional debt in the early Today, we're talking tril- TRADE TROUBLE— Toyofas and other Japanese cars are The President was Thomas 1800s. The total of that debt: lions, and no one is laughing. major contributors to the Jefferson and he was urging $83 million. Our chief causes for con- huge foreign trade imbalance In the 1960s, the late Sen. cern: Congress to reduce the na- existing in the United States. • Everett Dirksen got chuckles The national debt, For the first time in history, Philip C. Clarke, aformer AP when he chided Congress, which hit a record $2.3 tril- U.S. imports increased two- correspondent, is afree-lance "With a few billion here and lion late this year after Con- fold over exports in 1986, and journalist and editor who con- a few billion there, pretty gress added $244 billion to U.S. agriculture suffered its first trade deficit in 27 years. tributes regularly to this soon we're talking real keep the government going. magazine. money." At the current growth rate, the

10 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . 1

debt could soar to $ 13 trillion by 2000, with annual interest

payments of $ 1 . 5 trillion • The federal budget def- icit, which could exceed $ 1 60 UNaE billion in fiscal year 1987, despite the Gramm-Rudman SAM'S law mandating a $190 billion overall reduction in the def- icit by 1990. PLUNGE • The foreign trade def- icit, which appears headed INTO for a record, has risen to a yearly rate of more than $ 140 DEBT billion. Last July, the value of our imports was double that of our exports for the first time ever. Last May, the "n-acing America's slide from a net-creditor to the world's No. 1 net-debtor nation United States registered its first agricultural trade deficit in 27 years. 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 • The United States as (Projected) the world's number one net debtor nation which, for the Figures in billions of dollars,

first time since World War I, seasonally adjusted, and including transfer of money related to sales is witnessing foreigners in- of goods and services, plus some vesting more capital in the government grants. United States than Americans are investing overseas. By last September, the United States "owed" foreign inves-

tors nearly $ 1 60 billion , a net indebtedness far greater than the $103.7 billion owed by Brazil, the previous top debtor nation.

HAT'S happening? tl Is America, supposedly the richest and most powerful nation on earth, zero inflation and a record 1 than we're currently earning. that further declines in the about to go bankrupt and million new jobs since 1982. To give U.S. exports a dollar could trigger a new sink in a sea of red ink? Although the "oil patch" better chance to compete round of inflation. "What we In reality, there's no need states and the Midwest farm against lower-priced foreign are going to have to do," Vol- to reach for the panic but- belt, because of collapsing goods, the administration cker told a House hearing in ton. The bad news is not all commodity prices, are suf- over the past 18 months has September, "is to consume that bad — only in need of fering from the worst wave managed to reduce the dol- less and export more." The clarification. of bankruptcies and foreclo- lar's exchange rate against Fed's chairman said America It is well understood, of sures since the Great Depres- the Japanese yen and West has been living beyond its course, that the runaway sion, the nation's overall German mark by nearly 50 means in a "false paradise," budget deficit and national "misery index" is at the low- percent, and Treasury Secre- relying on large foreign bor- debt must be brought under est point in 15 years. There is tary James A. Baker has rowing to support its stan- control if our economy is to yet another paradox: While threatened to push the dollar dard of living, and added continue expanding. Mas- Americans owe more than still lower unless Tokyo and that "painful adjustments" sive federal borrowing and $560 billion in consumer Bonn do more to stimulate are needed to reduce the spending already are slow- debt, they own more than their economies and increase trade deficit. "We have been ing overall growth by keep- three times as much in finan- imports as well as exports. lucky to get by for five ing interest rates relatively cial assets. In short, Amer- years," said Volcker, "but we high and diverting capital icans borrow and spend more 5/' UT Federal Reserve aren't going to get by much from the more productive than anyone else in the world, ^% Chairman Paul Volcker, longer." private sector. but they also can afford it. At whose independent gov- It's true that the trade de- Nonetheless, we're enter- least for now. ernment agency oversees the ficit has cost American busi- ing a fourth straight year of The question is: How long nation's money supply and ness and labor heavily and economic recovery with near can we keep spending more prime-interest rate, warns Continued on page 42

DECEMBER 1986 11 About 160 banks and 100 savings and loan institutions failed in 1986, the most since the Great Depression. Some depositors seem ready to stash their money in coffee cans.

By Charles Phillips

OT since the Great De- pression iiave so many U.S. banks failed. Last year's 120 closedowns, the most since 1933 when some 4,000 banks shut their doors, is about to be exceeded by 1986's ex- pected 160 failures. Even worse off are savings and loan institu- tions. This year's S & L failures may top 100, with another 100 or so expected to go belly-up within the next 12 months. Some outside observers estimate that one-third of the 3,200 "thrifts" are in trouble and in need of bailouts. Across much of the United States, especially in the oil-depressed South- that they're as safe as the U.S. govern- agricultural and energy areas has con- west and the farm-troubled Midwest, ment itself. All deposits and accounts tributed," Whitney said, "the prepon- hundreds of Federal Deposit Insurance up to $ 100,000 each in banks and thrifts derance of failures still can be attributed Corp. liquidators are busy selling off insured by the FDIC and the FSLIC— to a lack of satisfactory management. the assets of failed banks. Among the the Federal Savings & Loan Insurance Additionally, insider abuse and fraudu- bad-loan collateral up for sale at various Corp. — are backed by "the full faith lent activities have contributed to about times in recent months have been race and credit" of the government. This one-third of the bank failures in the past horses, a golf course, taxicab fleets, a means that if the FDIC and FSLIC run two years." bag of gold teeth from a dentist's office, out of funds. Congress and the U.S. And what is the FDIC doing about it? an 8-foot-high electronic gorilla that Treasury will have to come to the "Even though the insurance fund is once lured fishermen into a bait store, a rescue. large and growing," Whitney said, "the Texas bawdy house and a part-interest In the 52 years since the two agencies principal protection for depositors con- in an R-rated film, "The Happy Hooker." were created, no insured depositor has tinues to be the regulatory and super- All have been included in the FDIC's lost a penny in a bank or thrift failure. visory activities of the FDIC and other $11 billion liquidation inventory. Although the rash of insolvencies in the federal and state agencies. Examiners As of last April, banks and thrifts '80s has put heavy strains on the assets identify potential weaknesses, which held more than $19 billion in delin- of the FDIC and FSLIC, especially the may require on-site examinations. quent, non-performing or repossessed latter, most authorities agree the worst "Between examinations, the FDIC real-estate assets, and the total has been is over and that a gradual recovery employs automated off-site surveillance growing at the rate of more than 40 seems to have begun. systems. If potential problems are dis- percent a year since recession hit the Alan J. Whitney, the FDIC's commu- covered, special examinations and in- financial community in the early 1980s. nications officer, said the agency's in- vestigations are initiated. If a bank fails Americans might wonder just how surance reserves hit a record $18.5 bill- to act promptly on recommended cor- safe are their deposits. The answer is ion in the first half of 1986 despite what rections, the FDIC may employ 'cease he called "a dramatic increase in the and desist' orders or impose fines to Charles Phillips, aformer AP correspon- number of bank failures." Why so enforce compliance and, if necessary, dent, contributes regularly to this many failures? terminate the bank's deposit insurance." magazine. "While the depressed nature of many Robert J. Sahadi, director of Policy

12 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE —

and Economic Research at the the only way to get the deficit Federal Home Loan Bank under control is to keep raising Board, the FSLIC's parent or- taxes. This could cause signifi- ganization, said plans are under cant harm in a lot of places, and way to pump about $15 billion not only in the banking commu- in new funds into the FSLIC's nity. The way to go is to cut contingency func}, with provi- spending. Admittedly, this is sions to double this amount over difficult, especially for our the next five years, if necessary. politicians. That's why it's our He said he disputes the argument No. 1 problem!" of critics that the thrift industry Lamar Smith, chief economist is a wasteful anachronism that of the Senate Banking Commit- should be merged into the nation's tee, said he agrees that the budget commercial bank system. "The deficit, along with the trade def- extra funds we're planning to icit, is today's biggest problem. add to our insurance fund are "The two are linked," he said. fully ample to handle our back- "Lowering the federal deficit log of failing and problem mem- would go a long way toward re- bers," Sahadi said. "And it's not ducing our trade deficit. taxpayers' money. These are How does Smith view the funds from within the savings overall prospects of the U.S. and loan industry itself." economy in light of huge and

Sahadi said recent reports of a I continuing debts and deficits?

"crisis" in the thrift industry were ^ "I think we're focusing too based on outdated statistics re- S much on the negatives," Smith flecting past difficulties. s said. "We've got the most pro- "We've now turned the corner. s ductive economy in the world. More than 80 percent of our CAUSES— Sagg/ng industries have produced some We've made giant strides to- member institutions were profit- banlf failures, but poor management is ttie major villain. ward reducing inflation... able in the second quarter of giant strides at the beginning of

1986, a 20 percent improvement over Earnings are up, capital is up quite a bit. this decade in getting interest rates the previous report. Ours is a billion- There certainly are some pockets of real down. We've got a long-term growth dollar industry that has doubled in size difficulties, as in the economy as a record that is second to none. We're over the past four years, despite the whole. The economy is not booming as creating jobs at a record rate. We do nation's economic difficulties." it was a few years ago. But we're not in have problems and shouldn't ignore

a recession. I'd call it a modest growth, them, but we need to put them in per- S&L's have a unique and indispensa- on average." spective. Look around the world: Where ble role in American society," In the troubled farm and energy areas are people trying to emigrate to? Where Sahadi said. "For years we have of the country, said Laub, "it's going to are the holders of capital trying to put provided more than 50 percent of the take time for recovery, but significant their capital? Sometimes it seems the home mortgage funds, and as everyone adjustments already are being made. people of the world have more confi- knows, home ownership is a very im- There continues to be a tremendous dence in us than we have." portant national goal that fits into our shakeout in the agricultural problem American theme of what democracy is regions, and in the oil-producing region SAFETY Most depositors are insured all about. If thrifts should disappear, there's a real push for diversification. against losses in bank closings. the banks might pick up some of the "One thing to remember," Laub slack, but not all. Many low and moder- added, "as far as the banks are con- ate-income borrowers could be left cerned, the great majority of failed without recourse to mortgages in the institutions are not liquidated, they're bread-and-butter, blue-collar range. merged with other banks and stay open Also, the average S & L is inclined to be under a new name and management. But more community-involved, as opposed the local community is still serviced. It to, say, lending to a foreign country. happens sometimes that doors are closed. "The thrifts have done a heck of a But even here the failures are handled good job in helping to house America. by a purchase-and-assumption tech- We've got a lot of healthy members and nique, or partnership with another, they're getting healthier. As the saying sounder institution. In any event, the " goes, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it. ' local community still has a place to go Michael Laub, director of Economic to get a loan, finance production or buy and Policy Research of the American automobiles.

Bankers Association, stressed that "the "Our No. 1 national problem," Laub problems of the banking community are said, "is our federal budget deficit. It a reflection of the problems in our econ- must be brought under control in a non- omy at large. In the aggregate, our inflationary manner that also maintains banking system is basically doing well. productivity. Some people would say

DECEMBER 1986 13 — — Interview USPS: More Changes Ahead

The Postal Service

is loolcing financially better each year, but increases in regular and non-profit mailing rates are unavoidable, says Washington postal

expert John Jay Daly. MODERNIZING Daly says the Postal Service stiould spend more on technology.

American Legion Magazine: How long can mail." Will the public continue to be plagued by such we hope to continue using the 22-cent first-class stamp. mail?

— One person's "junk" is another's treasure. I have been Jolin Jay Daly: With a controlled rate of inflation, tied n* around the advertising business for 25 years and adver- to the Postal Service's record of processing more mail with tisers claim that nobody ever sends junk. We like to think that fewer people, we should go through 1987, and possibly until 'junk mail" is simply what a person is not interested in at the early 1989, without a rate increase. moment. Although this mail will continue to be delivered

Like any other business, the Postal Service is affected by because businesses find it an extremely effective medium inflation. Postal workers' wages are tied to a cost-of-living there is a way to reduce the amount people receive. allowance and, as inflation increases, workers have to be paid more. Eighty-four percent of the Postal Service's budget goes Q. What way is that? for wages, so any percentage change is significant. People may write to The Direct Marketing Association, J. A. 6 East 43rd St., New York City, NY 10017, or call (212) Q* Does this mean that the Postal Service has overcome 689-4977 and request that their names be removed from these its financial problems? mailing lists. The service is called The Mail Preference Alt is doing much better than even it thought possible. It's Service; people simply tell the association, which represents • incurring fewer expenses with each reporting period most mail advertisers, how they get their mail addressed

and it's keeping its fingers crossed that it can keep operating initials and name, street address, city and zip. The associa- costs down. While the principal area in which to economize tion will have the names removed. However, if people buy by

is lower wages, it also is monitoring its use of overtime. mail again, they will likely go back on the lists. Few people Several years ago the service paid as much as $27 an hour in request that their names be removed from mailing lists. overtime, but those days are gone forever. People would rather receive such mail themselves and either

throw it away or buy from it. Q* Many people are disturbed by what they call "junk Q* What about future postal rates for non-profit John Jay Daly owns a Washington consulting service and has groups? been advising clients on postal and other communications — This past June a landmark report came out of the Postal mattersfor the past 25 years. A* Rate Commission — the regulatory agency that controls

14 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE — —

OVERLOAD Timely Christmas service depends on tlie weattier, correct addresses and early mailing.

postal rates. The commission studied the non-profit situation for six months then produced a 100-page report that will be the subject of considerable discus- sion in Congress in 1987 (since '86 is an election year

and this is a very hot potato). Congress knew it had to act and make some changes in the non-profit rate, but

it did not want to do it before the 1986 elections. Among the recommendations in this report is one to limit the kinds of mail that can be sent at the non- profit rate. One kind that always will be sent free is mail for the blind. That will not be touched. However, various promotional materials that can be sent at the non-profit rate are in jeopardy. Readers interested in the report may get a free summary by writing to the Postal Rate Commission, Suite 300, 1333 "H" St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20268.

I would guess that the non-profit rate will increase substantially and the structure will be reorganized. This will be taken care of in the spring and summer of 1987 by Congress so that at the beginning of fiscal

year 1988 (Oct. 1, 1987) we will have a new structure for the non-profit rate. One advantage of postal reorganization is that users of the mail have about a full year to prepare for rate changes because the Postal Service has to make

an extensive, complicated filing with the Postal Rate Com- by one cent, it means an average $600 million revenue a year.

mission and then argue about it for about a year. Q • Is the Postal Service suffering from featherbedding Q« We are dealing with a tremendous organization — too many employees for the work to be done? when we talk about the U.S. Postal Service. Can you give A Many people think so, at least for the level of work that us a thumbnail sketch of its nature? • they do. Compared to their counterparts in private — It is the largest single employer in the United States, industry, postal employees are well paid. Naturally, postal

n» accounting for 1 percent of America's labor— roughly workers will say they are not. One thing to bear in mind is that 785,000 employees in 40,000 post offices across the country. there is no wage differential — a postal worker in a high-cost Its annual budget is $30-plus billion. It is the largest user of city such as Chicago or New York is not paid any more than a

rubber bands in the world; when it buys trucks, for instance, worker in a low-cost small town.

it is a huge buy. When the Postal Service raises the postal rate Qa Is the Postal Service losing traffic to competitors say to UPS and others? — The big hemorrhage for many years has been in small A* packages — parcel post. Many overnight package and courier deliveny services are taking away business, as are electronic methods. Despite these inroads, the volume in other types of mail continues to grow.

Q» Is it possible that the Postal Service may get out of parcel post completely? A There is talk that it might do that. I tend to think it won't • happen in this century or my lifetime, but it could. The

Postal Service delivers everywhere, and probably it would be politically impossible to get out of parcel post.

Q* Is the Postal Service suffering from political inter- ference? A Not now. It was, of course, a huge political animal up • until about 1970, but politics is largely out of the postal system now.

Q • What can be done to improve the Postal Service—not just organization, but service to customers? PAYROLL GIANT— T/je Postal Service, with about 785,000 workers, is the largest employer in the United States. Continued on page 44

DECEMBER 1986

ll — —

HAPPENS to almost every- one sooner or later. Straining Dieting is a never-ending battle for buttons, tight trousers and millions of overweight Americans. But an unforgiving mirror tell nTyou it's time to shed a few many of them may be wasting their time pounds. Unfortunately, the

road to weight loss is fraught and money on "miracle" weight-loss plans, with myth and misunder- old wives' tales and unfounded claims. standing. Here's a guide to help you separate fact from fiction. Myth: A prolonged diet will shrink your stomach and guarantee a reduced appetite forever. This is an old wives' tale. Your stomach does not shrink THE MVTHS OF when you diet, and it does not get per- manently larger when you overeat. A diet can, however, bring about other

physiological changes, and it is these not an incredible shrinking stomach that may curb your appetite after a few weeks of dieting. DIETING Myth: Sweating pounds off is a good way to lose weight. On the weight-loss market are a variety of creams, gels, By Sam Sherman wraps, belts and special suits designed to help you melt those pounds away. While they may produce an impressive other foods less fattening. Some regi- many good diet books. You can best quick loss of a few pounds, the victory mens that recommend lots of fruit defend yourself against quacks by learn-

is only temporary. The next time you eat such as the The Beverly Hills Diet and a ing about nutrition and by checking with or drink, your body retains extra fluids host of grapefruit diets — claim that your own physician before starting any to replace those sweated away. In the fruits can neutralize the calories in other new diet. end, your wallet suffers the only perma- foods. The erroneous theory here is that Myth: A quick loss of several pounds nent loss. This does not mean that exer- fruits contain magic enzymes that speed proves that a new diet is working. Not cises that make you sweat are worthless. up the burning of calories or restrict the necessarily. Because of the chemical Exercise helps you lose weight by burn- creation of fat. effects they may have on the body, many ing calories. The "starch blocker" pills that hit the fad diets do cause an immediate loss of market a few years ago claimed to nullify a few pounds. Often, however, this Myth: A crash diet is an excellent way calories by preventing the absorption of indicates only that you've lost fluids to lose weight. Not in the long run. carbohydrates. Federal courts declared that your body will quickly replace. For Weight lost on a crash diet usually re- them to be unapproved and hence, illegal example, the popular low-carbohydrate turns as soon as you return to former drugs. diets often cause excess urination, eating habits. Instead of going on a which shows up on the scale as false crash diet, aim for a different lifestyle. j is is a is initial loss on a truth that a calorie progress. This why an j "The fact that you drive to the super- THE calorie. There are no shortcuts, no crash diet often is followed by a plateau I market instead of walking may be just fat-destroying foods or pills. A lot or even a regaining of the lost weight. as important as what you put in the will not goal should be long-term of pineapple and watermelon Your dieting i basket once you get there," said Dr. purge the calories from a plate of pasta, weight loss. The quick shedding of a William Bennett, editor of the Harx'cird \ but it may give you diarrhea — a fre- few pounds probably doesn't mean Medical School Health Letter. \ quent complaint of people who follow much. Take up an active sport, eat fewer fatty i the fruit-only diets. Myth: Carbohydrates are evil. Pro- foods that have twice the calories \

Myth: an entire book writ- tein is good. Many fad diets tell people 1 of other foods, use the stairs instead of If has been ten about a diet, the plan must be of to severely restrict their consumption of the elevator, eat from a smaller plate to | value, especially the author is a doctor. carbohydrates (foods such as bread, f make your portion seem larger, and keep if The First to the potatoes, and spaghetti) while consum- bowls of food off the table to prevent Amendment Constitu- tion permits anyone to tout almost any ing mosdy protein (fish, meat, poultry). automatic second servings. Then ignore | kind of diet. No tests are required before The Scarsdale, Stillman and Dr Atkins your progress for at least three months. a diet can be published. Some of the most diets all focus on this approach. The Your goal is a permanent weight loss, popular books have been written theory is that body fat is burned off faster not a quick fix. by people with virtually no training in the on this imbalanced diet. The problem is Myth: Certainfoods or pills can make field. And the title "Dr." in front of the that carbohydrates and protein both Award-winning journalist Sam Sherman of author's name does not mean he's an contain four calories per gram, and expert on nutrition. not excess protein (more than 50 grams or Missoula. Mont., covers the health scene He may even be ; in America for numerous publications. a medical doctor. There are, however. so per day) turns to blood sugar or fat.

16 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE —

unbalanced diet — eating only bananas or steak or rutabagas could deprive you of needed nour- ishment. The FDA also warns that any diet of fewer than 800 calo-

ries per day is potentially danger- ous and should be undertaken only under medical supervision. And some fads are killers. A few years ago, liquid protein diets were the rage until 17 people on these diets died of irregular heart rhythms and cardiac arrest. Myth: Ifyou eat less, you must lose weight. The bad news from diet researchers is that losing

weight is not that simple. It now appears that your body has its

own setpoint, the weight it pre- fers to be at — and the weight to which it returns after eating binges and diets. When you try to reduce your weight from the predetermined setpoint, your body rebels and attempts to maintain the status quo by lowering metabolism and by increasing the sensation of hunger. The less you eat, the more reluctant your body is to burn off those calories or to let you push away from the dinner table. You become your own worst enemy. "Many reducing

p diets fail because people falsely

I assume that the body is indifferent g about the amount of fat it has,"

? said Bennett. ° The good news is that you actu- I ally may be able to lower your setpoint by eating few fatty foods Your body needs carbohydrates for fuel (such as butter and oils) and by exercis- (just ask anyone who has run a mara- 'MYTH: ing regularly. "But the exercise must be thon), and a shortage of that energy repetitive and rapid enough to increase source may leave you weak and tired. NO MATTER HOW the heart rate," explained Bennett. "And Myth: You don't need to exercise if it must be done at least 30 minutes per you're on the right diet. While it is possible CRAZY IT SEEMS, day at least five days per week. Fa-st to lose weight through diet alone, virtu- walking, folk dancing, and a stationary ally all physicians recommend a combi- A FAD DIET CANT bicycle are all good methods." nation of food control and exercise. The key to losing weight lies in know- "The most common cause of obesity DO YOU ANY HARM, ing that it will not be an easy victory. is lack of exercise, not overeating," said "There is just no magic that will enable

Dr. GabeMirkin, apracticing physician you to lose weight and keep it off while and author of Getting Thin. "Besides consuming a high-calorie diet," said Dr. burning calories while you're doing it, consume fewer calories than you bum. Frank Young, commissioner of the U.S. regular exercise gears your body to A calorie burned during exercise has the Food and Drug Administration. So, you burn additional calories around the same weight-reducing value as one not must prepare for a long siege and arm clock." consumed at mealtime. yourself with the best possible weapons The mathematics of weight loss is Myth: No matter how crazy it seems, — the facts. simple: It takes 3,500 calories to create a fad diet can't do you any harm. While THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS GENERAL MEDICAL INFOR- a pound fat, diets silly, of so you must burn that some fad are but harmless, MATION AND ADVICE, ALTHOUGH THE INFORMATION many to shed a pound. With few excep- others may pose serious health risks. IS BELIEVED TO BE ACCURATE, YOU SHOULD CON- SULT YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR MEDICAL ADVICE CON- tions, the only way to lose weight is to Virtually any regimen that insists on an CERNING YOUR PARTICULAR CONDITION.

DECEMBER 1986 17 DESTROYER— L/SS Shaw's magazine explodes. SINKING— 7/76 West Virginia and Tennessee survive to fight another day. PEARL HARBOR Vignettes OfCourage

would need to have the element of sur- battleships, two cruisers, 11 destroyers, By Vernon Pizer prise on his side. and all six of the country's aircraft car- Yamamoto expected to achieve sur- riers with 400-plus planes — left from prise. After all, peace — uneasy though Japan's north coast. Maintaining radio HE planning was meticu- it was — existed between the United silence and blackout, the vessels stayed lous, painstakingly co- States and Japan; Tokyo would not issue far from shipping lanes, keeping as ordinated, thoroughly a declaration of war until after the attack long as possible in the fog-shrouded professional. The strategy on Pearl. Moreover, Japanese diplomats North Pacific. was bold and comprehen- in Washington would be negotiating sive. The tactics were ostensibly to ease strained relations BEFORE dawn on Dec. 7, the sub- sound. And the concept between the two countries; surely the marines were on station south and was evil. United States could not expect an attack west of Hawaii. The five midgets Admiral Isoroku Yama- while the talks were in progress. Finally, had been released from their mother moto, commander of the Japanese the strike would come on a Sunday, subs to infiltrate into Pearl Harbor, Combined Fleet, conceived the plan in traditionally a time of relaxed vigilance positioned to attack any targets missed the spring of 1941. He envisioned a and skeleton manning. Yamamoto con- by the Japanese planes. At 6 a.m. the massive, two-pronged assault: one ceded the risk in such a complex opera- main force reached its launching point prong attacking lucrative targets in tion against such a distant target but 220 miles north of Pearl and at once Southwest Asia, the second striking intended to be dealing from a stacked began sending aircraft aloft. By 6:20 southeast against the U.S. Pacific Fleet deck. the first wave — 183 aircraft divided at Pearl Harbor. The key, he knew, The Pearl Harbor attack was tested almost equally among fighters, torpedo would be Pearl Harbor because elimina- during September wargames in remote planes, dive bombers and high-level tion of the U.S. Pacific Fleet from the Japanese waters and final adjustments bombers—was airborne heading south equation would deny America the ca- were made. In mid-November the first in assault formation. By 7:30 a second pacity for delivering timely aid to element of the task force — 20 sub- wave— 36 fighters, 78 dive bombers, Southwest Asia. And he also knew that marines, five of them each carrying 54 high-level bombers—was on its way. to immobilize the Pacific Fleet he a two-man, two-torpedo midget sub As dawn came to Pearl a bright sun piggyback — slipped away from Japan's began to climb over the horizon bring- Author of 15 books, Vernon Pizer has writ- west coast and set out on a roundabout ing a glow to the cotton-candy clouds ten some 500 articles for leading* maga- route to Hawaii. On November 26 the and triggering reflective flashes from zines throughout the world. main force — 30 ships including two brightwork on the vessels in the harbor.

18 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE PERMANENT TOMB—More than 1,000 men went down with the Arizona. BEACHED— T/ie Nevada later joined the Normandy invasion.

It seemed a typical, languid Sunday. On tray, scurried to the other side of the gun rolled over. In this way some 100 sailors Battleship Row off Ford Island in the to ram the shell home, leaped into the wound up perched on the bottom of the middle of the harbor, seven big battle- pointer's seat, and fired the gun. He got overturned battleship. Scores of others wagons gently swayed at anchor in an off three shells before a bomb blast blew trapped below decks drowned, but many orderly column; 90 other warcraft were him over the side. retained a precarious hold on life in air at adjacent anchorages. At 8:02 machinegunners aboard bubbles within the upturned hull. Even At Hickam, Wheeler and other Nevada shot down a torpedo plane. One while the attack was still in progress nearby Army, Navy and Marine air- minute later the battleship's gunners rescue teams from Ford Island worked fields, some 300 planes were lined up in downed a second plane, but it had al- feverishly to break through the bottom neat rows to facilitate guarding them ready released its torpedo; it ripped a to reach those huddled in the bubbles. against possible sabotage. yawning gash in Nevada's port bow. Shortly after Oklahoma heeled over, West Virginia, by now having been a bomb struck deep \n Arizona, detonat- 7:55 the Japanese first attack struck by three torpedoes, was in danger ing in her forward magazine with a ATwave came hurtling in from the sea. tremendous explosion. The battleship In that terrible instant the benign was mortally wounded but she was a dawn was transformed into the "date fighter — it took three hours and a total which will live in infamy" as President of eight bombs besides the initial torpedo Franklin D. Roosevelt so aptly de- battleship's that had struck her htioxe Arizona finally scribed it. THE settled beneath the surface to become Torpedo planes, the cutting edge of gunners downed the watery tomb for more than 1,000 of the assault, raced toward the anchored her crew who had fought and died with a secondplane, but it fleet. A torpedo slammed into the cruiser her. Raleigh; another holed the cruiser had already released The sneak attack that was transmut- Helena. But the battleships were the ing the harbor into hell's vestibule was its torpedo. prime targets — in rapid succession J simultaneously wreaking similar havoc Arizona, West Virginia and Oklahoma ashore. Ford Island was hit hard: Sea- took torpedoes. Then Arizona and Okla- planes on the parking apron were set homa were each struck by second tor- ablaze, buildings bombed, people pedoes. California took two within sec- of capsizing. On the bridge Capt. Mervyn machinegunned. Even so, anti-aircraft onds of each other. Dive bombers Bennion had just ordered counter-flood- batteries were hastily manned and res- swooped down dropping 250-kilo ex- ing to stabilize the vessel when shrapnel cuers put out in gigs, launches, any- plosives. Arizona took a bomb in her ripped his stomach. Refusing medical thing that would float, to criss-cross the starboard quarterdeck; Tennessee took aid, he remained at his post directing harbor retrieving wounded from the one forward. The high-level planes orders to stabilize the vessel and to fight stricken ships and from the debris-littered began releasing their 850-kilo bombs. the flames that had broken out. Still water where oil slicks burned fiercely. The torpedo that ripped into Raleigh struggling to save his ship and crew, Fighters and bombers struck Hickam jolted Ensign John R. Beardall out of his Bennion died on the bridge. Field from the north, strafing and firing bunk. He rushed on deck in his red A third torpedo struck Oklahoma, incendiaries that set the Army's B-17s pajamas and within minutes had a gun then a fourth. She was now listing to aflame, and bombing personnel instal- crew firing a 3-inch battery. His was one port so badly it was clear nothing could lations. One bomb blew the front off the of the first of what was a growing save her from heeling over completely. guardhouse — the freed prisoners rushed number of batteries firing on the at- The senior officer aboard, Cmdr. J. L. to join others putting anti-aircraft bat- tackers. A strafing pass felled 10 of the Kenworthy, directed the crew members teries into action. Near Hickam a lone 11 sailors manning one 5-inch gun. The to climb out on the starboard rail and to Zero swooped down on a small private lone survivor grabbed a shell, set it in the work their way up the hull as the vessel Continued on page 46

DECEMBER 1986 19 —

THE VISION of freshly baked bread on brightly set tables exudes the warmth and good feelings that lie within us all during this merry season.

AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS

needy. An extra dollar in the Salvation By Gary Turbak Army kettle. Neighbors invited over for cider, eggnog and cheer.

HIS year, let the garish Slip out some Christmas evening to holiday glitter pass you by. shuffle along your city's streets. Treat Retreat into the mellow your eyes to the sight of a thousand glow of an old-fashioned lights strung around windows, trees Christmas. Savor the and doors. Smell the ginger cookies many traditions that have baking and the turkey roasting. Feel the helped countless genera- gentle touch of snowflakes gliding tions celebrate the season down. Pause now and then to bask in of Jesus' birth. the glow that seems to come from the The images come like a flood: carolers houses where children live. singing their way through quiet streets, And through it all comes the quiet and grateful residents offering steaming call of a hundred Christmas carols. mugs of cocoa. Families trudging through Songs that tell of holly-decked halls, knee-deep snow to swing axes and little towns beneath moonlit skies, and claim the trees that will grace their par- silent, holy nights. lors. Children stringing popcorn. Small, Stroll past the little theater where this hopeful faces pressed against windows. year's Tiny Tim teaches us once again Pumpkin pies fresh from the oven. A what Christmas is all about. Continue pine cone wreath hung on the door. on, then, to the churchyard where the Candlelight tours of historic homes. SANTA What holiday season would be true Christmas drama unfolds. Amid complete without oV St. Nick? Horse-drawn sleighs gliding down bales of hay, and perhaps a cow or two, figures kneel wait in a re- snow-packed streets. Skaters moving in robed and graceful arcs on a lake, river or rink. Deer in the evening shadows. Yule logs enactment of an event nearly 2,000 popping in a million fireplaces. Stock- years old. It is, of course, the impend- Gary Turbak, a free-lance journalist, ings hung at hearthside. ing birth that has drawn us all to this writes articles on the social customs Mostly, an old-fashioned Christmas place, this season. The greatest old- of America for this and other leading means sharing. Secret little gifts in fashioned Christmas gift of all is at magazines. bright wrappings. A pie baked for the hand.

20 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE

WHAT'S Right With America Tfe Freedom to CHOOSE'

A famous actor is cast in one of his longest and most important roles: helping American youths to think for themselves so they can choose for themselves.

By Hugh O'Brian

O'Brian HINGS aren't as bad as TV H\7 — rode to prominence they seem." That's not a in "Wyatt Earp." cliche from an era when the world community was

less troubled . Nor is it the wishful thinking of an incurable optimist. It's reality; it's what's hap- pening now. As nations experience the tragedies of terrorism and repression, there are small miracles every day that keep America and other democratic countries on a positive and upbeat path to the future.

In today's society, there is an over- whelming emphasis on the negative. Our media, by nature, tend to relate the sensational events, the tragedies and misgivings of our world. Unfortunately, sensationalism sells and that's the kind of news the public wants to read. However, sensationalism is not a true representation of our country or its people. For every tragedy there is a story

of courage; for every robbery there is a

tale of giving; for every mishap there is rewarded for being responsible, caring Star of Broadway, TV and movies, Hugh a miracle. citizens. O'Brian established the Hugh O'Brian Our nation does not need more heroes. In 1958, when I was riding high in Youth Foundation nearly 30 years ago to It needs to better recognize the ones we the saddle with the western television

recognize and reward the outstanding have. I believe we are beginning to see series "Wyatt Earp," I had the good leadership qualities ofour mtion's youths. the good folks patted on the back and fortune to meet one of the real heroes of

22 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE the world, the great humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer. His remarks and observations during my nine-day visit to his clinic in Africa were profound and stimulated me to make some changes in my life, to put into perspective the dreams and ideals that I was allowed to pursue as a citizen of the United States. In our discussions, Schweitzer spoke of his belief that America was the one country, with its vast natural and mate- rial resources, that is most capable of producing leaders who could promote worldwide peace. As this young nation progresses, a continued emphasis is being placed on the belief that through dynamic and representative leadership peace among nations can be achieved.

of those talks, I developed my OUTown personal credo, which became a reason for organizing the Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation (HOBY) and giving a lifetime of service. That credo, which I call: "The Freedom To Choose," states: The seminars also give the youths a O'BRIAN: "Kids are special to me; I want / do not believe we are all born equal. better understanding of our country's thiem to know they have something to Physical and emotional differences, pa- increasing role in the world community. give the world. The time to put our arms environments, around them is now." rental guidance, varying We try to show these young people how being in the right place at the right time, special they are as individuals — that no all play a role in enhancing or limiting an two are alike and that in order to do and Mexico and one nine-day Interna- individual's development. But I do believe special things, you have to think spe- tional Leadership Seminar The work is all men and women, given the opportu- if cial, that it all begins with self respect. done solely by volunteers. This year, for nity and encouragement to recognize their We help them realize that under our example, there were more than 11,000 potential, regardless of background, system the sky's the limit and they can participants but there was no cost to the to in our world. have the freedom choose make dreams happen, that they do make students or the schools. We have never Will one person be a taker or a giver in a difference. asked the government for one cent and life? Will that person be satisfied merely As I have met with the 100,000 out- never will. to exist or seek a meaningful purpose? standing high school sophomores who More than a million hours of volun- Will that person dare to the impos- dream have participated in the HOBY program teer time were contributed to last year's sible dream? over the past 30 years, I have been effort by dedicated persons throughout I believe each person is created as the amazed at their positive mental attitude the country. This is a tremendous feat steward his or her own destiny, with of and their commitment to make life the and, although impressive, not uncom- great power a specific purpose, to for best it can be. Yet, they are only a small mon among not-for-profit and charita- share with others, through service, a number of the really good, motivated ble organizations. America is alive and reverence life in a spirit love. for of people in our world. well because the majority of its people of the things Schweitzer said to One believe in our country and its oppor- me in 1958 was, "The most important motivation to contribute to a tunities and are willing to work to help thing in education is to teach young THEbetter future does not rest only with others realize their dreams. people to think for themselves." From our youth. Many people believe Today we are seeing more and more that inspiration, and with the support of that as our day-to-day lives become pride in America emerging among the believe in the others who youth and more complicated, we tend to put aside citizenry. Successful events such as the American dream, I started to seek HOBY our desires to help others. I think a nation's bicentennial, the rededication out, recognize and reward outstanding closer look will prove that the majority of Lady Liberty and the 1984 Olympics leadership potential nation's among our of our citizens have adopted a devotion have all provided opportunities for youth. to something in wjiich they believe, a Americans to glow with pride in their HOBY brings together high school goal, a dream—something they can call homeland. As we welcomed interna- sophomores for seminars with distin- their own special cause. tional visitors during those events, we guished leaders in business, industry, My own special cause, the HOBY were proud to share the beauty of our education, government and the profes- seminars, is one example of our coun- land, the talents of our people and the sions. The youths get a realistic look at try's private-sector initiative at its very glory of our freedom. what makes the American incentive best — and we're proud of it. Each America's founders had foresight, system work and thus enables them to spring, we run 76 three-day seminars in courage and convictions to make their think for themselves. the United States, Canada, The Bahamas Continued on page 45

DECEMBER 1986 23 a

very idea of having an ABM defense— especially one that works effectively to shoot down Soviet missiles. Rather, QISCUSSIONofthe admin- under this peculiar theory, an anti-mis- istration's proposed Stra- sile defense that worked would be much tegic Defense Initiative— less desirable than one that didn't. space- and earth-based According to this doctrine, which goes system that supposedly by the name of "mutual assured would protect us from destruction" (MAD), it is a good thing incoming Soviet mis- WE MAY HAVE BOUGHT for America's civilian population to be siles—has focused almost left exposed to potential nuclear attack exclusively on whether THE POLICY OF from Moscow. The absence of U.S. such a project actually could succeed. PLANNED DEFENSE- defenses provides the Soviet missiles The President and his supporters argue with a free ride to their targets, reas- that an anti-ballistic missile defense LESSNESS, BUT THE sures the Kremlin that we couldn't pos- should be feasible for a nation that has sibly be planning to attack (since Soviet done so many other things in the realm SOVIETS HAVEN'T retaliation would mean incineration of of high technology. Critics of the pro- our cities), and thus avoids the hazards

posal say it is too complicated and of provocation. futuristic—depending on intricate com- By depriving ourselves of such puter, radar and laser systems — and reason anyone would be against them defenses, according to the MAD the-

that the Soviets could easily defeat it by is because they are beyond the reach of ory, we encourage the communists to using decoys or making other changes our technology. Both of these percep- follow our example. They, too, sup- in their offense. tions are mistaken, and badly mislead posedly, would leave their population This way of conducting the debate the public as to the issues in the battle hostage to attack, ensuring that any first creates the impression that SDI and anti- over SDI. strike by them would bring annihilation missile defenses are chiefly technical Although spelled out clearly in the of their cities. The resulting stand-off and scientific issues, and that the only public record, the truth is difficult for of nuclear powers armed with highly most Americans to believe: For most of destructive offensive weapons, but M. Stanton Evans, a radio commentator two decades, official U.S. strategy per- devoid of any defenses against them, is and columnist, is the director of the Na- taining to the nuclear balance has been called a "stable balance of terror." tional Journalism Center dominated by a theory that rejects the The roots of this theory go back to

24 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE .

the era immediately following World War II. Its conversion into what is gen- erally known as MAD, however, occurred in November 1960, when Dr. Jerome B. Wiesner of the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology spelled it out at a disarmament conference in the Soviet Union. Wiesner described the system of mutual deterrence through bristling offensive arsenals as a kind of de facto, partial disarmament, which eventually could lead to arms agreements. Such a system, Wiesner stressed, would be threatened by a workable ABM. "It is important to note," he said, "that a missile deterrent system would be unbalanced by the development of a highly effective anti-missile system, and A PACT OF 0NE-lV/)/7e the United States has dismantled its anti-ballistic missile if it appears possible to develop one, sites, the Soviets Ignore the ABM accord of '72 and continue to beef up their defenses. the agreements should explicitly pro- hibit the development and deployment missile and air attacks, or decreased our Other cases of MAD theory in oper- of such systems." A British supporter ability to strike at the Soviet offensive ation could be recited at length. A prime of MAD made the point in similar fash- missile force-the common factor being example is the much-lamented vulner- ion a few years later: "If one or the that they conformed to MAD. Among ability of our Minuteman ICBM—and other side were to possess a really them: its proposed replacement, the MX—to effective anti-ballistic missile, that- • Drastic reduction in our force of jet a Soviet pre-emptive strike. This situ-

ironic though it may seem—would be interceptors, which fell from 2,700 in ation has led to endless conflict about

extremely dangerous, because it would the early 1960s to 273 in 1980. The rea- the basing mode of the MX, and how upset the stability of the nuclear son given for this was: If we weren't we might be able to hide it from the balance." going to defend ourselves from Soviet Soviets. missiles, there was no point in trying to Seldom mentioned in all this wran- theory was adopted in the early defend ourselves from Soviet bombers. gling is why we can't defend our ICBMs. IAD 1960s by Defense Secretary Rob- • Total demolition of SAM missile Compared to protecting our sprawling ert McNamara, over the opposi- forces dedicated to homeland defense urban centers, the technology for point tion of military spokesmen who wanted against Soviet bombers and cruise mis- defense of missile silos is not that com- to develop ABM defenses. It ultimately siles—for the identical reason. In the Continued on page 44 led to the adoption of the ABM treaty early 1960s, we had 4,400 of these of 1972, under President Richard Nixon defensive weapons deployed around our Ballistic Missile Defense and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, cities and military bases. By 1980, we Moscow as part of the original SALT I agree- had none. ments. The object of the treaty is exactly • Associated degradation of our what Wiesner had urged 12 years before: defensive radar network, which dwin- to bar the development and deployment dled from about 500 installations in the of anti-missile defenses in order to give early 1960s to 85 active stations in the offensive missiles a free ride to their early 1980s. Many of the remaining sta- targets. tions were so outmoded that spare parts

That capsule history should make it to keep them operating had to be pur- plain that opposition to ABM defenses chased in Eastern Europe. isn't chiefly technical in nature, because • Deliberate limitations on our Min- they can't work. On the contrary, the uteman, Polaris, Poseidon and MIRVed concern of the MAD theoreticians was warheads to ensure they would not be that they would work—and by doing so accurate or powerful enough to chal- would upset the strategic plan of leav- lenge the Soviet deterrent force—thereby ing civUian populations unprotected from further proving our allegiance to MAD. attack. It was to head off this danger Obviously, none of these steps was that arms controllers promoted the ABM taken for technical reasons. In many accord of 1972. cases, we were dismantling technolo- Making the point even more emphat- gies already tested and deployed. In ically are a series of steps we have taken others, as responsible officials have to weaken our defenses compared with repeatedly testified, we were deliber- ABM-1B Complex the Soviets. These actions either ately placing limits on what our tech- ABM Silo Sites Under Construction. Roads increased our vulnerability to Soviet nology could accomplish in the future.

DECEMBER 1986 25

One of life's last remaining bargains just got even better.

The American Legion's ONLY officially approved Life Insurance Plan announces 2 ADDITIONAL UNITS for more supplemental family protection than ever before.

Millions in verified, audited benefits PAID. Since 1958, The American Legion Life Insurance Plan has provided milhons in much needed benefit dollars to Legionnaires' beneficiaries. Dollars that have provided for countless tuitions, mortgages, funerals, autos,

even retirements . . . extra cash for those times when loved ones need it most. And now, our decreasing term insurance plan has been improved to offer more benefit dollars than ever before. Pick your premium, choose your protection, just $24 per unit One unit, still just $24 per year since 1958, and billed annually, offers up to $11,500 of coverage for Legionnaires under age 30 (25 in Ohio). And now with 2 additional units, 14 in all, a 50 year old Legionnaire can buy more than $35,000 in benefits for only $336 (14 x $24). You also have the flexibility to select anywhere from 1 to 14 units. Just consult the benefits chart on the following page and choose the number of value-packed coverage units you need. Promptly paid and tax-free, under present taxation laws, claims for 1987 include a 15% death benefit bonus. As an accepted American Legion member with a paid annual premium, your coverage can't be cancelled. Verified claims are processed immediately and paid to your beneficiary in one tax-free lump sum check. Also included is a 15% additional benefit bonus in 1987, so take advantage today.

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APPLY TODAY. Select the number of units BENEFITS-Yearly Renewable Reducing Term Insurance (Policy Form 6PC-5700-781) from the chart at right, fill out the enroll- Benefits determined by age at death and include 15% SPECIAL INCREASE for deaths ment card below and enclose your check or occurring during 1987. Maximum coverage limited to 14 units. money order for the premium indicated to Age at Death 14 Units 12 Units 10 Units 8 Units 6 Units 4 Units 2 Units 1 Unit $336 per yr $288 per yr. $240 per yr. $192 per yr. $144 per yr. $96 per yr. $48 per yr. $24 per yr. provide coverage for the rest of the calen- Up thru 29 $161,000 $138,000 $115,000 $92,000 $69,000 $46,000 $23,000 $11,500 dar year. 30-34 128,800 110,400 92,000 73,600 55,200 36,800 18,400 9,200 CERTAIN STATES have requirements not 35-44 72,450 62,100 51,750 41,400 31,050 20,700 10,350 5,175 satisfied by the enrollment card below. If 45-54 35,420 30,360 25,300 20,240 15,180 10,120 5,060 2,530 you reside in one of those states, your 55-59 19,320 16,560 13,800 11,040 8,280 5,520 2,760 1,380 60-64 12,880 11,040 9,200 7,360 5,520 3,680 1,840 920 enrollment and check will be returned to 65-69 8,050 6,900 5,750 4,600 3,450 2,300 1,150 575 to fulfill those requirements. If that is you 70-74* 5,313 4,554 3,795 3,036 2,277 1,518 759 379.50 necessary, your enrollment will not be proc- 75-Over* 4,025 3,450 2,875 2,300 1,725 1,150 575 287.50 essed until the additional form is returned Annual Premium $336 $288 $240 $192 $144 $96 $48 $24 to us. *No persons age 70 or over (including those desiring additional coverage) will be accepted for new insurance. ANNUAL PREMIUM TO SEND WITH YOUR 13, 11, 9, 7, 5 and 3 units also available. Please write for details. ENROLLMENT. The premiums shown above are for the balance of 1987 for approved coinciding with or next following the date Make check payable to: The American Legion enrollments effective Jan. 1, 1987. Pre- your enrollment is received, subject to In- Life Insurance Plan and mail to: miums for enrollments effective Feb. 1 or surance Company's approval. Insurance may The American Legion Life Insurance Plan later are proportionately less, by $2 PER be maintained in force by payment of P.O. Box 5609 • Chicago, IL 60680 UNIT PER MONTH, and any overpayments premiums when due. will be refunded. Premiums accompanying Plan insured by Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company. INCONTESTABILITY. Your coverage shall be non-approved enrollments will be refunded Enrollment Subject to Underwriter's Approvar| [ in full. incontestable after it has been in force dur- EFFECTIVE DATE. Your insurance becomes ing your lifetime for two years from its effec- effective on the first day of the month tive date.

ENROLLMENT CARD FOR YEARLY RENEWABLE TERM NOTICE OF DISCLOSURE OF LIFE INSURANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION INFORMATION Information regarding your in- Full Name surability will be treated as con- fidential except that Trans-

Permanent Residence america Occidental Life In- surance Co. may make a brief

report to the Medical Information Name of Beneficiary .Relationship ' Bureau (M.I.B.) a non-profit Example: Print membership organization of life Membership Card No. Post No.. State_ insurance companies which operates an information exchange I apply for the number of units indicated: on behalf of its members. Upon The following representations shall form a basis for the Insurance Company's approval or rejection of this enrollment. request by another member in- Answer all questions. surance company to which you

1. Present occupation? Are you now actively working? have applied for life or health in- or to a claim is Yes No If no, give reason surance, which submitted, the M.I.B. will supply I 2. Have you been confined in a hospital within the last year? No Yes If yes, give date, such company with the informa- length of stay and cause tion it may have in its files. 3. During the last five years, have you had heart disease, circulatory disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, The Company may also release

diabetes, or cancer, or have you had or received treatment or medication for high blood pressure or alcoholism? information in its file to its rein-

No Yes If yes, give details surers and to other life insurance companies to which you may ap- ply for Ufe or health insurance, I represent that to the best of my knowledge, all statements and answers recorded on this enrollment card are true and complete. I agree or to which a claim is submitted. that this enrollment card shall be a part of any insurance granted upon it under the policy I authorize any physician or other person who has attended or examined me, or who may attend or examine me, to disclose or to testify to any knowledge thus acquired. Upon receipt of a request from Signature of you, the M.I.B. will arrange dis- Dated 19 Applicant closure of any information it may The American Legion offers this insurance through Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company. have in your file. Medical infor- Home Office: Los Angeles, California mation will only be disclosed to GMA-300-19 12-79 (Univ.) 5K86 your attending physician. If you ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND AUTHORIZATION question the accuracy of informa-

I I physician, medical practi- have received and read the Notice of Disclosure of Intormation'at right. Further, authorize any tion in the Bureau's file you may tioner, hospital, clinic, or other medical or medically related facility, insurance company, the Medical Information Bureau seek correction in accordance or other organization, institution or person having any records or knowledge of me or of my health to give Transamerica with the procedures set forth in Occidental Life Insurance Company any such information. the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. The address of the Bureau's A photographic copy of this authorization shall be as valid as the original. information office is P.O. Box 105,

Dated 19_ Signature of Applicant Essex Station, Boston, Mass. 02112; Phone (617) 426-3660. I apply for additional Legion Life Insurance. My present certificate number is VETERANS UPDATE

The nation's new tax code affects certain pro- zations and not income for purposes of VA pension programs. grams of interest to The American Legion. Under the The bill would allow veterans eligible for the "New GI Bill" Targeted Jobs Tax Credit program, which was reauthorized to use their entitlements for on-the-job training, home study for three years, retroactive to last January, employers are courses or work-study programs. It also would reauthorize allowed to claim tax credits for hiring certain categories of through 1989 the Veterans Readjustment Appointment, a economically disadvantaged workers, including Vietnam-era program to provide employment opportunities in the federal and disabled veterans. In past years, an employer could claim civil service for disabled and Vietnam-era veterans. 50 percent of the first $6,000 of an employee's salary during the first year of his employment and 25 percent the second Better military coordination among the year. In the tax package, however, the first year credit new nation's armed forces during national emergencies has been reduced to 40 percent and the second year credit is should result from Public Law 99-433. The bill—Goldwater- eliminated. Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of Another item in the bill allows taxpayers who itemize to 1986—became law in October and gives the 10 field com- continue receiving full deductions for charitable contribu- manders of U.S. forces around the world wider authority to tions. But, beginning with the 1986 tax year, taxpayers who direct the forces under their commands, regardless of branch do not itemize will not be able to claim a 50 percent deduction of service. of up to $100, as is currently allowed. These provisions apply The law also directs the Secretary of Defense to designate to volunteer mileage miles that thousands of Legionnaires — 1,000 critical joint-duty assignments that must be filled by travel to perform various volunteer work for veterans. joint-duty officers specially trained to plan and conduct joint tax package also reauthorizes a business deduction for The military operations. removing architectural barriers that would cause hardship on Pentagon critics said the law was prompted by problems veterans and other handicapped persons seeking employment. with military coordination during the 1983 Grenada inva- sion, although they noted that interservice bickering and parochial interests have been major roadblocks to tighter news for many veterans: The President Good teamwork among the armed forces for some time. signed into law H.R. 5299, an omnibus veterans health PL. 99-433 designates the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of package that gives a 1.5 percent cost of living adjustment to Staff as the chief military adviser to the President, the recipients of veterans compensation and DIC payments, National Security Council and the Department of Defense. In effective Dec. 1, 1986. The administration earlier had addition, the law creates the position of vice chairman of proposed a 3.7 percent COLA. However, the rate of inflation JCS, making him second in authority to the chairman. was not high enough to merit the proposed increase. The law, which contains provisions from 13 separate bills, also protects various VA programs used by service-connected $1.7 billion anti-drug bill was approved by veterans from future Gramm-Rudman-Hollings budget A the 99th Congress, however, the lawmakers failed to reductions. The protected programs include: burial benefits; approve several controversial items that were attached to the special housing and automobile adaptive grants; training and bill. rehabilitative assistance services; educational benefits for Among items not included in the bill were: the death survivors and dependents; a variety of special life insurance penalty for those convicted of drug-related murders; manda- accounts, including U.S. Government Life Insurance; and tory drug testing requirements for federal workers; arrest two revolving fund accounts—the VA Special Therapeutic authority for military forces for drug enforcement purposes; and Rehabilitation Activities Fund and the Veterans' Canteen and allowing use at trials of evidence that was illegally Service Revolving Fund. obtained during warrantless searches. Another provision includes a program of respite care for The bill, however, represents the biggest financial commit- veterans not receiving institutional services, and authorizes ment the federal government has made to combat illegal the VA to provide home health services to veterans in places drugs. It authorizes $230 million in block-grant money to of residence other than the veterans' homes. The law also state and local law enforcement agencies, and another $200 limits the VA's plans to integrate most Vet Center services into million for new drug education and prevention programs. It traditional VA medical centers. Under the law, transition is sets mandatory life prison terms for top drug kingpins; terms extended from 12 months to 24 months ending Sept. 30, of at least 10 years to life for major drug traffickers; and 1989, and must be carried out in a gradual manner. The increases penalties and fines for most federal drug law extended transition period is intended to coincide with the convictions. The bill also provides stiffer penalties for those release of a VA report evaluating the program's effectiveness convicted of using children to peddle drugs, and up to 20 in meeting the readjustment needs of Vietnam-era veterans. years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 for those con- The Legion supported the extension so that Congress would victed of distribution of "designer drugs" and other controlled be able to use the VA report to help determine the program's substances. future. Congress also approved about $215 million for new drug H.R. 5299 specifies that any funds provided to veterans for enforcement agents, U.S. attorneys and marshals, and for participation in certain VA work-therapy programs will be construction of new federal prisons and prison salaries and considered as donations from public or private relief organi- expenses.

DECEMBER 1986 29 Interview VETERANS' CARE Stressing The Positive

Despite a $230'million budget cut, the Veterans Administration still can provide quality medical care, says VA Administrator Thomas K. Turnage. In this exclusive interview, he answers important questions on the future of veterans programs.

American Legion Magazine: Have budget- Q* You mention progress. What progress is the VA cutting measures, especially Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, making now to prepare for the millions of veterans who had an adverse effect on VA programs and services? will be eligible for health care at the end of this century? We're doing a number of things and what you must VA Administrator Turnage: Anytime you have A • understand is that the dynamics of the whole medical a budget cut there is cause for concern. However, with field are changing. Let me give you an example. We've found Gramm-Rudman the effects so far have been minimal com- that illness in an aging veteran is probably more acute pared to other government agencies, not only on a compari- because of the age factor. But at the same time, it's usually a son basis, but also from an absolute point of view. Last year, short-term illness. Therefore, we've seen a diminished much of our budget was protected by Congress from massive demand for inpatient hospital stays, but an increased demand cuts. When you speak in terms of a $27.4 billion annual for outpatient care. The VA also has witnessed an increased budget and losing $230 million in cuts, it does not seem that move toward nursing home care and domiciliaries where significant. Sure, we're concerned about any cuts made in our patients can stay until they are well enough to return home. budget, but the bottom line is that we can still meet our This is diametrically opposed to what used to be called obligation to take care of veterans' needs in a quality way. "warehousing," or leaving a patient in an institutional setting for extended periods of time. Q« VA medical care typically has been the target and prime source for budget reductions. Why is this and are With that in mind, has the VA taken a mainstream- there any alternatives? Q* ing approach or redirected its emphasis on veterans — The medical aspect of our budget has the greatest health care to the community level? It* volatility. It's important to keep in mind that veterans We don't use the term "mainstreaming." It's not the benefits are the largest part of our spending. They are built in A • thrust of our medical system. We are building more so because the law requires it. In other words, we're man- hospitals and nursing homes, and the past five years have dated to pay for such things as compensation and pension shown that there is more construction going on in the VAthan claims. In addition, we have a finite amount of services and during any other five-year period in its history. So, this seems programs we're required to finance — education benefits, to discredit any link to the mainstreaming. memorial affairs and so on. Given this, our greatest flexi- On the other hand, there has been the encouragement of bility in making cuts lies in medicine. states to establish veterans' homes, and this occurs in a The truth of the matter is that since 1980, there has been an couple of ways. We have provided 65 percent of the construc- increase in the VA budget every year, and an accompanying tion costs of existing state homes and we also provide a per increase in the amount of people hired by VA. This is signifi- diem for each veteran housed in such a facility. It's been an cant, particularly when you see tied to that an increase in our effective process. agency's overall productivity. For example, computerization of our files and increased use of state-of-the-art technology Supporters of the means test have said the measure has made us more progressive, especially in our medical care Q« for might system. will provide medical care more veterans and also prove to be a cost-savings for the VA. If either of those Thomas K. Turnage, a retired Army major general with 40 years' two goals fails to materialize, would you support action service, was appointed VA Administrator in March 1986. that would repeal the means test?

30 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . .

I'm not sure of all the motives of Congress in passing able to do before. The home loan program has been one of the J- A* the means test, and I'm not sure if cost-savings was one most successful VA functions. of its objectives. What I do know is that the constituency we had in VA facilities before the law went into effect July 1 Q* During your Senate confirmation hearings last hasn't changed much. What we have found is that, based on spring, there was discussion on elevating the VA adminis- the income of people who received care before the means trator's position to cabinet level. Do you agree with this? test, almost all were eligible for care after it went into effect. — I have no particular concern or problem with the current Consider Puerto Rico. Virtually every veteran there has n* status of the VA administrator and I have no issue become eligible for care in accordance with the $15,000 whether that role would be better served at the cabinet level income guideline. My role is that of advocate for the veteran; I'm a product of

It's too early to tell what the effects of the means test will the VA system. What can I do for veterans and do it best? be, but VA's charter is quite clear: We are an administrative That's my objective as administrator. agency with the mission of caring for veterans. We're doing that in accordance with the law established by Congress. Q* With that objective in mind, what do you hope to Congress established the means test, not the VA. Overall, one accomplish for America's veterans during your tenure as thing the means test has done is add clarity and further define VA chief? is eligible for medical care. The big thrust of my time in office is to continually who VA J. !• enhance the progress we're making every day in Q« Critics of third-party reimbursement, including The technology, especially in medicine. I want the accent of our American Legion, have argued this measure will essen- work to be on quality care and aid to veterans. You cannot tially change the VA medical care system from an earned ignore the money end of it: I want to get the best bang for the benefit to a cost-sharing program. How do you respond to buck. that? I also would like to stress the positive aspects of our — I don't believe that third-party will change the entitle- agency. We have the best public medical care anywhere. 11 • ment for veterans in that sense. Again, we can't predict Look at our record and you'll know these just aren't idle what kind of effect this measure will have in the immediate claims. Our agency has produced two Nobel laureates in future. We are uncertain how insurance companies will react. medicine; our prosthetics research is second to none. Accom- Also, we don't know how many people (insured veterans plishments and achievements are made every day in our seeking VA care) will use our services. It's all too early to tell complex agency. But these are things many veterans already

know, and I want the public to know them as well. It takes a Q* How much progress has been made in helping veter- cooperative effort to carry out our mission. ans suffering from ill health effects that medical experts say are directly related to Agent Orange, ionizing radia- Q* Does that cooperation include work with veterans' tion and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? services organizations such as The American Legion? A Agent Orange and ionizing radiation cases are treated in — Yes. Working with such organizations should not be a • similar fashion. There is at this time no exact determina- II* "we and they" situation. It can't be any other way tion for the medical link between Agent Orange and exposure because we all play vital roles in the system with one goal in to it. Congress has stated that until that determination is mind and that is helping veterans. For example, the VA relies made. Agent Orange cases will be treated by the VA. If heavily on volunteers in our hospitals. I recently met a 94- someone shows up at one of our facilities with a dermatolog- year-old gentleman, a volunteer at one of our facilities, and ical problem possibly related to Agent Orange, that person is asked him about his work as a volunteer and why he was treated with the highest priority, just as we would treat any doing it at his age. His answer? "I'm helping the old guys." disabled veteran we care for. We do the same for people That's real spirit and dedication. That's the kind of person exposed to nuclear explosions testing. These people are cared who helps the VA carry out its mission. for on a continuing basis until someone determines the exact cause and effect associated with their ailments and exposure. PTSD has been treated differently, as you probably already know. We have 189 Vet Centers across the nation and they are active programs that reach into their respective communities. They identify and locate Vietnam veterans who otherwise would have been reluctant to go to an institution for help.

Q« Plummeting loan interest rates earlier this year created a flurry of activity in the VA's home loan program. In March, it appeared the program was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, then lawmakers stepped in and extended the program's loan authority. What kind of shape is the program in today? A The loan program this year has been a good news, bad • news kind of thing. The lower interest rates created an unprecedented growth in demands for initial loans and an unusually high number of refinancings. The extension on our loan authority should be ample to see that veterans now and in the future will be helped. For many, the lower rates helped PROGRESSING— Turnage's goal is to increase the VA's use of them obtain their first home — something they hadn't been medical technology to enhance overall efficiency and productivity.

DECEMBER 1986 31 -

| Fall MEETINGS I

ing a government of the people is not solely limited to the borders of the United States. Dean, who was sched- NEC Awmves 39 Resoliitions; uled for a week-long tour of Central America following the Fall Meetings, said that every day Congress drags its feet in determining if aid will be sent to Means Test Hgbt the freedom-fighting Contras, is a day Comiiues closer to the Sandinistas fulfilling their promise to spread communism through- out Central America. Fall Meetings, the IVs time to stop During the 1986 NEC approved the following policy res- talking about the olutions: • Res. 10 urges the VA Administrator to revise the Eligibility Verification Report form for non-service- means test and do connected disability and death pensions, and parents Die by including income information reported by the something about it, beneficiary the previous year. • Res. 11 requests that non-Selective Service Natl Cmdr. Dean registrants be automatically removed from considera- tion for any federal or state job until registration is tells NECmen. completed. • Res. 12 petitions that the U.S. Navy recover and return the remains of the crew of the Navy bomber PV2 No. 33393, including Lt.j.g. Edward T. Swentek, for Hill understands APITOL interment at Arlington National Cemetery. m actions better than words • Res. 13 urges Congress to enact a "Bill of Rights" specifying benefits that accrue from military service, and that is the course the K I which provides that such benefits would only be I m^i' Legion will take to con- changed or eliminated prospectively, and changes would not apply to those now serving or those who ™^ vince Congress it erred in K have served. passing the means test, » m^' • Res. 14 calls on the U.S. government to discon- P P Nat '1 Cmdr. James P. Dean tinue its support of the FRELIMO Mozambique government and, instead, provide encouragement to told NECmen at the 1986 the National Resistance of Mozambique (RENAMO). Fall Meetings. KICKOFF —Alabama Dept. Adjutant Mel • Res. 27 requests Congress and the President to "It is time to take off the kid gloves Hudson (left) and Cmdr. James M. Harbuck proclaim Sept. 17, 1987, a national holiday in honor of the signing of the U.S. Constitution 200 years ago. and show Congress we mean business," Jr. prepare for the Fall Meetings. • Res. 28 encourages Congress and the President to Dean said. "We must change the minds approve legislation and take necessary action to deny of Congress and others who supported even more so today," Dean said at the federal employment to communists and other subver- sives. ill-advised legislation. It's to this time Indianapolis meetings. "Serious cuts • Res. 29 calls onAmerican Legion posts to support quit talking and act." inVA appropriations loom and it is a Project Literacy U.S. (PLUS) by educating post members and their communities to the national Dean called on Legionnaires to fight we cannot afford to lose." problem of adult illiteracy. gather information at VA medical cen- The smoke from the heated means • Res. 30 urges the President of the U.S. Senate and of the House of Representatives to lead ters and document cases where veterans test issue had not cleared when another Speaker members of their respective chambers in reciting the have been denied health care as a result law hurting veterans, third-party reim- Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each daily ses- of means testing, a law that forces some bursement, went into effect Oct. 1. • Res. 31 encourages American Legion posts to categories of veterans to make a co- William F. Lenker, chairman of the assist local schools in implementing The Young payment for treatment of non-service- Legion's Veterans Affairs and Rehabili- Astronaut Program in their communities. connected conditions. tation Commission, told the NEC that • Res. 32 denounces and opposes any action within the United States that would in any way, expressed or The Legion is opposed to the means the law forces veterans' insurance com- implied, commend anti-Vietnam War activists. test because it believes the increased panies to pay for care given to them in • Res. 33 requests that Congress continue to encourage and fund alternative bilingual education paperwork will force those needing VA VA hospitals. "I think we know what programs to serve, as intended, as a short intermediate care the most—the old, sick and indi- will result from this," Lenker said. step to achieve proficiency in the English language. • Paid-Up-For-Life or Life Mem- gent— to stay away from VA hospitals. "Insurance premiums will increase Res. 36 permits bers of departments with their own life-member plan One of the major controversies sur- everywhere." to use the American Legion Emblem on pre-need grave rounding the means test is the VA's While attention throughout 1986 markers regardless of the length of continuous membership in The American Legion. interpretation of who is eligible for focused heavily on veterans benefits • Res. 38 seeks legislation or authorization to allow medical care. The current provision under fire, the Legion also was busy the use of permit mail to distribute materials that and raffle events to Legionnaires. states that certain veterans "shall" re- trying to turn back the tide of negative advertise bingo • Res. 39 calls for a task force to be formed to study ceive treatment. However, the VA appar- influences on America's youth. Eugene the national security interests pertaining to the Panama ently is interpreting that provision to V. Lindquist. chairman of the Children Canal. mean "may."The Legion is pressing for and Youth Commission, said measura- The complete text of any of these a legal interpretation to settle the dis- ble progress had been made in combat- resolutions and those dealing with ad- puted terminology. ing teen suicide and drug abuse through ministrative matters may be obtained "We must never forget that the battle the use of brochures provided by the from Archives, The American Legion to maintain veterans benefits — espe- Children and Youth Division. National Headquarters, P.O. Box 1055, cially health care— is always there, but But the Legion's interest in promot- Indianapolis, IN 46206.

32 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE —

DEAN WARNS VA BUDGET CUTS ALSO HURT PRIVATE MEDICINE

HAT happens to veter- test has," he said. "We still oppose it, difficulty with VA physicians who fail ans, happens to Amer- though we will abide by it. Our service to diagnose the condition and with VA icans — only sooner," officers have been asked to report the adjudicators who fail to authorize ap- Nat'l Cmdr. James P. effects of means testing in VA facilities propriate compensation. "The Amer- Dean told U.S. law- across the nation." ican Legion finds such difficulties un- makers during his testi- Under the test, certain categories of necessary and unacceptable," he said. mony before the House veterans must prove they are unable to Dean noted the increasing number of Veterans Affairs Com- pay for care for non-service-connected homeless veterans, and said the VA had mittee in September. illnesses. The Legion opposes the to share much of the blame for its "man-

"Veterans are not alone in having a means test because it will add to the agement techniques and practices that stake in the outcome of budgetary at- bureaucratic maze within the VA. result in 'premature discharge' of veter- tacks on VA medical care. All Amer- Supporters of the means test, led by ans onto the streets of our cities." icans stand to lose if the system is Rep. G.V "Sonny" Montgomery of He also chided the Centers for Dis- further eroded," Dean testified. "The Mississippi, chairman of the House ease Control for the impasse it has veterans population already is ex- Veterans Affairs Committee, said the reached in studying the health effects of periencing the effects of advancing age measure was taken to avert further re- exposure to Agent Orange. He said the and within the next decade, so will a ductions in the VA budget. Legion has called on VA administrator large percentage of the nation's non- Thomas K. Turnage and Health and veterans." Human Services Secretary Dr. Otis Dean wasn't too far off the mark Bowen to resolve administrative prob- when he linked the fate of all Americans lems and complete the long-awaited with that of veterans. Some members of project. Congress are already toying with plans Concluding his testimony. Dean that would impose a means test on Med- asked for the committee's support to icare recipients. ensure federal agencies enforce veterans Dean commended Congress on its preference in job hiring, and he urged support of veterans in some budgetary Congress to lift credit limits on VA areas, especially action to exempt disa- home loans, which had to be increased bility compensation and veterans pen- twice this past year when loan demands sions from automatic cuts under the exceeded the "cap" established by law provisions of the Gramm-Rudman- and threatened to shut down operations. HoUings legislation early in 1986. But "That the federal government— for he also warned the lawmakers that VA whatever reasons—wishes to get out of programs geared to long-term, health- the credit business seems to be a poor care needs of aging veterans are en- reason to destroy a system that has. dangered by continued reductions. VISIT—Dean presents the President with made home ownership a reality for liter- "VA funding has played no role in the Legion's legislative priorities. ally millions of Americans," Dean said. contributing to the nation's current fis- "We oppose any effort to limit the cal crisis," Dean said. "The agency has "The Legion believes that the intent accessibility of this program to veterans, been a model of cost-effectiveness and of Congress in passing the means test including increases in the user fee and efficiency compared to others. The VA your intent —has been misrepresented the sequestering of funds for loan guar- has managed to maintain the level of in the regulations applying to elderly antees under the provisions of Gramm- service to veterans, despite a steady veterans," Dean told the committee Rudman-Hollings. Any such savings decline in its share of the federal members. "We will continue to seek would be, in our view, mere phantom budget—from 6 percent of all federal further clarification of the law's intent." economics." spending just 10 years ago, to less than Making his first congressional ap- Dean said real savings in the VA 2.6 percent today." pearance since his election to the budget, which the Legion supports, will Dean said the most recent example of Legion's highest office. Dean alerted come from VA efforts to reduce defaults, erosion of the VA medical care system the committee to the problems facing speed the disposition of properties in was the means test. "Perhaps no effort Vietnam War veterans. He said Vietnam foreclosure and to release veterans from consumed the energy of this committee veterans with symptoms of Post liabilities for VA loans assumed by new and the Legion as much as the means Traumatic Stress Disorder often have owners who subsequently default.

DECEMBER 1986 33 .

LEGION NEWS BRIEFS

LEGIONNAIRES ENCOURAGED TO SEND The Legion On CHRISTMAS WISHES TO TROOPS OVERSEAS Capitol Hill

EGIONNAIRES have the op- nedy will be in the Mediterranean and the M \uRING hearings of the Z portunity to extend Christmas Carl Vinson in the Indian Ocean greetings to U.S. servicemen during Christmas. m M Senate Veterans Affairs and women stationed overseas or de- For Marines in Okinawa, Christmas M ^ Committee, Aug. 14, the ployed at sea. 'America Remembers," a greetings should be sent to: America 1986, on nomination of Thomas non-profit organization founded in Remembers the U.S. Marines, c/o E. Harvey to be deputy VA adminis- trator, the Legion stated that the dep- 1983, encourages people, groups, Camp Foster USO , FPO Seattle 98773 schools and businesses to "adopt" a Mail sent to Army and Air Force uty administrator should be readily serviceman or group of servicemen and troops in Korea should be addressed to accessible to the veterans commu- nity so that send them Christmas cards or letters. America Remembers U.S. Forces in misunderstandings and differences can be resolved. "Our goal this year is to have cards Korea, c/o Chaplain, APO San Fran- and letters sent to 50,000 troops," said cisco 96202. In hearings before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on national chairman Donald P. Grimes. Letters to soldiers of the 1 1 th Ar- "With the help of The American Legion mored Cavalry Regiment, stationed in Education, Training and Employ- ment, Sept. 10, the Legion criticized I know we will not only reach our goal, Central Europe and the Fulda Gap, the for contributing to the but also surpass it." Grimes said five should be mailed to: America Remem- VA home- less veterans population by prema- mailing addresses have been selected in bers the 1 1 th ACR, c/o CO, 1 1 th ACR, turely cooperation with the Pentagon for this Attn: PAO, APO New York 09146. discharging VA psychiatric patients to community facilities year s campaign. He said the cards and Grimes said schools were sending and letters could be addressed to "Dear cards to members of the Coast Guard. failing to provide follow-up to assure veterans" Sailor," "Dear Soldier" or "Dear He also encouraged Legion posts to the progress. Marine," depending on the unit. consider "adopting" small, isolated In testimony before the House Mail your cards and letters to: America units for next Christmas. For further and Senate Veterans Affairs com- mittees, Sept. Nat'l Cmdr. James Remembers USS John F. Kennedy (CV- information, write to Donald P. 23, 67), c/o PAO, FPO New York 09538- Grimes, National Chairman, 1986 R Dean presented the Legion's 1986-87 2800; or America Remembers USS America Remembers Campaign, Box legislative priorities. (See page 33.) Before Carl Vinson (CVN-70). c/o PAO, FPO 156, Franklin, MI 48025, or call (313) the House Veterans Af- San Francisco 96629-2840. The Ken- 626-1204. fairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation, Sept. 24, the Legion objected strongly to VA's plans to contract out the Veterans Canteen Service, stating that VCS made a profit each year of existence HAVE YOU and deserves to remain unchanged. SEEN THIS CHILD? Aplastic Anemia Weeic Announced

American Legion and rHE the nation other groups around KIDNAPPED— Heather Ann Gurley, will observe Aplastic Anemia born April 16, 7975. Last seen May 18, 7986, Herrin, III. Hair: brown. Eyes: Week, Dec. 1 to 7, to call attention to brown. Height: 4'7V2". Weight: 65 lbs. this rare blood disease that kills about Contact Dee Scofield Awareness Pro- 2,000 Americans annually. The disease gram, 4418 Bay Court Ave., Tampa, is caused by the failure of the bone Fla., (813) 839-5025 between 8 a.m. marrow to produce blood cells. The and 8 p.m. EST. Legion has awarded a three-year finan- cial grant of $67,500 to the Aplastic A public i ; provided by Tlie American Legion. Anemia Foundation.

34 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE " —

Blood Donors Legion Of Valor Safe From AIDS, Seeks Members Expert Says m HE Legion of Valor, whose m members are recipients of the m ESPITE the overwhelming JL. nation's two highest military M reassurance of medical ex- decorations for heroism, is seeking new * parts that AIDS cannot be members among veterans who have contracted by giving blood, donations received one or both of the awards. were down in most areas of the country The organization boasts a member- in 1986, and the fear ofAIDS was viewed ship of 500 recipients of the Medal of as the major cause. Honor, or the second-ranking medal for "Blood donations are down from a heroism from the services: The Army year ago," said U.S. Surgeon General Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy C. Everett Koop, "and there is evidence Cross (for the Navy, Marine Corps and that some previous donors are staying Coast Guard) or the Air Force Cross. away from blood drives because they For membership information, con- . are afraid they may get AIDS tact Maro Johnson, 8800 Maple Ave., Supporting Koop's remarks is a sur- Gary, IN. 46403 or Cmdr. Richard vey conducted for the American Associ- Sperling, 808 Comet Dr., Foster City, ation of Blood Banks that revealed that CA 94404. more than one-third of all Americans believe donating blood could lead to the contraction of AIDS. MEMENTO— Ste/n commemoratives of Book Available "It has always been known that the Cincinnati Convention are available donating blood has nothing to do with for ordering by mail. The stein contains on Child Abuse AIDS," said Koop. "Giving blood is non-alcoholic Amaretto. Steins cost absolutely safe. There is no way that a $22.50 each, plus $3.50 to cover handling donor can contract AIDS by giving and shipping charges. Send orders with American Legion National check or money order made payable to: rHE blood." Auxiliary has published a The American Legion of But some blood donors, including Department book to help alert children Ohio, P.O. Box 14348, Columbus, Ohio Legionnaires, are not fully convinced, about the dangers of physical and sex- 43214. Shipments to post office box albeit not one of the estimated 26,000 addresses are not permitted. ual abuse. cases of AIDS in the past five years Distribution of the book began in occurred as the result of donating blood West Virginia and Illinois and soon will or plasma. HELP FOR EDITORS extend to other states. Auxiliary offi- Traditionally, Legionnaires have cials said. The book is geared to a pre- been among the first in the nation to roll Editors of post newspapers, bulletins adolescent audience, using the concept up their sleeves when the call goes out or newsletters may be missing out on of "good secrets" versus "bad secrets" for blood. The American Legion, the valuable assistance if they haven't to teach the youngsters about abuse. largest blood donor in the United checked out the services of the National "Children are being abused by the States, conducts a national blood drive American Legion Press Association. very people they are taught to trust each year from Thanksgiving week to For information, write George W. parents, teachers, family friends, the New Year's. This does not include the Hooten, NALPA, 2975 Catalina Dr., clergy and youth leaders," said Aux- drives held by the thousands of posts Decatur, GA 30032. iliary President Evelyn Starr. throughout the year. The free book is available for public Members of the Legion and Auxiliary and private schools, churches, youth are encouraged to donate blood as often NOVA CHARGE groups and others concerned about as possible for themselves, their child abuse. Requesters are asked to The VA has decided it is not going families and fellow veterans. If no pro- pay the postage. For further informa- to charge veterans an outpatient visit gram exists in your area, a brochure tion, contact The American Legion Aux- fee for simply showing up at a VA detailing how to establish a blood donor iliary, 777 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, facility and filling out eligibility program may be obtained by writing IN 46204. Include a self addressed, forms, as it was reported in the Sep- National Security/Foreign Relations stamped envelope for replies. For tember issue of The American Division, The American Legion, 1608 single copies of the book, please send a Legion Magazine. St. N.W. Washington 20006. 7 1/2 by 10'/2 envelope. "K" , DC

DECEMBER 1986 35 POST OF THE MONTH

Post 40, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Helping Children Lead The Way

mindful of the weren't Catholic or Protestant, but the children of Ireland in this way." SOMEWHATbiblical quotation, "and a child people like themselves, living and shar- Aside from the beach weekend, the shall lead them," members of ing together." post sponsors little-league baseball, Post 40, Myrtle Beach, S.C, Mary Ellen O'Leary, chairman of the sends delegates to Boys State and con- sponsor a weekend at the beach Columbia program, said the children are ducts bicycle inspections. It helped each summer for a group of brought together to form friendships organize a boxing tournament for under- Northern Ireland youngsters. they could not form in Belfast because privileged youths in the area and has The blue caps" objective? Hope that the they are segregated—according to reli- continued to lend support to the tourna- children will carry the seeds of toler- gion — in their schools, sports and ment. As part of a new program to help ance back to their strife-ridden nation. neighborhoods. voters, the post organizes transporta- The post began its "Beach Weekend" "The forming of friendships and tion to take senior citizens and disabled

in 1984 to add another dimension to the bridge-building happens more at the persons to the polls on election day. It Irish Children's Summer Program oper- beach weekend sponsored by the also sponsors the Veterans Day services ated in Columbia, S.C, 140 miles Legion than at any other time during held annually in Myrtle Beach. away. The program gives about 60 chil- their six weeks with us," O'Leary said. Post members, mostly retired World

dren, 9 to 11 years old, six weeks of Adults who have helped with the War II veterans, are primarily from the respite from the civil strife in Belfast, weekends relate heart-warming stories 30,000 to 35,000 permanent residents Northern Ireland. of how the same children who engaged of the resort community. Bill Murphy, who commanded the in bickering on the plane trip to the The post helped build financial sta- post in 1984, said the post's 120 mem- United States, or who refused to share bility by selling its old home and prop- bers agreed that spending a weekend at rooms with members of another faith, erty in the center of the town. Some of the beach, visiting an amusement park overcame their biases while playing the revenue was used to buy land along and sharing quarters in a nearby church together during those three days. the inland waterway and to build a post camp would help the youngsters relax Bernard L. Black, South Carolina's "hut" for meetings and social activities. and build friendships. adjutant, said the department is "100 The balance was invested. "We want to plant a seed here," Mur- percent behind Post 40's involvement Pat Kenney, post adjutant for the past phy said. "These kids could one day be with the Irish Children's Summer Pro- 18 years, said the hut does not have a Northern Ireland's leaders. Maybe they gram. The post always has been a quiet, bar and is not open during the day. "It is will remember their weekend here and low-key post that meets its membership strictly a place for fellowship of the

realize that the friends they made quota and we're proud that it is helping membership and to back the programs we feel are beneficial, especially those for children and youth," he said. The hut also is available for Boy Scout groups or for members to reserve for weekend outings such as family reunions. Kenny said follow-up reports show that friendships formed at the beach have continued when the children re- turn to Ireland. "The greatest thing is that when they go back to Ireland, the children and their families meet in chapels and churches to renew the friendships and help the parents share in them. We hope that in time these friend- ships will help wear away the tension." "We get letters from people in Ireland thanking us for the weekend and telling us how the children benefited from it," said Kenny. "As long as they are satis- fied, and we're making a little dent in breaking down the barriers, we'll con- BREAKING BARRIERS— Friendships formed during the beach weekend continue tinue our work with the program. It's when the children of strife-torn Belfast return to Northern Ireland. worth it." D

36 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE LEGIONNAIRES IN ACTION

Communicating by computer . . . citing LEGIONNAIRE a friend to vets . . . donating to VA OF THE MONTH patients . . . riding safely and

soundly . . . recognizing a hero.

^jLn auto accident three years ago behind, the Vietnam Veterans Bonus Act forced young Douglas Farnsler into a and has been a tireless worker for the wheelchair and limited his ability to veterans in this state," said NECman speak. But a home computer system John "Jaice" Comer. "This award tells him that we recognize his help and his valued assistance."

.^^tients at VA hospitals in the Chicago area have a good friend in Peoples Gas Post 336. For the past Rudolph Malush several years, the post has brightened someone asks Rudy the lives of patients through the dona- Malush why he volunteers tions of several color television sets. WHEN so much time to Legion The post's most recent donation was to programs, he quips, "Be- Hines VA Hospital. "We take pride in cause my wife won't let me this and truly believe that we live up to drink, gamble or chase the Legion's goal to help the hospitalized women." His accomplish- veteran," said a post spokesman. ments, however, aren't a joke. Named Pennsylvania's "Blue Cap of the Year" for 1986, Malush has been a donated by Colonial Heights Post 284, IPoung bike owners in Valders, Wis., member of Post 22 at Charleroi for 41 Va., is helping him to communicate are riding safer these days, thanks to years, serving as commander, adjutant with others again. A post spokesman Thompson-Burkhard Post 28. Post and, since 1969, chairman of the Student said Farnsler had mastered the computer members are installing tlourescent tri- Government Day Program. The Program at his junior high school but, because of angle reflectors on youngsters' bikes in helps student understand municipal the lack of funds to purchase a computer Valders and the surrounding area. "The governments and was rated "the best for home use, "a brilliant mind was program has been received well and has youth program in the department" in going unchallenged" after intense com- been endorsed by leading traffic safety 1980. Accolades of "best" also have munications during school hours. The officials throughout the nation," said been earned for the post's newsletter post presented Farnsler 's principal with Gorman Lex, the post adjutant. during nine of the 10 years he has edited a $2,000 check to buy a home computer it. system for Farnsler. While still teaching full time, JB lue Caps at Auburndale Post 123, Malush chaired the post building fund, .^MTassachusetts Legionnaires cited Flushing, N.Y., know courage when beginning in 1970. After the new home State Treasurer Robert Crane as Q. they see it and have recognized a local opened in 1978, he spent much of his the "Outstanding Member of State teen-ager for his heroism. Seventeen- free time finishing the downstairs area. Government in 1986." "He was instru- year-old Jonathan Spatz of Flushing He retired in 1981 and since then has mental in, and the motivating force was presented with the American Legion spent four hours each day working at Heroism Gold Medal and Citation of the post on "whatever needs to be done." " Honor for coming to the aid of another He also initiated "Color-It-Proud teen-ager being attacked by a vicious coloring contest — a program for pit bull dog. Spatz grabbed the fierce elementary students that now has 600 to animal and wrestled it away from the 700 children participating annually. youth, who sustained serious injuries. When he takes a break from Legion

Spatz's citation reads, in part: "He projects, it's only to help out with other merits the gratitude and commendation volunteer work. Among letters praising of Auburndale Post 123 for the splendid him were comments that Malush "is a and courageous manner in which he tireless worker .... who works for the tackled the terrible and dangerous task good of his fellow man." of the rescue."

DECEMBER 1986 37 )

VETERANS ALERT

9th Defense Bn. WWII (Feb-Albany, NY) Al Benedetto.

8 4th St. , Box 258, Wakefield, MA 01 880 (61 7) 245-0292 OUTFIT REUNIONS Navy Forgotten Bn., 3-10 & 2nd 155 (Mar-San Francisco) Lew Payne, 861 Rockdale Dr,, San Francisco, CA 94127 (415) Guidelines — Outfit Reunion notices are published for 566-8344 24th Seabees (Apr-Mobile, AL) Ken Welch, Rt. 7, Box 392, Legionnaires only and must be submitted on official Fulton, NY 13069 (315) 598-1910 forms. To obtain forms, send a self-addressed, stamped 135th NCB WWII (Apr-Mobile, AL) Jack Pilkington, Box envelope to: O R. Form. The Afvierican Legion Magazine 176, Riverside, AL 35135 (205) 884-4867 PO. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206, Notices must be LET'S GET TOGETHER CASU 20 (Roi Namur Marshall Island) (Mar-Amarillo, received at least seven montfis before reunions are TX) R,D. Rittenhouse, 1126 Elmore Dr., Borger, TX Notice of proposed reunions will be published on a sctieduled and will be publistied only on a first-come, 79007 (806) 274-4694 first-come, first-served basis. Requests for inclusion must first-served basis. LCT Flotillas 9-18 (Sicily, Italy, Normandy-WWII) (Feb- list the unit name, branch of service, contact name, ad- Orlando. FL) Joseph Augustin, Rt.3, Box 100, St. James. dress, including zip code and American Legion member- MN 56081 (507) 375-5049 ship card number. Submit your request to: "Let's Get Army Norfolk Naval Hospital WWII (Mar-Pittsburgh) Ann Together," The American Legion Magazine, RO, Box 1055, Snovak, 3830 Lyndell St,, Pittsburgh, PA 15234 (412) Indianapolis, IN 46206 341-1617

2nd Arm'd Div. (I^ay-Nashville. TN) Loren Guge, 8353 Seabees (Chase Field-1966-67) (Apr-Beeville, TX) Bill Higfi Point Blvd., Brooksville. FL 33573 (904) 596-6834 Christiansen, 7586 County H, Maplewood, Wl 54226 Army 13th F.A. Observ. Bn. (Apr-Atlanta) WC. Bulloci<. Box 4. (414)856-6842 Hixson, TN 37343 (615) 870-4294 VT-10 (Buzzard Brigade) (Apr-Wichita, KS) Walter 28th TanK Co., 104th Cav., 34th Recon. Trp. Troop D. Szarejko, Box 125, Middleville, NY 13406 (315) 891 -3735 7th F.A. Observ. Bn. Charles Wells, 622 Leander St., (I^ar-Norristown, PA) Aubra Fox, 820 Noble St., Norris- USS Anthony DD-515 (Mar-Savannah, GA) Sam Ball Jr.. Shelby, NC 28150 (704) 487-4610 town, PA 19401 (215)275-7121 5110 Avercorn St.. Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 354-1033 50th Signal Bn. (Iceland, Engl., Europe-WWII) Mark 29th Div. (FL Chapter) (Feb-Lakeland, FL) Rev. Charles USS Dennis J. Buckley DD-808 (Apr-Charleston, SC) Drillot, Rt.4, Atha Cir, Loganville, GA 30249 Reed. 515 Brentvi/oode PI,. Brandon, FL 33511 (813) Harold Ferguson, 1604 Bert Dr., Wichita Falls, TX 76302 60th Signal Serv. Co. (ASA) Donald Woods. N E. 263 685-0116 (817)322-1437 Tahuya River Dr., Tahuya, WA 98588 (205) 275-5304 47th, 1397th Engrs. WWII (Feb-Las Vegas, NV) Howard USS Case DD-370 (Apr-San Diego) John Hinson, Box 67, 74th Sta. Hosp. WWII D.L. Sather, 1310 Water St., Morris, Box 264, Hershey, NE 69143 (308) 368-7479 Twain Harte, CA 95383 (209) 586-4393 Lewistown, MT 59457 68th C.A. Regt., 895th AAA AW Bn. WWII (Mar-Orlando. USS Dogfish SS-350 (Apr-Vallejo, CA) Roy Anderberg, 98th Gen. Hospital (Newberry, Eng. -WWII) Robert FL) Stewart Campbell. 25 Summer Hill Glen, Maynard, 2720 Lyon Cir, Concord, CA 94518 (415) 686-1331 Holtzman, 1107 14th St., Auburn. NE 68305 MA01754(617) 897-2605 USS Franklin CV-13 (Mar-Orlando, FL)Thomas King, 620 328th Communications Recon. Co. (Germany-1952-

81st F.A. Bn. (May-San Francisco) Charles Rowell. 4615 W. Lake Cir., Longwood, FL 32750 (305) 831 -0238 55) John Arndt, Rt. 1, Box 276, Danielsville, GA 30633 37th N.E., Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 527-2507 USS Helm DD-388 (Dec-Honolulu) R A. Victor Dybdal, (404)795-2350 82nd Engr. Combat Bn. (Apr-Lancaster, PA) Frank 1769 Halekoa Dr.. Honolulu, HI 96821 (808) 732-1545 341st Medical Sect. (Europe-WWII) James Manos,

Ruppert Jr., Rt 1, Box 572, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 USS LSM 451 (Hogans Goat) (Apr-Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 10049 Hanna Ave,, Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818) 998- (304)258-5627 EdTilton, 8306 N.W, 59th St., Tamarac, FL 33321 (305) 5831 112th Gen. Hospital WWII (May-Dedham, MA) Frank 722-7127 414th Arm'd FA. Bn., 20th Arm'd Div. D.C. Pinckney, 211 Doherty, 25 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02116 (617) USS McCaffery DD/DDE-860 (Jun-Norfolk, VA) Gordon E. Oak St, Tyler, MN 56178 Leiser, 267-8488 417 Adirondack Ave, , Spotswood, NJ 08884 (201 519th Trans. (Heidelberg-1960-66) William Jacobs, 313 124th/154th Inf. Regts., 31st Dixie DD Div., Serv. Co. 251-1457 6th Ave., Manon, lA 52302 (319) 377-6017 WWII (May-Omaha, NE) Joseph Wall, 3544 6th Ave., USS Midas ARB-5 (Feb-Enid, OK) Charles Porter Jr., 572 3110th Signal Serv. Bn. WWII Alexander Pepe, 7760 Council Bluffs, lA 51501 (712) 323-5287 N. 11th, Enid. OK 73701 (405)237-1754 WoodbineAve,. Philadelphia. PA19151 (215)473-0395 126th Inf. Assn. (May-Wyoming, Ml) Benny Benedict, USS PCE (R) 859 (Apr-Mobile. AL) E E. Darby Rt, 3, Box "B" Co., 370th A.I.B. (Germany-1954-56) Morris Hardy, 538-8540 578-2443 1200 44th St. S.W., Wyoming. Ml 49509 (616) 175, Evergreen, AL 36401 (205) 510 Eubanks St , Tallassee, AL 36078 (205) 283-5356 187th RA.O.B. (Apr-Jacksonville. FL) Clarence Aldridge, USS Philippine Sea CV-47 (Apr-Bath, ME) A G, LeBaron. L" Co., 359th Inf., 90th Div. (1944-47) Daniel Martinez, Valley Rd., 424- 974-4941 824 Eastern Bessemer, AL 35020 (205) Box 668. Moulton, AL 35650 (205) 9033 Royal St, , Denver, CO 80221 (303) 650-5625 2788 USS Pierce APA-50 (Feb-San Diego) Richard Patterson, L" Co., 505th, 3rd Bn., 82nd ABN Div. (1948-51) Willie

188th RA. Assn., Serv. Btry. WWII (Apr-Mesa, AZ) Otto 3831 Rogers Rd , Spnng Valley CA 92077 (619) 469-6766 Williams, 15044 Bahama St,, Sepulveda, CA 91343 Specht. 3403 E. Main, Sp. 2008, Mesa, AZ 85204 (602) USS Shelikof AVP-52 (Feb-Norfolk, VA) Roderick Wiley Louis A. Miline Hosp. Ship Ray Lau. 4114 IL, R. 78 N., 830-4212 235 E. Lorengo Ave,, Norfolk, VA 23503 (804) 587-2675 Stockton, IL 61085 267th Sep. C.A. Bn. (Apr-Pittsburgh) Harry Gibson, 315 USS Stack DD-406 (Mar-Kissimmee, FL) W W. Pnce Jr,, 17th Inf. Regt., 7th Inf. Div. Hv Mortar (1951-52) 231-5074 Faber St., Pittsburgh, PA 15214 (412) 313 Sussex Ct , Wilmington. NC 28405 (919) 686-0052 Gregory Shiakas. 3485 Garland Rd., Elsie. Ml 48831 297th Ord. Co. H.M. (Mar-Kissimmee. FL) Forest Melzer, 57th, 58th C.A.S.W. Charles Poulson. 1431 Fox Tail Dr. 12640 Dunham, Hartland, Ml 48029 (313) 887-4459 #201. Racine, Wl 53406 (414) 632-4593 327th QM Dpt. Supply Co. (Apr-Mesa. AZ) John Jorgensen. 64th MP Pit. (Governor's Island, 1949-51). Fred Kraft, 846 S- Roanoke. Mesa, AZ 85206 (602) 832-9791 Air Force Box 7089. W. Trenton, NJ 08628 338th Inc. RCT (May-Louisville, KY) John Britton, 3620 91 st Recon. Trp., 91 st Inf. Div. (1942-45). Marvin Kuehn, 31 st St., Columbus, IN 47203 (812) 379-2655 644 11th St., S.W., Huron, SD 57350 (Apr-San Diego) Gordon 377th AAA AW Bn. WWII (May-Kingston, OK) John 43rd M.R.&R. Sq., 9th A.F 103rd MM Ord. (Saipan). Joseph Skavronek, HCR/Box Lindeblad. 6 Windermere, Bella Vista, AR 72714 (501 Dawdy. Rt, 2. Box 373A. Port Lavaca. TX 77979 (512) 233. Deposit. NY 13754 855-1034 552-3444 136th Anti-Tank Co., 33rd Inf. Div. WWII. Jack Wain, 303rd Bomb Wing (Feb-Tucson, AZ) 303rd BW Reunion 608th Tank Destroyer Bn. (May-Fremont, OH) Bernie 20675 Cedar View Dr., Foresthill, CA 95631

Fund, Box 15086, Tucson, AZ 8 5 708 (602 ) 747-7 2 02 Haas, 729 Nickel St., Fremont, OH 43420 148th Gen. Hosp. WWII. Loretta Doucette. 59 Joyce St., 314 Ftr. Sq., (Apr-Huntsville, AL) Eugene Rouse, 122 961st FA. Bn. (May-Nashville. TN) Melvin Coffin, Rt. 2, E, Falmouth, MA02536 13219 488-7129 Sheraton Rd , Syracuse, NY (315) Box 200, Waukomis, OK 73773 (405) 758-3552 205th Hospital Ship Co. (USS Comfort). Kenneth

3498th MM Ord. Co., 2nd Engr. Amph. Bde. (Mar- Kjeldgaard. Rt. 1. Box 120.Tekamah. NE 68061 Orlando. FL) Carl Rimmler. 102 E. Plantation Blvd.. Lake 263rd Med. Bn. WWII. Harold Jennelly, 23 Glen Rd., Mary. FL 32746 (305) 322-1283 Army Air Forces Eastchester, NY 10709 •A" Co., 136th Inf; 33rd Div. (May-Fort Wayne, IN) Lyie 336th Engr. Combat Bn. (ETO). George Woodbridge, -7153 Powers, 202 S. 7th St.. Brighton, Ml 48116 (313) 107 Conrad N E , Grand Rapids, Ml 49505 (616) 361 229-2149 1st Ftr. Control Sq. (Apr-St. Louis) Thomas Hartley, 2314 407th Inf., 102nd Div. (Roger's Raiders). Jack Latter. "A" Co., 692nd TD. Bn. (May-Orlando, FL) Herbert Knox, Vista Rd,, Cedar Rapids, lA 52401 (319) 848-4836 20936 Heather Ct.. Kildeer, IL 60047 (312) 438-6391

Box 231, Cornelius, NC 28031 (704) 892-0258 EX-POWs (Stalag Luff I & III) (May-Barth, E, Germany & 563rd S.A.W. Bn. WWII. Emory Swiegard, 1044 Lingles- "C" Co., 9th Med. Bn. WWII (Apr-Pigeon Forge. TN) John Zagan, Poland) Phil Gibbons, 549 N E. 8th Ave., town Rd.. Harrisburg. PA 17110 Lewis. 211 Midland St.. Shelbyville. TN 37160 (615) Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 (305) 427-1023 767th Chem. Depot (1942-45). Daniel Voboril, 2629 N. 684-2496 Pilot Class 43-D (All Commands) (Apr-Colorado 50th St.. Milwaukee, Wl 53210 D" Btry., 740th AAA Bn. (May-Owego. NY) John Springs, CO) Donald Conner, Box 14572, N, Palm 849th Sig. Intell. Serv. (No. Africa, Italy-WWII). Mosher. 3713 River Rd.. Endwell, NY 13760 (607) Beach, FL 33408 (305) 622-6852 Sterling Joiner, 2912 Justina Rd., #1, Jacksonville, FL 748-7917 Port Isabel Lifeboat Sta. (Feb-Port Isabel, TX) Carrol 32211 E" Co., 386th Inf. Regt., 97th Div. WWII (May-New DeGeorge, 2422 Clover St., New Orleans, LA 70122 "A" Btry., 214th AAA Gun Bn. Joseph Stefanski, 500 W, York) Carl lacobuzio, 2136 E. 7th St.. Brooklyn, NY 11223 (504)945-8448 Coal St,, Shenandoah. PA 17976 (718)336-3843 "C" Btry., 2nd FA. Bn. (1945-47). Andy Teshko, 29

HQ & HQ Co., 46th Inf. Div. WWII (May-Springfield, OH) Lincoln Ave, , S, Hamilton, MA 01982

Alvin McKee, Rt 1, Box 147, Sandborn, IN 47578 (812) "C" Btry,, 867th RA. Bn., 65th Inf. Div. Rufus Veade, 694-7662 2117 Indiana, Kenner, LA 70062 (504) 466-6115 iViarines Krause, I Corps, HQ Ord. Sect. (Uijongbu, Korea-1952) (May- "C" Co., 7th Signal Bde., 440th Bn., HQ. LeRoy Watertown, NY) Philip Damon, 111 Francis St., Water- 907 Hall, Council Grove, KS 66846 town, NY 13601 (315)788-2609 1st Bn., 5th Marines, Baker Co. (1950-51) (Mar-Austin, HQ Co., 3rd Bn., 424th, Int. Regt., 106th Div., 119th Inf. Officers of the First Div. (Apr-Washington) Col. Stephen TX) Emmett Shelton Jr., 808 Caravan Cir.. Austin, TX Regt., 30th Inf. Div. WWII. Bob Hall, 302 Marianville Ralph, Box 2331, Springfield, VA 22152 (703) 569-1938 78746(512)327-1305 Rd.. Aston. PA 19014 Vets. (FSB Gold 21 Battle-1967) (Mar-Colorado Springs, 3rd Bn., 7th Regt., "I" Co., (Apr-Jacksonville Beach, FL) HQ & HQ Btry., 8th Inf. Div. Arty., (28th, 43rd, 45th, CO) Larry Moss, Box 775. Ferriday. LA 71334 (318) G,H. Croll. 218 Egret Ave,, Naples, FL 33963 (813) 56th RA. Bns.) James Woolley, Box 3, Love Creek Pk., 757-8500 597-5751 Lewes, DE 19958

38 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE "L" Co., 28th Inf., 8th Div. WWII. A.L. Hager Jr., Box USS Denebola AD-12, 1st, 2nd Divs. Karl Brandt, 328 71st Signal Serv. Bn. Marvin H. Witley needs witnesses 90093, Nashville, TN 37209 Ouittie Park Dr., Annville, PA 17003 (717) 867-4182 to verify a claim that while stationed at Toyoto, Japan in IFFV Hq., NHA Trang. Toribio Tonche Jr., Box 1411, USS Gunston Hall LSD-5. Jack Ealy, 804 W. Shelby Ave., 1946, he suffered injuries to his legs and knees from a Sterling, CO 80751 (303)522-2193 Box 852, Effingham, IL 62401 jeep accident. Contact CID 1075 JMP-63 (1943-44). James Whitmore, 1140 Land O' Lakes USS John Hood DD-655. Kenneth Knowlton, 178 W. Station Co. "A". Albert L. Boles is seeking witnesses to Dr., RoswelLGA 30025 Borland St., Pickerington, OH 43147 (614) 837-7808 verify a claim that while stationed at Camp Crowder. Mo USS Kankakee AO-39. Calvin Morris, 4410 Grass Valley in 1942, he was injured when he fell from a 50 foot Dr., Houston, TX 77018 (713) 686-3084 telephone pole. Contact CID 1076 Navy USS LCI (L) 965 (Grig. crew-WWII). Calvin Crance, 6020 2nd Marine Div. Louis (Ludwig) Gaiko needs witnesses to Edgewood Ave., Lynchburg, VA24502 verify a claim that while aboard the USS Newberry APA USS Leyte CV-32. Fred Albers, Rt. 2, Box 129, Litchfield, 158 in April 1945, he injured his knee while trying to 143rd NCB WWII Homer Twenter, Rt. 1, Box 25, Pilot

I L 62056 (21 7) 999-5651 board ship while under attack from Japanese plane. Grove, MO 65276 (816) 834-5348 LSM-211 WWII. Joseph Ryan, Box 304, Haines Falls, Contact CID 1077 Co. 3555, (Bainbridge, MD-1944) Charles Kranias, Box USS NY 12436 (518) 589-6116 713, Gettysburg, PA 17325 (717) 334-0731 Midway VF-151. Barry Denbo, 422 Owsley Chenoa, VPB-142 (Tarawa/Tinian) T.J. Mayfield, Box 344, USS German, TX 76454 IL 61726 (815) 945-3061 TAPS USS Muir DE-770. William Baur, 522 E. Kenilworth, Villa USS Algol AKA-54 Floyd Wilson, Rt., Box 42, Loleta, CA Park, IL 60181 (312)832-1336 95551 Taps Notices mention, whenever possible, those USS New Orleans LPH-11. W.H. Mclntire, Box 7401, USS Bear (US Expedltion-1939-41 ) Joseph Daigle, Box Legionnaires who have held high national or department Pensacola, FL 32514 (904) 478-0666 621, Rumford, ME 04276 (207) 369-0289 office in the Legion or the U.S. government, or who have USS PCS-1387. Richard Trusty, 20 Old Quarry Rd., USS Brown DD-546 WWII Wayne Stokes, 5152 Newton, attained other forms of national prominence- Westfield, 01085 Overland Park, KS 66202 MA Pinon AN-66 WWII. Howard Barnes, Box 1722, USS E-PGE (R) 850 Bruce Begel, 120 Franklin St., USS George J. Clow, NY Department Commander (1985-86), Estes Park, CO 80517 (303) 586-5680 Weissport, PA 1 8235 (21 5) 377-2073 Department Vice Commander (1972-73). USS Gilbert Island CVE-107 (1952-54) Andrew Syka, Francis Gerard Garris, CT Alternate National Executive 1111 W. Iowa Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408) 736-8403 Committeeman (1965-77), Department Commander USS Howard W. Gilmore AS-16. Walter Cliffe, Lot 150 Army Air Forces (1963-64), Department Vice Commander (1959-60). Oak Leaf Dr., St. Charles, MO 63301 Richard Saccoman, MN Department Vice Commander A.E. (1964-65). USS Hooper Island ARG-17 (1951-55), USS 13th Army Air Corps (PI Islands-WWII). William Combs P-111 (1956-58) Gulden, 9424 N. Alma Harrison H. Glidden, KS Department Commander Anderson James Jr, 4663 Elmont Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45245 Ave., Portland, 97203 (503) 286-4096 (1934-35). OR 506th, 507th, 508th Ftr. Sqdns., 404th Ftr. Grp. WWII. Dr., Mancel Raulston, Elected Alternate National USS Inch DE-146 Roy Frank, Wotanda Shore John Zore, 25 Saratoga Ave., No. Babylon, NY 11704 Josepf TN Meredith, 03253 (603) 279-8136 Executive Committeeman (1986-87), Department NH (516) 491-5139 USS Frank Knox DD-742 (1949-52) Roy Powell, 311 Commander (1980-81), Department Vice Commander Windsor Sq., Alvin, TX 77511 (713) 331 -2451 (1971-72). USS LSM 30 (1944-46) Richard Warren, 427 Twist Run Air Force Ward Walker Husted, National Vice Commander (1964- Rd„Endwell, NY 13760 65), WY National Executive Committeeman (1948- USS LSM 115 Robert Morris, 35 Greenbrier Rd., Sunbury, 1950). Alternate National Executive Committeeman OH 43074 (614) 965-1199 52nd Ftr. Sq., 65th Ftr. Wing (England-1943-45) (1946-48), Department Commander (1944-45). US LST284 (WWII) Earl Blair, Box 53, Rouzerville, PA Joseph Sisel, Box 563, Sutton, NE 68979 (402) 773- Raymond J. Prochnow, AZ Alternate National Executive 17250 4587 Committeeman (1948-1950), Department Commander USS LSI 385 Bradford Setser, Rt. 1, Box 2, 461st Bomb Grp. (H) (Italy-WWII) Bill Harrison, 6681 (1945-46).

Campbellsburg, IN 47108 (812) 755-4790 N.W. 6th Ct., Margate, FL 33063 Frank Reyes, FL Department Commander (1970-71 ). USS LST 606 Sam Vernaccini, 49 Munson St., LeRoy, NY Flag Unit (Enlisted, Personnel-NAS-Atlantic Fleet- C. D. "Doug" Gulley, MS Alternate National Executive 14482 (716) 768-7274 Norfolk-WW II) Mildred Heist, 700 Renel Rd., Norris- Committeeman (1958-60), Department Commander USS LST 733 Mack Smith Jr., 139 Ashley Rd., Newtown town, PA 19401 (215) 275-1707 (1955-56), Department Vice Commander (1954-55). Square, PA 19073 (215) 356-2670 Earl B. Dickerson, St. Louis Caucus, American Legion USS LST 1027 WWII Frank Borba, 3616 Hartzel Dr., Founders Society Spring Valley, CA 92077 i\/iarines Chester Worthington, ME Department Vice Commander USS Markab AD-21 (1944-46) Bob Rawson, 45 Skyline (1974-75. 77-78). Dr., MankatcMN 56001

USS Paw Paw Cyril Salsieder, 823 2nd St., Rothschild, Wl 4th Defense Bn. WWII. James Deaver Sr , Box 55, 54474(715) 359-2142 Gladding St., So. Otselic, NY 13155 USS Porter DD-800. Alan Jenkins, 340 Andover Blvd. Henderson Hall Disbursing Off. (Eastern Pay Area- LIFE MEMBERSHIPS N.E., Anoka, MN 55303 (612) 434-7045 1953-56). Richard Martin, 109 Boxwood Ln., Minoa, NY USS S.C. 1326 WWII Roy Kundtz, 4655 Desmond Cir., 13116(315) 656-8523 The award of a life membership to a Legionnaire by Oceanside, CA 92056 (619) 724-1845 a post is a testimonial by those who know best that such USS Shurbrick DD-639 WWII Charles McCleary, 528 a member has served The American Legion well. Green St., Waynesboro, PA 17268 Coast Guard Below are listed some of the previously unlisted life USS Specter AM-306 Charles Clement, Rt. 3, Box 174, membership post awards that have been reported to The Rockwood, PA 15557 American Legion Magazine. us LST 787. Albert Pond, 115 Lexington Dr., Colonial Hts., USS Wiseman DE-667 (All Crews) Tom Myers, 8976 N. VA 23834 (804)520-1925 Richfield, St. Helen, Ml 48656 Thomas B. Hopkins (1986), Post 314, Hawthorne, CA USS VMS 70 & 71 W.C. Kimble, 37 CVille Wmsburg Rd. Phillip Armbruster, Eugene F. Gladding, Conrad S. So.,Centerville, IN47330 Ham, J. William Johnson, Fritz E. Klambt, Alex All PC Sqdns. Wesley Johnson, 6484 N. Park Ave., Miscellaneous Nolde, Arnoldi Nori, Dr. Ed Williams (1986), Post 17, Indianapolis, IN 46220 (317) 253-4801 Naugatuck. CT Carl Smith, William L.. Trahan (1976), Aldine Chenault (1981), NATTC Ships Co. (Norman, OK.-42-45). CINCPAC-CINCPOA (1941-45) Paul Willis, 7150 Broad- 1520 Haywood Ave., Memphis, TN 38127 (901) 357- John H. Kewer (1982), Stanley Bienkowski, William way Lemon Grove, CA 92045 (61 9) 942-4356 5734 D. Houtzer, George E. Skaggs Jr. (1983), Kenneth R. San Diego Trng. Ctr., Co. 5343 (1943). John Crane, Box Fields, Leonard H. Hunt, Raymond H. Markey

52, Clermont, GA 30527 (1984) , Harold Booth, Eugene K. Harrison, Donald US Navy Armed Guard (Mich.). Raymond Didur Sr., Box COMRADES IN DISTRESS A. Pattison (1986), Post 159, Venice, FL 282, CementCity Ml 49233 H. F Walder (1986), Post 12, Dixon IL USN Base Hospital 17 Hollandia, MOB 9. Al Beck Jr., c/o Charles R. Arbuckle (1986), Post 977, Brocton, IL Readers who can help these veterans are urged to Dench Chevron Serv., Sheridan Ave., Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ John F Dean (1986), Post 983, East Peona, IL do so. Usually an eyewitness statement is needed in 07423 Robert L. Goslln, Fred Schindler, Bernard Woithon support of a VA claim. USN Boot Co. 1300, (Great Lakes-1942). Merle Slight, (1986), Post 1009, Glen Ellyn, IL Notices are run only at the request of American Legion Rt. 2, Box 384A9, Ft. Smith, AR 72916 Francis J. Kane Sr. (1986), Post 40, Plymouth, MA Service Officers representing claimants, using Search for VC-88. Gerald Adams, 501 Hartford Rd., Ft. Gaines, GA Alfred R. Castle, Francis L. Mitchell (1986), Post 457, Witness Forms available only from State Legion Service 31751 768-2613 No. Branch, Ml (912) Officers. Please contact CID (number). The American NAS New Orleans (Lakefront). Christian Capdevielle, Truman J. Howard (1977), Post 63, Cape Giradeau, MO Legion Magazine, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206 331 Robinhood Rd., Covington, LA 70433 (504) 893- Roy J. Jones (1986), Post 97, Plattsburg, MO 5255 "E" Co., 255th Inf. 63rd Div. Jack E. Jaloski needs Howard Hey (1986), Post 318. Parkville, MO

USS Barker DD-213. Charles Glecker, Rt. 1, Box 28, New witnesses to verify a claim that while stationed at Charles Joiner (1986), Post 525, St. Louis MO Salem, IL 62357 (217) 285-6982 Frauenburg, Alsace in Jan, 1945, he suffered injury Edward F. Cartier, Paul H. Feldeisen, Edward D. USS J. Franklin Bell APA-16. M. Hayducko, 733A when German rockets exploded and knocked him McMahon, Warren G. Mistier, John J. Toltowicz

Chatham Ln., Lakehurst, NJ 08733 through 2 doors rendering him unconscious. Contact (1985) , Carl W. Hanselman, Louis G. Hanselmann, USS Caravan AM-157. Chester Wawrzyn, 6511 N. 85th CID 1073 Louis L. Letusick (1986), Post 430, Cologne, NJ. St., Milwaukee, Wl 53224 (414) 353-4566 959th Heavy Ord. HAM. Robert Lee Hartline needs Robert E. Benoit, Michael G. Hoffis (1986), Post 553, USS Chenango, "O" Div. Gray Powell, 207 Oakwood witnesses to verify a claim that while stationed at So. Glens Falls, NY Rd., Rochester, NY 14616 Nagasaki, Nogoya, Okaka, Kobe, Japan in 1945, he was Robert Beebe Sr., Gerald E. Clark, William Grady, USS Howard Clark DE-533. George Neldon, 1508 N. exposed to radiation from Nagasaki bomb. Contact CID Walter Race Jr., Edwin E. Young (1985), Post 579, Franklin, Litchfield, IL 62056 1074 Cooperstown, NY

DECEMBER 1986 39 .

7-ln-A Yard& Garden VETERANS Machine ADVISER End-of-Year SALE! Do you have questions concerning your termined to be in need of the regular aid veterans benefits? The American Legion and attendance of another person, or is Magazine answers those questions in this permanently disabled, may be entitled column. We regret that we cannot provide to higher income limitations or addi- a personal response to each query. Write tional benefits, depending on the type to The American Legion Magazine, of pension received. A doctor's state- Veterans Adviser Editor, P.O. Box 1055, ment outlining your mother's physical/ Indianapolis, IN 46206. mental condition and the limitations imposed by her disability should be Q« I am a 50 percent service-con- submitted to the regional office that has nected disabled veteran. I receive jurisdiction over her pension payments. additional compensation because of a dependent child. Will this continue Q • I am a veteran receiving military beyond the child's 18th birthday? service entitlement pay in lieu of VA Your additional compensation will A compensation. I have a VA home loan • continue until your child is 23, pending. Will I have to pay the fund- providing the child continues to be your ing fee? dependent, is unmarried and a full-time No, the law exempts veterans re- J. student. n« ceiving compensation and those who receive retirement pay from paying Q« What does the VA consider as a the funding fee. As seen on PBS series, The Victory Garden. veteran's income for purposes of the means test? Q« My wife and I are both veterans amazing Mantis Lightweight is a — Social Security, including supple- Xhe and meet eligibility requirements for homeowner's dream machine. lla mental security income; U.S. Civil the VA home loan program. May we Tiller. Weeder. Border Edger. Furrower. Service retirement; U.S. Railroad retire- Hedge and Shrub Trimmer. Lawn Aerator. acquire property jointly and increase ment; military retirement; unemploy- Lawn De-Thatcher. Mantis does e\'erything the amount which may be guaranteed around your yard except mow the lawn. ment insurance; all other retirement; byVA? Imagine. Seven precision instant on/off total wages from all employers; interest Yes. The amount of the guarantee attachments. A small, powerful engine so and dividends; workers' compensation; U be increased to an amount reliable it comes with a Lifetime Replacement n» may black lung benefits, and any other annual Warranty. equal to the combined total of both your income for the calendar year preceding Mantis weighs just 20 lbs. (lifts easily over entitlements; however, the guarantee veteran's application for care, in- . the walls and fences) . . now on sale for under may not exceed 60 percent of the loan. $300 (including its two most popular attach- cluding income of spouse and all depen-

ments) . . . runs all day on a gallon of gas! dents. Personal property is excluded. BEST NEWS: Mantis is on sale until Dec. Q* When I retire I plan to live in a 31, '86 (and you get a 3-week, no-obligation. foreign country. Can I have my VA Free Home Trial that doesn't start until you Q« Where may I find information mailed to the country in which start gardening)! about a relative buried in an Amer- check Cut your gardening chores to 60 minutes a ican military cemetery overseas? I have chosen to reside?

week. Call or write today . . . don't miss out! Yes, as long as it is not on the list — Information concerning American J- prohibited countries. Check n* military buried overseas may be II* of find out \ahllS with your nearest VA office to I 145S County Line Rd^OepL 3049 obtained by writing to: American Battle Honfingdon Valley, PA 19006 Monuments Commission, Rm. 5127, if the country where you will reside is (215)3 Pulaski Bldg.. 20 Massachusetts Ave., on the list. f RUSH details on the amazing Mantis plus ^ NW, Washington, D.C. 20314. Iend-of-yearia/f and no-obligation, FREE | , Q« Can you tell me what is consid- HOME TRIAL! 2 I Q • My mother receives a VA widow's ered Vietnam-era service for VA ben- pension and she recently lost her sight. efits purposes? Address Can the VA offer any assistance? — The period for Vietnam-era serv- City A surviving spouse who is a patient n* ice is defined as Aug. 5, 1964 Zip. J. n« in a nursing home or otherwise de- through May 7, 1975.

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D t :^ s 2 r E Si O o c t CO o QBE t O O) §.§5 E ii§B 9- C 5 X3 CD -^ >-g- « O CD &SO 8 OJ ^ CD ^ C31 I "D •-5 E _C — 0) CD ^ Og S o e V 6 c o dJ _g 2 o T 1 5^ c O ^"D ^ g c" ) go o ™ 5 . ^ ^ O -Q to j^iS CD :5 " o r: g g'oJ > — CD >- EF oC-> C c 3 D > CD cn.i:;— O CD X> O CD CO CD O c/5 >- O p kikkik U A AA danger down the road if the imbalance DEBTOR NATION grows too large too fast. They liken the trend to "the mortgaging of America." Continuedfrom page 11 OM C. Fred Bergsten, president of the Authorized Liquidator Washington-based Institute for Inter- national Economics, predicted that if allowed to accelerate, our investment given rise to demands for legislation to deficit could reach $1 trillion by the protect U.S. industries crippled by early 1990s. By comparison, in 1981 floods of cheaply priced foreign goods. the United States was $136 billion on Our eight largest steel producers, for the creditor side of the world fiscal example, lost $8 billion in the past four ledger. "The speed of the deteriora- years, and since 1978 more than 500,000 tion," said Bergsten, "is breathtaking, steelworkers have been laid off. and a major cause for alarm." It's also a fact that an unprecedented "Such unusual imbalances," said influx of foreign investment capital, John Medlin, president of North Caro- which has given rise to our net inter- lina's First Wachovia Banking Corp., national indebtedness, has siphoned "are unlikely to remain benign forever. away many billions of U.S. dollars in They simply represent borrowing from the form of dividends, interest and profits future prosperity, which eventually for foreign investors. must be repaid through voluntary or

But there's also a positive side to this imposed austerity. This is a cruel legacy transfer of capital. As U.S. consumers, to leave our children."

flush with cash and credit, buy billions Others worry that Washington is be- of dollars worth of foreign imports, coming overly dependent on foreign billions of dollars in earnings from capital to support its deficit spending, these sales are being reinvested in the and wonder .50 Cal. Percussion what might happen should United States. This represents a re- overseas investors decide suddenly to BLACK POWDER sounding vote of confidence in America's pull their money out of the United States. economy — a confidence many foreign Many people also fear a lowering of RIFLE KIT investors find lacking in their own or America's standard of living as more CVA, respected manufacturer of preci- other countries where high taxes, low and more of our wealth is drawn sion firearms, close out this model. Now rates of return and sluggish economies overseas. you can buy at BELOW dealer cost! effectively restrict opportunities for According to Stephen J. Entin, Deputy Easy-To-Assemble Kit Features: capital earnings. Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for • Select Hardwood Stock. • Rifled 32" Octagonal Barrel. With Japan leading the way, $127 Economic Policy, such concerns are un- • Hooked Breech for Easy Cleaning. billion in new foreign capital poured founded. "In the long run, foreign invest- • Double Set Trigger. into the United States last year, bringing ments in the United States benefit both • Dovetail Sights. total overseas investments in America parties. U.S. labor keeps about two- • German Silver Wedgeplates, Patchbox. to more than $1 trillion. About a fourth thirds of the added production in the One-Year Limited Factory Warranty. of this inflow, or some $220 billion, has form of wages, while the foreign inves- IWfr.List ^189.95 been invested in U.S. Treasury notes, tors receive the remainder. And their the proceeds of which have helped profits come from added output that Liquidation finance the U.S. government. But an represents no real loss for Americans."

Priced At . increasing share of this capital has gone Entin said he sees historical parallels Item H-1 754-7006-067 Shipping, handling: $6.00 each into the U.S. private sector for new between our net indebtedness of today plants and equipment, retail outlets, and that of early America. "From the Credit card customers can order by phone, commercial real estate and corporate Jamestown settlement of 1607 until the rd^a-e^^^' ^\fSZ)\^^ stocks and bonds. eve of World War I," he said, "Amer- These investments have created hun- icans were net debtors with a capital Toll-Free: 1-800-328-0609 Sales outside the 48 contiguous stales are subject to dreds of new businesses and many inflow and a trade deficit. The United special conditions. Please call or write to inquire. thousands of additional jobs for Amer- States was opening a new continent, icans, thereby contributing in a major building farms, canals and railroads, SEND TO: Item H-1 754 way to our economic growth. By con- discovering oil, implementing new C.O.M.B. Direct Marketing Corp.

1405 Xenium Lane N/Minneapolis, MN SS441-4494 trast, most debtor nations of the Third technologies . . . inventing the assembly Send RBIe Klt(s) Item H-1 754-7006-067 at $99 each World squandered billions of borrowed line. For British and European investors, plus $6 each for shipping, handling. (Minnesota residents add 6% sales tax. Sorry, no CO D. orders.) dollars on unproductive state-run ven- the profitability of their loans remained My check or money order is enclosed. (No delays m high, so did the benefits to Amer- processing orders paid by checl<.) tures during the expansionary 1970s and Charge: VISA® MasterCard® American Express® only to get caught when the bubble icans as they pushed Westward. The Acct No Exp. I burst with enormous, high-interest borrowed money allowed America to PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY loans they now cannot repay. Other develop and grow without cutting con- Name billions of dollars fled out the back door sumption. Address

City into U.S. or European investments and "In fact," said Entin, "as the histori- State ZIP Swiss bank accounts. cal record of our country shows, there

Phone—! 1 While conceding that America's net were no adverse consequences from such Sign Here indebtedness by contrast has pluses as transfers. This was because the funds well as minuses, some critics see flowing into our country went for capi-

42 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE AUTHENTIC MILITARY BULLISH ON AMERICA 1-65 FIELD JACKETS BRAND NEW WHY has the United States run up will lower the cost of U.S. capital and such huge debts and deficits, and raise the after-tax return on U.S. in- Gl SPEC'S what does it mean for the average vestments. Obviously, this will make U.S. MADE American? Stephen J. Entin, Deputy it even more attractive to do business O.D. or CAMO Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for with the United States. As our trading Economic Policy, a leading authority partners feel this increased competi- $54.95 on "supply-side economics," provides tion, they will be induced to keep more some answers. of their capital at home and to stimu- late domestic growth and job oppor- G.I. Liner fits all deeply in tunities through lower taxes and less Q* Why are we so debt to M-65's. Nylon w/ government intervention in the pri- the rest of the world? Polyester Fibre. vate sector. A The main reason is that the United $16.95 , ^ • States has attracted such a large Q* Will this reduce our net in- 'There is Nothing Like the Real Thing" inflow of foreign capital. This is be- debtedness? -(b^ ************** cause of our favorable investment J Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. $3.50 for J In . the long term , yes Our deficit shipping and fiandling. VISAMC accepted. climate. Inflation is down, taxes are H ff k Send pmt. to: Surplus World, P.O. Box 7832, A* position is a transitory thing. The down on U.S. labor and capital. Con- * Col. Oh 43207-2480. big shift of investments from abroad XS XL sequently, we are a better place in to the U.S. brought an inflow of funds which to invest. * ODD ^a^3S'02 and you can't have more and more I CAMOn ^^-£3 people trying to get dollars in ex- * LINER Q« But what about our big trade change for other currencies without deficits, especially with Japan? the dollar going up. As the dollar goes — We're hoping the steps we've up, Americans buy more foreign prod- to taxes and infla- n* taken reduce ucts. As the investment flood into the tion will be matched by our trading United States is completed, as we put partners. If they take such meas- do into place the additional factories and * VISAD*. ures to stimulate economic growth equipment triggered by our improved their people will and employment, investment climate, then the inflow BACK GUARANTEE have higher personal incomes and will (of capital) will have run its course of their products, as buy more own and the dollar's exchange rate will well as ours. Then our exports will rise. come back down. As a result, our trade imbalance will come to a halt. It will Got a Minit? Qa Will our new tax-reform bill take a few years, but it's a self-correct- help? ing process. Our Federal Reserve can Make — Yes. Dramatically lower tax help by providing sufficient domestic A* rates will both reduce the cost of credit to finance much of this domestic ^a Button!—, U.S. labor and raise the after-tax expansion. Then we won't have to wages of American workers. They also depend so much on borrowing abroad. $2695

In just a "minit" you can enter tal formation and to increase our real nation again, as it was from 1919 until the fast and easy, fun and growth rate." 1982. This will happen, he said, as U.S. profitable world of button- making with Badge-A-Minit. After World War I, it was an exhausted productive capacity and capital stock These 2Va " plastic coated that capital Europe needed American to are built up more rapidly than in other buttons are fun to make, rebuild. As creditors, our net-investment industrialized countries, as our rates of fun to wear and easy to sell at flea markets, "» position rose from $6 billion in 1919 interest decline, and as investors begin fairs, conventions or through the post-World War II recovery to look elsewhere. Meantime, because sporting events. Supply buttons for community events, businesses or churches. to a peak of $147 billion in 1982 a when of the current inflow of foreign capital, For $26.95 you get a hand held press, a set of 5 dramatic reversal began. Much of this the U.S. will have acquired a capital assembly rings and enough designs and metal parts to make 10 buttons. To order additional button parts accelerating inflow of capital repre- potential. base and a larger productive see the catalog included with every order. sented American investments returning Whether this reassuring prediction Order today or send for a FREE catalog and idea book. GUARANTEED. home from the Middle East and else- comes true or not, only time will tell. where to safer and more profitable busi- But there are signs that the tide of red 1 North 30th Rd., Box i B.'IL 61301, Phone (815) 224-2090 ness ventures in the United States. By ink may be ebbing. After months of r.". Send r ; Badge-A-Minil Starter Kit for only $26 95 pius nq [IL residents add si .68 tax) last year, net new U.S. investments relentless increase, the nation's trade 1_ MasterCard fell abroad below $20 billion, a 700 deficit shrank by $4.7 billion in August, Card No _ percent drop in three years. Ironically, the biggest one-month reduction on this repatriated capital has contributed record. And after three straight months to America's net indebtedness. in the red, our trade in farm products Barring unforeseen economic "shocks," showed a $132 million surplus in Au- Entin said he believed history will re- gust. "The sharp improvement," said peat itself, and the United States in Commerce Secretary Malcolm Baldrige, coming years will become a net creditor "may be the turning point ..."

DECEI\/IBER 1986 43 MAD INTERVIEW Getting Continued from page 25 Continuedfrom page 15 upstairs is easy. plex. Few experts doubt that could with a we — It needs to automate and take ad- erect effective ABM defenses of our vantage of technology. Consider- Garaventa n* missile sites in a few years, or that such ing its mission to deliver packages any- Home-Li defenses would be less expensive and where in the world, and certainly in this

complex than race-track and other fancy country, it doesn't spend enough money

basing modes. for research and development. It is very So why don't we have them? The slow to use some of the technology that

answer is that, under the ABM treaty is on the streets, but it's gaining. It also and its 1974 protocol, we are allowed needs to better educate people toward only one site for missile defenses, which making changes of address, mailing • Wide, comfortable seat could at best protect only part of our earlier in the day, and ensuring the use deterrent. in in still • Easy-to-operate controls And 1975— another of correct, legible forwarding and re- unilateral move—Congress ordered this turn addresses. • Many safety features one remaining site to be closed down • Your cfioice of 3 designs for as well. Q* What is happening to the "Zip- straigfit or curved stairways All of this has been done in the name Plus Four" plan? • Good looking and affordable! of "mutual assured destruction," but |. Although it has been in use since Call us today for a FREE color brochure there is little evidence that the Soviets n* before the Vietnam War, it has In Pfione: 1-604-594-0422 are reciprocating. fact, their theory been very slow to take effect. The in such matters has always stressed the Postal Service claims that without an TOLL FREE: 1-800-663-6556 need for homeland defenses, and their additional four digits in the zip code, it GARAVENTA Dep t. H-6 practice has followed suit. As of 1980, will have to hire more people to handle the Soviets had 64 ABM launchers an increasing mail volume. So the Zip- installed around Moscow (now is the bedrock basis of its ASK ABOUT OUR FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION 100); Plus Four they also had 12,000 SAM missiles, automation system. The Postal Service 2,500 air interceptors and 7,000 home must develop better ways to encourage

defense radars. businesses and others to use it more, for

In addition, the Soviets have tested it has been widely misunderstood. Troubled With Getting Up Nigtits MEN their SAM missiles in an ABM mode, When it was first called the nine-digit Piins In Btck, Hips, Legs PAST 40 Nervousness. Tiredness and have been developing a huge ABM zip code, the public mistakenly believed

radar system near Krasnoyarsk—both it would have to learn whole new num- If you are disturbed by these symptoms, your troubles may be caused by glandular inflammation actions in violation of the 1972 agree- bers, when in fact it is intended as an of your prostate. Mettiods tfiat merely give tempor- ary relief for ttiis condition cannot be expected to ment, according to our government. incentive for businesses to speed up remove the cause of your trouble The Excelsior Institute Clinic, devoted to the That background should make it fairly their mail to keep rates down. We will NON-SURGICAL methods of treatment for dis- clear that over Four with us forever, or eases peculiar to older men, has a new FREE the conflict SDI, and over have Zip-Plus BOOK that tells how these troubles may be cor- ABM defenses generally, is not pri- at least until some fancy new machine rected. The NON-SURGICAL treatments de- scribed in this book require no surgery, hospitaliza- marily a question of technology. can interpret addresses and apply a code. tion or long period of convalescence. Treatments take but a short time and the cost is reasonable. Obviously, there are many technical Write today. This book may prove of utmost im- portance to you. No obligation issues to be resolved before SDI—or Q* Christmas is approaching and Excelsior Institute Clinic, Dept. 104B with it the year's biggest volume of mail 110 E. Broadway. Excelsior Springs. Mo 64024 other missile defenses—can become reality. for the post office. How will service fere Also, there are legal-political issues this year? to be addressed, such as what should H A lot of that depends on the weather, be done about the SALT I agreement. n* If there's bad weather in the second LIVINQ RETIRENEIMT These are important matters, but dis- and third weeks of December, things foul For the Young at Heart tinctly secondary to the underlying up. However, the Postal Service in the Tree booklet strategic problem. early part of 1986 was reorganized. It MOW TO BUY YOUR RETIREMEnT HOME ttl FLORIDA" The real issue to be resolved in all of eliminated a lot of bureaucracy that had Send to:Buyer's Quide 501 Scottish Highlands Blvd. this is one of fundamental policy: Should built up over the past 20 years within Leesburg, FL 32788 the United States continue abiding by a administrative regions and I think it will 1-800-325-4471 Phone doctrine of planned defenselessness that be more responsive than in the past.

leaves our civilian population deliber- Even so, it still needs the public's help. ately exposed, in the dubious hope that People must address their mail correctly. Moscow will somehow do the same? And before people mail their cards and SLEEPING PROBLEM? Or should we repudiate MAD and set packages, they should find out if the Migraine Headacties, tensions, neck pain, to work on defensive systems that are people they're writing to still live at the stioulder and arm numbness? You can alleviate or eliminate witti Dr. Perlstein's technically within our reach, whatever same address. If there's doubt, send the Pillow. Guaranteed. Therapeutic Results these may happen to be? Those are the mail first class so it can be forwarded Send 124.95 plus $2.00 shipping to: Dr. Perlstein's Therapeutic Pillow questions that will decide the fate of and, if not delivered, returned. It is also P.O. Box 780131 Dallas. Texas 75378 SDI—and a great deal else besides. wise to mail as early as possible.

44 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE Africa, the Middle East and around the HUGH O'BRIAN globe that have an immediate effect on Planer Molder Saw our government and economy. Continuedfrom page 23 Power X O Through this new world conscious- ness, the citizens of our country are becoming more aware of happenings around them. At HOBY, as we begin to dreams and ideals work when others teach young people how to think, not fought to suppress their freedom. The what to think, I notice our youths be- uniqueness of our country today is still coming conscious critics. They are not true to that spirit as all people are allowed willing to sit back and accept things as to seek their own levels of achievement they are — our young people are not within their communities, the country afraid to question the movers and shakers or the world. of today. In America, this is the key America has the opportunity to take element to our freedom. We have the the position of the forerunner in the field ability to think for ourselves and to make impression shop to turn of leadership training. Our educational an on our surroundings. rough lumber Into moldings, trim, flooring, furniture institutions, businesses and professional No, it's not all bad out there. Amer- —ALL popular patterns. RIP-PLANE-MOLD . . . sepa- rately or all at once with a single motor. Low Cost organizations are making a concerted icans are a proud breed and dedicated to ... You can own this power tool for only $50 down. effort to encourage their employees and making their country great. Our country 30:Day FREE Tdaj! ExciTrNoTACTs members to develop leadership qualities fosters a positive attitude toward life NO OBLIGATION-NO SAUSMAN WILL CALL that will prove beneficial in their per- and allows us to seek and achieve our RUSH COUPON FOLEY-BELSAW CO. 90964 FIELD BLDG. sonal and professional lives. At HOBY, highest dreams. Thank God, we have rnnAUi^mmmL . „ - - - _ -"iJIl^ii Sn^'i; we are bringing together the young our Don Quixotes. Let's find them and ^j. lB ji ^ Foley-Belsaw Co. I leaders of the United States and 20 other encourage the media and general public J^yAM^" 90964 Field BIdg. I Kansas City, Mo. 64111 countries to share experiences and build to recognize the small miracles that J Please send me complete facts about '-'n YF^'^^ international understanding. make our country great. PLANER -MOLDER -SAW and | details about 30-day trial oflfer. I America is beginning to realize the Then the world can see what's right need for world understanding. Not long with America. Name j ago, events outside of our continent took Address ' For further information on the HOBY Foundation, write a long time to affect us. our news Now to 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Rm. 1500, Los Angeles, OA is filled with instant happenings in South 90024. GET RID OF ROACHES & MICE FOREVER!! 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45 . a

PEARL HARBOR Continuedfrom page 19

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AIR RACES

airfield to machinegun Robert Tyce as he started to spin the propeller on his plane; he was probably Hawaii's first civilian casualty. A flight of bombers attacked the Army's Wheeler Field, destroying its planes on the ground and demolishing buildings. Zeros raided the Marine air- field at Barber's Point, putting most of its parked aircraft out of commission and strafing the tent area. Leatherneck gun- ners brought down one of the attackers. Over at Schofield Barracks, 1st Lt. Stephen G. Saltzman snatched up an automatic rifle and dashed out of his communications office to match bullets with an enemy bomber making a straf- AMERICA'S BEST SELLER "The Original"® ing run. Miraculously, he was not hit sxYFias' home video is now the fastest selling aviation series in $39.95 but the bomber crashed and burned. America! Each high quality VHS and BETA videotape features '85® Two Army Air Corps lieutenants, breathtaking color, real-life stereo and professional, close-up SKYFSRE photography from the broadcast studios of world reknown avia- $49.95 George S . Welch and Kenneth Taylor, tion Producer, James F. Mitchell. He's captured the hell-raising managed to get airborne in their P-40s thunder of military jet demonstration teams, death defying aero- SKYPiRE'Se® at Haleiwa Field even though it was batics, the world's fastest World War II vintage piston engine $49.95 under attack. Maneuvering their fighters fighters and the "top class" aviators who dare to fly these ma- Allow same-day 1st Class ship- chines only inches above the ground! Each hour-long tape is superbly and fearlessly, each shot down ping of $5 for single order tape completely different and one of a kind. A must for collectors— two of the attackers before their .50 joy to watch and backed with pride by our exclusive 30-DAY or $7 for two or more tapes. caliber ammunition ran out. They landed, MONEY BACK GUARANTEE OF SATISFACTION. Orders of two or Multiple tape purchases earn a more tapes earn a TEN PERCENT DISCOUNT off the listed price. 10% discount off listed price. re-armed, returned to the skies and between them shot down three more enemy planes. ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800^447-7775 By 10:30 it was all over. The Amer- ican forces had accounted for 29 Jap-

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in ttie entire country Over 20.000 sales people like yourself are making money every day over at all; it was only beginning. ^MONEY selling from our full color catalog featuring over 250 attractive styles for men and women including dress, casual, work, safety and outdoors Knapp will send you a complete America mourned its dead, nursed its TO BE MADE FREE SELLING KIT including everyltring you need to gel started earning extra money immediately Ttiere is no risk wfien you sell Knapp sfioes We support our sales people maimed, and reeled from its stunning SELLING witfi free training and back our sfioes witfi an unconditional money back guarantee material losses. But the treacherous No cost! No Obligalioni Send coupon today!! attack united the nation in its resolve to KNAPP Thomas McCaffrey, KNAPP SHOES, One Knapp Centre make any sacrifice, to face unflinchingly . 5863, Brockton, IVIA 02401. any challenge, until the enemy had paid for his perfidy. Pearl Harbor put fire in Address America's belly and steel in its back- City bone. And in the end the fire and the steel wrested victory from what had begun in IT KNAPP America Works in Knapp Shoes the tragedy of the Day of Infamy.

AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . ORBEN'S WORLD C O M B Authorized Liquidator

There are three things to be learned

from the Daniloff incident: 1. Don't go to Russia expecting friendship. 2. Don't go to Russia expecting justice. 3. Don't go to Russia.

Here it is again, the end of another 12 months. That's the problem with grow- ing older, they all seem like microwave Now you can enjoy money-saving prices years. on these powerful energy sources. Manu- facturer's overruns at FAR BELOW dealer cost! For camping, home emer- gency use or commercial use. Provides power for lights, sump pump, power In October I saw two performances of tools, furnace, etc. "Much Ado About Nothing." One was Limited Factory Warranty. Shakespeare's. The other was the Iceland One-Year on Parts & Labor.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He's mini-summit. 1,200 Watt Continuous Duty found in advertisements, department RECOIL START GASOLINE Compare At: <695.00 . . 0*F^ stores and mirrors! Item H- 1722-5477-005 Ship, handling: $18.50 2,500 Watt Continuous Duty RECOIL START GASOLINE $0£^0 This is America's traditional time for Compare At: '845.00 . . 722-1 043-31 turkeys, fruitcakes and surprise pack- Item H-1 4 Shipped freight collect 4,000 Watt Continuous Duty ages. But enough about the lame-duck RECOIL START GASOLINE %Af%Ck Congress, let's talk about Christmas. Compare At: *925.00 . . . Item H-1722-1043-355 Shipped freight collect 4,000 Watt Continuous Duty ELEC. START GASOLINE The night of December 24th is when, if $^QQ Compare At: '1100.00 .. '+00 Pole, you get a re- you call the North Item H-1722-1043-371 Shipped freight collect corded message saying, "Hi, this is " 4,000 Watt Continuous Duty Santa. I'm not in right now, but MULTI-FUEL ELEC. START %£^^Ck Compare At: '1195.00 .. Item H-1 722-1 043-348 Shipped freight collect

Credit card customers can orde Christmas is my favorite time of year. 24 hours a day, ^ggl^ v^'-. x 7 days a week. ](^^<..t«ca^a It's when you hear "Hark, The Herald As a gesture of good will, Secretary Angels Sing" and you don't have to Gorbachev is sending out a typical Rus- Toll-FreeTl-80038-0609 worry if your kids hear the lyrics sian Christmas card this year. It shows the Star of Bethlehem being followed by the Three Wise Men, being followed by the KGB.

I'm for holding annual summit meet- (Minnesota residents add 6% sales tax. Sorry, I CO D ings. It's one way to speak now and for- orders.) My check or money order is enclosed (No delays in ever hold our peace. processing orders paid by check.) Charge: VISA* MasterCard?, American Express" Acct No Exp Z PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Have you ever considered that even the Address . City slowest congressman goes to confer- ences in Hawaii, Acapulco, Monte Carlo, the Riviera? Here are the two most powerful leaders in the world and

where they pick to Iceland! I |C|0|M[B| Direct Marketing Corp. This is the month we pay tribute to Santa do meet? Claus, a man who has done more prom- don't know about a drug-test, but an Authorized Liquidator 1405 Xenium Lane North ising than anyone can, without being a I.Q. scan might be in order. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55441-4494 politician. © 1986 ROBERT ORBEN

DECEMBER 1986 47 Need a new car? Now beat all 1987 car prices!!! Own and drive any new, late model car, truck or boat for as low as $200.00 Classified

SEND ADVERTISING COPY AND REMinANCETO: The American Legion

3uy and drive the very best Cadillacs. profit an extra $1 5,000 a year and more. Magazine Lincolns, Corvettes. Mercedes. Buy these new and late model cars, Classified Advertising Dept. Porsches. Ferraris. Jaguars, even Rolls trucks, vans, 4 wheel drives, boats, Royces Own and enioy speedboats motor homes and airplanes direct from P.O. Box 7068 (Cigarettes, Excaliburs. Donzis. the U S Government These items were Indianapolis, IN 46207 Scarabs) even large yachts confiscated by the U S. Drug Enforce- To own a prestigious car you don't ment Agency, and are sold for as low as All classified advertising is payable in have to lose money on auto depreciation $200 to the public. This is a good money advance by check or money order. and high cost of up keep In tact, you making opportunity available in all Please remittance to can own and enioy nice cars, then resell states make payable "The them for large profits You can save Own the best. To purchase vehicles American Legion Magazine." RATES: $80 thousands of dollars each year and also in your area, order your sales catalogs per line, two-line minimum ($160). Fifty- by filling in the coupon at left and return five (55) characters is one line (count each with your check or money order for letter, numeral, space and punctuation Enclosed is my check or money order for $10 00 (shipping and handling includ- mark as one character). GUARANTEED $10 00 ALM-12 86 ed) to; CIRCULATION: 2,600,000 per month. DEADLINE: Advertising copy must be Federal Sales Co., Inc. received 60 days prior to cover date of P.O. Box 50289 issue desired. All advertisements are Pompano Beach, FL 33074-0289 accepted at the discretion of the pub-

Issues will be sent periodically Satisfaction lisher. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Guaranteed. ^gg^ GUIDELINES: Available upon request. Please send stamped, self-addressed envelope to: "Classified Guidelines" at the above address.

^ EASY TO READ EXPLANATION of the tax reform act of Enjoy Florida For Only . . . $.1, 1 8,900 1986, Send Moore Systems, Box 844. Arlington Hts.. IL 60006 OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY. The I960 Nixon-Lodge Campaign's 4 TV Commercials. First Time TV was used on an election campaign. Order now and receive the Legion's Convention and Parade of 195.1. All on Video Tape. Specify VHS or Beta. Send $24.95 to F. Linares, PO. Box 2382, Riverview.FL 33569

CAT-HOUSE, very unique gift for your cat or friends. Your cat can play, sleep and hide in it. Very Colorful and Cleverly Illustrated. Cat House is one of a kind. Send $2 to: Cat-A- Mania, PP. Box 37. Chateau Terrace. Snyder. NY 14226

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48 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE !

THE LEGION SHOPPER

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DECEMBER 1986 THE LEGION SHOPPER

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Address. Chaplain DeLoss Marken's 16mm silent movies have been converted to VCR with his City added narration - shows the 34th from Ireland to Africa thru Italy. Two VCR tapes, over 2V2 hours. S75.00

Send check or M.O. to: Marken I\/lovies

Rt. 1 Box 292 TELL THE WORLD K0(/ SERVED! Brooks, Ga. 30205 Winchester Commemorative Rifles and Carbines We have the hard to get ones, imports and Emergenc Box low numbers. • European 1/1000 issue "I and issue "11 Krvnade Hilh inspection both 5/250 ARU/IY-NAVY Ml • Winchester Commemorative Ammo AIR FORCE MARINES • Life member National Rifle Assn. and Winchester Arms Collectors Assn. PRESTIGE RIfJGS youll wear witt ,..ndinB.lfrocrepl.c.me, selection of military rings Over 100 combinatic b„. ordered: Gre.. git. Id, Send self-addressed stamped envelope for IVIaslerCard Money Back Guarantee' Winchester Commemorative price list.

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50 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . . .

YOUR VERY OWN******

Explodes fourteen major myths about Panzers, Russian arms, Patton, El Alamein, the submarine war, bombing, secret codes, other.

"Enlightening. ." Indianapolis News

"Valuable contribution . San Antonio Express "Perceptive points ..." Duluth News-Trib.

$1.00 P&H SET WITH A RUBY-RED 3 CT FACETED STONE ORDER FROM YOUR BOOKSTORE ISBN 0 942910-11-7 IT'S OFFICIAL! Now, you can get an ARMY, NAVY, OR DIRECT - CHECK. VISA. M/C FROM. IVIARINE or AIR FORCE RING, no matter how long it FOSTER-TRENT, INC., Dept. 200-NR, PARAGON PRESS/ DYNAPRESS has been since you served! Here's the ring you always I 2345 Boston Post Rd. wanted — so rugged , . . so manly and so finely de- larchmont, N.Y. 10538 DEPT AL FERN PARK, FL 32730 0866 tailed. Each one has deeply sculpted official insignia J I RUSH me my #5623 Service Rings via symbols for and that particular branch of service. FIRST CLASS MAIL and under 60 day Electroplated in GENUINE 18 KT GOLD ... not ordinary I home trial. Size and branch of service plating but certified HEAVY GOLD Electroplate that will are indicated below. last and last! Big, 3 CARAT Multi-faceted, Ruby-Red I Stone. It's the ring you can really wear with pride _ARMY_NAVY_AIR FORCE _MARINES ONE RING Size Only $12.95 because you served your country well. Available in ID ig09-VDB sizes 7-13. TWO RINGS Sz._ Sz._ Only $22.95 Include 1.95 Postage & Handling * SENT TO YOU FOR 60 DAY HOME TRIAL — * I N.Y.S. Residents must add sales tax PENNY Now, there's really nothing to lose. Request 1 ring or , I Enclosed please find in check, 10 on a 60 DAY HOME TRIAL. Let us send them to $ Z or you for 60 days. Wear them, enjoy them, all at our cash M.O. risk. If you are not thrilled after the 60 days you'll $4~ get a full refund (less postage & handling). You must send check, cash or money order to qualify. 1909-voB. Designer's initials on reverse. WHEN ORDERING: SEND SIZE OR A SLIP OF PAPER CUT FREE price list of U.S. coins. Satisfaction | TO YOUR SIZE — BE SURE TO SPECIFY ARMY, NAVY, MARINE OR AIR FORCE guaranteed. Act Today! Add 50' postage. Village coin Shop, inc., Dept. A | PHONE SERVICE FOR VISA & MASTERCARD PlaiStOW, NH 03865 ^Call (914) 834-7370 Between 9:30-4:30 Eastern

AUSTRALIAN TEA TREE OIL The Affordable KNOCKOUT CENTURY A ward- Winning JUNGLE MOBILE HOME COMMUNITIES^ Communities I" ROT Florida A NEW Antiseptic ana Fungicide! Proven in lab tests to be of

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DECEMBER 1986 51 PARTING SHOTS

Metamorphosis Father to neighbor: "You know your son is growing up when you catch him looking at girls the way he used to look at a plate of chocolate cookies." —Oscar Thornbuckle

Balancing Acts Wife to husband: "Well, I've worked out a budget. Now all you have to do is ask for a raise." —Jay Norris

Perspectives You've reached middle age when you tell your teen-age son to get a haircut and he tells you he just did. —Mary Eyged

Quick Reduction Plan The secret to returning from Las

Vegas with a small fortune is simple: go there with a large fortune! —Lane Olinghouse

Hook And Sinker, Too He who fishes for compliments can expect to be handed a line. "It's a Christmas card from our plumber . . . 'Wishing you the cheeriest ofholidax seasons and a carefree new year ahead. This offer expires January 30, 1987.'" —Ivern Ball

Doubts Dispelled Laws Without Loopholes This public apology appeared in a A friend who recently returned from western newspaper: "I wish to thank the a vacation recounted the highpoints of

sheriff s office for the recovery of the his trip. "The first person I met at a ski items that were stolen from my house. resort was Jack and he was on crutches.

At the same time, I wish to apologize I asked him how it happened and he

for the remarks I made to the effect that said, T just didn't realize the laws of the sheriff's office couldn't track a gravity were so strict. badly wounded elephant in four feet of —Oliver Frazier new snow." —Kenneth Hall A Personal Santa? My neighbor expressed puzzlement Kitchen Marathons when she read of a wealthy 85-year-old "I'm exhausted!" one woman com- who had wed his 20-year-old secretary. plained to her friend. "What with instant "I understand what December can see coffee, jiffy rice, instant mashed in May," she told her husband, "but potatoes, quick frozen dinners and fast- whatever is May going to find in setting gelatin desserts, a meal is one December?" mad rush!" And her husband replied, "Christmas." —Gloria B. Casey —Kris Lee

Dear Constituent That Was The Night!

If postal rates keep climbing, con- You know your youth is past when it gressmen will be the only ones who can finally dawns on you that there's really afford to write letters. nothing so great about Saturday night. —Clem Stava —Arnot Sheppard Jr.

52 AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE .

Sensational \g^et ^24"* Genuine Leather I

Best Buy Of The SeasonF MEN'S

• Warm, Rugged FLEECE-LINED LEATHER

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The Boot A Man Can Count On . . SATISFACTION GUARANTEED-MAIL TODAY Built to deliver comfort plus warmth even in winter's worst! Lustrous OLD VILLAGE SHOP, Dept. FM-5528 leather, for with specially selected durability and good looks—lined BIdg. #9, Hanover, PA 17333 soft-as-sheepskin fleece. zipper for Convenient makes easy on-and- Yes! Please rush my Genuine Leather Men's Winter

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prices for premium-quality boots . . . These are priced so low you'll prs. Black (M306589B)

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ADDRESS Old Village Shop Hanover, PA 17333 8«»«Hlllt tSSOCHTHW

; Satisfied Custome ©H.H.I., 1986 ' Extra Warm Flannel Lined SLACKS the WARMTH of those $40 Slacks per pair NOW CAN YOU ONLY BEAT THAT

Want the Wannest? Want the Latest? Want the Best? And want it now for a price far lower than the rest of the world is paying? Then right here, right now, ORDER YOURSELF these new DOUBLE THICK Cold Weather Slacks, with Haband's famous luxury WARMTH RATED FLANNEL LINING! They look like your favorite all purpose gabardine twills, but LOOK! Inside they're toasty EXTRA WARM FLANNEL LINED for ALL WEATHER STADIUM COMFORT and EVERYDAY SUBURBAN WARMTH or even WINTER COMMUTING!

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Vfes, H^ndl I want REGULAR WAIST SIZES pairs. Send at 3032343536 37 38 39 40 41 424344 once as specified at right. *BIG MEN'S SIZES 46 48 50 52 54 - add $2.00 per pair GUARANTEE: If for

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I may return them within 30 days WAIST? INSEAM7 for a full refund of

every penny I paid you.

Payment enclosed or charge: Visa MC

$ 1.95

Exp. Date .

Ship To

"3