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

December 2002 1 The American Legion Magazine atomic Digital Technology

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Rights at risk Accounting Apocalypse,” October). That’s a good way to facilitate use Among the charges leveled I have worked in the corporate ac- of a card by someone else should it against King George in the Declara- counting field for a number of be stolen or found by an unscrupu- tion of Independence was that he years, as well as having taught ac- lous person. I was under the im- had “combined with others to sub- counting and finance courses at pression that it is better to write in ject us to a jurisdiction foreign to various universities. The points the area for the signature “see pho- our Constitution, and unacknowl- raised by the authors regarding the to ID” so the merchant, if cautious, edged by our conduct of certain public account- would be required to ask for some- laws … trans- ing firms are on target. However, thing such as a photo driver’s li- porting us be- the authors also need to stress a cense with your signature on it. In yond seas to be couple of additional points. my experience, however, it is infre- tried for First, the “books” are owned by quent that a merchant looks at a pretended of- and are the responsibility of com- card for a signature and even more fenses.” Ameri- pany management, not the exter- infrequent that a merchant will ask cans in uniform nal auditors. Public accountants to see my driver’s license. and all citizens who go along with deceiving the While there may be no infalli- may face the market need to be held to task. ble way to protect one’s identity, it same predica- However, business management seems that requiring a merchant ment by the International Criminal ethics should be the main focus. to ask for a photo ID is better than Court (“Unauthorized Authority,” Second, where are the internal, or signing credit cards. If a thief is October). management, accountants? Inter- looking for a quick and easy score, One of the most cherished nal accountants have a responsi- it stands to reason that the thief rights of Americans threatened by bility to prepare ethical reports will take the easy way out and dis- the ICC is the right to a jury trial and notify the board of directors – card such credit cards rather than by one’s peers. Americans would and if necessary, law-enforcement go to the trouble of creating a enjoy none of the privileges and agencies – of fraudulent reporting. fraudulent photo ID. immunities provided under our To say that the accounting pro- – Leo Dougherty, Spring Hill, Fla. constitutional justice system. Once fession is unwilling to save itself is indicted by the ICC, a suspect a broad statement and assumes all Still waiting would be considered guilty unless are guilty because of a few who I must take issue with the infor- proven innocent and may be ar- have been exposed. Additional mation in the article “Legion rested and imprisoned for an un- government regulations are rarely Urges Vets to Enroll in VA” (Legion specified time before being the answer; enforcement of exist- News, October). What it says is brought to trial. If convicted, the ing regulations is. not what happens when a Class 7 accused has no right to appeal – John Schlaack, Imlay City, Mich. veteran enrollee applies for med- other than to the very tribunal ical care. Our clinic in Brooksville, that has just condemned him. Require photo IDs Fla., has been overloaded since I will not travel overseas until In his article “Stolen Identities” day one, and it’s impossible to be I can be assured that my rights (October), Gary Turbak recom- assigned a primary-care doctor. are protected worldwide. With mends signing all credit cards. I have an eye infection that the ICC now active, I just lost needs care, but they have no eye that assurance. doctor. In order to be assigned an – Gerry R. Coleman, Raleigh, N.C. WE WANT eye doctor I must have a primary- care doctor. I can’t get a primary Pull America out YOUR OPINIONS doctor, so there is a stalemate. The I respectfully suggest that the The American Legion Magazine wel- clinic offers none of the alternative- United States immediately recall comes letters concerning articles care methods you describe. I have all civilian officials, all uniformed that appear in the publication. Be been in the program since Decem- military personnel and all foreign sure to include your hometown and ber 1999 and got a card from VA in aid from each and every country a daytime phone number for verifi- April 2001 saying the clinic was that has ratified a signature to the cation. All letters are subject to edit- overloaded and to contact Tampa if International Criminal Court. Let ing. Send your opinions to: I need medical care. Tampa is offer- us not continue to support and ing a two-year wait. Tell the new defend those who seek the down- The American Legion Magazine veterans who sign in, as you rec- fall of this great nation. P. O. Box 1055 ommend, that they should not ex- Indianapolis, IN 46206 – Eldon D. Hinckley, Highland, Utah pect to be served. You can also contact us via – Robert D. Brannan, Brooksville, Fla. Not all guilty e-mail directly or through the I appreciate The American Le- World Wide Web: Bad advice gion Magazine’s publishing of a e-mail: [email protected] In his article “No Time for commentary regarding a hot busi- Internet: http://www.legion.org Timidity” (October), Alan Dowd ness topic: accounting fraud (“The states that countries that harbor

4 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine vet voice terrorists should get rid of them, from society at an ever-increasing the elite left. Societies that have and if they don’t, the United rate. Don’t let the problem be forced patriotism on their people States should go to war with those solved by simply waiting until all include the old U.S.S.R., Nazi Ger- countries. Therefore, Dowd says, the veterans have died off. Ameri- many, fascist Italy and Japan. I we should invade Libya, Iran, ca can do better than that. hope the United States never joins Iraq, North Korea and Syria. – Donald E. Casey, Chicago such distinguished company. Be- That’s five wars. If we follow his ing the “true patriot” Brady envi- advice, we better start the draft Don’t block votes sions is not to be free or a patriot. and make our small army bigger. I just love Sen. Patrick Leahy’s – Martin Lee, St. Louis Park, Minn. – George Casleton, Moweaqua, Ill. accusations of Republicans being guilty of extreme ideology The true elite One war at a time (“Mandatory Vote on Judicial Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Brady’s Alan Dowd’s article is one of Picks,” Big Issues, October). splendid article included the the most dangerous that ever ap- Translation: anyone who opposes phrase “booted and spurred” to peared in our magazine. No sane my views and the views of my De- describe the so-called “elite.” This military leader would condone mocratic colleagues on the Senate is a disservice to a true patriot, mission creep; they need a clearly Judiciary Committee is extreme. Paul Revere, who was thus defined mission for which they can Can you imagine the uproar described in Longfellow’s poem obtain the men and materiel to should ever the Republicans, say, about his ride. These people aren’t complete it. Mission creep is what block a vote on someone such as elite except in their own minds. got our men killed in Somalia. Ruth Bader Ginsburg? I thought The true elite are, to use Brady’s Dowd cites past successes of the Democrats liked democracy. I words, “the uncommon common our military. These were accom- guess I was wrong. Americans,” who understand plished by a nation that had mili- – John C. Kraft, Hartland, Wis. what has made this country great tary conscription, a 1,000-ship and have fought to allow the navy, 20 aircraft carriers and a 2- Put issue in schools “elite” the freedom to try to million-man army. We cannot ex- Congratulations on the Septem- destroy it. A better term should be pect to operate on that scale ber issue. Each article of “What found for these anti-patriots. again. Our war is against al-Qaida; Makes America Strong” presented “Scum” comes to the mind of this let’s concentrate on winning it a clear perspective our students do World War II veteran. first before getting involved on not get in the often-sterile classes – Lewis H. Hendrixson, Crofton, Md. other fronts. that address our constitution and – Larry Robideau, Naples, Fla. government. Providing the issue to Not an empire schools would be an excellent re- I have to object to Gary Geipel’s Grave injustice sponse to Gen. Richard B. Myers’ characterization of America as an I was impressed by Sen. Bob view that the role of veterans’ or- “empire” (“The American Smith’s article “Disabled Veterans ganizations should be to educate Empire,” September). “Empire” is Deserve Fairness” (October). His the general public. something we Americans have idea to award disability benefits to – Thomas R. Collingwood, Richardson, Texas fought against, from our colonial retired veterans with service-in- revolution against the British to curred physical or mental impair- Family forgotten the Cold War against the “evil em- ment is excellent and one that I am becoming more dis- pire.” That is why empires are should be adopted. A retired veter- illusioned with the Legion as generally understood to be bad an on a pension who also is sub- time goes by. I thought you had things to Americans, and the term stantially disabled by a combat all the makings of a good topic has a negative connotation. In wound, for example, should not with “What Makes America this post-colonial age, citizens of be limited to the same benefits as Strong,” but you didn’t cover the most other nations would proba- retired, non-disabled veterans. most important aspect: the Amer- bly agree with me. Why portray While Congress is at it, it ican family. The family is Ameri- America in a negative light? should consider removing the bar ca’s foundation. Everyone, – Frank Richards, Chevy Chase, Md. to the full World War II veterans’ including the people at the Le- disability pension for those of us gion, is forgetting this most im- We will win who still need to work to support portant fact. I just finished reading the article ourselves. The government discon- – James F. Vargo, Waterford, Pa. “Duty, Honor, Country” in the Sep- tinued such unfairness under So- tember issue. Well done. Yes, to- cial Security by allowing retirees to Not to be forced gether we will win this war on ter- work without a reduction in their I had to read and reread “The rorism. My son serves in the Ma- benefits. It’s time to correct this Last Refuge of a Free People” rine Corps and has made us proud. injustice for qualified veterans still (September). If Maj. Gen. Patrick His entire family wishes him and living with a condition inflicted by H. Brady really believes patriotism his comrades well no matter what the enemy during wartime. The must be forced on the citizenry, they do or where they go. truth is that we are disappearing then the elite right is scarier than – Bob Schott, Cockeysville, Md.

December 2002 5 The American Legion Magazine “The willingness This We Believe with which our A new generation of young Americans is once again deployed around the world, answering our nation’s wartime call to arms. Like so many brave men and young people are women who honorably served before them, these new veterans are fighting, to the death when necessary, for the freedom, liberty and security of all. Also, like likely to serve in those who fought before them, today’s veterans deserve the due respect of a grateful nation when they come home. any war, no Unfortunately, without urgent changes in health-care funding, our new veterans will soon discover their battles are not over. They will be forced to matter how fight for the life of a health-care system that was designed specifically for their unique needs. Just as veterans of the 20th century did, they will be forced into justified, shall be a long-standing battle to fulfill America’s promise to make that system accessible to all veterans. directly United, the three largest veterans service organizations in the United States – The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American proportional to Veterans – believe no veteran should be forced to fight for the care he or she is entitled to receive. how they perceive We believe it is time to guarantee health-care funding for all veterans. We the veterans of believe health-care rationing must end. We believe it is time the promise is kept. Access to quality health care for veterans has been compromised in recent earlier wars were years by budget shortfalls, rising medical costs and dramatically increased demand. VA estimates there will be 4.9 million unique veteran patients in Fiscal treated and Year 2003, a 31.5 percent increase from the 3.7 million projected only a year ago. Today, some 300,000 American veterans are waiting for appointments in VA appreciated by facilities. Approximately half of those men and women will wait six months or longer for an appointment. VA must be adequately funded to meet its own their nation.” growth and end these intolerable waiting periods. We believe the current discretionary funding formula, in which VA must – George Washington compete with other agencies for scarce budget dollars, must be replaced. Our organizations, with more than seven million members, strongly support passage of the bipartisan Veterans Health Care Funding Act of 2002, introduced as H.R. 5250 by House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Christopher H. Smith (R-N.J.) and Lane Evans (D-Ill.). The Senate version was introduced as The American Legion S. 2903 by South Dakota Democrat Sen. Tim Johnson. Once signed into law, National Headquarters the act would affix VA health-care funding to the actual average cost of care 700 N. Pennsylvania for veterans enrolled in the system, with annual indexing for inflation. We Indianapolis, IN 46204 believe the only way VA can fulfill its mission is to guarantee the funding it (317) 630-1200 needs to operate. Veterans of Foreign Wars The brave men and women who are currently deployed to far-off regions of National Headquarters the world must be assured the VA health-care system will be there for them 406 West 34th Street when they come home. If we fail to deliver that promise, if we fail to give VA Kansas City, MO 64111 a fighting chance to fulfill its duty, what then is the new generation of veterans (816) 756-3390 expected to believe? Disabled American Veterans National Service & Legislative Headquarters 807 Maine Ave., S.W. Ronald F. Conley Ray C. Sisk Edward R. Heath, Sr. Washington, D.C. 20024 National Commander National Commander in Chief National Commander (202) 554-3501 The American Legion Veterans of Foreign Wars Disabled American Veterans commander’s message Seven Million Man March

into one of the biggest un-funded man- Veterans unite for a dates of our time. As hundreds of thousands of veterans VA health-care joined the system and were classified as “Category 7s” (financially stable with no system that works. service-connected disability), waiting rooms and appointment books filled be- undreds of faces passed by me in yond capacity. Adequate provisions were 1965 while I was stationed on not made to pay for the growth. That is HGuam, which served as a refueling why we have the gross imbalance of emp- stop for all forces – alive, wounded and ty hospital wings and overflowing waiting dead – returning to the United States rooms. That is why thousands of appeals from the fighting in Vietnam. But one cases that could add new patients to the face in particular stood out. That was the system are not being decided. That is why face of a young soldier whose head had last summer a memo from top leadership been sprayed with mortar fragments. He went around to VA facilities asking them was going home. Doctors told him that not to promote new enrollment. within a year, he would be blind. I will There is no way around the fact that National never forget the look in those sad, dam- the VA health-care system must be fully Commander aged eyes when he turned to me and funded to work. That funding must be Ronald F.Conley asked, “A year from now, who is going to guaranteed. A dollar amount, based on Chase Studios take care of me?” the real cost of care and annually indexed I have spent nearly 40 years in The for inflation, must be appropriated for There is American Legion trying to make sure every veteran in the system. Otherwise, there is a good answer to that question. the access problems will grow so no way But right now – as more than 300,000 profound, the very existence of the VA American veterans wait months for pri- health-care system will be jeopardized. around the mary-care appointments in VA facilities Again, the question from a young fact that across the country, as thousands of hospi- man whose duty to our country cost him tal beds lay empty because money has his eyesight: “Who is going to take care the VA not been budgeted for adequate staffing, of me?” as teams of paper-pushers and bean- health-care counters crisscross the VA health-care United for Change. This country’s three system system looking for new ways to down- largest veterans service organizations – size, as veterans stand bewildered The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign must be because the VA can’t support itself by Wars and Disabled American Veterans – billing the Medicare we’ve all paid into – have joined forces to support the bipartisan fully the young soldier’s words keep rolling Veterans Health Care Funding Act of 2002. around in my head: “A year from now, If passed, this legislation would mandate funded to who is going to take care of me?” VA health-care funding on the basis of real work. That cost per veteran. The Heart of the Problem. The current Combine the membership of our funding funding mechanism for veterans’ health three organizations, and you can call this care does not work. It is a “discretionary” a “Seven Million Man March.” Sick and must be budget item, meaning spending levels can tired of waiting in line for intolerably guaranteed. cycle up or down depending on the econ- delayed appointments at under-staffed, omy or who’s running for office. A pro- under-funded VA facilities, we – the gram the size of VA health care, with organized veterans of America – more than 4 million patients a year, can- demand change. not be funded according to the whims of We must do this now, because I guar- Washington. antee that somewhere soon, somewhere In 1996, Congress opened the door for in the world, a young, wounded man on all veterans to enroll in the VA system re- his way home to a new and changed life gardless of disability rating or financial is going to ask the same question I heard status. It was to be a VA for all veterans, on Guam in 1965: “A year from now, who and we applaud that. Since then, howev- is going to take care of me?” er, the system has methodically grown That man deserves an answer.

December 2002 7 The American Legion Magazine big issues National-park snowmobile ban? Rep. Rush Holt Rep. Bart Stupak SUPPORT D-N.J. D-Mich. OPPOSE More than 80 million Ameri- My congressional district, cans visit our national parks the 1st District of Michigan, is each year. More Americans visit home to hundreds of miles of our parks than go to all the Ma- snowmobile trails. Venture into jor League Baseball games, Na- almost any small town in the tional Football League games region and you can see the and Disney theme parks com- economic importance of snow- bined. Of our 385 national mobiling. From small cafes to parks, Yellowstone is the oldest motels to restaurants, the re- and, in the view of many park gion depends on money spent enthusiasts, the most glorious. Today, however, by snowmobilers. This spending is particularly vi- snowmobilers are threatening Yellowstone’s future. tal for Alger County, home of Pictured Rocks Na- The air pollution caused by the 60,000 snowmo- tional Lakeshore. biles that enter the park each winter is greater than Each year, this park lures 21,000 snowmobilers, all that generated by the more than 3 million cars who are drawn to the towering cliffs overlooking and other motorized vehi- the shores of Lake Supe- Pollution is so cles that enter it each rior. Of particular interest The answer lies in year. At the west is Miners Castle, which awful during the entrance, the air pollution takes its name from the granting some local winter months that is so awful during the sandstone formation that policy control ... winter months that park juts into and above Lake park rangers have rangers have resorted to Superior and closely re- one size does not resorted to wearing wearing gas masks to sembles a castle – com- fit all. avoid getting ill. plete with towers and gas masks to avoid In January 2001, the turrets. It leaves most visitors awestruck. getting ill. National Park Service did In the wake of a National Park Service announce- the right thing. After ment that snowmobiles would be banned from na- carefully studying the science, examining the law tional parks, I fought to keep winter access to this and reviewing the comments of the American peo- site open. Pictured Rocks has co-existed harmonious- ple, it determined that the use of snowmobiles was ly with its snowmobiling visitors for years, and the inconsistent with the mission of the National Park immediate area around the park has benefited im- Service to leave parks “unimpaired.” It implemented mensely from this winter activity. a rule to phase out snowmobile use in Yellowstone. I have never argued for opening every corner of Under pressure from the International Snowmo- all national parks to snowmobiles. In the 27 park bile Manufacturers Association, however, the Bush units affected by the ban there may be areas of spe- administration has since suspended the National cial environmental concern where access by motor- Park Service’s decision and has begun to roll it back. ized vehicles should be limited. This does not mean, There are thousands of miles of trails outside Yel- however, that entire park units should be off-limits. lowstone where snowmobilers can enjoy their fun The answer to the question of regulating snow- without restriction. As a national park, however, Yel- mobile use in national parks lies in granting some lowstone is a special case and needs special protec- local policy control to the local park authority. A tion. It is a living, breathing space of natural splen- broad national policy can then be tailored to indi- dor set aside for the enjoyment of all Americans, not vidual parks, based on such factors as impact on just for those who ride snowmobiles. the local economy and long-standing uses of some That is why I am sponsoring the “Yellowstone areas within each park. Protection Act,” a bill Just as I have objected with bipartisan support to across-the-board im- that would ban snowmo- YOUR OPINIONS COUNT position of restrictions biles from Yellowstone Senators and representatives are interested in on vehicle use in our na- and Grand Teton Nation- constituent viewpoints. You may express your views tional forests, I also ob- al Parks. Congress made in writing at the following addresses: ject to a blanket mandate a promise to protect Yel- The Honorable (name) The Honorable (name) from Washington ban- lowstone when it created U.S. Senate House of Representatives ning snowmobiles. One the park in 1872. We in Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 size does not fit all in Congress now have a Phone: (202) 224-3121 Phone: (202) 225-3121 policy any more than it duty to fulfill it. does in clothing.

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To provide every veteran his or her promised care, VA must become a needs-driven health-care operation and abandon its current budget-driven system. National Commander Ronald F. Conley, in his testimony before Congress

10 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine Commander outlines The American Legion’s vision for VA.

BY JAMES V. CARROLL VA also should be permitted to bill, collect and retain third-party housands of veterans may die waiting for VA reimbursements from Medicare on behalf of Medicare-eligible veter- health care if new and innovative sources of ans, Conley said. “All veterans pay income are not found, American Legion Na- for Medicare their entire working T lives. However, when they are tional Commander Ronald F. Conley told a joint ses- most likely to need medical servic- es from the hospital system sion of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs commit- designed for them, they must turn elsewhere because VA cannot bill tees on Capitol Hill in September. Medicare,” Conley said. “This is “There are 7 million veterans either enrolled or wrong, and it is something that Congress can and should correct. waiting to enroll to make VA their primary health- When it is corrected, not only will veterans receive care they can af- care provider,” Conley said. “But in order for the ford, but VA will also receive fund- ing which it desperately needs to growing number of veterans to access VA health continue providing quality care to care, additional revenue streams must be generated all our nation’s veterans.” to supplement – not offset – annual discretionary Funding VA for All Veterans. “The American Legion believes appropriations.” VA should offer a defined health- benefit package, on a premium To provide every veteran his or tinues to downsize its medical basis, for veterans who come to her promised care, VA must be- staff and close beds and wards,” VA with no health insurance. This come a needs-driven health-care Conley said. “It has ceased mar- would benefit veterans, and it operation and abandon its current keting activities and directed VA would certainly benefit VA,” Con- budget-driven system, Conley employees not to encourage po- ley said. “We firmly believe that said. He asked Congress to appro- tential Priority-7 veterans to en- making VA a Medicare provider priate $24.5 billion for VA in fiscal roll. This is not a proper solution and creating a premium-based VA year 2004 and to permit eligible to VA’s problems. This is no way benefit package will solve VA’s veterans to use their Medicare to treat those who defended our backlog problem and enable VA benefits to pay for VA treatment country. The way to provide the to fulfill its mission to care for of nonservice-connected illnesses. right care, in the right place, at those who have borne the battle.” He also asked Congress to appro- the right time, is by providing ad- Today, more than 300,000 Pri- priate $1.3 billion for the Veterans ditional staffing, additional servic- ority-7 men and women who re- Benefits Administration to shorten es and additional funding. sponded when their country the time to process claims and “VA hospitals should be encour- called remain on waiting lists adjudicate appeals. aged to bill and collect all copay- seeking help from VA. These men “At a time when veteran num- ments, deductibles and third-party and women abandoned their bers are on the increase, VA con- reimbursements by allowing each peaceful lives and took up arms of them to retain what has been as required. They asked no ques- FACING PAGE: American Legion National collected and to apply that money tions but did as ordered, Conley Commander Ronald F. Conley delivered toward operating expenses and said. America owes them more a serious message about VA health care during a joint session of the House and expanded services. The money col- than waiting lines. Senate Veterans’ Affairs committees. lected should be added to the VA “History has shown that far too James V. Carroll budget, not offset.” often after wars have been won, we

December 2002 11 The American Legion Magazine National Commander Ronald F.Conley and Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle, D-S.D., exchange views during a meeting in Daschle’s office. James V. Carroll tend to forget those who fought. ing despondent about the present disgraceful. The American Legion We tend to forget that every victory and doubtful about the future and stands ready to work with Con- has a price. That price is often paid then having to wait – often for gress and VA to help find – quietly and individually– without months, sometimes for years – to solutions to end this travesty.” complaint by those who bore the find out if the country you served Among other proposals, Conley brunt of battle.” will fulfill its obligation to you. said Congress must address VA’s “Whenever VA denies a dis- shortage of nurses, specialty physi- The Appeals Problem. The abled veteran timely access to cians and psychologists. He pro- American Legion appreciates VA’s health care, VA is failing in its posed that VA and the Department pledge to speed up the claims and primary mission to put veterans of Defense seek additional cost- adjudication process, but the or- first,” Conley said. “Whenever a sharing ventures. He said VA’s ganization is deeply disturbed by veteran’s claim is not handled in Capital Asset Realignment for En- a growing problem of backlogged a timely and accurate manner, hanced Services program must re- appeals cases, Conley said. VA is not putting veterans first. flect the input of veterans’ service “We applauded Secretary An- And whenever a veteran is organizations and not to under- thony J. Principi’s pledge to speed turned away because the only mine vital services under the guise up the process, but we did not beds available are in abandoned of austerity. Congress must ade- anticipate that the new focus on wings that have been shut quately fund community-based speed would greatly diminish the because of lack of money, VA is initiatives that assist homeless vet- quality of the claims process,” not putting veterans first.” erans as well as pass legislation Conley said. “One evil has been mandating compensation and replaced by another. The backlog Other Priorities. Conley outlined to health care to Gulf War veterans may have decreased, but the ap- lawmakers The American Legion’s who contract Amyotrophic Lateral pellate workload has increased by concerns about homeless veterans Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, 21,000 cases.” and their families. VA estimates in the future. Congress must also The net result for the veteran more than 340,000 veterans live on fund VA’s request for additional is the same: no resolution, no the streets of America today, a 34- claims personnel to cut time for benefits, no hope – another sol- percent increase from 1998. overall processing and appeals. I dier ignored by the nation he or “These men and women once she served, Conley said. Despite proudly wore the uniforms of this James V. Carroll is an assistant all good intentions, he said, the nation’s armed forces and they editor for The American Legion system is failing. deserve our help,” Conley said. Magazine. Just imagine being sick, he “Homelessness is a travesty, but said, being in pain every day, be- homelessness among veterans is Article design: Holly K. Soria

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14 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine Average NoEducation Fed up with public education, more parents are homeschooling.

BY DAN ALLSUP education from Mom and Dad? tury moved more children into the “Yes, we do see a number of public schools, however. Many alvin McCarter of Grand homeschoolers winning the states even outlawed homeschool- Rapids, Mich., placed first in spelling and geography bees,” ing until the 1980s, when a num- Cthe 2002 National Geograph- says Rosella Wamser, regional su- ber of Christian parents began ic Bee by identifying China as the perintendent of schools in St. Clair homeschooling their children. location of the Lop Nur nuclear County, Ill. “But I’m not sure you The number of students taught testing site – not bad for a 10-year- can take the leap to say that all at kitchen tables instead of public old, the youngest competitor in the homeschooled kids are the cream schools is rising. The Department contest. Even more remarkable is of the crop. I don’t think they rep- of Education estimates that about the fact that young Calvin, like 12 resent all homeschoolers.” 50,000 students were home- of the 55 finalists in the bee, never That doesn’t explain, however, schooled in 1984; by 1988 that set foot in a traditional classroom. why kids studying at home number increased to about More and more, homeschoolers outscore their peers in national 300,000. Legal in all 50 states are becoming the rule rather than assessment tests like the ACT and since 1993, about 2 million chil- the exception when it comes to SAT. (The average SAT score for dren are now taught at home. winning national geography and the general population in 2000 That number has been increasing spelling competitions. In 2001, was 1019, while homeschoolers by about 15 percent each year eight homeschoolers advanced to averaged 1100.) In a 1998 study since then. the finals of the geography con- by Dr. Lawrence Rudner of the School violence and the per- test and four finished in the top University of Maryland, 20,000 ceived poor quality of public educa- 10. In 1997, Rebecca Sealfon, 13, homeschooled children took stan- tion are among reasons parents started a trend when she grabbed dardized tests. Rudner concluded elect to teach their children at top honors in the Scripps Howard that in every subject and at every home, but religion may be the most National Spelling Bee. Since then, grade level, homeschooled common. Many parents feel public two other homeschool students students scored significantly high- schools just aren’t up to teaching have won the title, and in 2000, er than their public- and private- their children ethics and morality. homeschoolers took the top three school counterparts. In that study, Michael and Debbie Kenney of spots. Homeschooler George homeschooled children had aver- Maplewood, Mo., have 10 Thampy of Maryland Heights, age scores that fell between the children, ranging in age from Mo., won the spelling bee in 82nd and 92nd percentile in read- eight months to 21 years. They 2000, then capped off the year by ing and the 85th percentile in have and plan to continue to finishing second in the National math. Rudner concluded that by homeschool all of them. “I think Geographic Bee. the time homeschooled students that public education is inferior,” What’s going on? Why is “Fo- reach the eighth grade, they typi- Debbie says. “They’ve kicked out cus on the Family” founder Dr. cally perform four grade levels the prayers and now they’re try- James Dobson encouraging Chris- above the national average. ing to kick out the Pledge of Alle- tian parents to pull their children giance. My husband and I want to out of California public schools An American Tradition? Home- impart our children with the val- and teach them at home? Even schooling isn’t new; most children ues that we see as important. We former U.S. Secretary of Educa- were educated at home in colonial need to teach them these values tion William Bennett has suggest- America. Abraham Lincoln and because the public schools can’t.” ed subcontracting public educa- George Washington Carver were Many critics of homeschooling tion to homeschoolers. homeschooled. Mandatory atten- cite a lack of socialization as a Are these kids getting a better dance laws in the early 20th cen- major problem. Being stuck at

December 2002 15 The American Legion Magazine home with Mom all day will ham- “Mom-sponsored” picnics, field per a child’s maturation process Homeschooling isn’t trips and dances. Members repre- and stifle social skills, they say. new; most children were sent a variety of races and Some charge that homeschoolers religions, and parents in the are not learning how to live in the educated at home in group run the gamut – from auto real world. mechanic to nuclear engineer. Superintendent Rosella Wamser colonial America. A study by psychologist Larry of Belleville, Ill., concurs. “I believe Abraham Lincoln and Shyers determined that home-ed- homeschooled kids have a very ucated children have significantly restricted view of the world,” she George Washington lower “problem-behavior” scores says. “They have very little interac- than do their conventionally edu- tion with other kids, religions or Carver were cated counterparts. Shyers’ find- races. In today’s world, we have to ings also hint that this may be have a wide variety of social inter- homeschooled. because their primary behavior action, and homeschooled kids role models are their parents, not aren’t getting that. I also think it is also pointed out that about 10 their classmates. good for children to be in contact percent of military families home- Molly McCann, a 13-year-old with adults (other than their par- school their children. “Moving homeschooler from Chesterfield, ents). They need diversity.” every two years can be very dis- Mo., scoffs at the socialization Michael Smith of Purcellville, ruptive to children,” he said. argument. “What am I really Va., president of the Homeschool “Homeschooling gives these fami- missing except for bad language, Legal Defense Association, doesn’t lies continuity.” drugs and violence?” she asks. think homeschooled kids are Most homeschoolers aren’t “Besides, with five brothers and missing out. “Many homeschooled raised in isolation. Support sisters at home, I get all the so- kids and their parents tend to be groups are springing up around cialization I can handle.” very active in their community, the country to ensure home- Molly’s mother, Noreen, ex- their churches and scouting schooled children have active and plains why she and her husband, groups,” he says. “Homeschoolers diverse social lives. In many ar- Kevin, decided to teach their chil- are actively recruited by colleges eas, they’ve formed bowling dren at home. “I knew about the and employers because they are leagues, choirs and a variety of problems with public schools. I so socialized and well-rounded.” clubs. One such group of 40 fami- want my kids to read and write, An Air Force veteran, Smith lies in St. Louis arranges regular and the schools don’t even teach phonics anymore,” she said. “But the real reason we de- cided to homeschool was because we wanted to enjoy the family experience. I don’t want to feed the kids every morning, and then push them out the door only to see them come home at the end of the day tired and crabby. One of the best things about homeschooling is seeing our kids interact with each other. I can see how close they are, how much they enjoy being with each other and how much I enjoy being with them. “Homeschooling can be difficult, and it’s not for everyone,” she continues. “But when the day goes re- ally well, it’s a slice of heav- en. I think it’s family life at its best.” I

Dan Allsup is a St. Louis- Host Alex Trebek looks on as National Geographic Bee winner Calvin McCarter, 10, right, shakes area freelance writer. hands with second-place finisher Matthew Russell, 14, at the National Geographic Society Head- quarters in Washington. McCarter is homeschooled. AP Article design: Doug Rollison

16 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine Have You Heard?

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aws regarding homeschooling perintendent of public instruction, be trusted to properly teach their vary from state to state. Illi- announced that she was con- children? What do we do when Lnois, for example, places few cerned about the “thousands of supposedly homeschooled kids restrictions on parents, not even homeschooled children in Califor- are actually working on the fami- requiring them to inform their nia whose education is not sub- ly farm? Isn’t it the government’s school districts. Other states require ject to supervision.” In August, job to ensure our children receive that parents pass certification tests she sent a letter to legislators ask- an education? and that their children be tested by ing them to tighten controls on No, says Tom Washburn of the “a qualified neutral person.” homeschooling because “Califor- National Center for Home Educa- Not surprisingly, California may nia’s children deserve no less.” tion. “There is a myth that account- lead the nation in pressuring par- Michael Smith of the Home- ability only comes from the govern- ents to educate their children in the school Legal Defense Association ment,” he says. “That’s not true. public-school system. As recently responded in a Washington Times When it comes to education, the as the early 1980s, Californians opinion piece: “The bottom line is parent is accountable and responsi- supported private homeschooling, whether the state will trust home- ble – not the government.” but the state board of education schooling parents to teach their Smith agrees. “We live in a free changed its position about 10 years children to be worthwhile people society and there will be failures,” ago. California parents wishing to and productive citizens,” he wrote. he admits. “There is no perfect teach their children at home now “Homeschooling parents have solution. Obviously, there are also must be certified by the state and proven their reliability. If the legisla- failures in the public schools. have the proper credentials to qual- tors can be neutral and not be influ- There are laws that our children ify for a private-school exemption. enced by the powerful lobby of the receive an appropriate education, Without these credentials, local National Education Association and so don’t coddle the parents who school districts consider homes- the public education establishment, refuse to teach their children. chooled children truant. they’ll come to that conclusion.” Prosecute them.” Delaine Eastin, California’s su- What about parents who can’t – Dan Allsup

Andrew Odor, 13, works on math problems while his brother, Jarred, 11, gets help from their mother, Karen, in Groton, Conn. Karen is a coordinator for CHOOSE CT, a group of about 40 homeschooling families from 19 churches in southeastern Connecticut. AP

18 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine Make every gift count twice.

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BY JOHN RAUGHTER James V. Carroll interview ‘Share the Information’ om Ridge was sworn help should visit our Web site, ment, on a need-to-know basis, in as the first Office www.citizencorps.org. should have access to some of the information they have in Washing- Tof Homeland Securi- TALM: How do you change the ton. So we are working on that, ty adviser on Oct. 8, 2001. Washington culture of federal with tremendous support from the agencies failing to communicate governors and from the elected The two-term governor of with each other? officials from around the country. Pennsylvania also was the TR: Your question highlights a But you highlighted a critical ef- challenge that the president and fort. Secure the information. Share first enlisted Vietnam com- our office has with regard to bring- the information – information at bat veteran elected to the ing together well-intentioned peo- the airports, information at the House of Representatives. ple and organizations who have borders, information about terror- been doing things their way, many ist activity, information about indi- He was re-elected six times their exclusive way, for years viduals, information about surveil- times. A member of Amer- or decades. I am now a personal lance. There’s a lot of it out there. witness to an intelligence-gather- We just need to do a better job of ican Legion Post 773 in ing or an intelligence-sharing with- fusing it together, drawing conclu- Erie, Pa., Ridge was inter- in the CIA, the FBI and other agen- sions and then sharing it. cies at the highest viewed at the Legion’s level. The challenge 84th National Convention is to make sure that “Information is the key, and the in Charlotte, N.C. (sharing) is institu- tionalized not only sharing of information is probably The American Legion Magazine: among the principals, What role can The American Le- George Tenet (CIA the most vital component of the gion play in improving homeland director) and Bob national strategy to enhance security? Mueller (FBI direc- Tom Ridge: Since 1919, your or- tor), but also make homeland security.” ganization has been involved in sure that everybody service to country and communi- at all levels is sharing ty. I think there are ways to in- that information. Information is TALM: Do you see a problem with volve the Legion in terms of sup- the key, and the sharing of infor- leaks as you share this information? porting USA Freedom Corps and mation is probably the most vital TR: America has not learned to the Citizen Corps – particularly component of the national strategy digest and use this information in the Citizen Corps – where we to enhance homeland security. It’s a confidential manner. There are have citizens at the local level sharing within the federal govern- occasions when we get informa- involved in supporting local law ment but also with the states and tion that we want to share with enforcement, emergency planning local governments and also gain- one of the many joint terrorism and preparation, providing spe- ing information from the states task forces around this country. It cial skills to respond to mobiliza- and locals up to the federal gov- is submitted to these task forces tion efforts. So I think that as we ernment. We made great progress, because they have federal, state develop the president’s national but there is still significant and local law enforcement involve- strategy on homeland security progress that needs to occur. We’re ment. It’s shared within because and engage the country, there going to get governors cleared so they need to know what we know. will be many ways this or- we can, on a selected basis, share From time to time it seeps into ganization and its members information within statewide the public domain and people in- can support that effort. homeland security advisers. Other terpret it in a way that suggests Those who want to people outside the federal govern- there is a new threat. The fact is

December 2002 21 The American Legion Magazine that we are under an elevated lev- would have because of high con- high-risk or that we don’t know el of threat right now. We don’t sequences but, based on what we anything about. That is still a work share that information under the know, would be of low probabili- in progress. It’s still a source of ag- Threat Advisory System because ty. I think, by and large, we take gravation and frustration for the we think the folks in that region the mindset to prepare for the traveling public, and we know that need to know that this is what range of attacks that are possible. we have to do a better job at the we’re picking up. It doesn’t mean airport. I’ve been searched. My son that an attack is imminent. Rarely TALM: Considering that most of has been searched – he’s 15, and are we going to have the informa- the Sept. 11 hijackers were Saudis, it’s OK, but the fact of the matter is tion that (provides) time, place, does it make sense for airport secu- you have finite people, finite manner, means, but when we get rity workers to spend as much time resources. Shouldn’t you target some general information targeted screening Florida grandmothers as them? We need to do a better job at a particular community – some- young Middle Eastern males? of targeting. times even before we determine TR: The president, Congress and it’s credible – we like to share it. the American public know how TALM: Since veterans are experi- And we still have to learn how to critically important it is for us to enced at providing security, do digest that information and use it provide the best security and safety you see the veterans preference appropriately. We’ve made great to the aviation public. We know program continuing as you fill po- progress since Sept. 11, but we that is a No. 1 priority. We also sitions in the Department of still have a lot of work to do. know that we need to do a better Homeland Security? job at our airports dis- TR: Absolutely. The president has tinguishing between virtually guaranteed that. There “If we didn’t think that the threat of those men and women has been a lot of misinformation – boys and girls, I about the protections that would international terrorism would be mean that’s how ex- follow either present employees or sustained through the next years, treme it has become – future employees who are hired by who are of no risk and the department, and the president decades, perhaps even permanently, those who might be a feels very, very strongly that veter- potential risk. What ans preference remains with those then the president wouldn’t be asking Secretary of Trans- who have it and to those who portation (Norman) might use it in the event of being Congress to permanently reorganize Mineta is doing and hired by the new department. these departments and agencies.” what Transportation Security Administra- TALM: How do you feel about The tion head Jim Loy is American Legion family’s response TALM: Is another terrorist strike doing is working toward a risk- to the war and creation of the De- against the United States inevitable? management approach so that not partment of Homeland Security? TR: Given the venom, evil and everybody will be treated the same TR: I would like to thank The hatred that al-Qaida has directed because not everybody should be American Legion and Auxiliary toward this country and the fact treated the same. I think we’re go- members for their extraordinary that they have literally trained ing to see progress in this area ac- support of the president and the thousands, and that we remain celerate. We are working very hard troops abroad who have engaged their primary target …we believe with the TSA and the aviation in- the enemy in Afghanistan and that another attack of some form dustry to come up with some sort around the world. It’s important is inevitable. It’s not a matter of of trusted-traveler program or some again to note their support for the if, but a matter of when. If we means by which passengers share administration’s efforts and in the didn’t think we had an enduring information with the airlines and area of retaining the notion that vulnerability, if we didn’t think the security folks, information from we can refer to God in the Pledge that the threat of international which reasonable people can con- of Allegiance and thank them for terrorism would be sustained clude that the likelihood of this their continuing advocacy on be- through the next years, decades, person or these people being ter- half of our fellow veterans and perhaps even permanently, then rorists is remote, if nonexistent. We thank them for the support that the president wouldn’t be asking ought to treat those people differ- has been forthcoming not only to Congress to permanently reorgan- ently. They ought not be subjected my office, but the new Department ize these departments and agen- to a random search. We might of Homeland Security as well. I’m cies. We prepare for all eventuali- want to treat your baggage differ- proud to be a member of The ties. I think we have to, be it ently. So if we distinguish between American Legion. I chemical, biological, radiological people who are low- or no-risk be- or nuclear. But as you prepare to cause we know something about John Raughter is editor of The respond to a threat, you have to them, then we can focus the hu- American Legion Magazine. deal with consequences. There man resources and technology on are a lot of concerns that we people who we think are either Article design: Holly K. Soria

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hen the reputed boss of all crime bosses, John WGotti, died of cancer and was laid to rest in Queens, N.Y., last June, a collective sigh of relief was breathed. To many, Gotti’s death and the collapse of several Mafia under bosses in recent years symbolized the demise of organized crime. There was just one problem. The demise did not really occur. Although perhaps set back by the death of its most de- finitive modern antagonist, organ- ized crime is not only alive and kicking in America, it has mutat- ed into a form that law enforce- ment has yet to fully grasp. “There’s plenty of organized crime activities today,” says Fred Martens, former head of the Pennsylvania Crime Commission. “Law enforcement shouldn’t get too carried away celebrating its defeat of the mob. Organized crime may even be more danger- ous now.” Gotti’s Mafia – otherwise known as La Cosa Nostra (LCN) or simply “the mob” – is not, and probably never was, the only heavyweight crime syndicate op- erating in the United States. But today, much like terrorism, organ- ized crime has assumed a multi- farious global presence that stretches from Mexico to China, Israel to Russia and southern Cali- fornia to New York City. The new criminal organizations are fueled by illegal activities that include new twists on drug trafficking and prostitution along with old standbys like cigarette smuggling and political corruption. Any mo-

Stone

From trigger-happy biker gangs to cigarette-smuggling terrorists, new global villains complicate an evolving underworld.

John Gotti may be dead, but his mob still rules much of the underworld. Corbis

24 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine mentum Gotti’s mob might have “The mosaic is very Customs anti-Ecstasy nets. It is a lost in recent years has been slick, multi-faceted smuggling op- snatched up by other menaces, different from what it eration that has recruited thou- happy to fill whatever underworld sands of middle-aged Europeans niches are available to them. was 25 years ago, but to haul loads of 10,000 to 20,000 Among these opportunistic new nobody can say we pills at a time (amounts easily players in organized crime are the concealed on an individual). The very terrorist elements against don’t have organized smugglers are reportedly paid whom our nation has declared about $10,000 – plus a free U.S. war. It has become, as Martens crime today.” vacation – and they are falsely explains, a “mosaic that has got- told the penalties for getting ten lots more colorful … The mo- – Fred Martens, caught are minor, even though saic is very different from what it former head of the possession of as few as 500 pills was 25 years ago, but nobody can Pennsylvania Crime Commission can render prison sentences of 20 say we don’t have organized years. crime today.” Who runs this wildly profitable “The face of organized crime is thugs were handcuffed and de- operation, in which one Ecstasy changing, but there still are many tained for questioning. pill that costs a dime to produce active crime groups,” says Steve Law enforcement pegs the can sell for $50 on the street? Brodt, a professor of criminal jus- number of Hells Angels at Israeli racketeers, say law en- tice at Ball State University in Indi- upwards of 2,000. About the forcers. Almost all of the globe’s ana. The shuffling deck of who’s same number belong to archrival Ecstasy production is believed to who in crime complicates matters Banditos. Smaller groups like the occur in the Netherlands and, for law enforcement, Brodt says. Mongols, the Pagans and the Va- from there, Israeli mob bosses di- “There are new groups to become gos add a few thousand more to rect smugglers known as “mules” expert in, new cultures to under- the nation’s population of organ- to supply a growing market of stand, new languages to learn. ized biker bad guys. young Americans. Ecstasy That’s made it tougher.” Today’s motorcycle gangsters trafficking is so profitable that Experts cannot agree about are powerful forces in manufac- onetime Mafia under-boss Sammy who is on top of the underworld turing and distribution of “the Bull” Gravano – whose testi- these days. Ask 10 different crimi- methamphetamine, the highly ad- mony put Gotti behind bars – nologists, and prepare for 10 dif- dictive, laboratory-concocted form himself worked as a distributor ferent answers. How they rank of speed that has plagued the for the Israelis. Based in Phoenix, may be a puzzle, but crime- drug world in recent years. As Gravano oversaw distribution of watchers generally agree that a gangs from Nevada to New Jersey as many as 30,000 pills a week. handful of groups merit especially jockey for meth distribution terri- Gravano is now in prison, but Is- close watching. tory, law enforcement braces for raeli-run Ecstasy rings continue to violent times ahead. flood the country with dope and Dirty Colors. It was 2:15 a.m. last all the ancillary crimes that come April in the booming resort town The Agony of Ecstasy. Every day with it. of Laughlin, Nev., when gunshots at U.S. airports, tens of thousands ripped through Harrah’s Casino. of Ecstasy pills – the trendy, hal- From Russia With Love. New The Hells Angels and the Mongols lucinogenic drug wildly popular York City’s Times Square has al- of southern California were at with young adults – are smuggled ways maintained a bold reputa- each other’s throats. When the through customs. An estimated 2 tion for its place in the American brawl ended, three lay dead, 11 million pills a week slip through sex industry, but an unlikely were hospitalized, and about 100 increasingly sophisticated U.S. group has recently assumed a

Hells Angels and other motorcycle gangs Israeli racketeers are pegged with run- Russian prostitutes have poured into have muscled into the meth trade. AP ning the world’s Ecstasy trade. Corbis New York’s sex industry. Corbis

December 2002 25 The American Legion Magazine stranglehold on the sleazy night LCN is in disarray. It has suffered larity, he adds, keeps American clubs, peep shows and women immensely in the last 10 years as law enforcement from developing who work the streets. The Russ- federal prosecutions have put reliable Chinese informants. ian Mafia – a hybrid of crooked many leaders in jail. But it is still Another group that warrants ex-KGB special agents and crimi- a major factor.” attention is the “Mexican Mafia.” nals tough enough to survive the The fact is, increasingly potent This formidable ring that operates former Soviet Union’s notorious as Russian, Israeli and motorcycle in Mexico and the United States gulags – runs the show by bring- gangsters are, none are ready to controls much of the country’s ing in a steady supply of duped supplant the Mafia. Russian or- cocaine and heroin traffic along young women from the streets of ganized crime, for instance, may with perhaps 70 percent of Russia, Ukraine and the Czech be a misnomer. James Calder, an methamphetamine production, Republic. Tantalized by promises associate dean of the College of according to estimates by the of American wages and Public Policy at the University of State of California. “They have glamorous jobs, the girls need lit- Texas-San Antonio, says Russian not ventured beyond drugs,” tle convincing to emigrate to the gangsters operating in America Finkenaur says. “They lack so- United States. Once here, they are are more opportunistic than rigor- phistication.” And they are not threatened and beaten to keep ously organized. “Russian groups likely successors to the mob’s them showing up for work. In are not cohesive,” he says. “There throne in America. other big cities – particularly Los are no bosses.” Much the same Angeles and Miami – Russians can be said about the Israelis, Down But Not Out. The old mob exert similar muscle. Big money is who are focused on little more remains Numero Uno in America, involved. In its voluminous “In- than the Ecstasy racket. on a number of different fronts, ternational Crime Threat Assess- Motorcycle gangs, meanwhile, including: ment,” the U.S. government says “are a big-time worry,” says Mike ■ Political Corruption. In Cam- 700,000 women and children Lytle, a senior research associate den, N.J., Mayor Milton Milan were transported across interna- with the Arlington, Va., think tank was recently convicted of taking tional borders for purposes of sex- Scientific Applications Internation- payoffs from the Mafia. A key ual exploitation in 1997 alone. al. But criminal bikers put forth prosecution witness was Philadel- These activities generate an esti- more energy fighting each other phia Mafia boss Ralph Natale, mated $4 billion a year. The Rus- over turf than they do pursuing who testified that $30,000 to sians are scooping up ever-grow- profitable underground enterprises. $50,000 lined Milan’s pockets to ing shares of that money. Also dangerous but no real induce him to award city However, as nasty as the Hells threat to the mob as yet are the contracts to mob-affiliated busi- Angels, the Russian sex peddlers Chinese Triads, descendants of nesses. The Philadelphia Mob and Israeli drug traffickers are – centuries-old secret societies who may be near death after Natale – brace yourself for a surprise – enjoy sizable income from smug- the highest ranking mob turncoat they still play second fiddle to gling Chinese immigrants into the ever – testified against his own Gotti’s LCN, says Jim Finkenaur, United States. Also, the Triads are under-boss and more than 10 oth- a former Department of Justice major players in heroin trafficking ers, but the Mafia still is obvious- employee and now a professor of out of southeast Asia’s Golden ly capable of large-scale political criminology at Rutgers University Triangle. A decade ago, criminolo- corruption. No rival crime group in New Jersey. “The Mafia isn’t gists frequently pegged the Triads has demonstrated such effective dead,” he says. “It is wounded, as future heavyweights in U.S. bribery of public officials. but it hasn’t died.” organized crime, but that hasn’t ■ Pump and Dump. The mob has Lee Segem, a spokesperson for happened yet. Chinese gangsters sniffed out barrels of money that the New Jersey State Commission have found it very hard to move daily trade on legal stock markets for Investigation, which is out of Chinatowns, Finkenaur and, increasingly, it is claiming a charged with tracking organized says. “Their operations tend to be share. In so-called “pump-and- crime, says much the same. “The very localized.” That same insu- dump” operations, mob-influenced

Stone

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Those left holding rorist groups,” says Lytle of Scien- that abandoned stock often find tific Applications International. – Mike Lytle, their shares are worthless. In one Case in point: cigarette smuggling, south Florida raid – where 89 in- Scientific Applications International an area Lytle pinpoints as a “New dictments were handed out – two Prohibition” for criminals. “This of the accused were known associ- ganizations to sleep? will be a major source of income ates of the Columbo Mafia family, For starters, such a goal may for organized crime,” he says. whose victims were allegedly not even be realistic. “Can we Price disparities from state to state bilked out of $100 million. In an- eliminate organized crime? No,” due to varying tax burdens will other raid, prosecutors in New says G. Robert Blakey, a Notre drive that. In Virginia, where the York swept up numerous racket- Dame law professor who is wide- state tax is a nominal few cents eers tied to the Gambino family. ly credited as the prime author of per pack, a carton of cigarettes Other stock-manipulation indict- the federal RICO statutes – or costs under $35. In New York City, ments have implicated members of racketeering laws – that criminal- that same carton costs $70. The the Bonnano family and the De- ized being any part of an organ- potential for huge profits has at- Calvacantes (the New Jersey- ized crime enterprise. The laws tracted growing numbers of crimi- based Mafia, usually believed to enabled prosecutors to pursue en- nals. “Highways will be clogged be the loose model for “The Sopra- tire organizations, from the boss with trucks carrying illegal ciga- nos”). Bottom line: the mob has down, and have been given credit rettes,” Mahoney says. smelled the easy money that can for dramatically weakening Last summer, two brothers in be earned when Wall Street is groups ranging from mob families North Carolina – Mohamad and rigged, and it has the sophistica- to the Mexican Mafia. Even so, Chawki Hammoud – were con- tion to work the opportunity. Blakey does not envision a world victed of helping run a cigarette- without organized crime. “I don’t smuggling ring that shipped Going Legit. “The Mafia has be- think we will ever eliminate it, smokes from low-tax North Car- come much more tightly integrated but we can curtail it, and that has olina to higher-tax Michigan and with law-abiding society,” says happened with RICO.” funneled profits to Middle East Gary Potter, a professor of criminal Adds the Rev. Robert Mahoney, militants in Hezbollah. Investiga- justice at Eastern Kentucky Univer- a sociology professor at Rockhurst tors also have been tracking other sity. “They own many legitimate University in Kansas City, Mo., criminal activities – such as businesses.” In construction, “There is no such thing as elimi- rigged lotteries and loan-sharking check-cashing stores, bars and nating organized crime. It – where Islamic militants may be restaurants – at least in some parts provides too many services that working hand in hand with of the country – significant organ- people in fact want, such as nar- organized crime. ized-crime dollars are involved, cotics. That means it is here to That may be where the circle and mob bosses act as behind-the- stay. So for society, the goal be- once again closes for organized scenes partners. These businesses comes managing it.” crime. Resources may have shifted often are fronts for laundering illic- toward terrorist hunting, says it profits. No other crime group The Terror Factor. While major Finkenaur, but as terrorist interests has achieved such penetration into progress has been made on the overlap with organized crime, honest U.S. society. organized-crime front in recent prosecutors will pursue organized Still, today’s Mafia is not what it years, some experts now worry crime with renewed vigor. “That’s used to be. Its influence is highly that the nation’s shift in focus what I am seeing,” Finkenaur says. regionalized with potency highest from mobsters to terrorists creates New Jersey’s Segem agrees. in greater New York, Chicago and a window of opportunity. “A lot “There’s a point where investiga- Rhode Island. Membership is of resources are being shifted to tions into terrorist organizations dwindling. But it would be a mis- terrorism,” Martens says. “This and organized crime will merge. take for anyone to discount the will give organized crime an abili- Particularly where terrorism and Mafia, says Allan May, a researcher ty to regroup, take new markets organized crime overlap, we will with AmericanMafia.com. “They and operate with less government see energetic law enforcement are still the pre-eminent organ- interference than they have faced and prosecution.” I ized crime group. It’s not as pow- in 20 years.” erful as it was, but no group is “At all levels there has been a Robert McGarvey is a freelance more powerful.” shift of resources away from in- writer who lives in Arizona. What will it take to finally put vestigating organized crime and the mob and its upstart rival or- into terrorism,” Segem says. Article Design: King Doxsee

28 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine

Mere days after the Pearl Harbor attack, Tiny Hawaiian island holds fast-fading a U.S. PBY reportedly attacked a Japanese submarine and then crashed just beyond the Lehua Channel, shown here, which secrets of pre-World War II intelligence. separates Ni'ihau Island and Lehua Island, in the distance. Margaret Haapoja BY MARGARET A. HAAPOJA Hawaiian, even in the schools. Nearly all the 250 residents former- U.S. naval interests in Hawaii to rusted old Cletrac bulldozer ly raised crops, livestock and hon- initiate a war. The major also said if occupies a mysterious place ey for the Robinson family busi- Japan’s plans were successful, Ni’i- Aof historical significance ness enterprises. hau would be seized. He asked the alongside a road on Ni’ihau, the For generations, the family has Robinson brothers to plow furrows tiny, remote Hawaiian island that held a tight rein on tourism and in all over the island’s flat surface so has been in private ownership doing so has effectively preserved no planes could land there. “For the since 1864. Not far from the much of the native culture and next eight years, our family secretly heavy implement are scant landscape. So insular was the is- plowed the whole place up at our remains of a Japanese Zero that land in the years before World War own expense,” said Keith Robin- crash-landed after Pearl Harbor II that if an emergency were to oc- son, who today shares ownership was attacked Dec. 7, 1941, on cur on Ni’ihau, natives would light of the island with his brother, what is known as Hawaii’s “For- bonfires on the cliffs of the eastern Bruce. “First they used a team of bidden Island.” The bulldozer, the shore to summon boats from draft mules. Then, in 1937, as a crash site and the island’s unique- Pakala, Kauai, about 25 miles away. result of the USS Panay incident ly textured landscape are connect- In 1933, a U.S. Army Air Corps when the Japanese bombed the ed by a little-known story of U.S. major warned Lester and Aylmer U.S. gunboat on the Yangtze River military preparedness in the years Robinson, father in China, the fam- leading up to World War II. and uncle to the ily realized things Arid but dotted with seasonal island’s current Going to the were heating up freshwater lakes, Ni’ihau is widely generation of Forbidden Island between the Unit- considered the most traditional and owners, that ed States and For Ni’ihau tour information: pristine of the Hawaiian islands. Japan planned to Call: (877) 441-3500 Japan. At that Unlike other islands in the state, mount a Sunday Online: point, they pur- Ni’ihau’s official language is native surprise attack on www.hawaiian.net/~niihauisland chased the (Cle-

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❏ Visa ❏ Mastercard ❏ American Express ❏ Discover ❏ Check ❏ Money Order SC901 trac) and completed the plow- around 8:55 a.m. on ing in the summer of 1941, Dec. 16, 1941. about six months before the The surviving crew Pearl Harbor attack. It was a reached the beach in the fantastic series of deep fur- plane’s rubber boat, but pilots rows all over the island. I’ve Thomas Reynolds and James calculated there were some- Marshall were never recov- where between 2,500 and ered. On Dec. 17, two PBYs 5,000 miles of furrows.” from Pearl Harbor investigat- An avid history buff with ed the crash and brought back an encyclopedic knowledge of six survivors who reported World War II, Robinson spec- the plane hit a severe bump ulates that the U.S. Navy also off the leeward side of the is- was aware a Japanese land, stalled and spun in. All surprise attack was imminent. six survivors were committed He bases that surmise on ex- to the Naval Hospital at Pearl ercises known as “Fleet Prob- Harbor. The report, however, lem 19” conducted in the lists the crash as operational years before Pearl Harbor. Ac- probably due to clear air tur- cording to the Navy’s “Brief bulence or wind shear. So the History of Aircraft Carriers,” mystery remains about the the USS Saratoga sailed from sub’s presence and Japan’s San Diego on March 15, 1938, The Robinson brothers used a Cletrac bulldozer to plow plans to use the island as an for Hawaii. During the second deep furrows across Ni’ihau. The tractor now rusts at emergency landing pad. phase of the exercise, Saratoga the side of the road at Kiekie. Margaret Haapoja Grass now carpets the deep simulated a surprise attack on furrows on Ni’ihau. They Pearl Harbor from a point 100 miles worked for the Robinson family, blend into the green landscape but off Oahu, setting a pattern the vividly remembers the crash land- still can be seen from the air. Resi- Japanese would later copy. ing. He was 15, attending church dents still tend cattle and string Robinson, who served in the in the village of Pu’uwai. “The shell leis. Some guide wild-game military between 1965 and 1969, plane flew really close overhead trophy hunts on the island, where always suspected the Japanese had but was forced to land further tourism is now permitted in small stationed a lifeguard submarine off away because of the kiawe trees,” doses. Others are employed by the the coast of Ni’ihau to rescue he says. “A few days later, my Robinsons’ Ni’ihau Ranch in con- downed aviators. His conjecture grandfather was captured by the tract maintenance work for small was reinforced when he became pilot and held prisoner in a ware- Navy installations on the island. reacquainted with the Rev. Paul house at Kiekie. He escaped by Since that uniformed visitor came Denise in 1978. Pastor of a church jumping out the window and to Ni’ihau to warn of a possible in Waimea, Kauai, during World sought refuge in the mountains Japanese attack eight years before it War II, Denise met Mitsuo Fuchida, with the rest of the villagers.” happened, the island has continued the Japanese commander who led Eventually, Ni’ihau residents to serve as a small but strategic mil- the air attack on Pearl Harbor and Benny Kanahele and his wife itary site, in coordination with the later became a Christian minister, killed the Japanese pilot in self- Robinsons and the native islanders. at an ecumenical conference after defense, Niheu says. “The long and quiet tradition of the war. As the two were swapping Denise said he sailed on a com- collaborating with the U.S. military war stories, Fuchida told Denise mandeered sampan to Ni’ihau that began back in 1933 continued that Japanese aviators had been with Aylmer Robinson under the through the Cold War and the advised to land on Ni’ihau if they protection of an amphibious (PBY) Space Age down to the present,” could not return to their aircraft patrol bomber in the days follow- Keith Robinson says. “There’s carriers. According to a rare Japan- ing the Japanese aviator’s death. more involvement with the mili- ese submarine book published by The sampan had just cleared the tary now than there ever was. the IJN Submarine Historical Soci- Lehua Channel and was starting We’re one of the few places where ety, Japanese submarine I-174 was down the west side of the island, they get pretty ready cooperation. indeed assigned to rescue aviators according to Denise and other ob- Naval research and training is from Ni’ihau during the period of servers on Ni’ihau, when the PBY where Ni’ihau fits in these days, Dec. 7 to 17, 1941. attacked a Japanese submarine and as far as we’re concerned, The fact that one Japanese pilot and then crashed. they’re welcome here.” I crash-landed on Ni’ihau shortly That recollection is corrobo- after the Pearl Harbor attack also rated by an accident report in Margaret A. Haapoja is a freelance seems to confirm Fuchida’s story. the archives of the PBY Catalina writer who lives near Bovey, Minn. Milimili Niheu, who grew up Foundation, regarding a PBY-5 on Ni’ihau where his parents that crashed west of Ni’ihau Article design: Holly K. Soria

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Beijing repeatedly warns it will do whatever is necessary to reunify the “two Chinas.”

34 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine BY GEORGIE ANNE GEYER income ranged from $700 to $800. Threat of invasion and oblivion Some have named the aiwan used to be a bleak, were perpetual. War could come new gradualist gray, unforgiving place. at any moment. TLong after the Chinese com- How things change. approach of Beijing munists drove the legendary Chi- Today, Taipei is an increasingly ang Kai-shek out of mainland Chi- charming city of 2.6 million with “acupuncture warfare,” na in 1949, the rocky, inhos- lovely, tree-lined boulevards, strik- because of its drafted pitable island seemed doomed to ing modern buildings and world- eternal struggle in a besieged cor- class international hotels. The leg- precision in hitting the ner of the world. The capital, endary Chiang lies at peace in a Taipei, was a gritty, embittered, palatial mausoleum. His 24 mil- nerve ends of a society industrialized city with virtually lion Taiwanese are now rich, with no culture or character of its a per-capita income of $14,000, instead of punching it own. Per-capita annual compared to mainland China’s in the nose. puny $500. Taiwan’s reserves are a staggering after years of holding back arms $106 billion. Most of all, sales – first because of the 1972 the Taiwanese people Nixon-Kissinger détente with Bei- have evolved from Chi- jing and then because of President ang’s unbending mili- Clinton’s great sympathy for Bei- tary dictatorship to be- jing – the new administration pro- come not only a model vided an unprecedented $4 billion democracy but also an arms sale to the island. This in- economic miracle in a sys- cluded, for the first time, sub- tem that now influences marines and ships that would al- even rigid Beijing. low Taiwan’s previously small Environmentalist navy to sail out from its own Lester Brown – president coasts into the South China Sea. of the Earth Policy Institute The Taiwanese needed this aid in Washington and astute desperately, but – as they them- international analyst of selves more and more realize – change and development – they also need to reform their of- says, “If one were to look for ten corrupt and poorly led forces. one country in the world that In the months after Sept. 11, has done everything right, that although no direct connection ex- country would be Taiwan.” isted between Taiwan or China and the terrorist attacks, U.S. rela- Closer Ties. Taiwan’s remarkable tions with Taiwan grew tighter. economic victories fail to fully de- Washington announced that the fine the island’s importance in the U.S. government approved the world. From the beginning of the sale of a fleet of AH-64D Apache Bush administration, Taiwan has Longbow attack helicopters to the been high on the president’s for- island to fend off possible inva- eign-policy agenda. Even with the sion from the mainland. This war on terrorism, one of the great- would be backed up by eight est dangers to the United States is diesel submarines, 12 P-3C sub- a strong, resurgent China that marine-hunting aircraft, four would attack Taiwan, as it has re- Kidd-class destroyers, long-range peatedly said it would – forcing radar systems and Patriot III mis- the island into reunification and siles. The deal stands as the most challenging American leadership comprehensive arms sale to Tai- and interests in the Pacific. wan since 1992. As early as spring 2001, Presi- The key event in Taiwan’s rela- dent George W. Bush in effect tions with the Bush administra- sidestepped the old Kissingerian tion was a visit in spring 2002 by “strategic ambiguity” concept – Taiwan Defense Minister Tang which meant not really declaring Yiau-ming, who came to Florida America’s position on the “two and met with Deputy Pentagon Chinas” – when he said he would Chief Paul Wolfowitz. It was the do whatever it takes to help de- first visit of its kind by a senior fend Taiwan. That same spring, Taiwan official.

December 2002 35 The American Legion Magazine “On the subject of Taiwan, scenario most U.S. military and Taipei’s elaborate Chiang Kai-shek America’s position is clear, and it strategic experts envision. The real Memorial Gate memorializes Taiwan’s will not change,” Secretary of State threat to Taiwan is one of gradual first president, a pivotal figure in the his- tory of modern China. Under Chiang’s Colin Powell declared shortly neutralization, accomplished leadership, Taiwan began to modernize thereafter at an Asia Society din- through the sophisticated destruc- its economy, and the island became ner in New York. “We will contin- tion of its radar, command posts, highly competitive in foreign trade. Corbis ue to insist that the mainland airports, ports, fuel depots and solve its differences with Taiwan power plants. Beijing is likely to craters in the ground about 60 peacefully. Indeed, a peaceful reso- destroy the Taiwanese people’s feet wide – but our leaders worry lution is the foundation on which will to resist while building on that by 2005-2006, the tilt will be the breakthrough Sino-American policies designed to keep the Unit- toward China’s side. communiqués were built, and the ed States from aiding the island. “Today, China’s thinkers have a United States takes our responsi- Finally, China would command common theme and scenario: bilities under the Taiwan Relations any negotiations. blockade the island and, with the Act very, very seriously.” “If you look at China’s overall missiles, take out the communica- Powell then warned that “an policy toward Taiwan, you see tions and military lines, paralyze arms buildup, like those new mis- advanced weapons of all kinds,” the ports and airfields. Then they siles opposite Taiwan, only deep- said Chengchi University’s Joseph could overtake all of these installa- en tensions, deepen suspicion. Wu, one of the island’s most re- tions quickly. Today, they are play- Whether China chooses peace or spected military analysts. “They ing with asymmetric warfare – in- coercion to resolve its differences have deployed 400 short-range formation warfare, cyberwarfare.” with Taiwan will tell us a great missiles on the coast facing Officials and strategists in deal about the kind of relation- toward Taiwan, and they are Taipei believe Taiwan could hold ship China seeks not only with its adding 50 every year. They had on for two to three weeks in the neighbors, but with us.” an 18-percent rise in their military face of such a debilitating attack, budget last year alone, and they but then it would depend upon Takeover Strategies. Even in this have been getting sophisticated U.S. will to enter into the conflict. new era, the old notion that the new weapons from Russia. With And despite the recent big mili- Chinese would frontally attack Tai- 400 missiles, they might not de- tary sale package, no one can be wan from the sea is no longer the stroy Taiwan – missiles dig huge sure of that.

36 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine A pivotal year is 2007, when “If one were to look for bitterness that unnecessary steps Chinese President Jiang Zemin were taken by Washington to says the reunification of the “two one country in the weaken Taiwan’s ability to use the Chinas” must be completed. This weapons it had and to develop its “time of succession” is why the world that has done own systems. For example, the mainland – although on the United States sold Taiwan a tank record supporting President everything right, that but substituted a hand-held crank Bush’s “war on terrorism” – has country would be for an automatic turret, forcing been so quiet since Sept. 11. As the island to mothball develop- CSIS analyst Jim Mann says, “At Taiwan.” ment of the Sky Horse missile, this time, they want to create as which is similar to the Chinese – Lester Brown, president of few conflicts as possible while versions that now threaten the is- they are working out their politi- the Earth Policy Institute land from the mainland. cal succession. They changed Resentment lingers regarding their strategy in 2001 to rely more In addition to Cold War anti- the Clinton years and Taiwan. on economics than on military communism, race and geography With that resentment often comes means, but their goal has not cemented the United States to Tai- a hesitation to believe that the changed.” wan. By the Nixon administration United States would really come Meanwhile, the clock is ticking in the 1970s, American opinion to the island’s aid if it were down. was slowly changing; so when attacked. Such fears and resent- Some have named the new President Nixon, ideologically ments, along with a great grati- gradualist approach of Beijing backed by Secretary of State Hen- tude toward the United States, “acupuncture warfare,” because of ry Kissinger, traveled to Beijing in were substantially ameliorated its drafted precision in hitting the 1972, the two men effectively when Taiwan’s President Chen nerve ends of a society instead of shook all the historic pillars upon Shui-bian – who is not of the punching it in the nose. This ap- which Asia policy rested. The Kuomintang Party but of the inde- proach to conflict is hardly new or point of the trip’s famous “Shang- pendence-minded Democratic unnatural to China. Indeed, it is hai Communiqué” was to paper Progressive Party – was allowed only an updated version of the over the differences about Taiwan by the Bush administration to vis- brilliant precepts of the great 5th so Washington could take the it the United States in June 2001. century B.C. Chinese strategist mammoth leap of normalizing Sun Tzu, who wrote in his famous relations with Beijing. Essentially, The Quiet Revolution. During the “The Art of War” about how to the mainland’s communist “Peo- 1990s, Taiwan secured a broader treat your enemies: “Draw them ple’s Republic” and Taiwan’s “Re- audience of support in America. in with the prospect of gain, take public of China,” as Taiwan is for- This happened largely because of them by confusion. Use anger to mally called, agreed that there the evolution from the autocratic throw them by disarray.” was only “one China,” albeit on and often corrupt government set two sides of the strait. The United into place by Chiang Kai-shek The “China Lobby.” The United States pledged to do nothing to into a real, functioning democracy States has been a major player in challenge this principle so long as with one of the most successful this triangle of conflicting powers China pursued reunification by development programs, not only and interests for more than half a peaceful means. in Asia but in all the world. It century. After the exile of the The circle was then closed un- started with what the Taiwanese Kuomintang, as Chiang’s Nation- der the administration of President call “the quiet revolution.” alist Party is called today, Ameri- Carter when, in 1979, he officially “Martial law was lifted in cans on the right in Washington, recognized communist China and July 1987,” Yu-ming Shaw, chair- especially in Congress, formed the broke off official relations with man of the Central Daily News powerful “China Lobby,” which Taiwan. At the same time, howev- and a longtime leader of the effectively kept alive the cause of er, he wrote the Taiwan Relations Kuomintang, reminisces in his Taiwan – then called Formosa. Act, under which Washington office in downtown Taipei. “That Much of America’s interest in would still provide Taiwan with same year, Taiwanese were the small island involves the rise sufficient military means to allowed to go back to China to and seemingly inexorable victory defend itself. This sinuous and visit. Then freedom of the press of communism on the mainland. complicated relationship contin- finally became a reality, along However, the attraction and com- ued until the 1990s, when Presi- with freedom of association and mitment amounts to more than dent Clinton – feeling much more the formation of other political that. Many Taiwanese leaders are sympathetic to mainland China parties. In 1990 and 1992, we de- Christians. Many have studied than to Taiwan – put Taiwan on cided to let the masses choose alongside Americans at U.S. uni- the backburner. Not only were their leaders in the polls, and we versities, and still others fought few arms sent to Taiwan, but adopted the American primary alongside Americans in World War many officials – both Taiwanese system … it has become 100 per- II against the Japanese invaders. and American – feel with some cent a democratic party.”

December 2002 37 The American Legion Magazine With these changes – which both Taiwan and America. A Taiwan soldier’s post in Jinmen, a were deliberately put into practice On the other hand, early in defense base in the Taiwan Strait, step by step and which were summer 2001, the Kuomintang overlooks communist China’s Xiamen port across the narrow channel. gradual, systemic, evolutionary issued a policy paper stating that Jinmen is on normal alert despite and based upon a refined under- the best option for Taiwan would Beijing’s fury at Taipei for scrapping its standing of just how far any soci- be to form a confederation under “one-China” policy. Corbis ety can be expected to change all which both entities would main- at once – Taiwan has come to rep- tain their central governments time will pass and China will resent one of the great models of and control their own diplomacy, change enough to be more like development in the world. national defense and internal af- Taiwan, resulting in a peaceful Could all this be destroyed by fairs. The confederation idea still reunification. The Kuomintang war? Could the United States real- exists, but nothing has been done proposal may foreshadow such a ly be drawn, or dragged, into the to put it into practice. development. But until a proposal drama of still another upheaval in So at this pregnant moment in like that of the Kuomintang is Asia? Surely the Chinese have re- time for Southeast Asia and for embraced by both sides, the peatedly, and without apparent the entire Chinese universe of standoff in the Taiwan Strait re- second thought, warned that they peoples and trends, the world mains one of the most dangerous will attack if they must to reunify could go any of several directions. situations in the world. It also re- the “two Chinas.” Importantly, The danger is clear. The Chi- mains one in which the United they now also seek the riches of nese military may come to feel States is deeply and inexorably the South China Sea – oil riches, emboldened to act upon its own involved. I some say, beyond belief – also or for its own institutional or per- claimed by Taiwan and the Philip- ceived power interest. Chaos Georgie Anne Geyer is a syndicat- pines, among other nations. The within China, caused by overpop- ed columnist. She visited Taiwan Chinese military, the People’s Lib- ulation, could collapse the fragile six times between 1969 and 2001, eration Army, often has its own communist system. Or the terrible and China six times between 1983 geopolitical policies, strategies water and land shortage may and 1998. and aims – in fact, its military force Beijing to act outside to di- writings and manuals are filled vert people’s attention. Article design and illustration: with talk of furious conflict with The hope is clear that enough Doug Rollison

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Mick Shannon’s business savvy and vision for helping kids launched Children’s Miracle Network.

CMN president and co-founder Mick Shannon welcomes 7-year-old Miracle Child Jayne Preucil of Omaha, Neb. BY ELISSA KAUPISCH nonprofit organization and Ameri- Shannon believes partnership with The can Legion corporate partner that American Legion is important because ids are Mick Shannon’s life. supports 170 children’s hospitals of the Legion’s track record of helping Blessed with eight children – across North America. youngsters. Courtesy Childrens Miracle Network Kfour still at home – and one Shannon knows the value of grandchild, Shannon spends most hard work, courage and commit- of his free time with them. What’s ment. After graduating with a Dimes, where he learned the busi- more, he’s working to improve the teaching degree in political science ness of fund-raising. He left March lives of other people’s kids. Shan- and history from Brigham Young of Dimes in 1982 to pursue a non is president and co-founder of University in 1973, the Salt Lake dream. He and business partner Joe Children’s Miracle Network, a City native worked for March of Lake co-founded Children’s Miracle

40 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine Network. Recalling CMN’s early it is. It’s really an effort – and a years in the basement of his home, serious one – to keep our staff Shannon says, “We didn’t have a small. It’s currently around 55. lot of success at first. We didn’t have an office, and we didn’t get TALM: With such a small staff, paid. But we stuck with it anyway.” do you rely heavily on volunteers? Although he has every reason Of the 17 million MS: Our fund-raising involves all to be proud of what he’s accom- volunteers. We want people to plished – building an organization children served by take ownership by raising the from the ground up to one of na- funds themselves. That’s why tional renown – Shannon is self- CMN-affiliated health partnership with The American less and unassuming. He gives Legion is so great. The 4.5 mil- everyone else credit. services, most go on to lion members of the Legion fami- “Joe was the driving force in the lead normal lives. ly can engage in a variety of ac- creation and success of Children’s tivities to support their local chil- Miracle Network,” Shannon says, dren’s hospitals. speaking of Lake, who served as TALM: How does Children’s Mir- executive vice president for 16 acle Network help children? TALM: How does a hospital be- years before retiring four years ago. MS: Children’s Miracle Network come affiliated with Children’s Shannon also praises the more is all about raising funds to serve Miracle Network? than 350,000 hospital staff mem- local children’s hospitals. The MS: A hospital has to be a premier bers who he says are “dedicated to hospitals are doing the tough nonprofit children’s facility. They helping children with critical-care work, helping children in trouble accept kids regardless of their fam- needs.” Of the 17 million children 24-7. Our task is simply to raise ilies’ abilities to pay. And they of- served by Children’s Miracle Net- money to help them do their jobs. fer tertiary care, care that you can’t work hospitals, emergency rooms, We keep our efforts that narrow find anywhere else. When a child clinics and outreach programs, and that focused. is critically ill, this is the place to “most go on to lead normal lives,” go for the latest, state-of-the-art Shannon says. “Children’s Miracle TALM: How has the organization care. These hospitals have the re- Network is an organization that grown over the years? sources to help kids with cancer, enriches lives by providing much- MS: To continue to grow, it’s es- heart disease, muscular dystrophy needed medical support and sential to build name recognition and AIDS. The equipment is very equipment to children, our and community awareness for expensive. That’s where Children’s nation’s most valuable asset.” each hospital, and to secure more Miracle Network helps out. Shannon shares the Children’s hospitals. We’ve grown from no Miracle Network story with The hospitals to 170 and no corporate TALM: Can you tell us about one American Legion Magazine. sponsors to 75. Our first year we “miracle kid” who has particular- managed to raise $4.7 million, ly touched your heart? The American Legion Magazine: our second year $12 million and MS: There’s one who really stands How did the idea for Children’s our third year $21 million. Last out for me. A young boy, Alvaro Miracle Network originate? year, we raised $232 million. Garza, and his brother were play- Mick Shannon: Working for the ing on the ice on the Red River March of Dimes, I became familiar TALM: Besides raising the name just outside Fargo, N.D., when he with children’s hospitals, the work recognition of local hospitals and fell through the ice. Alvaro’s they do and how they provide securing more hospitals, what brother ran for help. The local fire quality care for kids, regardless of other factors have affected department and rescue crews and their families’ ability to pay. Over CMN’s growth? police scoured the river, breaking time, the idea of Children’s Miracle MS: The fact that 100 percent of the ice, trying to find Alvaro. They Network came to me. I envisioned the money goes directly to serve finally pulled him out of the icy 100 percent of the money raised kids in their own neighborhoods water 45 minutes later, a limp lit- going directly to benefit local chil- and communities is critical to our tle 8-year-old who was clinically dren’s hospitals. After leaving growth. Also, we’re associated dead; he had no pulse. They March of Dimes in May 1982, I met with renowned, state-of-the-art rushed him to our hospital in Far- with the Osmond family and John children’s hospitals that have the go and began to work on him. A Schneider and shared the vision highest levels of integrity. People video camera taped the hospital and the dream. With my business know they can take their children staff bringing Alvaro back to life. partner, Joe Lake, we started Chil- there for help, regardless of their Alvaro was treated at the hospi- dren’s Miracle Network. We started ability to pay, and get the finest tal for about six to seven days and recruiting hospitals, TV stations, care possible. experienced a complete and mirac- celebrities and corporate sponsors. ulous recovery. This was especially We had a very meager first-year TALM: How large is your staff? poignant because Alvaro was re- effort, but we’ve grown ever since. MS: We like to refer to how small vived by a bypass machine that

December 2002 41 The American Legion Magazine interview warmed his blood, a sophisticated piece of equipment a small hospi- tal in a small community normally Star-power supporters wouldn’t have. The equipment Pictured below are just a few of the celebri- was purchased with funds from ties from entertainment and sports who pub- Children’s Miracle Network. licly support Children’s Miracle Network. Oth- Alvaro was later featured on ers include Marilyn McCoo, Bill Cosby, Bob Hope, Merlin Olsen, Steve Young, Robin “The Today Show,” “Good Morning Roberts, Dan Patrick and Sarah Hughes. America” and in newspaper articles across the country. We met Alvaro and his family, and they were fea- tured on one of our telethons.

TALM: Describe the campaign involving The American Legion. MS: The Legion campaign is a real departure for us. With the Legion, we’re creating an Ameri- can Legion-branded campaign they will own, build equity in and be known for. It’s an excit- Entertainer John Schneider CMN ing, new approach. It looks like both organizations are going to NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe CMN benefit from it immensely, and as is always the case, the kids will benefit. We think The Amer- ican Legion relationship will re- sult in one of our biggest fund- raising campaigns. Children’s Miracle Network will be providing educational and fund-raising materials to make it more effective. But every penny the Legion raises will go directly Former Olympic gymnasts to local hospitals. Mary Lou Retton & Kerri Strug CMN

TALM: How does the partnership advance American Legion causes? MS: We will be launching for the first time a flag-icon program at retail stores, where customers can purchase a paper flag for $1 and put their names on it. Each will Entertainer Marie Osmond CMN have a Legion logo on it as well as the local hospital’s name. Cus- tomers will know that every dollar goes to their local children’s hos- Ice skater Michelle Kwan CMN pital and that the Legion has made this campaign possible. including remittance envelopes large number of people The We’ve had the paper Miracle Bal- for their local hospitals. American Legion brings to the loon icon campaign with other The fit between Children’s table. And “people power” is corporations for about 12 years, Miracle Network and The Ameri- what we’re all about. Since our and it averages $18 million annu- can Legion is so special because activities are based on campaigns, ally. We think the Legion’s paper- the Legion already has the the more people involved, the flag program, which will run an- demonstrated commitment to more revenue local children’s nually between Memorial Day and helping children as part of its hospitals will realize. I July 4, has the same potential. mission. It’s not lip service. We The Legion also participates in can point to program after pro- Elissa Kaupisch is an assistant walk-a-thons, which brought in gram the Legion has initiated editor at The American Legion $1.5 million last year. Children’s and supported over the years Magazine. Miracle Network sends kits that that has benefited kids. provide everything posts need, It’s also special because of the Article design: King Doxsee

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New ‘DEW’ line Paul Bergeron, one of DoD’s bio- During the Cold War, the Penta- terror experts, says, “In this gon relied on an interlocking game, 12 hours, 24 hours or 48 chain of radars across the north- hours can make a big difference ern frontier of Alaska and Canada in treating people.” to detect the early stages of a Sovi- The Pentagon’s Defense Threat et missile attack. Thankfully, the Reduction Agency will play a lead attack never came, but the detec- role in administering the system. tion system – known as the dis- By detecting an increase in specif- tant-early warning line, or “DEW” line – helped pro- ic kinds of drug purchases, prescription orders and vide security and stability during the most anxious hospital visits, Pentagon planners hope the system days of the Cold War. As America wades deeper into will give public-health officials and the military a the global war on terror, the Pentagon is preparing chance to counter the bioterrorism threat. If such a to employ some of the DEW line’s principles to de- system had been in place during the anthrax blitz in tect biological attacks. fall 2001, government officials might have been able Using environmental monitoring instruments to to respond more rapidly and effectively. collect air samples and special software to gather Still in the pilot stage, the $300-million program massive amounts of data from hospitals, pharma- will use data from Washington, D.C.; Albuquerque, cies and other health-care providers, the Defense N.M.; and two other U.S. cities to be decided. The Department’s new medical-surveillance system will remaining two cities will likely have mass-transit attempt to track the outbreak and spread of infec- systems, major airports and coastal exposure. tious diseases before they reach epidemic stages. – A.W.D.

Over the past decade, Roger Hall has crusaded for those troops and their families. Hall is a researcher with the POW-MIA Freedom-Of- Information-Act Litigation Account, a nonprofit organization based in Silver Spring, Md. The organization is committed to finding answers about America’s Vietnam-era MIAs. Hall’s organization uses FOIA re- quests to pry open closed files and closed doors. Hall is focusing his efforts on the CIA. He believes the CIA is not complying with a 1992 order by President George H.W. Bush and another issued by President Clinton Corbis a year later requiring the release of The view from Europe this side of the Atlantic. The sur- all MIA-related documentation not In one of the most comprehen- vey found that Europeans view posing a risk to national security. sive surveys of European attitudes international terrorism as a serious Hall says the CIA has invoked the on U.S. foreign policy in recent problem. In fact, 75 percent of national-security exception to with- memory, the Chicago Council on those polled support military ac- hold some 560 documents. Foreign Relations and German tion against terrorist bases. In ad- The POW-MIA FOIA Litigation Marshall Fund of the United States dition, 60 percent of Europeans Account is locked in a legal battle have unearthed some disturbing would support a U.S.-led attack with the CIA to force the release of findings. According to the survey, against Iraq. those documents. Hall, who began which was conducted in six Euro- his guerilla campaign to open the pean countries, 55 percent of Eu- Guerilla war CIA’s secret files as a graduate stu- ropeans believe U.S. foreign policy More than a quarter-century dent, plans to expand the FOIA is to blame for the terror attacks of has passed since the end of the assault beyond the CIA and hopes Sept. 11. Ominously, 65 percent of Vietnam War, but the war contin- to receive authorization from addi- Europeans believe the European ues to haunt the families whose tional family members to pursue Union should become a superpow- sons, fathers and husbands never other leads in the coming year. For er on par with the United States. returned. According to most esti- more information about those ef- However, not all the findings mates, some 2,000 American ser- forts, visit www.powfoia.org. were so strikingly out of step with vicemen remain unaccounted for. – Alan W. Dowd

44 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine potpourri

BOXING DAY – MORE ABOUT GIVING THAN RETURNING Those who walk through the val- days are not Thanksgiving (when VERBATIM ley of debt every December may take presents are bought) or the day after “There’s nothing time in the checkout line to ponder Christmas (when presents are the true spirit of giving. In this coun- returned). In fact, the day after sadder in this world try, it’s a safe bet that few will look to Thanksgiving ranks between fifth than to awake Boxing Day to find that spirit. Cele- and 10th among the year’s biggest Christmas morning brated Dec. 26 in England, Canada, sales days, and December’s retail and not be a child.” Australia and New Zealand, Boxing push comes the week before Christ- – ERMA BOMBECK Day is frequently misinterpreted as: mas – not after. Late columnist and author ■ The day you box up Boxing Day, all the junk you did not meanwhile, can be “I stopped believing want for Christmas and traced to early Eng- in Santa Claus when return it to the stores. land when, on the ■ The day you stuff day after Christmas, I was 6. Mother took all the wrapping paper servants, peasants me to see him in a and ribbons into box- and errand runners department store, es and set it out by appeared before and he asked for the curb. their employers ■ The day you who would fill their my autograph.” strap on the gloves boxes with goods or – SHIRLEY TEMPLE BLACK and go a few rounds money as a year- with the in-laws end bonus. The “Anyone who who have been un- holiday evolved knows anything isn’t derfoot for days. into a time to talking, and anyone ■ The second- express grati- with any sense isn’t busiest shopping tude to all day of the year. Hulton Archive those who work talking. Therefore, Boxing Day is none of those in service to others, a time to volun- the people that are things. teer hours and dollars for the needy talking to the media According to a Purdue University and, most especially, a time to em- are, by definition, study, the year’s biggest retail-sales brace the true spirit of giving. people who don’t know anything.” AN EARLY GRAVE SLOW ROAD TO RECOVERY – DEFENSE SECRETARY 88,000 Approximate number of U.S. A 63-year-old Sicilian man recently DONALD RUMSFELD servicemembers still missing in action was so concerned about his mau- on Pentagon news leaks from all conflicts. soleum that he made regular trips to 8,100 Approximate number missing in the cemetery to oversee its construc- “I don’t see how action from the Korean War. tion. On his final trip, however, he patriotism is 1,000 Approximate climbed a ladder to get a better view, number of American slipped, hit his head on a marble step intertwined with soldiers lost in battles of the Chosin campaign and fell dead into his own tomb. remembering in Korea. people’s lives.” 167 Sets of remains FIXING A HOLE A 20-YEAR-OLD of U.S. soldiers recov- After inmate David Ivy escaped UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA ered since 1996 after through a hole in the fence at the POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR 24 joint operations into Shelby County, Tenn., jail last spring, following a campus controversy North Korea to retrieve those remains. officials discovered that he had over the singing of “The Star- 13 Number of positive identifications of Spangled Banner” and other those remains, which were returned to the escaped through the exact same hole patriotic songs in a Sept. 11 families for burial with military honors. in 1991. It was never repaired. anniversary observance Department of Defense gomemphis.com

A MILLION-DOLLAR MESS An attorney prosecuting Vladimiro Montesinos same as cash. The certificate was rendered worth- says Peru’s former spy chief is not only accused of less. “From then on, he put his money in bank ac- embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars from the counts,” Vargas said. Montesinos faces more than 50 destitute government – he also may be blamed for separate trials for corruption. He is accused of col- spilling the world’s most costly cup of coffee. Attor- lecting some $250 million in state funds and kick- ney Luis Vargas says Montesinos dumped his java backs as well as orchestrating bribes, arms deals on a $1 million bank certificate, which in Peru is the and human-rights abuses.

December 2002 45 The American Legion Magazine living well Make time for exercise

and running one minute. Stay that it’s self-paced. Students Trends change there if you like, or slowly ratchet attending class for the first time up to two or three minutes of run- won’t feel intimidated sitting next in the face of an ning and one minute of walking. If to someone with years of experi- you’re feeling ambitious, add more ence and will be able to do some aging population. minutes of running, but don’t ex- version of every posture. Most stu- ceed five or six minutes of running dios have belts, blocks, pillows and BY TARA PARKER-POPE for every one-minute walk break. mats to help the novice get started. Jeff Galloway, the 1972 Olympian Some popular, so-called “power Often, the toughest part of exer- and marathon runner, believes yogas” taught in health clubs are cise is getting started. walk-breaks can help anyone finish physically demanding and often too The aches and pains of aging – a marathon after only six months of difficult for beginners. Instead, look bad knees, back pain and muscle training. For more information, visit for a yoga studio that teaches only fatigue – all make exercise seem www.jeffgalloway.com. yoga and ask an instructor to steer impossible. But as the population ■ Yoga. Yoga is one of the hottest you toward the best class for you. ages, exercise gurus are becoming fitness trends in the country. Many ■ Personal Trainers. The hardest wiser. Feel-the-burn exercise pro- doctors think it can help treat seri- part of working out is doing it. A grams are out. Safe, comfortable ous medical problems. Some studies personal trainer gives you a regu- exercise without the pain is in. suggest regular yoga can help pa- lar exercise buddy who will turn If this year’s New Year’s resolu- tients with asthma, arthritis, chronic drill sergeant if you slack off. And tion is to start that exercise pro- back pain, mental-health problems experienced personal trainers can gram – whether it’s just to walk and cardiovascular disease. help ease sedentary people safely more or run a marathon – here’s a The best thing about yoga is back into an exercise program. look at some good ways to Personal trainers aren’t get out of the blocks: cheap. The fees range ■ Walking. About one- from $25 to $100 or more fifth of folks 55 and older an hour. It’s important to make a habit of walking, find a good match, so talk the most popular exercise with other clients about among older Americans. the trainer’s personal All you need is a good pair style. Most trainers will of shoes. Be creative; don’t give you a free session to just walk around the help you decide. block. Walk to the store or Quiz the trainer on his the library. Check out local or her experience and road races, which often education. Many trainers include short mile-long have college degrees or “fun runs” for kids, older some health, sports or adults and walkers. Sign medical training. A good up for a walk-a-thon and trainer will want your raise money for a cause medical history and will while raising your fitness check with your doctor level. about exercise ■ Running. Does the mere restrictions. mention of running make your body ache? It doesn’t Tara Parker-Pope is an au- have to. The new trend thor and health writer for encourages runners to take The Wall Street Journal. it easy with regular walk- breaks. Living Well is designed to New walk-break run- provide general informa- ners typically are advised tion. It is not intended to to start training by walking be, nor is it, medical ad- for five minutes and run- vice. Readers should con- ning one minute. Over sult their personal physi- time, taper down until you cians when they have are walking one minute Image Ideas health problems.

46 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine James Coburn Tells How ADVERTISEMENT Of course, if it works for you like it has for me, you’ll never want to go a He Beat Joint Stiffness day without MEGAMSM. However, you can’t stock up on this because it have any pain, and I was bubbling must be fresh for it to work well. with energy. I thought I must be Therefore, Gero Vita will assume that having the occasional good day, thank if you haven’t sent back the bottle God. The next morning, I awoke with the unused portion within 30 feeling terrific again and could hardly days, you want to continue to take wait until Dr. Lawrence’s office opened MEGAMSM. For your convenience, to call him with the news. they have set up an automated delivery system so you’ll get a fresh supply at “Will it last?” I asked hopefully. Dr. just the right time every month. Lawrence said I may have troubling times during the first month, but Because Gero Vita saves money because of my early relief, he doubted with the automated shipping and Our Man Flint actor James Coburn that I would have many bad days. billing process, you won’t be charged suffered for 20 years until he Dr. Lawrence explained that sulfur for any shipping costs—only $24.95 found MEGAMSM. blocks the pain response in the nerve will appear on your credit card state- fibers for some people and helps ment each month. You can cancel at For 20 years, severe joint problems rebuild crucial cells in the joints, but any time by mail or phone. There is made my life a living hell. Any kind of it can’t do a complete rebuilding job no obligation. movement was difficult. I could barely all by itself. walk—even getting up from a chair During his research, Dr. Lawrence was pure agony. I went from doctor to Your joints are lined with a sub- found that nutrients in some foods doctor trying every medication and stance made from collagen and so is help your joints, while some foods treatment available, but nothing cartilage. Surprisingly, Dr. Lawrence can make them hurt. So, the doctor seemed to work. I thought my career said that collagen II from chicken prepared a booklet entitled What You was over. sternums has been shown in clinical Eat or Don’t Eat Can Make Your tests to be the best helper in repairing Arthritis Better or Worse. Gero Vita will Then, a friend introduced me to Dr. damage to your joints. send this valuable booklet to you free Ronald Lawrence, a doctor who prefers when you try MEGAMSM. to get to the cause of ailments rather Also, he said that the Chinese’s than hand out drugs. Dr. Lawrence 2,000-plus years of medical experience If you have joint problems of any suggested that I had a deficiency of with herbs has shown that two kind, don’t put up with the misery dietary sulfur because it plays an botanicals, Corydalis turtschaninovii any longer. especially critical role in maintaining and Melia toosendan, are important the elasticity and flexibility of the pain-relieving compounds. connective tissue and fibrous cartilage in the joints. Dr. Lawrence mixed the pain- relieving and sulfur-containing I was astounded because not one of compounds, along with the collagen, Call 1-800-586-4649 24 hours a day. the dozens of doctors I had seen over together for me. Not once have I felt the last 20 years told me that. Dr. any side effects, because these are Please give the operator this Priority Code Lawrence also told me that sulfur is plant foods. I convinced Dr. Lawrence to take advantage of this special offer. in every healthy cell and is used for to turn over the formula to a manu- Priority Code CL2 repairing many of the structures of facturer so the millions of people the body. However, many people suffering the way I did can find relief. Item# MS1A don’t get enough sulfur in their diets He chose Gero Vita International, and Please send me a 30-day supply of because farmers don’t replace sulfur I agreed to let them print my story MEGAMSM for just $9.95, with free in the soil when they fertilize, and here only if they would let you try the shipping and the free booklet What You food processing often destroys it. formula, called MEGAMSM, at the Eat or Don’t Eat Can Make Your Arthritis lowest possible price. Better or Worse. I understand that I can Dr. Lawrence sent me home with return the unused portion of MEGAMSM some dietary supplements (methyl- Gero Vita knows how effective anytime within 30 days of receiving it for sulfonylmethane) and suggested that MEGAMSM is, so they didn’t have any a full refund of my $9.95, and I will still be I take megadoses of them morning risk in going a step further to get you to able to keep my free gifts. If I like and night for three or four weeks, try it. First, they’ll give you a whopping MEGAMSM, I will automatically receive a explaining that it takes some time to 60% off a 30-day supply—only $9.95 fresh 30-day supply every 30 days, with replenish your body from so great a instead of the usual $24.95. Plus, you free shipping and handling. My credit card deficiency. can try MEGAMSM for 30 days, and if will be billed only $24.95 each month until you don’t like it, just mail the bottle I call to cancel with no further obligation. Well, the fourth morning, I woke back with the unused portion, and up and could hardly believe it. I didn’t you’ll get all of your $9.95 back. Call 1-800-586-4649 24 hours a day. living well New heart therapies show promise Winning the battle is a matter of prevention.

BY DR. PAUL M. HOFFMAN healthy tissue to work harder to The Role of Research. VA’s maintain blood circulation. research program is a good exam- Congestive heart failure, also Other medical conditions can ple of how science is tackling the known as chronic heart failure, lead to CHF. By far, the greatest un- CHF epidemic on many fronts. has been called America’s new derlying contributors to this disease ■ Cardiac surgeons at the Houston epidemic. Nearly 5 million Ameri- are the same ones impli- VA Medical Center are taking cans have the condition, and more cated in heart attack: part in a groundbreaking than 500,000 new cases develop smoking, excess study of gene therapy for each year in the United States. It is weight, unhealthy diet, patients with failing the most common medical diagno- stress and lack of exer- hearts. By injecting a gene sis among patients admitted to VA cise. These are lifestyle into patients’ coronary arter- hospitals. problems of enormous ies to trigger the growth of CHF occurs when the heart can’t scope in our nation, and new blood vessels, the doc- pump enough blood to supply the they bear much of the tors hope to increase blood rest of the body – unlike a heart blame for the CHF flow to the heart. attack, during which the heart itself epidemic. ■ VA scientists are devel- does not receive enough blood. oping tissue-engineering Just as an accident on the free- The Outlook. CHF techniques to replace dam- way causes traffic to back up, a can be deadly. About aged heart tissue. slowdown in the heart’s pumping two-thirds of patients ■ A VA cardiologist in San action causes blood returning to the die within five years of Diego led trials of a simple heart to back up in the veins. This diagnosis, many of them blood test to help emergency- in turn causes fluids to build up in from sudden cardiac Photo Disc room doctors quickly diag- the body’s tissues. When this hap- arrest. But with nose congestive heart pens in the lungs, the result is short- major lifestyle failure. ness of breath and persistent cough- changes and careful These are just a few ing or wheezing. Fluid buildup also treatment, the outlook can be examples. In fact, VA’s budget last causes swelling, or edema, usually much brighter. year for research on heart disease in the legs and ankles. Other signs In addition to making recom- – much of which was focused on of CHF are fatigue, poor appetite, mendations on diet, exercise and CHF – surpassed $27 million. It is mental fog and a faster heart rate. If stress reduction, your doctor may hoped that through VA efforts, fu- you have any of these symptoms prescribe medications. Among the ture diagnosis and treatment of and have not been examined recent- commonly used drugs for CHF are CHF will be greatly improved. But ly, see your doctor immediately. angiotensin converting enzyme the real key to winning the battle CHF usually develops over (ACE) inhibitors, which ease pres- against CHF lies in preventing the many years. Possible contributing sure inside the blood vessels so the condition through healthy diet, factors include: heart doesn’t have to pump as hard; regular exercise and stress reduc- ■ High blood pressure, which diuretics, which reduce excess fluid tion. In this regard, it is your effort causes the heart to pump harder in the body; and digitalis, which that matters most. than normal to keep the blood cir- boosts the heart’s contractions. culating. The heart chambers then Beta-blockers are sometimes pre- Paul M. Hoffman, M.D., is director grow larger and weaker. People scribed to help maintain the heart’s of the Medical Research Service in with high blood pressure are twice pumping ability. Interestingly, a the Veterans Health Administration. as likely to develop CHF. trial conducted by VA and the Na- ■ Arteriosclerosis or other forms tional Heart, Lung and Blood Insti- Living Well is designed to provide of coronary artery disease, which tute showed that blacks benefited general information. It is not in- can restrict blood flow to the heart less than whites from beta-block- tended to be, nor is it, medical ad- and lead to CHF or a heart attack. ers. The study underscored the vice. Readers should consult their ■ Past heart attacks, which can kill critical need for adequate minority personal physicians when they heart muscle and force remaining representation in clinical trials. have health problems.

48 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine Outdoor Warmer, “I couldn’t For People Who Refuse to Act understand what Their age! people were saying on the telephone.”

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BY STEVE BROOKS National Commander Ronald F. Conley asked that the lights of The American Legion’s National Exec- utive Committee Room be dimmed. He told members of the NEC he wanted the proper mood to pay respect to those who had served in the room before, making deci- sions that benefited the nation’s veterans and their families and the security of the nation. Now it was their turn, he told the NEC, which met in Indianapolis for the 2002 Fall Meetings. “This is a place of inspiration,” National Commander Ronald F. Conley holds up a letter calling for mandatory, rather he said. “This room stands as a than discretionary, spending for VA health care. Inadequate funding has led to over- testament to the conviction of our crowded waiting rooms and long delays for appointments. James V. Carroll predecessors to never fail those with whom they served. But the family and without humanity. sponsibilities they carry, always fact we are gathered here at this “Yet behind each of those num- respond to the suffering of real moment in history signifies that bers is a person, is a veteran who people,” he said. “That’s why we there is work to be done, that we was once young and vibrant, who need to put a human face on each have some big shoes to fill.” was once fit and healthy, who one of these numbers. We need to In the low light of the NEC served our country in time of war. find them, and we need to tell Room, Conley But today, behind their individual stories.” vowed to make each of those num- Conley said he will ask every America aware of Don’t be just bers is a person department, district and post to the 700,000 veter- who is sick and put faces and names on the ans waiting for VA a number desperately cling- 300,000 veterans waiting for VA Completed surveys should claims decisions be mailed to: ing to diminishing health care. Survey packets will be and the 300,000 hope as the lines sent out to every post commander “I Am Not A Number” waiting for health c/o Matt Grills grow ever longer. and copied to department officers care. The American Legion These ‘numbers,’ and district commanders so the “These men and National Headquarters these ‘statistics’ Legion can produce a list of veter- women waiting in PO Box 1055 are our comrades, ans and their individual cases to line are what the Indianapolis, IN 46206 men and women present to Congress and the VA. VA and Congress Or call with whom we “There is nothing we have to refer to as the 1-866-539-2509 served.” do at the national level, at the de- ‘backlog,’” Conley Conley said partment level or at the post level said. “The ‘back- while he believes that is more important than this,” log’ is so impersonal. It doesn’t do Congress and VA do care about Conley said. “We must reach out justice to the suffering and the wor- veterans, improved care and a bet- to these veterans … and give them ry and disappointment that these ter-funded system won’t come un- hope and help before time passes veterans are experiencing. In Wash- til veterans are no longer regarded them by.” ington jargon, they are just num- as numbers on a balance sheet. bers. They are nameless, faceless “Humans, no matter what their Steve Brooks is editor of The statistics, without feeling, without station in life, no matter what re- American Legion Dispatch.

50 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine legion news

Check honored Jesse Brown was 32 years later Victor Graham was 5 when ‘veteran’s veteran’ his brother, Burdette, died in hostile territory in Vietnam Former Department of Veterans services, and expanded benefits on Oct. 19, 1967. His parents, Affairs Secretary Jesse Brown, for former prisoners of war and for Iris and Simon Graham, were who served from January 1993 to veterans who suffered from Agent presented their son’s Bronze July 1997, took pride in calling Orange and Gulf War-related ill- Star posthumously in a cere- himself the secretary nesses. He also is credit- mony at Fort Hamilton Army “for” veterans affairs. Af- ed with increasing VA Base, Brooklyn, N.Y. On Jan. ter his passing last sum- services to homeless vet- 18, 1968, the government is- mer at age 58, he was erans through grants, sued a check for accumulated remembered for the op- and expanding programs salary to Iris, Burdette’s bene- portunities he helped cre- for women veterans and ficiary, for $1,380.61. Iris nev- ate for veterans. veterans suffering from er saw the check. Her hus- “Jesse Brown was the post-traumatic stress dis- band, distraught over the loss veteran’s veteran – a man order. In a call for VA of their son, placed the check of unceasing commitment employees to be more and the Bronze Star in a safe- and advocacy for all who sensitive to veterans’ deposit box without ever have served their country, Jesse Brown AP needs, he ordered train- telling his wife. especially those who were disabled ing called “Putting Veterans First.” When Simon died in 1999, in service,” VA Secretary Anthony Brown, who was disabled by Iris and her son Victor dis- J. Principi said. enemy fire while serving as a Ma- covered the uncashed check In his four-and-a-half years as rine in Vietnam, acted as a veter- in the safe-deposit box. They leader of the second largest cabi- ans advocate throughout his civil- presented it to their bank but net department, Brown earned a ian career. Before becoming VA were told it could not be hon- reputation as a dynamic manager secretary, he worked for 25 years ored because it was “stale- and remarkable activist. Under his as a national service officer with dated.” Undaunted, they took leadership, VA decentralized its Disabled American Veterans and the issue to the Department health-care structure, began to of- as DAV’s executive director from of the Army. They were told fer more outpatient, primary-care 1989 to 1993. that checks of this type must be cashed within one year of issuance and that the six-year New GI Bill increase takes effect statute of limitations for un- Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., the lifetime benefit by 46 percent usual circumstances such as recently announced the second from $24,192 (prior to Oct, 1, this had expired in 1974. The major increase in the GI Bill col- 2001) to $35,460 on Oct. 1, 2003. two appealed to their con- lege-education benefit authorized Under The American Legion- gressman. When that failed, by his legislation. The increase, authored GI Bill program, a veteran they involved the White which took effect Oct. 1, raises the who served on active duty for three House. Again, the same reply. monthly benefit from $800 to years – upon separation from the In December 2001, Iris $900. A third increase takes effect military – is eligible for 36 months and Simon pleaded their case Oct. 1, 2003, raising the monthly of educational assistance benefits to the Office of the New York benefit to $985. at a qualified education institution, City Public Advocate. Smith, who spoke at a press including vocational and other pro- Ralph Perfetto, ombudsman conference on the campus of fessional training courses. The for the public advocate and Thomas Edison State College in monthly benefit can be used to pay member of Brooklyn’s Ameri- New Jersey in late September, said for tuition, books, fees, room and can Legion Post 1872, took he organized the event to “get the board, and other living expenses their case to the Secretary of word out that the GI Bill is an un- while attending school. For veter- the Army. Finally, several beatable value for servicemembers ans who served two years on active months later, Perfetto received looking to pursue higher education duty, the monthly benefit rose to notice that the statute of limi- or specialized training.” Smith is $732 in October and is set to grow tations had been waived. chairman of the House Committee again on Oct. 1, 2003, to $800 per Thanks to the persistence on Veterans’ Affairs. month. of a veteran’s family and the Smith’s legislation, the Veterans The GI Bill ensures servicemem- efforts of a dedicated Legion- Education and Benefits Expansion bers get the assistance they need to naire, Iris Graham finally re- Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-103), author- re-enter civilian life. “The GI Bill ceived the replacement check. ized three increases to the Mont- is, and will remain, a cornerstone gomery GI Bill program, increasing of that effort,” Smith said.

December 2002 51 The American Legion Magazine legion news

Thank a servicemember Anyone with Internet access can send a virtual thank-you card to servicemembers via the Defend America Web site: www.defendamerica.mil/ nmam.html Personalized e-mails to service- members may still be sent: www.operationdearabby.net New e-mail service offered Want to stay abreast of legisla- tive issues and other information directly affecting veterans and their families? The American Legion now provides a Legion-related news service to its members via e-mail. To enroll, visit the Legion Web site at www.register.legion.org and provide an e-mail address. Mem- bers must also include name and membership numbers as they ap- pear on their membership cards. E-mail addresses will be used for official purposes only and will not be shared or sold to other or- ganizations. Avis offers U.N. Honor Guard members unload one of 12 flag-draped caskets from a U.S. Air Force new services C-17 at Yakota Air Base in Japan. The caskets contain what is believed to be the Avis Rent-A-Car System Inc., one of The American Legion’s affin- remains of U.S. servicemembers missing since the Korean War. USAF photo ity partners, is upgrading its servic- es to make car rental more pleas- ant and affordable for Legion fami- Remains of U.S. servicemen ly members. Avis, a wholly owned recovered in North Korea subsidiary of Cendant Cor- Remains believed to be those of tion of Unsan and Kujang coun- poration, op- For more eight American soldiers missing in ties, about 60 miles north of erates the information or action from the Korean War were Pyongyang. The area was the site world’s second to reserve your largest gener- vehicle, visit the repatriated recently in formal cere- of battles between communist al-use car- Legion Web site: monies in Korea. The remains forces and the U.S. Army’s 1st rental busi- www.legion.org ness, providing were flown aboard a U.S. Air Cavalry and 25th Infantry Or Avis’ Web site: business and Force aircraft from Pyongyang, Divisions in November 1950. Ap- www.avis.com North Korea, under escort of a proximately 1,000 Americans are leisure cus- tomers with a uniformed honor guard to Yokota estimated to have been lost in bat- wide range of services at more Air Base, Japan, where a U.N. tles of the Chosin campaign. than 1,700 locations. Command repatriation ceremony The 28-person U.S. contingent Avis’ “Preferred Service” saves was held. was composed primarily of spe- time for travelers. Rental agree- ments are ready upon arrival, and A joint team operating near the cialists from the Army’s Central customers are taken directly to Chosin Reservoir in North Korea Identification Laboratory in their rental cars, avoiding long lines recovered five sets of remains be- Hawaii. The Defense Department’s at the counter. The Roving Rapid lieved to be those of U.S. Army Prisoner of War and Missing Per- Return service produces a receipt in less than a minute. soldiers from the 7th Infantry Di- sonnel Office negotiated terms To obtain the discounted fees, vision who fought against Chinese with the North Koreans in June, members must mention the Legion forces in late 1950. which led to the scheduling of membership number, G3436, when A second team recovered three three operations this year. The fi- reserving. Every car rental using the membership number supports sets of remains in the area along nal operations took place in Sep- Legion programs. the Kuryong River near the junc- tember and October.

52 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine legion news Commander announces ‘Pot O’ Gold’ program Throughout the 2002-2003 mem- Brigade, “Department Recruiter of program must arrive at American bership campaign, American the Year” status or “National Legion National Headquarters on Legion National Recruiter of the Year” status. or before July 1, 2003. Upon re- Commander Ronald F. “My ‘Pot O’ Gold’ goal as Na- ceipt, membership staff will con- Conley encourages tional Commander is to recruit at firm each new-member status. members to reach least 7,500 new members into the Once earned, members should for the “pot o’ world’s largest veterans’ organiza- receive their “Pot O’ Gold” pins gold.” The tion,” Conley says. within three weeks of the confir- membership All certification forms for the mation date. contest rules are simple: one “Pot O’ Gold” cap For more pin is award- ed for every American Legion information five new Contact Internal Affairs: members re- PHONE: (317) 630-1336 cruited into Home Services EMAIL: [email protected] The Ameri- can Legion. The program is open to all Legion family members, includ- ing Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion, provided the new members are enrolled as Legion- naires. Members may qualify for this award more than once, which could easily lead to further recogni- tion: the Silver Brigade, the Gold . . . make the difference!

YOUR LEGION CARD CAN HELP PROVIDE SECURITY AND CONVENIENCE FOR YOUR HOME AND OFFICE! The American Legion provides services for you and your family at home and at the office. Call the toll-free numbers below for information on discounts for moving, cell phone service and equipment, home and office security, and much more. Save this page for a quick reference to your American Legion home services and for a complete listing of your benefits visit www.legion.org (under MEMBER SERVICES).

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NORTH AMERICAN American Legion and Sons of the AND GLOBAL VAN LINES American Legion members can now take American Legion and Sons of The advantage of special pricing for ADT solutions. American Legion members can now receive Whether your seeking a burglar alarm for discounted interstate moving services from your home, access control solution for the local two of America’s best known major moving post, or if you are interested in a risk assess- companies. Both northAmerican Van Lines ment of your property, ADT is ready to help. and Global Van Lines now offer moving dis- In addition, ADT is offering the LifePak 500 counts, up to $50,000 coverage on your Automated External Defibrillator. For infor- household goods, and other attractive mation for your home, please call (800)238- options to members and their families. For 3357 or to schedule an assessment of your more information or a free estimate, call post, business, or a demonstration of the Valu Van Moving Services 1-800-524-5533 LifePak 500 call (877) 212-6509. or via email: [email protected].

Get connected with a free cell phone and equipment from American Legion Wireless and discounts on service from VoiceStream, AT&T Wireless, Verizon and more. Choose from top name manufacturers like Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, to name a few. Visit The American Legion Wireless web site at: www.inphon- ic.com/legion _welcome.asp or call 1-866-318-5461.

LOOKFORADDITIONALBENEFITSINFUTUREISSUES. comrades

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

AIR FORCE Canaveral, FL, 5/7-11, Grabe Harman, (321) 631- Andersen, [email protected]; USS Purdy, DD 8648, [email protected]; USS Alabama, BB 734, Mobile, AL, 3/27-30, Larry DiPasquale, (610) 52nd Ftr Wing 1948-1952, Kingston, NY, 6/22-25, 60/SSBN 731, Mobile, AL, 4/10-13, John R. Brown, 433-4787, [email protected]; USS Rendova, CVE Lew Crispell, (845) 339-5279, lcrispell57@ (817) 431-2424; USS Amphion, AR 13, Jacksonville, 114, Charleston, SC, 2/5-8, Eddie Frank, (303) 857- hotmail.com; 391st Bomb Grp WWII, San Antonio, FL, 5/1-4, Henry Miller, (919) 380-2169, hmillersr@ 4248, [email protected]; USS Roanoke, CL 145, 5/22-24, Clyde Kirkbride, (605) 692-2555, ckirk@ nc.rr.com; USS Arcadia, AD 23, Jackson, FL, 5/1-4, Tucson, AZ, 4/24-27, Forrest Doucette, (520) 743- itctel.com; 551st Strat Missile Sqdn, Lincoln, NE, Andrew Malone, (516) 681-0725, arcd23@yahoo. 7383, [email protected]; USS Schofield, DEG/FFG 4/23-26, Ken Fisher, (718) 792-2360, sms551@ com; USS Aventinus, ARV (E) 3, St. Louis, 5/4-9, Ed 3, Seattle, 5/29-6/1, Richard Cohagan, (770) 623- aol.com “Willie” Williams, (618) 996-2210; USS Blakely, FF 9022, [email protected]; USS Shea, DM 30, 1072, St. Louis, Summer 2003, Merle Houk, (724) Jacksonville, FL, 5/1-4, Ernie Dyal, (912) 868-6120, ARMY 533-2297, [email protected]; USS Cadmus, [email protected]; USS Tarawa, CV/CVA/CVS 14th Armd Div, LaCrosse, WI, 5/3-5, Harold Kiehne, AR 14, Jacksonville, FL, 5/1-4, Robert E. Baschmann, 40/LHA 1, Myrtle Beach, SC, 4/2-6, Frank Grosey, (608) 785-1931; 40th Inf Div 160th Inf Rgt 2nd Bn G (716) 655-5415, [email protected]; USS Cambria, (760) 241-7472, [email protected]; USS Thomas Co, Laughlin, NV, 4/14-16, Bob Kuenzli, (503) 364- APA 36, Baltimore, 4/24-27, David Stoll, (419) 738- E. Fraser, DM 24, Charleston, SC, 5/19-21, Bill Sturgill, 5035, [email protected]; 47th Eng WWII, Las 3786, [email protected]; USS Charles R. Ware, DD (517) 522-8594; USS Vicksburg, CL 86, Norfolk, VA, Vegas, 2/10-14, Howard Morris, (956) 581-0203, 865, Charleston, SC, 5/15-18, Thomas Alvarez, (518) 5/15-18, George Shaffer, (732) 382-3869, dinamlrs@ [email protected]; 90th FA Bn 25th Inf Div, 664-7513, [email protected]; USS Chipola, AO 63, aol.com; USS Wabash, AOR 5, Dallas, 3/20-23, Tucson, AZ, 5/18-22, Raymond Haski, (412) 825- Branson, MO, May, Fred Schafer, (541) 258-7453; Dennis Schrock, (580) 889-7707, drycleaner2000@ 3899, [email protected]; 199th Light Inf Bde, USS Clemson, DD 186/AVD 4/APD 31, Fort Myers, yahoo.com Vietnam and Cambodia 1966-1970, Arlington, VA, FL, 5/15-18, Fred Haag, (412) 921-5425, fkh56@ 5/23-26, Peter Joannides, (703) 448-0199, bellatlantic.net USS Waddell, DDG 24, St. Louis, 6/26-29, Bill Brewer, [email protected]; 213th Assault Support Heli Co, (410) 531-1250, [email protected]; USS Walter B. Washington, 6/4, Lorinda Boyle, (800) 750-7447, USS Conyngham, DD 371/DDG 17, Philadelphia, Cobb, APD 106, Branson, MO, 5/5-10, James Plough, [email protected]; 753rd AAA Gun Bn 6/11-15, Len Gordon, (732) 432-0588, ddgusboat@ (865) 475-2070, [email protected]; USS White 1953-1955, San Antonio, 3/7-9, Robert Inselmann, aol.com; USS England, DLG/CG 22, San Diego, 6/12- Plains, AFS 4, 1968-1995, San Diego, 6/5-8, Stephen (972) 231-1665; 1439th Eng WWII, Las Vegas, 2/10- 15, Dennis O’Brien, (714) 961-6840, dennis@ G. Edmison, (915) 676-7379, whiteplainsreunion@ 14, Howard Morris, (956) 581-0203, bettym78572@ ussengland.net; USS Fabius, ARV (A) 5, St. Louis, cox.net; USS Winged Arrow, PA 170, Branson, MO, juno.com; MASH 8055, 8063 and 8076, 1950-1953, 5/4-9, Ed “Willie” Williams, (618) 996-2210; USS Gen. 4/24-26, James Robison, (402) 488-4419; USS Mesa, AZ, 5/28, Eugene Hesse, (480) 854-2747 W.F. Hase, AP 146, Palm Springs, CA, 6/5-8, Robert Yellowstone, AD 27, Savannah, GA, 5/1-3, Paul W. Rank, (360) 697-3277, [email protected]; USS Bowen, (352) 854-1387, [email protected]; VR- COAST GUARD George E. Badger, DD 196/AVD 3/APD 33, Fort 21, Shreveport-Bossier City, LA, 5/15-17, William Myers, FL, 5/15-18, Fred Haag, (412) 921-5425, Gibbons, (318) 347-4641, [email protected] USCG Loran Station Anguar, Alameda, CA, 1/4, T.J. [email protected]; USS Gosper, APA 170, Mackell, (925) 820-4595, [email protected] Charleston, SC, 5/1-3, Emery C. Smoak, (843) 563- LIFE MEMBERSHIPS 4009; USS Jallao, SS 368, Manitowoc, WI, 5/22-24, JOINT Frank Chandler, (954) 472-5410, [email protected]; Post 10, FL: Mateas Toraya USS Jenkins, DDE 447, Fredricksburg, TX, 5/14-19, Post 203, LA: Joseph H. Blum, John E. Caldwell, 667th AC&W Iceland, Dayton, OH, April, William Doug Brown, (915) 944-8850, dugout6@cox-internet. Robert Carruth, Henry J. Coulon Jr., Philip J. Duffy Chick, (803) 932-9596, [email protected]; 932nd, com; USS Kemper County, LST 854, St. Louis, June, Jr., Wesley D. Farmer, Anthony J. Gioia, Thomas J. 933rd and 934th AC&W Iceland, Dayton, OH, April, James Simonson, (320) 253-2167; USS Kenneth D. Heier Jr., Thomas J. Henry, Louis P. Koster Jr., William Chick, (803) 932-9596, [email protected]; Bailey, DD/DDR 713, Baltimore, 4/24-27, Robert Joseph J. Lee, Frank J. Marchese, Michael A. Iwo Jima Veterans & Family Assn, Wichita Falls, TX, Levine, (617) 327-3286, [email protected] Marchese, Allen J. Montz, Frank Prestia Jr., Charles 2/19-23, Howard “Phil” Philips, (714) 990-2560, A. Rihner, John A. Schmitt, Richard St. Romain, [email protected]; USS Bataan, CVL 29/LHD 5, USS King, Norfolk, VA, 6/24-27, Terry Forsyth, (360) David E. Stoltz, Floyd L. Trascher, Vick H. Ulmo, Laughlin, NV, 5/4-9, Larry Ankiewicz, (815) 722-0292, 378-8685, [email protected]; USS Libra, AKA Warren A. Zehner [email protected] 12, WWII & Korean War, Norfolk, VA, 5/1-5, Robert C. Post 369, MI: Elden Bannister, Frederick Black, William Platz, (845) 469-4980, [email protected]; USS Braley, Ralph Hendershot, Hugh Hunt, Martin J. MARINES LST 528, Capon Springs, WV, 5/15-18, Phil Klatt, Kirkbride, Lawrence Miller, David Mitchell, Lee Yager Hotel Co 2nd Bn 26th Mar Rgt, Cape Cod, MA, 6/2-8, (860) 613-2876, [email protected]; USS Post 54, MN: James V. Anderson, Charles B. Carlson, Bill Hancock, (513) 738-5446, [email protected]; Macomb, DD 458/DMS 23, St. Louis, 5/14-18, James Eugene J. Leifeld, Allen Poole, Terry Shelstad, Dennis USS Texas Mar Det WWII, Sarasota, FL, 4/30-5/4, Dimond, (901) 873-2865, [email protected]; USS Whitmore Charles F. Cole, (941) 378-0239, chuckndottie@ Magoffin, APA 199, Lexington, KY, 5/7-10, Sam Rubin, Post 228, MN: Dean Cavender, Grant Whissemore, comcast.net [email protected]; USS Marias, AO 57, Ervin Wille Jacksonville, FL, 5/1-4, Ray Bower, (863) 676-4047, Post 300, NJ: Joseph Adubato, Emil Caffarra, Enrico A. NAVY [email protected]; USS Nantahala, AO 60, Celestini, Dominick A. DeBlasio Sr., Cosmo Fontana, Jacksonville, FL, 5/1-4, Jack Gibbs, (734) 455-9306, Peter Kralick, Anthony Massa, William B. McGovern, Attk Sqdn 144 “Roadrunners,” San Antonio, 5/9-11, [email protected]; USS Pawcatuck, AO 108, Orlando P. Nappi, Vincent Nappi, Joseph J. Pedalino, Fred R. Messmer, (847) 856-3247, [email protected]; Hickory, NC, 4/24-27, David Willis, (623) 214-9835, Cornelius M. Pennington, George Polk, John E. BMU-2 “Expedition” 2000, Gatlinburg, TN, 5/15-18, [email protected]; USS Pennsylvania, Memphis, Sayres, A.G. Sceppaguerico, William J. Schetelich, Robert L. Burton, (812) 331-1078, burtonrj@hotmail. TN, 5/1-4, Jess Dennis, (901) 357-0263; USS Perry, Eugene Schwedt Jr., Dominick M. Scorca, Frank com; Navy Base 3115 Cub 10 Hollandia, New DD 844/DMS 17, Branson, MO, 5/14-18, Will Pruett, Sodano, Jules G. Turturiello, Peter J. Weathers Guinea, Monroe, MI, 6/26-28, Joseph DeMarco, (734) (479) 582-3665, [email protected]; USS Post 446, NJ: Joseph H. Becker 242-6825; PBM Mariner/P5M Marlin, Cape Plymouth Rock, LSD 29, Great Lakes, IL, 6/5-7, Harry Post 469, NJ: Larry A. Pacentrilli

54 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine Increased MalePotency

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Post 1540, NY: Paul C. Perez 354th MP Co. Anyone who served at Camp Picket, hostilities, contact Fred Manney, 14385 Dalia Post 1771, NY: Edward S. Bizinski Va., between 1951 and 1953, contact Bob Grim, Ave., Fort Pierce, FL 34951 or e-mail fred1420@ Post 378, PA: Carl E. Oxford 1216 Davies Drive, Whitehall, PA 18052, call aol.com. Post 823, PA: Joseph A. Bocchino, Joseph J. Cillo, (610) 432-3061 or e-mail [email protected]. 7535th AB Sqdn. Anyone who served at RAF Gilbert V. Dausch, Ralph Kuhn, John L. McManus, 433rd Ftr Interceptor Sqdn. Any weapons Station in Kirknewton, Scotland, between 1952 Joseph Reis, Andrew F. Rodgers, Fredrick R. Urbenek mechanics who served in Zaragoza, Spain, and 1955, contact Hal Leonard, 113 Prescott Post 553, PA: Alfonso Criado, Howard C. Opfer, Daniel between February 1958 and June 1962, contact Lane, Crossville, TN 38558 or e-mail E. Price Jr., Francis Tignanelli, Theodore J. Werner Bobby R. May at (228) 769-5409. [email protected]. Post 85, VA: Fred J. Muller 449th Ftr Interceptor Sqdn. Any weapons 8160th AU Ord Depot B Co Prov Co, APO 712. Post 92, WA: Hersheal C. Boushey mechanics who served at Ladd AFB, Alaska, Any Army personnel who served in Tokyo Post 457, WI: Hilbert H. Robel between June 1955 and December 1957, between November 1953 and March 1954, Post 117, WV: Pershing A. Arbogast, Ruth J. Bean, contact Bobby R. May at (228) 769-5409. contact Marty Sintic, 36095 Hillcrest Drive, Clyde A. Burgess, William E. Kisner, Odeth H. 515th MP Co. Anyone who served at Fort Lee, Va., Eastlake, OH 44095, call (440) 946-1635 or e- Lambert between 1964 and 1966, contact Ernest Gallo, mail [email protected]. 689 Cedar Grove Road, Burgettstown, PA 15021 8170th AU Ord, APO 613. Any Army personnel IN SEARCH OF or call (724) 947-5928. who served at Camp Drake, Japan, between 517th PRCT. Anyone who served in E Co between March 1954 and July 1954, contact Marty Sintic, 2nd Sqdn 17th Cav A Trp 101st Abn Div. Anyone 1943 and 1945, contact V. Jorgen, 69686 36095 Hillcrest Drive, Eastlake, OH 44095, call who served in Vietnam, contact Bob Karig, 2635 McFarland Road, North Bend, OR 97459. (440) 946-1635 or e-mail [email protected]. Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601, call (717) 519th Sig Co. Anyone who served at Fort Gordon, A Btry 2nd Bn 28th FA. Anyone who served at 892-6677 or e-mail [email protected]. Ga., between 1959 and 1960, contact Donald A. Ansbach, Germany, between 1972 and 1973, 5th Avn Field Depot Sec Sqdn. Anyone who served Kueller, 2671 N.E. 16th St., Pompano Beach, FL contact Mike Lyall at (502) 569-4044 or e-mail at Sidi Slimane, North Africa, between July 1952 33062. [email protected]. and July 1953, contact Charles Doughton, 5995 535th QM Salvage and Repair Co. Anyone who A Btry 3rd Gun Bn 39th Arty. Anyone who served S.E. 183rd Ave. Road, Ocklawaha, FL 32179, call served in New Guinea or the Philippines between in Nuremberg, Germany, between 1960 and (352) 625-6823 or e-mail [email protected]. 1944 and 1946, contact Bob Zurfluh, 6401 72nd 1962, contact Ron Yates, 3561 Truman Road, Lot 5th Troop Carrier Sqdn. Anyone who served during St. Ct. W., Lakewood, WA 98499 or call (253) 293, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 or call (419) 837- WWII, contact O.C. Wilkins, 32702 Westwood Loop, 581-5792. 9869. Leesburg, FL 34748 or e-mail [email protected]. 573rd Sig Aircraft Warning Bn. Anyone who A Btry 44th AAA Gun Bn Nike. Anyone who served 10th Inf Div 35th FA. Anyone who served in served, contact George S. Gentry Jr., 19821 at Youngstown, N.Y., between July 1953 and Schweinfurt, Germany, between 1955 and 1956, Greggsville Road, Purcellville, VA 20132, call December 1954, contact Maximino Camacho, HC contact Loran Patton, 5394 H Road, Nebraska (540) 751-0341 or e-mail [email protected]. 37 Box 8232, Guanica, PR 00653. City, NE 68410, call (402) 873-4389 or e-mail 574th AAA AW Bn. Anyone who served in the A Btry 750th FA Bn 7th Army. Anyone who served [email protected]. United States or Germany during WWII, contact at Ansbach, Germany, Hindenburg, Kaserne, 13th NCB. Anyone who served at Yonabaru Airfield H. Adao, 1712 San Antonio Lane, Roseville, CA between November 1956 and September 1958, on Okinawa in 1945, contact Edwin W. Carlson, 95747, call (916) 772-3602 or e-mail contact Lucian Simmons Jr., 4960 Newport Road, 1804 Parkview Drive, Rockford, IL 61107 or fax [email protected]. Oil Trough, AR 72564 or call (870) 264-3501. (815) 654-9569. 629th AC&W Sqdn. Anyone who served at APO A Co 1st Bn 5th Rgt 1st Mar Div. Anyone who 23rd Arty Grp. Anyone who served at Fort Lewis, 251 Campofurmido in Udine, Italy, between 1954 participated in the Oungok Raid on Feb. 3, 1953, Wash., between 1964 and 1965, contact Gordon and 1956, contact Bob Amedeo, 15 Stagecoach contact Wayne Duncan, 13321 N. Henney Road, Gober, 19 Rockwell Drive, Shrewsbury, MA Road, Boxford, MA 01921, call (978) 887-6530 Jones, OK 73049, call (405) 396-2373 or e-mail 01545, call (508) 842-3507 or e-mail or e-mail [email protected]. [email protected]. [email protected]. 632nd Sec Police Sqdn. Anyone who served at A Co 3rd Bn 1st Inf 11th Light Inf Bde Americal 37th RSM. Anyone who served at RAF Station in Bein Thuy AB, Vietnam, contact Donald D. Div. Anyone who served between 1969 and Kirknewton, Scotland, between 1952 and 1955, Goodner, 314 E. Robinwood Drive, White Oak, TX 1970, contact Bob Miller, 67 Gannett Road, contact Hal Leonard, 113 Prescott Lane, 75693 or call (903) 297-3697. Farmington, NY 14425 or call (585) 924-5296. Crossville, TN 38558 or e-mail halmar113@ 726th MPEG Co. Anyone who served during WWII, Brooklyn Armed Guard Center. Anyone who served citlink.net. contact Noel Parker, 9016 Bontura Road, in September 1942, contact James Montesarchio, 74th NCB. Anyone who served at Yonabaru Airfield Granbury, TX 76049, call (817) 579-5739 or e- 800 Bronx River Road, Bronxville, NY 10708. on Okinawa in 1945, contact Edwin W. Carlson, mail [email protected]. Coast Guard. Anyone who went through boot camp 1804 Parkview Drive, Rockford, IL 61107 or fax 729th Eng Depot Co. Anyone who served and at Cape May, N.J., between March 1959 and June (815) 654-9569. trained in Southampton, England, in 1946, 1959, contact John Williams, 1072 High Point 92nd Bomb Grp. Anyone who served in Covington, contact C.E. Van Zanten, 307 Second St. N.E., Loop, Longwood, FL 32750, call (352) 347-4523 England, between 1945 and 1946, contact Robert Orange City, IA 51041 or call (712) 737-4660. or e-mail [email protected]. J. Harris, 5125 N. 58th Ave., Apt. 254, Glendale, 801st Air Police Sqdn. Anyone who served at Co 47-150. Anyone who served at U.S. Naval Tng AZ 85301. Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, Ohio, between Center in San Diego between 1947 and 1948, 107th Ord Co (DS) APO 358-1. Anyone who July 1953 and October 1955, contact Charles contact Jim Hubbard, 250 Cornelius Road, served in Yonchon, Korea, during spring and Doughton, 5995 S.E. 183rd Ave. Road, Cedartown, GA 30125 or call (770) 748-7047. summer 1953, contact Marty Sintic, 36095 Ocklawaha, FL 32179, call (352) 625-6823 or e- Co 571. Anyone who served at U.S. Naval Tng Hillcrest Drive, Eastlake, OH 44095, call (440) mail [email protected]. Center in San Diego between October 1964 and 946-1635 or e-mail [email protected]. 806th Eng Avn Bn. Anyone who served between January 1965, contact Richard Pinkley, 7122 125th NCB. Anyone who served at Yonabaru 1948 and 1951, contact Gordon Gober, 19 Fairchild Drive, Apt. 202, Alexandria, VA 22306 or Airfield on Okinawa in 1945, contact Edwin W. Rockwell Drive, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, call e-mail [email protected]. Carlson, 1804 Parkview Drive, Rockford, IL (508) 842-3507 or e-mail [email protected]. E-10-1. Anyone who went through basic training at 61107 or fax (815) 654-9569. 841st Eng Avn Bn. Anyone who served during Fort Benning, Ga., in 1969, contact the Rev. 145th NCB. Anyone who served at Yonabaru WWII or the Korean War, contact John Murphy, Randy B. Ballard, 10341 Highway 188, Grand Airfield on Okinawa in 1945, contact Edwin W. 221 Rainbow Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33903. Bay, AL 36541, call (251) 824-7089 or e-mail Carlson, 1804 Parkview Drive, Rockford, IL 984th Eng Field Maint Co. Anyone who served at [email protected]. 61107 or fax (815) 654-9569. Fort Campbell, Ky., or Korea between 1950 and FASRON-1. Anyone who served in Charlestown, 159th Gen Hosp. Anyone who served in Yovil, 1952, contact Raymond McGirt, P.O. Box 1262, R.I., between 1946 and 1948, contact Casey England, or Camp Crowder, Mo., between 1944 Pryor, OK 74362. Myers at 236 Pauline Ave., Franklin, NC 28734, and 1945, contact George Bournellis, 1495 Bryan 2218th Eng Bn (B) HHC-HSC. Anyone who served call (828) 369-5567 or e-mail casey250@hot- Ave., San Jose, CA 95118 or e-mail hbournellis@ in Europe between 1942 and 1945, contact mail.com. earthlink.net. Charles Thoe, P.O. Box 574, Texico, NM 88135 or GHQ 71st Sig Serv Bn Motor Pool. Anyone who 193rd Gen Hosp. Anyone who served in Verdan, call (505) 482-3605. served in Japan between 1948 and 1950, contact France, between 1944 and 1945 or in Reims, 3083rd Ord MVD Co. Anyone who served between Wade H. Sellman, 64 Pepe Court, Punta Gorda, France, between 1945 and 1946, contact Donald 1943 and 1945, contact Buddy Callaway, 1443 FL 33983 or call (941) 627-4492. B. Lawrence, 156 Jasmine Drive, Fruitland Park, Norfolk St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33710. GHQ Long Line Sig Grp. Anyone who served in FL 34731, call (352) 728-8514 or e-mail 3450th Motor Vehicle Sqdn. Anyone who served at Korea between 1950 and 1952, contact Wade H. [email protected]. Fort Francis E. Warren, Wyo., as cadre between Sellman, 64 Pepe Court, Punta Gorda, FL 33983 347th Eng Avn Bn. Anyone who served at Harmon 1947 and April 1949, contact Hubert C. Gerads, or call (941) 627-4492. AFB between 1952 and 1955, contact Gordon 20204 435th St., Albany, MN 56307 or call (320) GMSU-43. Anyone who served at the Oceana, Va., Gober, 19 Rockwell Drive, Shrewsbury, MA 573-2761. missile unit between July 1957 and closing, 01545, call (508) 842-3507 or e-mail 6146th AB Unit, Republic of Korea AF. Anyone who contact James Delap, P.O. Box 465, Atkinson, NH [email protected]. served in Korea between June 1950 to the end of 03811or call (978) 373-2445.

56 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION Gunfire Support Grp. Anyone who served aboard 1932 or e-mail [email protected]. (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685) crafts during the Normandy invasion, contact USS Dealey, DE 1006. Anyone who served aboard 1. Title of Publication: THE AMERICAN Frank J. Bober, 1208 Elmira St., Pine City, NY between June 1954 and June 1956, contact LEGION MAGAZINE. 14871 or call (607) 732-4690. Stephen Ninesling, 219 Long Clove Road, New 2. Publication Number 0886-1234 H Co 11th Inf Rgt 5th Inf Div. Anyone who went City, NY 10956, call (845) 634-3064 or e-mail 4. Date of filing: September 30, 2002. through basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., in [email protected]. 4. Frequency of issue: Monthly. 1948, contact Bobby M. Bennett, 9612 N. 55th USS Gladwyne, PF 62. Any Coast Guardsmen who 5. No. of issues published annually: 12. St., Temple Terrace, FL 33617, call (813) served aboard between March 1943 and October 6. Annual subscription price: $3.00. 9830332 or e-mail [email protected]. 1945, contact Bob Hurm, 3607 Tannehill Drive, 7. Complete mailing address of known office of HQ 2nd and 70th Armd. Anyone who served at Fort Maryville, TN 37801, call (865) 681-9026 or e- publication: 5745 Lee Road, Indianapolis, Indiana Riley, Kan., in 1970, contact the Rev. Randy B. mail [email protected]. 46216 (Marion County). Ballard, 10341 Highway 188, Grand Bay, AL USS Halfbeak, SS 352. Anyone who served aboard 8. Complete mailing address of headquarters of general business offices of the publisher: 700 North 36541, call (251) 824-7089 or e-mail between 1947 and 1971, contact Joe Hegyi, 835 Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. [email protected]. Rosslare Place, Crown Point, IN 46307, call (219) 9. Names and addresses of publisher, editor and HQ Co 3rd Bn 61st Inf Rgt 8th Inf Div. Anyone who 661-0725 or e-mail [email protected]. managing editor: served at Fort Carson, Colo.; Furth, Germany; Lee USS Koiner, DER 331. Anyone who served aboard Publisher: Daniel S. Wheeler, 700 N. Pennsylvania Barracks, Mainz, Germany; or Fort Riley, Kan., between 1962 and 1964, contact Larry “Jake” St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 between 1955 and 1962, contact James E. Jacobsmeyer, 1102 E. Larkspur Drive, Sandy, UT Editor: John Raughter, 700 N. Pennsylvania St., Barbe, 1519 Greenville Road, Bristolville, OH 84094 or call (801) 725-1627. Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 44402, call (330) 889-2117 or e-mail USS LSM/LSMR. Anyone who served aboard Managing Editor: Jeffrey Stoffer, 700 N. Pennsyl- [email protected]. crafts during WWII, the Korean War or the vania St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 HQ and HQ Det 8th Log Cmd. 10. Owner (Do not leave blank. If the publication Anyone who served Vietnam War, contact David K. Miller, 21850 Vista is owned by a corporation, give the name and in the Post Sig at Camp Darby in Livorno, Italy, Drive, Saegertown, PA 16433, call (814) 763- address of the corporation immediately followed by between 1965 and 1966, contact Anthony 3090 or e-mail [email protected]. the names and addresses of all stockholders owning Bassano, 1406 Almaden Expressway #358, San USS Midway, CVB 41, V-2 Div. Anyone who served or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of Jose, CA 95125 or call (408) 295-1634. aboard between August 1948 and August 1949, stock. If not owned by a corporation, give the names Lincoln AFB, Neb. Anyone who served between contact Harry Good, 16688 Wellington Lakes and addresses of the individual owners. If owned by 1953 and 1966, contact Rob Branting at Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908, call (239) 482- a partnership or other unincorporated firm, give its [email protected]. 1917 or e-mail [email protected]. name and address as well as those of each individual Mar Barracks and Rodman NS, Panama Canal USS Savannah, AOR 4. Anyone who served aboard owner. If the publication is published by a nonprofit Zone. organization, give its name and address.) Any Marine or sailor who served at between 1970 and 1995, contact Dale Ebersold, The American Legion Headquarters, 700 N. Penn- Rodman NS during the 1950s, contact John F. 2223 E. Shawnee Drive, Vincennes, IN 47591, sylvania St., P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Indiana Forgette, 104 S. Garden St., Bellingham, WA call (812) 886-4252 or e-mail 46206. 98225 or call (360) 671-5083. [email protected]. 11. Known bondholders, mortgages, and other MCB 74 Delta Co. Anyone who served in Chu Lai USS Titania, AKA 13. Anyone who served aboard security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more or Da Nang, Vietnam, between June 1968 and during WWII or the Korean War, contact Glen R. of the total amount of bonds, mortgages or other February 1969, contact Bill Fredricks, 4558 Hilton, 40 Corman Court, Decatur, IL 62521 or securities: None. Deerfield Road, Hamburg, NY 14075. call (217) 428-8561. 12. Tax Status: For completion by nonprofit organ- MFSS Med Tech. Any WACS Airborne personnel or USS Valley Forge, CV 45. Anyone who served izations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates. The students who served at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, aboard between 1947 and 1952, contact Bernard purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organi- zation and the exempt status for Federal income tax between 1948 and 1950, contact Bobby M. C. Coonrod, 11508 W. Peet Road, Chesaning, MI purposes have not changed during the preceding 12 Bennett, 9612 N. 55th St., Temple Terrace, FL 48616. months. 33617, call (813) 9830332 or e-mail USS Wallace L. Lind, DD 703. Anyone who served 13. Publication Title: The American Legion [email protected]. aboard during 1949, contact George K. Mahony, 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Sep- “Mighty” A-10-1. Anyone who went through AIT at 1809 King Edward Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34744 tember 2002 Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in 1969, contact the or call (407) 846-0478. 15. Extent and nature of circulation: Rev. Randy B. Ballard, 10341 Highway 188, Actual Number Grand Bay, AL 36541, call (251) 824-7089 or e- TAPS Average No. of Copies of mail [email protected]. Copies Each Single Issue MWSG-17 1st MAW. Any Marines who served with Thomas B. Coll, Dept. of District of Columbia. Issue During Published Comm Section H&MS-17 in Da Nang, Vietnam, Nat’l Pilgrimage Cmte. Memb. 1960-1961, Nat’l Preceding Nearest to between 1966 and 1968, contact Lawrence L. Law & Order Cmte. Memb. 1962-1965, Dept. 12 Months Filing Date Larsen, 62225 54th Ave., Hartford, MI 49057 or Cmdr. 1964-1965, Nat’l Conv. Cmsn. Nat’l a. Total No. of Copies call (269) 621-4251. Cmdr.’s Rep. 1965-1966, Nat’l Sec. Cncl. Memb. Printed ...... 2,655,699 2,673,987 Sig Corps Replacement Tng Center Det TSU 1965-1966, Nat’l Counter-Subversive Activ. b. Paid and/or Requested Circulation 9600. Anyone who served with Commander’s Co Cmte. Nat’l Cmdr.’s Rep. 1967-1975, Nat’l 1.Paid/Requested Outside- 10, A Co or F Co at Camp Gordon, Ga., in 1952, Americanism Cmsn. Nat’l Cmdr.’s Rep. 1975- County Subscriptions Stated contact Jesse Lara, 522-A Teakwood Lane, 1976, Nat’l Vice Cmdr. 1976-1977 and Nat’l on Form 3541 ...... 2,645,478 2,663,956 Laredo, TX 78041. Americanism Cmsn. Consultant 1977-1979. 2.Paid In-County Subscriptions . . . .0 0 U.S. Navy Special Projects Grp. Anyone who Aaron Moody Dalke, Dept. of North Dakota. Nat’l 3.Sales Through Dealers and worked in radar countermeasures, was trained at Americanism Cncl. 1971 to 1972 and 1981 to Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter the Naval Research Lab and served in the 1984, Nat’l Mbrshp. & Post Activ. Cmte. Memb. Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid invasions of Sicily or Salerno based in Algiers, 1973-1974, Dept. Cmdr. 1987-1988, Nat’l Distribution ...... 5,230 5,256 Normandy based in Falmouth, England, or Americanism Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1988-1992, Alt. 4.Other Classes Mailed Through southern France based in Italy, contact Harvey Nat’l Exec. Cmte. Memb. 1990-1992, Nat’l the USPS ...... 0 0 Weinberg, 900 N.E. 195th St., Apt. 617, Miami, Public Relations Liaison Cmte. Memb. 1992- c. Total Paid and/or Requested FL 33179, call (305) 652-7876 or e-mail 1996, Nat’l Exec. Cmte. Memb. 1992-2002, Nat’l Circulation (Sum of 15b (1),(2), [email protected]. Legis. Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1993-1994, 1999-2000 (3), and (4)) ...... 2,650,708 2,669,212 USCG Light Station Mary Island, Alaska. Anyone and 2002, Nat’l Public Relations Liaison Cmte. d. Free distribution by mail who served between 1950 and 1970, contact Chmn. 1996-1998, Nat’l Citizens Flag Alliance 1.Outside-County as Stated Richard F. Settle, 1709 9th Ave., Honolulu, HI Advisory Cmte. Memb. 1996-1998, Nat’l on Form 3541 ...... 4,036 3,746 96816, call (808) 734-2927 or e-mail Americanism Cmsn. Liaison Cmte. Memb. 1998- 2.In-County as Stated on Form 3541 0 0 [email protected]. 1999 and Nat’l Internal Affairs Liaison Cmte. 3.Other Classes Mailed Through USCG Reliance. Anyone who served in Alameda, Memb. 1999-2002. the USPS ...... 0 0 Calif., or San Francisco between July 1945 and John R. Mooradian, Dept. of Maine. Nat’l Contest e. Free distribution outside the mail . . .0 0 March 1946, contact Barbara Culbertson, 122 Supervisory Cmte. Memb. 1957-1984, Nat’l f. Total Free distribution Charles St., Apt. 227, Meriden, CT 06450 or call Contest Supervisory Cmte. Chmn. 1976-1977, (Sum of 15d and 15e) ...... 4,306 3,746 (203) 630-9772. Nat’l Foreign Relations Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1984- g. Total distribution USS Apollo, AS 25. Anyone who served aboard 1985, Nat’l Sec. Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1986-1988 (Sum of 15c and 15f) ...... 2,654,744 2,672,958 between 1944 and 1945, contact Eugene Donovan, and Nat’l Distinguished Guests Cmte. Vice Chmn. h. Copies not distributed ...... 955 1,029 120 Millpond Lane, Bay Shore, NY 11706. 1988-1989. USS Bluefish, SSN 675. Anyone who served Lawrence E. Tiensvold, Dept. of Oklahoma. Dept. i. Total (Sum of 15g and h.) . .2,655,699 2,673,987 aboard between new construction and Cmdr. 1999-2000. j. Percent Paid and/or decommissioning, contact George W. Baker, 421 Carl E. Williamson, Dept. of Oregon. Nat’l Foreign Requested Circulation ...... 99.85 99.86 Warner Circle, Norfolk, VA 23509, call (757) 853- Relations Cncl. Memb. 1978-1979. 17. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. (Signed) Daniel S. Wheeler, Publisher CLASSIFIED LEGION SHOPPER Legion Magazine, accepted atthediscretionofpublisher. Alladvertisementsare cover dateofissuedesired. Advertising copymustbereceived60daysbefore DEADLINE: 2,550,000permonth. CIRCULATION: stateandzipcodesasthreewords. allcity, words; Count streetaddressesandboxnumbersastwo $24perword. RATES: American LegionMagazine.” Pleasemake remittancepayableto “The order. tising ispayableinadvancebycheckormoney All classifiedadver- (212) FAX (212)779-1928. 725-2106, 10016. NY NewYork, 1110, Suite 5th Ave., L aeg,N 71,(800)948-2786. NC27612, Raleigh, AL, Dept. 5122BurOakCircle, Write: lishing Group. IvyHousePub- BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. WWW.YOURLIFESTORY.COM. www.amazon.com. PHANTOM DRIVER. www.luckypress.com. MD20740orsee College Park, AndrewsPl., St. EARHART. EYEWITNESSES TO FINAL DAYS OF AMELIA BOOKS &MAGAZINES (800) 700-4515. 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WHAT KIDS HEAR IN CAROLS ■ “On the first day of Christmas “Are you prepared should one of you melt?” my tulip gave to me” ■ “Later on we’ll perspire, as we “Doing my Christmas shopping dream by the fire” early,” the man answered. ■ “He’s makin’ a list, chicken “That’s no offense,” the judge and rice” said. “How early were you doing ■ “Noel, noel, Barney’s the king this shopping?” of Israel” “Before the store opened,” the ■ “Olive, the other reindeer” defendant replied. ■ “Sleep in heavenly peas” ■ “In the meadow we can build a HAD THE THREE wise men been snowman, then pretend that he is three wise women, they’d have sparse and brown” asked directions, arrived on time, ■ “You’ll go down in Listerine” helped deliver the baby, cleaned ■ “Oh, what fun it is to ride with the stable, made a casserole and one horse, soap and hay” brought practical gifts. ■ “Oh, come froggy faithful” TWO YOUNG BOYS spent the IT WAS CHRISTMAS and the night at their grandparents’ house “We should thank the retailers judge was in a merry mood. the week before Christmas. At for bringing us together.” “What are you charged with?” he bedtime, they knelt to say their asked the defendant. prayers. The youngest one, eyes his wife a small gift. “How about closed, started praying at the top some perfume?” he thought. of his lungs. A cosmetics clerk showed him a “I pray for a new bicycle,” he bottle that cost about $50. “That’s shouted. “I pray for a new a bit out of my price range,” Tom Nintendo …” said. The oldest brother The clerk returned a moment leaned over and nudged later with a smaller bottle costing the boy. “Why are you $30. “That’s still quite a bit,” he shouting your prayers?” groused. he asked. “God isn’t The clerk brought out a tiny deaf, you know.” $15 bottle. Tom grew agitated. “No,” the boy replied. “What I mean,” he said, “is I’d “But Grandma is!” like to see something real cheap.” The clerk handed him a mirror. AFTER BEING AWAY from home on business WHAT’S A GOOD holiday tip? the week before Christ- Never catch snowflakes with your mas, Tom thought it tongue until all the birds have “About these 14 elves listed as dependents …” would be nice to bring gone south for the winter.

60 December 2002 The American Legion Magazine Asbestos Cancer Hits Former Sailors

• Many who served aboard ship in the 1940’s, 1950’s, 1960’s and early 1970’s were exposed to asbestos. • Due to the long latency period of these diseases, some are now coming down with asbestos-related cancers.

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

Visit the Mesothelioma Web: www.mesotheliomaweb.org/n4658 or call toll-free 1-877-367-6376 to receive a free packet or to ask questions. (Packet includes information on mesothelioma treatment, clinical trials, cancer links, how to access legal and financial resources, and frequently asked questions with answers by the law firm below.)

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