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>;&m^*fiK*ille, PA 18452 City & State Zip. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed or ?;;f^'^catt|.800-543-48IOo'^ L Full Refund of Purchase Price at Any Time! 10 HOW Loud Does Money Talk? Experts Bradley A. Smith and Scott Harshbarger debate the need for campaign-finance reform. By Alan W. Dowd

18 HOW to Fix the Spare-Parts Dilemma The Bush administration has a moral obligation to remedy military shortages. By Baker Spring

24 North to ! Team American Legion battled harsh terrain to complete the Armed Forces Eco- Challenge. By James V. Carroll 34 Who's the boss? As more parents yield control to their children, it's tough to recognize who's in charge. By Kay S. Hymowitz ^8 Driven to Excel National Ric Santos plans to elevate the Legion's name among younger veterans. By Matt Grills departments!

4 Vet Voice 8 Big Issues Embryonic Stem-Cell Research 46 Living well Exercise Essentials, Immunizations 50 Washington watch U.N.'s AIDS Hypocrisy, Federal Mismanagement, Prison Luxuries, Burden of Proof 52 Legion News "Old Ironsides" Tours, A Legionnaire's Gift, Lessons, Fan Mail For Troops, Post's Winning Color Guard, Airborne Museum, Boys Nation, Building Membership, Korean War MIA COVER: Members of Team Eagle, an Army team from Families, PUFL Benefits, Rifle Competition , pedal their way through the foothills of 60 Comrades the Alaska Range. The team was one of 22 four-member, mixed- gender military teams competing at the first 68 Parting Shots annual Armed Forces Eco-Challenge, a 6-day, 150-mile adventure race in the harsh Alaskan interior. See Page

24. James V. Can oU

^« The American Legion Magazine, a leader among national general-Interest publications, Is published montlily by The Ameri- I can Legion for Its 2.7 million members. These wartime veterans, worl

October 2001 1 The American Legii Magazine I 9 6 ,

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A superb issue 1970s, I was responsible for pro- certain "politically correct" cours- Bravo Zulu! The August issue viding educational support to 195 es mandatory requirements for is the finest I've seen in 17 years college ROTC detachments. During graduation. Thus, no student can as a Legionnaire - a smorgasbord my visits to 14 universities, I avoid having to mouth the preach- of excellence. All the articles found that a large number of men ments of fanatical professors and were super, especially Richard were avoiding the draft by attend- the crazy authors whose writings Parker's "How Elite It Is!" He ing college as undergraduates and are selected instead of the great must be a lonely guy in the facul- graduate students and by pursuing freedom classics. They give no op- ty lounge at Harvard. Keep up the doctorates. Many of these same tions to students in the spirit of splendid work. men moved into college faculties "academic freedom," which actu-

- Brian E. Haring, , Fla. and were part of the radical groups ally protects leftist professors and

the author talks about. I beheved oppresses students. Author an elitist? at the time that this would have a Wake up, comrades. Investi-

As I started to read Richard profound effect on the future prod- gate. Inform others. Organize.

Parker's article "How Elite It Is!" ucts of our coUeges. I have since Challenge your legislators to free

(August), it supported groups that defend the America's college students from seemed to be an traditional values of the founding liberal domination. entertaining fathers. Thanks to the Legion for -FredW. Decker, Ph.D., tongue-in-cheek printing that article. Emeritus Faculty, Oregon State University effort. Then I - Wiiliam Gutlirie, Winter i-iaven, Fla. began to won- Stop Civilian tours der if he was Colleges not all bad After reading "Distinguished serious. Surely It is my opinion that Roger Kim- Visitor Tours: Are They Parker would ball's article missed the mark in a Necessary?" (August), not be advocat- number of ways. It's the typical JP I must respectfully dis- ing labehng or ranting of a true believer in the far [pi agree with Dan Allsup. even prejudice. If the article was right. To group all colleges togeth- ^ His assertion is that not in jest, maybe he should add er - big and small, public and pri- since the military is one more item to his list: when an vate - is totally unfair and patently funded by tax dollars, author encourages his readers to silly. If American higher education IMit must stay open to civil- disregard the opinions of people is so bad, why do students from ian observation. because of their manner of speech all over the world want to come I spent 22 years in the or how they dress, maybe - just here to attend our institutions of military, working primarily maybe - he is an elitist too. higher education? with nuclear weapons and

- Lee Sweetapple, Springfield, Va. - Ray Peck, Havre, Mont. missiles. I had to have a top-secret clearance and the

Not a radical Investigate and inform "need to know" before I Pardon me? Roger Kimball and Legionnaires owe gratitude to could "tour" the facility. To allow his article "Higher Education's Left the editor for printing Roger Kim- untrained civilians with no clear- Turn" (August) is way off base, ball's commentary. Some public ance to play with such equipment and I'm surprised the Legion pub- and private colleges have made is a breach of security. lished it. I am an adjunct professor If we take Allsup's analogy to at Rose College in Midwest City, its illogical conclusion, I should be Okla. I am not a radical, and I am WE WANT allowed to tour and operate all not stripping someone's child of YOUR OPINIONS equipment that my tax dollars his intehectual and social values. fund. I pay for roads and highways

The article should be retracted. The American Legion Magazine wel- to be built. Should I be allowed to

I teach Humanities I and II, comes letters concerning articles stop by the work site and play Fundamentals of Speech and that appear in the publication. Be with the road graders and dump American Literature. These cours- sure to include your hometown and trucks? My tax dollars support lo- es are not even close to Kimball's a daytime phone number for verifi- cal hospitals. Should I be allowed "Pornography: Writing of Prosti- cation. All letters are subject to edit- to visit the operating room and tutes." His article attempts to ing. Send your opinions to: play surgeon? I don't think so. make every college in America If civilians want to play with The American Legion Magazine look like Kerouac's bedroom. military equipment, let them join P.O. Box 1055 things are better left the service. Some Indianapolis, IN 46206 alone. - Ed Burns, Bee Branch, Ark. You can also contact us via - Cliarles L. Bettis, Okiahoma City e-mail directly or through the Counting on the Legion Prophecy comes true World Wide Web: National Commander Ray I read the article "Higher Educa- e-mail: [email protected] Smith's article "Military Retirees tion's Left Turn" with great inter- Internet: http://www.legion.org Deserve Fairness" (August) did an est. In the late 1960s and early outstanding job explaining the

4 October 2001 1 The American Legion Magazine | New EasyTab: Changing your hearing aid batteries is easier than ever.

Easy to Remove Easy to Hold Easy to Insert travesty of the situation faced by should concern every American. litical reform: the freedom of military retirees with service-con- However, Anderson doesn't speech." (Big Issues, August) Fur- nected disabihties. With so many address the real issue - no one ther, he says the McCain-Feingold co-sponsors in the House and Sen- federal agency is in charge. He bill will "attack the constitutional ate supporting legislation to cor- mentions six agencies that would freedom of citizens, groups and rect this egregious situation, it's respond. In fact, there are 12 - in- parties to speak out on issues and difficult to understand why Con- cluding the Red Cross. America is elections." gress continues to fail to act. at risk while these agencies squab- Senator, we know you're not Please keep the issue alive. We are ble over who should be boss and protecting our right to freedom counting on The American Legion. fight over who should control the of speech. Most people in Wash- - James M. AuBuchon, Pittsburg, Kan. purse strings. Perhaps this is an ington don't care what we say issue that The American Legion anyway. You care about us send- A 'gross injustice' should get involved with. ing you money. We the people National Commander Ray - Jerry Headley, Lawrenceburg, Ky. didn't just fall off the turnip Smith's article "Military Retirees truck. It's wrong for you to in- Deserve Fairness" (August) is the Protect right to bear arms sult our intelligence. best explanation of the gross injus- I read with interest James H. - Richard Rooney Lake St Louis, Mo. tice perpetrated against military Anderson's article "Security With- retirees I have ever read. I fought out Sacrifice." The country's 'Spahn and Sain' in World War II and the Korean founding fathers have provided us Dan Allsup's article "A Pitcher

War. I retired in 1971 after 30 with the greatest of all means to for the Ages" (August) brought years of service, 16 of which were maintain security: the Second back memories of when Warren overseas. VA awarded me a dis- Amendment to the Constitution. Spahn dominat- abiUty rating of 40 percent. As of The right to bear arms is without a ed the National now, the current concurrent doubt what has kept this country League along receipt law has cost me $97,423. I free and secure. Proponents of big with his talent- hope Congress will pass a new government would have us beUeve ed Braves team- concurrent receipt law, and I dou- otherwise. Yet all one has to do is mates. I recall bly hope it will make the read history. Every country that Spahn's early payments retroactive. has denied its citizens the right to days, when he - Hyatt W. Moser, El Paso, Texas own arms has become the ultimate and Johnny terrorist. If a government fears the Sain were an incredible duo. In No help from Gl Bill private ownership of arms, it does fact, the Bostonian chant in those

I read the article "How the GI so only because those who run it days was "Spahn and Sain, and Bill Can Save cannot control the people against pray for rain." When the Braves

the World" (Au- their will. came to San Francisco, I did

gust). My wife - Anthony Rice, Stevens, Pa. everything I could to see them

and I went to play the Giants. buy a home in Where's America's anger? - Jack Sherratt, Burlingame, Calif.

Levittown, N.Y., I couldn't believe Wayne Kirk- in 1949 and bride's article "The Tree of Tyran- Standing up for values were told that ny" (August), in which he Last evening I picked up your due to our color describes how the United States magazine to read at the laundro-

we couldn't. got so mad at the North Koreans mat. I had never read it before. I Save whose world? for brutally hacking to death two was very impressed with your - Wendell Beaubian, Trenton, S.C. of our officers that we mobilized stand in support of the Boy Scouts our forces and went in to cut a ("The Fight for Moral Rights,"

Gl Bill remarkable tree down. July) . I thought the Scouts were

I enjoyed your cover story on The story must comfort our boys beginning to cave into "political the GI Bill. That particular bill, serving around the world in hot correctness." Your article was en- backed by The American Legion, spots like Bosnia. They have to ask lightening to me. I'm so glad you ranks as one of the greatest pieces themselves just how many of them have the courage to say that ho- of government legislation ever. would have to be killed before we mosexual Scoutmasters would be Elitism will always exist, of got really mad and cut down two setting the wrong example for course, but the GI Bill took a big trees. No wonder the world thinks boys. I congratulate you on stand- chunk out of it. we're a bunch of wimps. ing for values.

- Richard Hills, Turlock, Calif. - Ken Rommel, Santa Fe, N.M. - Brenda Copeland, Washington, III.

TOO many agencies All about money Correction: The article " James H. Anderson's article Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Honors Forgotten Airmen" (Legion "Security Without Sacrifice" (Au- says the campaign finance reform News, August) should have identi- gust) is a thought-provoking piece, bill is "an effort to repeal Ameri- fied American Legion Post 16 as and it addresses an issue that ca's oldest and most important po- the Lynchburg post.

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] Embryonic stem-cell research Sen. Tom Harkm Rep. Dave weldon SUPPORT D-iowa R-Fla. OPPOSE

Nearly three years ago, scien- The debate about embryo tists isolated stem cells from ear- stem-cell research has become ly human embryos. The event more hype than science. First, marked a significant achieve- this research is legal and will

ment in science. It held out new confinue in the private sector hope to families struck by the regardless of federal funding. most cruel and debilitating condi- Second, the "potenfial" benefits tions, such as juvenile diabetes, of embryo stem-cell research Parkinson's, Lou Gehrig's Dis- may be giving many false hope, ease (ALS), spinal cord injuries and Alzheimer's. and little attention has been given to aduh stem As chairman of the Senate subcommittee that cells. There is no dispute that the stem cells in a nor-

funds medical research, I have participated in sev- mal-developing embryo produce all human tissue. eral hearings on this issue. So scientists believe that in a culture they may

I remember the poignant story of John eventually be able to turn these cells into various Wagenaar. John is from George, Iowa, and suffers tissues to treat many diseases, such as Alzheimer's, from Alzheimer's. He Parkinson's and juvenile 'We should consult urged Congress to fund diabetes because they are "Adult stem cells are with top scientists stem-cell research. more flexible and more a morally unprob- People like John Wa- reproducible than adult to make sure we genaar are why we must stem cells. However, in a lematic and fruitful have an adequate move forward with stem- culture and in animal alternative, which cell research. With this models, these cells have number of stem-cell research, there can be been disappointing. are more tissue- hope for the thousands of Studies show that lines ... Should the specific but are less Americans suffering from embryo stem cells are existing lines prove horrible and debilitating more difficult to grow likely to reproduce diseases that wither the and maintain in the lab, insufficient for uncontrollably." mind and body and rob giving rise to chromoso- successful research, us of our loved ones. mal instability, difficulty n directing the differenti-

That is why I support ation of cells into desired cell types and potential we may have to President Bush's decision tumor formation. revisit this issue." to move forward with The National Bioethics Advisory Commission re- stem-cell research. Under port in 1999 stated that embryo stem-cell research the guidelines created by the Bush administration, was justifiable if there were no less morally prob- scientists can apply for federal funds from the Na- lematic alternatives. Adult stem cells are a morally tional Institutes of Health starfing next year, provid- unproblematic and fruitful alternative, which are ed they want to experiment with cells from colonies, more tissue-specific but are less likely to reproduce or "lines," that were created before the president uncontrollably. They are found in blood, bone mar- reached his decision. row, umbilical cord blood, fat and skin. Taken from No federal money would be allowed for research one's own body, they avoid any immunological re- on cell lines from newly destroyed embryos or for jection problems. Adult stem cells have already the creation of embryos specifically for research. been used successfully in more than 45 clinical trials

I want to work with the president and Congress to treat humans. These have already been used to to move this research forward in a robust but ethi- treat cartilage defects; restore vision; relieve cal manner. systemic lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid We should consult with top scientists to make arthritis; cure severe combined immunodeficiency sure we have an adequate number of stem-cell lines disease; and to treat various types of cancer. to allow this research to Embryo stem-cell re- reach its fullest potential. YOUR OPINIONS COUNT search will continue, but possible Should the existing lines Senators and representatives are interested in any treatments prove insufficient for suc- constituent viewpoints. You may express your views from this research are far cessful research, we may in writing at the following addresses; in the distant future. Peo- have to revisit this issue. The Honorable (name) The Honorable (name) ple need to be better in- Stem cells hold promise U.S. Senate House of Representatives formed about any stem- for curing so many illness- Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 cell success, particularly es that we cannot afford Phone: (202) 224-3121 Phone: (202) 225-3121 those currently resulting to wait any longer. from adult stem cells.

8 1 October 2001 The American Legion Magazine |

r^Kk Reform can *mjSi save liberty Campaign finance reform THIS IS NOT UEGAU TENDER can tiait corrupt influence OR ANY DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE of soft money.

BY SCOTT HARSHBARGER

FOREIGN money injected into American election campaigns insults our voters and violates the integri- ty of the electoral process. The multi-million-dollar fine imposed on Indonesian financier James Riady for his illegal contributions to the Clinton campaign demon- strates that foreign interests really do try to influence elec-

tions with illegal money. It is therefore right and prudent

for The American Legion to oppose, as it does, foreign contributions to federal election campaigns. But the fact remains that a larger danger to the system comes from within. For almost 100 years, we as a nation have recognized that the power of money can distort the electoral process, eventually depriving the individual vot-

er of his voice in government. Since 1907, it has been Ulegal for corporations to contribute to candidates in fed- eral elections, and that prohibition was extended to labor unions in 1947. Abuses of the law during the Watergate period led to the reforms of the early 1970s, but since the early 1990s candidates for national office have in effect nullified the law, using loopholes to defeat its clear intent. Now we have a system in which hundreds of mil- lions of dollars in so-called "soft" money goes to po- litical parties. Its legal uses are restricted to "party- Campaign Finance: building" activities like getting out the vote. But hard- ly anyone even pretends anymore to be obeying the law. The same goes for campaign ads that glut the airwaves during election campaigns, but masquerade as "issue discussion." Their sponsors claim the ads are only explaining policy issues to the pubhc, even HOW LOUD when they attack or praise specific candidates. Why should we care? Not even reformer Sen. John ^ McCain, R-Ariz., claims that he can name specific leg- islative or executive acts bought by bribes made in the form of campaign contributions. What we have is not — or at worst, only rarely — Tammany Hall-style cor- ruption, with politicians taking outright kickbacks for DOES*' favors rendered. In a way, the present system is worse than that because everyone involved claims to be doing nothing wrong, even as the corrupting effect of special- MONEY TALK* interest money grows. The fact is money buys "access," and those who enjoy that access get attention to their concerns that the average citizen can only dream about.

Paying for Power. Most office-holders who defend the current marketplace approach to campaign funding actually admit that big contributors get more attention than small ones. These same office-holders deny that there is any quid pro quo, insisting that see pro page 12

10 1 October 2001 The American Legion Magazine | "

Reform tramples 1st Amendment Evidence linking

contributions to political corruption rather scant

BY BRADLEY A. SMITH

most Americans about the need for cam- ASKpaign-finance reform, and they are likely to think of foreign donations to the Democrats in 1996, Marc Rich pardons. White House coffees or congressional Repubhcans repealing health and safety regulations at the urgings of corporate "soft-money"

donors. Perhaps it would be better, however, if more Americans thought about Mac Warren and the unin- tended consequences of campaign-finance regulation. Mac Warren is a retired military officer and veteri- narian who ran for Congress last year. He had served a single term on the city council in Duncanville, Texas, in the mid-1980s but had no other electoral experience. In short, he was a classic "citizen-candi- date" — successful in two careers, involved in local pohtics, a leader in his community but not a career politician. Warren spent approximately $40,000 in his bid, a substantial percentage of which was his own money. Eventually though, he lost in a hard- fought four-way primary. In the course of the campaign. Warren distributed BY ALAIM W. DOWD two brochures touting his views and qualifications, each of which stated in bold letters, "Mac Warren for ADLAI Stevenson, who won the Democratic Congress," and included the campaign's address. presidential nomination in 1956, once However, the literature failed to include the notice re- observed, "The hardest thing about any politi- quired by 2 U.S. Code Section 441d(a)(l), specifically cal campaign is how to win without proving that you stating who had paid for the literature and whether or are unworthy of winning. not the candidate had authorized it. And thus Mac George Washington and James Madison would Warren was hauled before the Federal Election Com- probably agree. mission — America's political speech police — and In 1757, as he ran for a seat in the Virginia House his campaign was fined $1,000. It was our way of say- of Burgesses, Washington spent a small fortune on ing, "Thank you for participating. Here's your bill." rum and whiskey. It's estimated that he bought more In the FEC annals, Mac Warren's tale is not uncom- than a quart of hquor per voter in that first mon. For example, last year one candidate for Con- campaign. He won, and thanks in part to this special gress borrowed $12,000 and used the money to help campaign expense, he served in the Virginia House finance her campaign. Her husband co-signed the for the next 17 years. note. Unfortunately, federal law — aimed at ending James Madison refused to follow Washington's political corruption — prohibits a husband or wife example in his bid for re-election to the same body. from giving more than $1,000 to his or her spouse. Perhaps predictably, he lost. Since the candidate's husband co-signed the note, half This little-known piece of history serves to remind the $12,000 was deemed to belong to him, so that us that money — and what it can buy — has played both he and the campaign were found to have violat- a role in U.S. politics from the very beginning. ed the law: he by contributing $6,000, the campaign

But that role didn't end with bottles and kegs. As by accepting it. Such familial "corruption" is also not political scientists Robert Goidel, Donald Gross and uncommon. During my short tenure at the FEC, we Todd Shields explain in their book "Money Matters," have found possible violations of the law in contribu- long before the Constitution was ratified, wealthy tions from sons to fathers and from fathers to sons. individuals and political parties alike -^seepage 12 Indeed, Americans are now penal- ->see con page 13

October 2001 1 11 The American Legion Magazine I all they do, even for their major contrib- ''The list of big spenders who lose utors, is to listen to them. This, of course, leaves out of consideration those big grows with every election, from citizens who think it should not be nec- essary to give money in order to have Michael Huffington to Ross Perot to their votes count. But what's really im- Steve Forbes/' portant is the way candidates try to deny the conflicts of interest that poison both election campaigns and the operation of our government. were using "money to purchase newspapers and oth- Does anyone really believe that legislators who get er printed materials to publish their partisan thousands of dollars from, let's say, tobacco or pharma- writings." The resulting clash of ideas produced such ceutical firms are never going to rationalize protecting influenrial works as "The Federalist Papers" and their interests, even against the interests of his or her "The Anti-Federalist Papers," laying the groundwork constituents? That's what conflict of interest is all about, for a political system controlled not by the govern- and it's what existing, now-ignored laws were drafted to ment, but by the candidates and their supporters. In minimize. When representatives or senators deny having many respects, it's a system we have never been influenced by well-heeled constituencies, they abandoned. may, in their moral blindness, even mean what they say, It has been almost 250 years since Washington but this doesn't mean they didn't bend to the pressure. used his deep pockets to win a seat in the Virginia What I've said thus far might be taken to mean it's House, yet Americans are still grappling with mon- always the so-called "special interests" at fault. Not at all. ey's proper place in polirics. Many Fortune 500 corporations have stopped making soft-money contributions out of frustration with what one Diahng for Dollars. On average, candidates spend former CEO, Ed Kangas of Deloitte & Touche, flatly calls $6.4 million to win a seat in the Senate; a successful "extortion." No legislator will admit, probably even to House race costs slightly more than $653,000. Those

himself or herself, that the demands for campaign contri- numbers don't mean much until we consider what it butions contain an implied threat, but it's certainly there. takes to amass that amount of money. A senator needs That's one reason why so many companies with issues to raise $20,454 a week to reach the $6.4-million mark. before Congress or the administration still cough up. A congressman's weekly fund-raising goal is $6,263. Some people argue that the six-figure soft-money According to Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C, this full- contributions lavished on candidates for office simply tih push for campaign cash has created "a public express the political views of the donors. This is naive perception that we are involved in what is wrong - when it's sincere - but more often it's just an excuse with the system." to keep the money floating. Charles Keating of the It takes rime and effort to meet those goals. Some Lincoln Savings and Loan fiasco and Roger Tamraz, members of Congress hire consultants to direct their

who admitted that he donated $300,000 to Democrats fund-raising efforts; others farm it out to staff. But in the 1996 election so he could muster support to given the substanrial costs of a modern campaign, build an oil pipeline from the Caspian Sea, had at it's impossible for a senator or representative to least the candor to acknowledge their donations avoid altogether what Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., served no purpose but to buy influence. calls "the grubby, demeaning task of trying to raise One would think that the lobbyists hired to repre- money." sent the very interests flooding the system with soft As George Geib, a veteran polirical strategist and money would be outraged by proposals for campaign- professor of history at Butler University in finance reform. And indeed, some of them are. But a Indianapolis, explains, "The candidate himself has to former president of the American League of Lobby- make the pitch to large donors." Phone calls often ists, Wright Andrews, says that many of those suffice, but because federal law prohibits fund-rais- opposed to reform rely on soft money just to compen- ing on government property, to make those calls sate their cause's lack of merit. Others see a system members of Congress must leave their offices — and in which the volume of money exerts a "dispropor- their official dufies. tionate influence on certain legislative actions." When in Washington, they can make calls from Nevertheless, as Andrews acknowledges, any restric- phone banks and offices at their party headquarters, tion on campaign contributions seems to imply a restric- located just down the street from the Capitol. When tion on free speech. Supporters of the status quo love to Congress is in session, a steady stream of senators, wrap themselves in the First Amendment. But it's not representatives and top staffers fiows in and out of that simple. People concerned for the survival of our the DNC headquarters on Capitol Street and RNC of- representative democracy should take a hard look at fices on First Street. No one keeps track of how what's involved here. many or how often, and even if they did it wouldn't paint an accurate picture of the time elected officials Breakdowns in the Free-Speech Argument. While there spend dialing for dollars: Thanks to the cell phone, are First Amendment implications, money is not speech; members of Congress can talk to big contributors it's property. "Free" speech, to which we are all entitled, from anywhere. means saying what we think, without fear of government

reprisal. It does not mean freedom to obligate a candidate Soft Money. Aiming squarely at the perception that or office-holder to the contributor of a gigantic donation money drives policy and corrupts pohcymakers, the to an election campaign. -> see pro page la McCain-Feingold campaign-finance reform bill bans

12 1 October 2001 The American Legion Magazine | ized or prohibited from participating in politics in ways that are not even re- motely corrupting. There was a time when Americans would kick off con- gressional campaigns by passing the hat at a coffee in a private home or business. Do that now, and one risks running afoul of a host of reporting violations, limits on anonymous and cash contributions, restrictions on the size of con- tributions, restrictions on the use of corporate proper- ty and more. Today, the first thing any American wanting to run for Congress must do is hire a lawyer.

Volunteer at Your Own Risk. It's not just those who run for office who are being harassed and discouraged. In 1998, the FEC advised resident Leo Smith that he would have to start filing reports with the commission if he used his home computer to put up a Web site critical of his congresswoman. Republi- can Nancy Johnson. In September 2000, a former pro- fessorial colleague called me to say that some of the students were starting a group called "Law Students for Bush-Cheney." He was excited about being their Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has made campaign-finance faculty adviser. "That's great," I said, "but don't spend reform one of his top legislative priorities, dod over $250, or you'll have to start filing with the FEC." Letters to the FEC tell a story far different from the so-called "soft money," a key part of most successful hysterical allegations of corruption that highlight most campaigns. "Soft-money contributions do not come press reporting on campaign finance. "I agreed to be from average Americans but from the wealthiest sec- treasurer on a voluntary basis" reads a typical letter, tors of our society," says Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis. from a losing campaign that was fined for filing late In his view, soft money "enhances the influence of after a volunteer mailed its report to the wrong gov- the wealthy few over the political process." ernment agency. "The campaign treasury is still insol-

While it's difficuh to define "soft money," a good vent and I, as campaign treasurer, will be personally place to start is by first defining "hard money." Ac- liable for any penalty assessed." (It's a dirty little se- cording to the Congressional Research Service, exist- cret that campaign treasurers - often volunteers - are ing federal law regulates money in all federal elec- personally hable for campaign-finance violations.) tions by banning union and corporate money, limit- The treasurer of a county party committee ing individual contributions and requiring campaigns explains "it was getting too big and confusing. I am to disclose receipts and expenditures. "Money raised sorry it was very careless of me to do that, and I and spent under these laws to directly influence fed- hope you will review this and alleviate the fine." eral elections is commonly known as hard money," A defeated candidate writes, "I have no political according to a recent CRS report. committee. All I want to do is pay my campaign The campaign-finance reforms of 1976 and 1979 debts and attempt to sever any and all relationships codified current hard-money limits. These post-Wa- with the FEC. I do not understand how the FEC is of tergate regulations limited individual contributions to the opinion that I can pay any penalty amount, con-

$1,000 per election, per candidate, which could sidering that I have no receipts, only debts for this translate into as much as $5,000, since primaries, campaign." conventions, general elections and special elections Or another: "The committee has no cash on hand, are each considered separate and distinct elections. can no longer raise money and is closed down. Rest (McCain-Feingold would bump that up to $2,000 per assured that the (FEC) process has proved to be pun- election and allow the new limit to rise with infla- ishment in and of itself. At times it has been more tion.) The 1970s reforms also capped contributions than I can bear." to parties at $20,000. Finally, an all too common sentiment, again from But soft money offers a loophole that enables par- a volunteer: "I will never be acting as treasurer ties to flout many of the fund-raising regulations that again. It is clear from the complexity of the rules, the were intended to make the political process more quantity of literature sent and expected to be under- transparent and less susceptible to corruption. Soft stood in its entirety, and the size of the penahies, it money is raised and spent outside the bounds of feder- could never be intended that anyone other than a al financing laws, ostensibly because it is to be used speciahst act as treasurer in a campaign." for political activities at the state and local level. The But perhaps it is worth it. If regulation of political Hoover Institution's campaign-finance primer explains: campaigns is discouraging volunteer activity and en- "In theory, (soft money] is for generic party-building snaring honest Americans in a web of regulation, activities such as getting out the vote." In practice, perhaps it is just the price we have to pay to weed however, it is used to influence federal elections. out political corruption. It's intuitively obvious to Even after reaching the hard-money ^ see page u most Americans that large political -^see con page 15

October200l[13 The American Legion Magazine I "

Second, it is clear that the larger the limits, an individual ^^HF contribution, the more likely the con- or political action JH^P^L tributor is to be concerned - not with committee can contin- I ^""^^ speech, influ- contribute rT^SV ^^S'^^ ^° but with ue to un- lAA^^B encing votes or executive decisions to der the shadows of ^^^^^^ his or her advantage. soft money. And the And third, the right to free speech is not absolute. parties are growing Does anyone have the right to yell "Fire!" in a crowd- increasingly depen-

ed theater? No one argues such an absurd proposition. dent on it: Soft mon- Does anyone have the right to create a grave conflict ey, which accounted of interest with unrestricted political donations? Not for just 18 percent of according to the Supreme Court, which has ruled that the Democrats' and "the prevention of corruption and the appearance of RepubHcans' total corruption" can take precedence over the unrestricted fund-raising in 1992, dissemination of free speech. So there shouldn't be jumped to 29 percent any question here, either, but those who thrive on soft in 1996 and 40 per- Indonesian business tycoon money do not cite this Supreme Court ruling. cent in 2000. James Riady paid a record Even the very rich are having second thoughts. The $8.6 million criminal fine and fabulously successful investor Warren Buffett recently Facts. Hard When pleaded guilty to using corpo- wrote about a "fund-raising senator" who had told him money and politics rate funds to reimburse con- that for a $10 million contribution "you can get the mix, the results can be tributors to Bill Clinton's colors of the American flag changed." A few years lat- questionable, like presidential campaign, ap er, Buffett says, the senator updated his remark. Still in Washington's running a humorous vein, he commented on the soaring cost tab in 1757; constructive, Uke the publication of of buying influence, saying, "it will now cost you $20 "The Federalist Papers" in the 18th century; or corro- million dollars and you only get to change one color. sive, Hke the loss in public confidence today. But one Buffett notes that big donors now evade even the thing money cannot be is a guarantee of success at disclosure requirements associated with soft money; the ballot box. For evidence, we don't need to sift those who want to - and some do - engage in a form through much history. of "laundering" that keeps their contributions entire- In 1992, RepubHcans outspent Democrats by $114 ly anonymous. Like other sensible proponents of re- million. Yet they lost control of the White House. In form, Buffett does not imagine that money is about 1996, the GOP outpaced the Democrats by $209 mil- to be ehminated as a force in politics. But he does lion. Not only did the GOP lose the presidency again, believe that tough legislation "will minimize the but the party lost seats in the House. amount that arrives via the sewer system." The trend continued into 1998 and 2000, as Re- publicans raised a combined $1.1 billion to the De- A Solution to Voter Apathy. Those involved full time in mocrats' $765 miUion. Yet the GOP lost seats in both the fight for reforms encounter a different kind of obsta- the House and Senate, and effectively tied in the race cle as they seek to enlist new allies. That obstacle is a for president. paralyzing combination of apathy and despair. And \he Individual races paint the same picture.

torrent of money is one reason for it. Last year, special In West Virginia, Democrat Jim Humphreys spent interests gave nearly half a billion dollars in unlimited $4.5 million more than his opponent. In Texas, Re- soft-money donations to the political parties, and only a publican Phil Sudan spent three times as much as his little more than half of Americans of voting age bothered opponent. In , Democrat Elaine Bloom nearly to go to the polls. Many of the non-voters are explicit doubled her opponent's campaign expenditures. Yet

about it: They see ours as a government of insiders, one each of them lost. in which ordinary folk have no voice. It's no wonder Rep. Rick Lazio, R-NY, laid down $33 million in that the children of the baby boomers don't vote. his Senate race against Hillary Clinton, who spent $7 How can anyone pretend that representative million less and won. In Michigan, RepubUcan Sen. democracy is not threatened when a cynical, ahenated Spence Abraham doubled up his opponent in spend- citizenry just drops out? And yet the potential for a ing - and lost. grassroots powerhouse is everywhere around us. Any The list of big spenders who lose big grows with organization or group that cannot, or will not, play the every election, from Michael Huffington to Ross Per- soft-money game is a natural ally of all those who ot to Steve Forbes.

want to reduce the influence of special-interest money. Obviously, it takes more than money. Geib argues A few additional things need to be clear. First, cam- that the formula for getiing elected is rather simple:

paign-finance reform does not mean class warfare or a "All it takes is one more vote than your opponent.

populist attack on the free-enterprise system. Nor does it That sounds obvious, but too often candidates focus mean a consensus of any kind on policy issues. Propo- on secondary things." nents of campaign-finance reform differ about many In Geib's view, money is one of those secondary things: the balance of environmental and economic eq- things. He talks about drive, vision and a solid pohti- uities; the way to improve educafion; and the size, cal organization long before he even mentions mon- structure, and weaponry of our armed forces. What ey to the campaign managers who flock to his course unites them is the desire to restore a truly representative in campaign mechanics, a course he has taught in 10 government, one in which the issues are see pro page i6 states for 20 years.

141 October 2001 The American Legion Magaz 5

Above all, earning that decisive vote "requires contributions run the risk of corrupting |HPI^M|L long hours and hard work," Geib says. "The candi- pubhc officials, of causing them to act T^Al ^ B date has to understand that politics isn't a 9-to-5 job." on the basis of campaign contributions, fl^^^Uni Even so, Geib concedes that money plays a part. rather than the merits of the ^O^^H^ "A candidate spends between one-third and two- legislation. thirds of his time during the campaign with donors," On the other hand, the intuitively he estimates. Geib hkens drive, vision, organization obvious is not always so. For example, it is not intu- and money to the four legs of a table. A candidate itively obvious that a 36,000-ton iron ship can float. needs all four to keep his campaign from crashing to Working purely on intuition, one might conclude the ground. Money alone won't do the job. that natural gas - extremely poisonous to humans, odorless and highly combustible - is not suitable for Winning Combination. One advantage that use in the home. outweighs money, vision, charisma and even luck - an advantage that all but guarantees victory in con- Is This Really a Problem? The evidence that gressional races - is something every candidate campaign contributions corrupt the political system is wants, regardless of his views on McCain-Feingold. rather scant. Political scientists who have attempted to It's incumbency. quantify the effects of campaign contributions on leg- According to the CRS, a staggering 97.8 percent of islative activity have all but uniformly concluded that House incumbents who chose to run for re-election the influence of contributions, while not wholly lack- won in 1998. They matched that in 2000. On the ing in significance, is dwarfed by that of ideology and Senate side, the numbers are almost as impressive: constituent views. Other influences also play a role, 89.7 percent of incumbents were re-elected in 1998, including party loyalty, views of staffers, amount and 82 percent in 2000. tone of press coverage (both news and editorial), per- That's not necessarily a bad thing. Just as some sonal friendships with other legislators and more. Big people are made to be doctors or teachers or engi- businesses gain their greatest influence through lobby- neers, perhaps some are born to be pubhc servants. ing, which is why they spend more than 10 times as As Stevenson and Washington understood, running much on lobbying as they do on campaign contribu- for office and serving as an elected official require a tions. Contributors don't give in hopes of changing special set of skills. But we need to be candid about candidates: rather, donors contribute to candidates the advantages of incumbency. If we're not, any di- who already support their agenda, and candidates use agnosis we make about America's political system these donations to try to persuade citizens to vote for might miss the mark altogether. them — the essence of free speech and politics. The official duties of incumbents often give them But we don't really need a lot of studies and theo- opportunities to score political points back home. For rizing to prove that money's influence isn't what it's example, when a senator secures funding for a new cracked up to be. Just look around. Does anybody re- bridge or military base, voters take notice. Likewise, ally think that state politics in Virginia, which has no when a representative helps solve a problem for a limits on personal or corporate contributions, are more constituent at VA, a political windfall occurs: Con- corrupt than politics in New York, which is heavily stituents tell their friends, family, neighbors and lo- regulated and includes tax-financed campaigns in New cal newspapers. York City? Or that , which allows corporate Sometimes an incumbent's official duties even give contributions, is more corrupt than Illinois, which him an opportunity to campaign: When Air Force does not? In fact, can one even tell which states al- One delivers the president and a few handpicked low corporate contributions and which do not, or members of Congress to the scene of a natural disas- which heavily regulate contributions and which do ter or national crisis, challengers are nowhere to be not? If money were really so corrupting, wouldn't seen. But incumbents are center stage, and the un- the answers be obvious? blinking eye of the media ensures that voters see the When all is said and done. General Motors alone performance. has gross annual revenues roughly 50 times more Indeed, incumbents can make news virtually at than total spending on all political campaigns in will. Newspapers are quick to print an op-ed column America in every two-year election cycle. More is by the local congressman or senator. A phone call or spent to advertise soap than to inform Americans a press release can produce a gaggle of cameramen about political candidates. Pharmaceutical compa- and reporters out of thin air. nies give away to consumers approximately 10 times But among the most overwhelming advantages as much dollar value each year in free prescription of incumbency are the trappings of the office itself. drugs as was spent by all congressional candidates Members of Congress are allowed to send postage- free mail to constituents in their districts. They are ''Big businesses gain their greatest given travel allowances to fly to and from Wash- ington. They are granted office space, allowances influence through lobbying, which is for a "mobile office," letterhead, and thousands of calendars and pocket Constitutions, which can gen- why they spend more than 10 times tly remind voters that their representatives in as much on lobbying as they do on Washington care. Legal restrictions remain on how incumbents can campaign contributions." use their offices, what can be sent by -^seepage 16 see CON page 17

October 2001 1 1 The American Legion Magazine I debated and decided on their merits, On Capitol Hill, after the Shays-Meehan campaign finance reform bill failed to come up for debate in the ^^^^^ with due regard to the general welfare, House because a procedural rule vote was not passed. rtfl^^^^ The second thing is the continuing Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., right, hugs Sen. John JJ r^9jr Plsce of money in election campaigns. It I McCain, R-Ariz., second from right, as Rep. Marty Mee- Ihhh^^ is not going to be eliminated, and the han, D-Mass., second from left, shakes hands with ^^^^^^ goal of reform is not some unattainable Rep. zach wamp, R-Tenn., left, at the conclusion of a perfection. The task is simply to limit, as far as possi- news conference, July 12, 2001, in Washington, ap ble, money's corrupting effects. This is why the cost of television ads, which are now the main instrument of campaigning, has to be brought under control. We "franked" mail, where their rolling billboards known need to remember that the broadcasting industry did as mobile offices can travel, what can be put on con- not discover or create the airwaves. It gets them as a gressional letterhead and so on. Indeed, campaign gift from the government, and in return incurs an activities are strictly prohibited inside congressional obligation to serve the public interest. Free time - or offices. But it's often difficult to draw a bright line at least reduced rates - for campaign advertising between the official duties and campaign activities of

would help discharge that obligation. someone whose job it is to serve the very people And finally, there's the incumbency issue. The who determine his political fate. And it's nearly im- vast majority of soft money goes to incumbents. It's possible for challengers to offset the built-in advan- obvious why; special interests would usually rather tages enjoyed by a veteran officeholder. invest in office-holders than in opposition candidates, To be fair, the advantages of incumbency don't who normally lack name recognition and therefore end with official perks. Sitting members of Congress face an uphill fight for election. One anti-reform raise three times as much money as their theme, which gets louder by the day, tries to stand challengers. Their campaign war chests often deter this fact on its head, but the truth is soft money would-be opponents from even mourning a makes the playing field more uneven. challenge. Indeed, Washington watchdog Common Anyone who wonders how an individual can Cause found that 59 House incumbents ran make a difference in this struggle should keep in unopposed in 2000. Another 149 ran "financially un- mind a fact of political life. Our elected officials all opposed," which means their opponents raised a pal- really want to stay in Washington. Many of them try $25,000 or less. sincerely deplore the conflicts of interest and the de- In other words, fully 208 of the 435 House races mands on their time posed by the continuous chase were decided before Elecfion Day. And of the 29 Sen-

for money. But they will confinue to chase it as long ate incumbents who ran for re-elecfion last fall, only as it's required to be re-elected. When the day comes three were out-raised by their challengers. All three that they see a corrupt system costing them more incumbents lost, by the way. votes than they win with soft money, they will sup- That's the lesson here: Just as money alone can- port campaign-finance reform. The more they hear not guarantee success on Election Day, neither can their constituents calling for reform, the sooner that incumbency. But put the two together, and you've day will come. sot an almost unbeatable combinafion.

Scott Harshbarger is the president of Common Cause. Alan W. Dowd is a freelance writer living in. Indianapolis.

16 October 2001 I The American Legion Magazine | combined in the 2000 election cycle, in ^BI^ML always exempted from campaign regulations. But which the cost of prescription drugs ftf^^l ^ why should the press have the exclusive right to un- was a major issue. limited communication about political affairs? ^^^^^J House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt a few The FECA Factor. In fact, many Amer- years ago announced that "free speech" and "healthy icans are surprised to learn that regula- elections" were a direct conflict: "You can't have tion of political contributions is a recent phenome- both," he said. During debate on the McCain-Feingold non. Prior to 1907, no federal regulation existed. But bill this spring. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., stated he even after 1907, the laws were so lacking in enforce- considered a provision of the bill to be an unconstitu- ment that there was virtually no effective regulation. tional violation of the First Amendment, but then vot- Yet we did pretty well in those days, electing presi- ed for the bill anyway. dents such as Kennedy, Eisenhower, Truman, Today in America, pohtical speech is more heavi- CooUdge and the Roosevehs. Americans had a high- ly regulated than flag burning, topless dancing, In- er regard for Congress than today, and giants such ternet porn and beer commercials. Yet after 30 years as Everett Dirksen and Hubert Humphrey dominated of the most heavy-handed regulatory regime in the U.S. Senate. American history, elections are less competftive. In- All that changed only with the passage of the Fed- cumbents are more entrenched, voter turnout is eral Election Campaign Act in 1971. Since then, and down, campaigns are longer and negative, special- especially since the 1974 amendments to the FECA, interest influence seems to be up, and grassroots po- campaigns have been more heavily regulated than litical activity is down. The same "reformers" who ever before. What have been the results? gave us the FECA now argue that we need more of Campaigns have gotten longer, as contribution limits the same approach — more regulations, more bu- have forced candidates to begin raising money sooner reaucrats, more fines and penaUies. In fact, one pro- in order to acquire the funds needed for a campaign. vision of the proposed McCain-Feingold bill goes so This has reduced the opportunities for challengers to far as to prohibit groups such as The American Le- enter races late in response to changing circumstances. gion, which do not have pohtical-acrion committees, Incumbents, who have an existing database of contrib- from running radio or television ads even menrion- utors, know sooner than challengers of their re-election ing a candidate's name for 60 days before a general plans. They usually begin with higher name recogni- election and 30 days before a primary. Thus, if Con- tion. Incumbents also have seen their fund-raising ad- gress were to debate a bill to radically alter veterans' vantage climb from less than 2 to 1 before FECA to benefits in September of an elecrion year, the Legion more than 3 to 1 post-FECA. Lawmakers spend more could not run ads urging citizens to call their con- time raising funds than before. gressional representatives. This new advantage in incumbent fund-raising can be offset by wealthy challengers who can afford Fear Not the First Amendment. Yes, Americans to spend large sums of their own money on worry when they hear of contribufions from the Chi- campaigns. The Supreme Court has ruled that indi- nese mihtary, or pardons to Marc Rich, or large cor- viduals have a constitutional right to spend their own porate donations. But foreign contributions are al- money on their own campaigns. After all, individuals ready illegal. Nothing in the reformers' proposed can't corrupt themselves. Thus the House, and par- bills would stop a future Marc Rich from making ticularly the Senate, threaten to become the exclusive contributions to a presidential library or hiring a homes of multi-milhonaires such as Jon Corzine, well-connected lawyer to plead his case. Bribery is Mark Dayton, Herb Kohl and Jay Rockefeller. already illegal. The added regulation "reform" will Meanwhile, the law itself has become a major cam- graft onto an already complex set of rules. It will paign weapon. Most complaints filed with the FEC make pohtics even more of an insiders' game, domi- come from political partisans. These partisans often nated by a small cadre of lawyers, consultants, lob- don't care if their allegations are serious or not: the ob- byists and accountants who understand the system ject is to force the opposition to devote time to defend- and how to play it. ing the allegations, bodi before the FEC and before the Perhaps, instead of more regulation, we should public. Needless to say, incumbents tend to be better return to America's original approach to the matter: at this game than challengers. "Reform" efforts are also a First Amendment that says "Congress shall make part of political warfare. After the McCain-Feingold no law" abridging freedom of speech. It worked campaign-finance-regulation bill passed the Senate in pretty well, after all, for nearly 200 years. In the end, April, the newspapers were full of analyses attempting you don't have to be an expert in the Constitution or to predict which parties and groups would win and history to understand that laws regulating political lose under the so-called "reform." Of course, this is contributions pose a threat to our pohtical hberty. one thing the First Amendment was designed precisely It's enough just to remember Mac Warren. to prevent — govenmient attempting to rig political discussion and elections through its own legislation. Bradley A. Smith is the author of "Unfree Speech: The Indeed, the First Amendment seems to be taking it Folly of Campaign Finance Reform" (Princeton Universi- on the chin in this debate. Limits on contributing and ty Press 2001 ), and a member of the Federal Election spending money for polirical purposes limit speech. Commission. The views herein are solely those of the It costs money to communicate with voters. How author and not of the Federal Election Commission. many newspapers would exist if they were limited to spending $25,000 a year? That is why the press is Article design: Doug Rollison

October 2001 17 1 The American Legion Magazine I The Bush administration shouldn't wait to remedy the militar/s pervasive shortages.

How to Fix the

Dilemma

BY BAKER SPRING in shape for combat. Otherwise, it about a $1 billion dollar short- may risk putting these young men fall in required spare parts for ELP is on the way," presi- and women in harm's way under war reserves. dential candidate George W. circumstances where their ability to "HIBush promised the military defend both themselves and their Last year, then-Pentagon during the 2000 campaign. While nation is seriously impaired. spokesman Kenneth Bacon ad- the military needs help in many Mounting evidence demonstrates mitted that spare parts for the areas, addressing the problem of the military faces a serious short- Air Force were so scarce that insufficient spare parts for main- age of spare parts, and the short- otherwise-functional aircraft had taining weapons and equipment is age will get worse quickly if the to be cannibalized for parts. among its most pressing needs. problem is not addressed now. Unless this need is addressed, Consider the following: The Chief of Naval Operations, America's struggle to maintain Adm. Vern Clark, testified be- combat readiness will become a A General Accounting Office fore Congress in September losing proposition. The Bush (GAO) report released in May 2000 that the Navy faced a administration has a moral obliga- stated that Army documents shortage of spare parts that tion to U.S. soldiers, sailors, air- indicate the service has on has only begun to be fixed. men, and Marines to provide them hand only 35 percent of its with the spare parts necessary to stated requirements of preposi- Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., issued a keep their weapons and equipment tioned spare parts and has distress call on behalf of the

18 October 2001 I The American Legion Magazine "The s-pare parts shortage is not only a cause of the readiness problem; it is also a symptom of systemic problems facing the military!'

to the GAO, the Army has advised units. Falling combat-readiness rat- the Office of Management and Bud- ings, therefore, represent much get that planned spare-parts funding more than just a passing concern. through 2005 jeopardizes America's They represent a growing risk that ability to fight in two major-theater the military will be unable to an- wars in rapid succession. The "two- swer the call from the nation if war war scenario" has been the founda- breaks out. Falling combat-readi- tion of the national military strategy ness ratings cannot be raised with- for the last decade. out addressing the spare-parts According to a Washington shortage in terms of both its direct Times article, the Navy sent a mes- and indirect contributions to the sage to its Atlantic Fleet air units in readiness problem. October 2000 that stated an inade- quate supply of spare parts was im- Systemic Problems in the Military. pairing combat readiness. The same The temptation exists to propose message reportedly stated: "Present solving the problem by just spend- aviation spare-parts funding is not ing more money. While that's a nec-

adequate to support the level of essary part of the solution, it is not planned aviation operations." the total answer. The spare-parts Air Force Vice Chief of Staff shortage is not only a cause of the

Lester Lyles testified before Con- readiness problem; it is also a symp- gress in February 2000 that his ser- tom of systemic problems facing the The Navy's fleet is only 60 per- vice's not-mission-capable rate at- military. It is important to delve cent of what it was during its tributable to the shortfall of spare deeper into the problem and look at peak in the 1980s, dod parts increased from 8.6 percent in the contributing factors to the spare- fiscal 1991 to 14 percent in fiscal parts shortage - beyond inadequate Army National Guard on May 1999. Mission-capable ratings are a funding in the defense budget. 11, by reporting that 1,116 heli- direct measure of combat readiness. During the 1990s, the Department copters in the National Guard's Beyond the direct barrier the of Defense went on a procurement 1,885-aircraft fleet are grounded spare-parts problem poses to holiday. Budget authority for pro- due to a lack of spare parts. achieving high rates of combat curement in fiscal 1998, adjusted readiness is the secondary impact for inflation, was roughly one-third

An August 1999 GAO study it has in undermining military of what it was in fiscal 1985. The found that troops with special- morale. Those who wear the uni- result has been rapidly aging ized training blame spare-parts form expend considerable energy weapons and equipment. For exam- shortages as the No.l reason on meeting their mission require- ple, today the average age of an Air for leaving the military. ments. Nothing undermines the morale of service members faster Falling Readiness. Concern about than assigning them a mission that an inadequate supply of spare their experience and common parts stems from the direct impact sense tell them is impossible to the problem has on the military's achieve with the tools at their dis- ability to train and equip forces for posal. Attempts to paper over the combat operations. The nation's inability to meet mission require- military leaders have been ments by pretending otherwise expressing concern about declin- only makes the morale problem ing readiness for years. While worse. This is because rank-and- there are a variety of causes for file members of the services quick- the growing readiness problem, ly lose faith in their superiors. Per- the shortage of spare parts is haps this is one reason why Lyles clearly a contributing factor. was forced to admit in his testimo- The Department of Defense's ny that the Air Force failed to meet Quarterly Readiness Report to Con- its retention goals in 1999. Adm. Vern Clark, chief of naval gress for the period covering Octo- The primary purpose of U.S. mil- operations, testifies before the ber through December 2000 states itary forces is to fight and win the Senate Armed Services Commit- that the status of the Army's prepo- nation's wars. As a result, achieving tee that shortfalls in mainte- sitioned stocks and war reserves is a high level of combat readiness is nance, spare parts and support of strategic concern because of a the overarching goal for the services equipment are impacting readi- shortage in spare parts. According as they man, equip, and train their ness. DOD

October 2001 1 19 The American Legion Magazine I ing factor in a 9.9-percent decline in mission-capable rates in the Air Force during the 1990s. The lesson here is that increased spending for spare parts, unless accompanied by improved pay and benefits for mili- tary personnel, may not resolve the negative impact of the spare parts problem on readiness.

A Comprehensive Solution. The spare-parts shortage cannot be treated as a matter isolated from the broader problems facing the military. Further, merely resolving the spare-parts shortage is not the essential purpose. Concern over spare parts stems from the negative impact the shortfall has on readi-

A Ch-47D Chinook is loaded into a C-5B Galaxy airlifter in Davenport, ness. Improving readiness should Iowa. On May 11, Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., reported that 1,116 National motivate the search for solutions, Guard helicopters were grounded due to a lack of spare parts, dod which dictates adopting a more comprehensive approach that treats Force aircraft is 20 years. By 2015, reduced force size. The Navy's spare-parts shortages as both a the average age will grow to 30 fleet, for example, is approximately contributor to low readiness ratings years. Older weapons and equip- 60 percent of what it was at its and a symptom of other problems ment require higher rates of mainte- peak in the 1980s. Demand for that also undermine readiness. nance than newer models and con- naval forces, however, has not di- This comprehensive approach sume spare parts at a higher rate. minished with fleet-size reduction. should include the following steps: Absent an across-the-board mod- The result has been an operating ernization of military weapons and tempo for the Navy that has more Increase funding. The defense equipment, the expenditure of more than doubled. With a shrunken budget the Bush administration money for spare parts will amount force, the Navy is less able to re- inherited from the Clinton ad- to running in place. spond to, and recover from, the ministration is inadequate. De-

The second contributing factor operations it is asked to undertake. fense budget analysts Daniel to the spare-parts problem is the A larger force represents a stronger Goure and Jeffrey M. Rarmey, increased pace of operations for the foundation for taking on a wider in a 1999 assessment published services. Again, the Air Force pro- variety of military tasks. The result by the Center for Strategic and vides a good example. During Op- is that the larger force can accom- International Studies, found that eration Allied Force against Serbia modate the accelerated rate of con- the Clinton budget was short in 1999, the Air Force committed sumption of items such as spare roughly $100 billion annually in more than 500 aircraft and 44,000 parts without a dramatic reduction terms of funding its defense pro- active and reserve airmen to the in combat readiness. While there is gram. The Bush administration effort. It flew more than 19,000 wisdom in the observation that the has taken a "go-slow" approach combat sorties and delivered 70 military should favor quality over to resolving the Department of percent of the munitions. As a re- quantity, the old saying that quan- Defense's funding shortfall, al- sult, the Air Force in 1999 saw a tity is a quality all its own remains lowing Secretary of Defense greater percentage of its personnel an essential truth. Increased fund- Donald Rumsfeld to undertake a tasked to various operations, ing on spare parts will ultimately strategic review. It was not until including Operation Allied Force, have a greater impact on readiness May 31, 2001, that Department than during either the or if it is spread across a large force. of Defense Comptroller Dov S. the War. This acceler- Even personnel matters, particu- Zakheim announced that the ated pace of operahons consumes larly in the area of retention, con- Bush administration is request- spare parts at a commensurate rate. tribute to the spare-parts problem. ing supplemental funds for de- If this kind of pace is sustained, the A September 2000 article in the San fense in the current fiscal year. services never gain the opportunity Diego Tribune reports that an The $5.6 billion supplemental to reconstitute their forces. It is unidentified sailor told the Navy request will not fully resolve during these reconstitution phases Inspector General, "Even if you even the most immediate fund- that spare-parts supplies are replen- gave me all the parts I need, I don't ing needs for the military, let ished. More money for spare parts, have the people and the talent to alone address the broader prob- in the context of an increased pace install them." Lyles, during his Feb- lems. Even the spare-parts prob- of operations, will not solve the ruary 2000 testimony before Con- lem received minimal attention. supply problem. gress, specifically acknowledged While some of the money - less The flip side of the problem of a that low retention among mainte- than $1.5 billion - is to go to- stepped-up pace of operations is a nance technicians was a contribut- ward covering aircraft operating

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The Bush administra- ministration is getting it

tion should have right. It is proposing in- requested $11 billion in creased pay and benefits additional funds over for members of the both fiscal years 2001 armed services, including and 2002 for training initial steps in ihe supple- and spare parts alone, mental appropriations according to a recent request. Improving pay report by the Heritage and benefits, however, is Foundation. not a complete answer. Improving quality of life Maintain the size of also means reducing the the military. The mili- pace of operations. Im- tary cannot afford an proving morale and the additional force-struc- rank-and-file military's

ture reduction. Doing faith in its leadership so will only extend the means creating the best spare-parts and readi- opportunity possible to ness problems stem- fulfill the missions they ming from a force that are assigned. Taken to- is stretched thin. The gether, these steps should size of the military is a improve recruitment and question Rumsfeld is Airman 1st Class Michael Primmer adds a bomb stick- retention of the people addressing in his strate er to an F-16 indicating the aircraft has flown another necessary to achieve a gic review. Given that mission in support of NATO Operation Allied Force in force ready for combat. the military is now Yugoslavia. An increased pace of operations has con- roughly 40 percent tributed to the spare-parts problem, us Mr Force A Matter of Urgency. The

smaller than it was at Bush administration was the end of the Cold War, of Defense continues to defer right to promise the military that Rumsfeld should reject recom- modernizing its weapons and help is on the way. A necessary mendations for an additional equipment. As long as older part of such help is resolving the round of force reductions. systems are not replaced, the problem posed by the shortage of Maintaining the size of the demand for spare parts will in- spare parts and its negative im- force will allow the breathing crease, and readiness will de- pact on readiness. While the Bush space necessary to recover cline. Unfortunately, the supple- administration likely understands

from operations where it is mental request announced in that addressing the spare-parts using spare parts at a higher May fails to address the needs problem and decreased readiness rate. This will also improve for modernization. In fairness to require comprehensive changes in

overall readiness by giving a the Bush administration, it is defense poKcy, it has been slow to relatively larger number of impossible to solve the current recognize that the problems are military units more time for modernization crisis in a single immediate. Further, its promises training. supplemental request and there have raised expectations in the is logic to reviewing the full ar- military. As time passes, frustrat- Reduce the pace of operations. ray of options for undertaking ed members of the military may Even with a military of today's the large-scale modernization arrive at the conclusion that Presi- size, the pace of operations is that is necessary. Nevertheless, dent Bush has broken his commit-

too high. Press reports indicate it has missed an important op- ment to assist them and may that Rumsfeld is looking for portunity to initiate its modern- leave the service. This would ways to reduce the military's ization program in areas where have devastating consequences pace of operations, by among the needs are undeniable. for the military and national secu- other things reducing the U.S. rity. The Bush administration may commitment in the Balkans. If Improve the quahty of life for be determined to provide help to Rumsfeld is successful in this military personnel, including the military, but it must recognize area, he will take an important increased pay and benefits. A that it cannot afford to wait.ci step toward easing the spare- mountain of spare parts will not parts shortage by reducing the resolve the shortage problem if Baker Spring is a national securi- rate at which the military will there are inadequate numbers of ty research fellow at the Heritage use spare parts. trained technicians to install Foundation. He received a master's them. This means that improv- degree in national security studies Modernize equipment. The ing the retention of technicians at Georgetown University. spare-parts shortage will get is a critical component of a poli- worse as long as the Department cy for resolving the spare-parts Ariicle design: Doug Rollison

22 October 2001

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Signature . Allow 4 to 8 weeks after Initial payment for shipment CCK2FAL1 North Team American Legion completes Armed Forces Alaska! Eco-Cliallenge STORY AND PHOTOS feet. Others alternately Within seconds, the squeeze and loosen competitors BY JAMES V. CARROLL disap- their grips on han pear into linger- THEY wait under the fading dlebars of moun- ing howitzer light of the midnight sun - tain bikes that will carry smoke - away from gladiators all - straddling them through the first leg Allen Airfield and Fort their wheeled steeds, casting long of their odyssey. Their eyes Greeley, into the Alaskan shadows on the airfield tarmac, reflect blank resolve - that my- wilderness, shadows in tow. It anticipating the deafening report opic stare soldiers sometimes ex- will be nearly 61 non-stop hours of a nearby 105mm howitzer sig- hibit moments before a battle - before the winning team crosses naling the start of their journey. seeing nothing, feeling everything. the finish line at Quartz Lake They will traverse some of the Boom! It begins. Recreation Area, near Delta Junc- harshest terrain Alaska's interior Armed Forces Eco-Challenge tion, Alaska - where in the cold- can offer. It will tease them, 2001, a 150-mile adventure race est winter months residents toss taunt them and torture them. But testing the physical prowess, tech hot coffee into the air and watch

it will not break them. nical expertise, mental toughness it freeze before it hits the ground. The tension is palpable. Some of and practiced teamwork of 22 There will be no losers. Competi- America's finest military male and mixed-gender U.S. military teams tion is accomplishment. Comple- female athletes are putting months from 21 states and Germany, is tion is victory. of training on the line. The time for officially under way. The AFEC race last June was a talk is over. Some shuffle their result of collaboration between Mark Burnett, creator of the tele- "We found each other on the vision show "Survivor," and Bon- AFEC Web site message board nie Carroll, founder of Tragedy and met face-to-face only once Assistance Program for Survivors. prior to the race," explained team TAPS is America's only veterans' leader Army Reserve Capt. Mary service organization providing Van Dyke. "At the time, we were around-the-clock peer support, spread out over three states - In- crisis intervention, caseworker diana, Arizona and Oregon. We assistance and grief-counseling trained as a team one fime." referral, along with other services Van Dyke and Army Reserve to family and friends of service Capt. Stephen Kreis are from members who have died while in Pennsylvania. Army Capt. Michael the armed forces. Dunlavey is from Oregon, and Out of 250 appHcants, TAPS Army Staff Sgt. Don Kent is from was chosen to host the first-ever Arizona. All are Legion members. quahfier for the world-renowned They sought out The American Eco-Challenge Expedition Race, Legion for sponsorship, and a created and produced by Burnett. partnership was struck. The event in Alaska was a precur- "We beheve the Legion's dedi- sor to the global competition in cation to veterans and their fami- , set to air in April lies is as important as the TAPS on USA Network. mission of supporting armed As a non-profit organization, forces survivors," Van Dyke said TAPS relies on donations and before the team departed for Alas- funds raised through charity ka. "We are grateful to The Amer- events. The Armed Forces Eco- ican Legion for believing in our Challenge will serve as an annual diverse team enough to sponsor benefit event for TAPS, which us. Legion support gives us time means the winning team to concentrate on the race that competes as Team TAPS in the faces us - whatever that may be." following global Eco-Challenge. What faced Team American Competing in the inaugural Legion and other competitors dur- Armed Forces Eco-Challenge was ing the race were indescribable Team American Legion, unique and punishing obstacles. They among teams at AFEC in that its crossed and rafted raging white- members met on the Internet. water rivers, picked their way head-high thicket over the com- The stuff was so thick I didn't think we would pass point was enough to cast a pall over approaching teams. But it. It I ever get out of got so had at times thought terrain was not the worst of it. Constant daylight was not the I was going to break down and cry." worst of it, either. Day after day - Army Capt. Michael Dunlavey the sun refused to fall below the horizon for more than three hours at a time, daring the moon to along craggy mountain- its faint face. It 2;<^r3x show was almost side trails, climbed snow- impossible to determine by sight ^ jf/ ^ I / covered mountain peaks, if it was early morning or late 1/ peddled tedious biking routes evening. Day turned to night and

1/ and clawed and navigated their night to day, but it remained light way though thick stands of un- enough to read unaided around I derbrush and alders. the clock. It was difficult to sleep.

"The stuff was so thick I didn't "Your body gets fooled," Kreis think we would ever get out of said after he and his teammates it," Dunlavey said as the team flogged their way through the emerged from a grueling moun- underbrush at the end of the tain leg of the race. "It got so bad mountaineering leg. "You don't

at times I thought I was going to know what time it is, but you break down and cry." keep thinking you can push on Indeed, the undergrowth was for a few more miles before dark- so thick that competitors were ness falls. But darkness never unable to gage their steps on the comes. We tried to get some popcorn-Kke tundra. What sleep on the mountain, but we seemed firm footing often ended didn't get much."

up being a knee-deep plunge into No, it wasn't the permanent the spongy Alaskan earth. daylight, harsh conditions or tor- Kent rests on a team storage "We couldn't see our feet, we Don turous undergrowth that were the container at a checkpoint couldn't see landmarks to navi- worst of it. It was the mosquitoes, between racing legs. The team gate, and there were times the hordes of mosquitoes. That was had just crossed the Delta River brush was so thick and tall we the worst of it. in small, rubber pack rafts. couldn't even see the sky," Kent "Physical obstacles and sleep said. "We wondered at times if trails nearly impossible to deprivation were a piece of cake we were ever going to get out of traverse at times. Glacier-fed compared to the mosquitoes," that stuff. It was horrible." rivers were hazardous and too Van Dyke said. "I knew there Adding to the difficulty of the cold to bear for any length of were going to be mosquitoes, but

journey were steep mountain time. And just the sight of the I just didn't know we were going to be in such pain with frustration over a bunch of little insects." Team after team clearing the trekking leg - on foot - complained about the attacking mosquitoes. They had been warned by race officials, but at least a couple teams chose to re- duce weight by not carrying in-

sect spray. It was a mistake they soon would regret. Unprotected skin became an irresistible treat for the blood-sucking mosqui- toes and pure torture for their human victims. "The mosquitoes were every- where," Kreis said. "They were in my face and all around my body. Swarms of them attacking.

I couldn't concentrate at times

because they were so bad. I don't know how people could

stand it without insect spray. I all and Mary van Dyke and Stephen Kreis carry their mountain bikes across an know we used we had icy mountain stream three hours after the AFEC race's midnight start. wanted more."

26 1 October 2001 The American Legion Magazine Remembering America's Heroes

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked LATE COLLECTING . Now in a 60th-Anniversary salute

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memorative limited-edition presentations. Act now Zip. State . to acquire this salute to bravery at the attractive $39.95 issue price. You need send no now. money Signature 35761 -E94991 collectiblestoday. com Home of The Bradford Exchange and All Things Collectible ©2001 BCE 35761-1 The endurance journey began ly on the western shore, teams ne- "V\[e believe the under the blood-red midnight sun gotiated on foot - with varying of the summer solstice at Allen degrees of success and speed - Legion's dedication Army Air Field at Fort Greeley. soggy and uneven ground of the Competitors navigated south to Alaskan tundra. Then once more to veterans and Trims Camp. Along the way they they bushwhacked their way their families is traversed backcountry by bicycle through thick undergrowth before trails, crossed waist-deep white- again rafting across the Delta River as important as water streams as they held their near Donnelly Dome. bikes above their heads and ped- Leg 5 took teams along the the TAPS dled over access roads of the Richardson Highway to Jarvis mission Alaska Pipeline past Black Rapids Creek, ending a final mountain of to Trims Camp checkpoint. Com- bike course. supporting petitors then strapped on back- At Jarvis Creek, near the point ^^/^ packs preparing for a 24-hour, 12- where the roiling chocolate-milk armed forces y^}^4 mile, 5,200-foot ascent onto, and tributary dumps into the equally survivors'' descent off, the barren and snowy muddy Delta River, competitors Item Peak in the Alaska Range. climbed into 14-foot infiatable ~ Army Reserve Capt. Once back in the foothills teams rafts. River guides aboard, the Mary Van Dyke ^ again hopped on bicycles to begin rafters threaded their way a 50-mile biking and trekking leg. through narrow channels hoping They traveled north before to avoid countless dead ends Of the original 22 teams, five dismounting and blowing up pack along the 11 -mile river route. came in missing members due to rafts to cross the Delta River. Safe- At the confluence of the Delta injury and were disqualified. One and Tanana Rivers, teams dis- team did not finish at all. Team embarked to begin a final five- American Legion finished 12th, mile trek. The concluding leg completing the race nearly 48 forced competitors through more hours after Team Speedy Mail, brush, over Bert Mountain and the winning Air Force team, sta- across the tundra before crossing fioned in Alaska. the finish line. "We met our goals," said Van Dyke, after sip- ping champagne that was awaiting each team at the finish line. "We were not able to train together. Maybe that's what it took to win here - prac- fice and team work." Kreis agreed. "We didn't know Above left: Mary each other, so we were reluctant to Van Dyke adjusts push each other very hard. But I an insole of her also think that's why we finished shoe while as well as we did. We saw other Stephen Kreis teams push too hard, and that studies course probably caused some of their dis- directions for the qualifying injuries. Our goal was to next race leg. finish as a team, and we accom- Above right: Mike plished that." Dunlavey checks Sheer physical stamina helped wrappings on his Team American Legion complete feet after a 50- its mission, but in times of mile bike and despair the team's motivafion trekking leg. was more spiritual. Each AFEC Left: Don Kent, team dedicated its efforts to the Dunlavey, Kreis memory of a fallen military com- and Van Dyke rade. Team American Legion carry their raft chose Capt. Milton Palmer who, after an 1 1-mile along with three other trainees, trip down the died serving his country in a 1995 Delta River.

28 1 October 2001 The American Legion Magazine 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Roadster

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©2001 National Motor Museum Mint, 1 Eversley Ave., Norwallc, CT 06851-5844 mote checkpoint along the 35- 'Your body gets fooled. You don 't know what mile hiking segment through tun- dra, thick with mosquitoes. Many time it is, but you keep thinking you can push on of the teams crossing the finish line mentioned the lift they got . for a few more miles before darkness falls. when they first spotted Old Glory But dark never comes." flying in the remote environs of the Alaskan wilderness. - Army Reserve Capt. Stephen Kreis "It was amazing. It gave me

goose bumps when I saw the flag. It was probably the most mm Kanger irainmg scnooi. Are uiey gomg lo come oacKi i emotional moment of the race for "I thought of Milton can't move. They told me not to me," Van Dyke said. "It was the

often during the race," said move.' And the instructors com- prettiest welcome sign I could Kreis, Palmer's classmate at the ing back and finding him ..." Van ever imagine." Citadel. "Especiahy yesterday. Dyke said, her voice breaking Sorensen and Theurer present- Yesterday was a hard day." with emotion as tears welled in ed the flag to TAPS as "the first Difficult day or not, just think- her eyes. "I just know Milton was flag to fly over an Armed Forces ing about Palmer kept the team with us on the trail, encouraging Eco-Challenge." It will fly over focused. Van Dyke said. us to keep moving forward." every AFEC, Carroll said. "We did similar things to what There were other inspirational The closing ceremony for AFEC he was probably doing when he moments as well. TAPS volunteer took place in Heritage Park on died. We walked through a lot of Air Force Capt. Misty Sorensen Eielson Air Force Base and was

swampy water, and that's when I and Wayne Theurer, an Army sponsored by The American Le- thought of him a lot. He was Guardsman, had erected a large gion. An old-fashioned picnic bar- probably just standing there doing American flag high on an 18-foot becue, an awards presentation and what his instructors told him to pole to lead competitors to a re- a few surprises from event coordi- nators highlighted the evening. Right: Michael "I was overwhelmed by the Dunlavey adjusts dignity, honor and pride gear prior to a displayed by all racers," said Ro- bicycle leg of the man Dial, the designer of the 150- 150-mile AFEC mile course and 20-year veteran race. adventure of Alaskan adventure racing. "I Below: Don Kent was amazed at the ferocity with demonstrates which the competitors devoured required rafting the course." The quality of com- and swimming petitors also was impressive. Dial skills during pre- said. Leading teams were five registration activi- hours behind his predicted super- ties at Lake fast finish, but teams that trailed Recreation Area at the end of the race actually ar- near North Pole, rived at the finish line 12 hours Alaska. sooner than he projected. Dial said Armed Forces Eco- Challenge 2002, also scheduled to be in Alaska, will contain a more difficult mountaineering section, more water navigation, more hik- ing, less mountain biking, more need for sleep, and more dark- ness. He also said he hoped few- er mosquitoes would be in atten- dance. The 2002 race is expected to take place in September. Team Speedy Mail, an Air Force Team based in Alaska, crossed the finish line in 61 hours, 7 minutes after having slept only 25 minutes during the course of the race. Team Army CIOR Pentathlon finished second, two hours, 8 minutes later. Team American Legion crossed the finish line in 12th

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* Excludes NE, AK, KS& California Headquarter Post members. place, completing the course in It also was announced the The American Legion for its sup- 108 hours, 10 minutes. Armed Forces Eco-Challenge port of Team American Legion. Race director Richard Shaw would be televised in a two- "Without the enthusiastic sup- took the stage to make a hour special by USA Network in port by The American Legion we surprise announcement: Eco- December. would not be here - at the finish Challenge Productions informed Following the closing line and at these ceremonies," Van him it plans to make a slot ceremonies. Van Dyke thanked Dyke said. "The Legion has made a available at the difference in our global finals for the lives as it has for second-place team every Legiormaire. - Team Army CIOR We are proud to Pentathlon. So for have represented this year anyway, The American Le- two Armed Forces gion and all of Amer- Eco-Challenge ica's veterans." teams have the op- portunity to tackle James V. Carroll New Zealand and is an assistant edi- represent TAPS tor at The American and the U.S. mili- Legion Magazine. tary at the interna- Team American Legion crosses the finish line at Quartz La[

TAPS: Helping survivors cope

Husband's death spurs comfort," Carroll says. "But when we finally turned to each other for comfort and to share common fears and Bonnie Carroll to create a network problems, we found strength and we truly began to for grieving military families. heal. We realized that the horror we shared, losing a loved one in the line of military duty, was far different Months after her husband was killed, Bonnie Car- from other types of loses. roll had fallen so deeply into despair that she begged "We discovered we shared identical patterns of for her own life to end. She was paralyzed by fear, pain, fear, sadness and emptiness. But more than overcome with pain. Her life was irre- that, we could say things to each other versibly changed. that we hadn't said to anyone else: not "I had seen Tom off at the hangar the therapists who patiently hstened, that morning, along with seven other not the doctors who wrote prescriptions soldiers going on the flight," Carroll re- for anti-depressants and not to family calls nearly nine years later. Two hours members who felt so helpless." later the pilot called in his approach to Out of that healing came Tragedy the tower. "But the plane never broke Assistance Program for Survivors, a na- out of the clouds that hovered low tional non-profit organization providing above the airstrip," she says. services to all those who have lost a Hope soon turned to anguish when loved one while serving in any branch she learned that the missing plane of the armed forces. TAPS, a network of crashed into a jagged mountain peak at peer support for mihtary survivors, is 200 mph. There were no survivors. Tom also a referral point for grief counseling Carroll and seven military comrades options around the country. The orga- Bonnie Carroll, left, died instantly. routine flight turned nization has a crisis intervention team A founder of TAPS, assists critical incident into a life-altering tragedy for the fami- Marine Gunnery Sgt. whose members have lies and friends of the eight fallen Army Mathew Moddy at Trims stress experience and caseworker assis- National Guard soldiers. Camp checkpoint. tance to help families find answers in a Each year, as many as 2,000 military complicated bureaucracy long after the families feel the pain of losing loved ones. The military official files have been closed. has support services, but survivors learn that gaps of- TAPS offers another dimension to trauma recov- ten exist once official casualty case files are closed. ery, Carroll says. It's the opportunity for survivors to Carroll ultimately sought support from those who reach out and help each other heal. knew what she was going through - those who also Those in need can call 24-hours a day at (800) 959- lost loved ones in the crash that killed her husband. 8277 or contact the TAPS Web site at www.taps.org "In the months following the loss of our loved ones, for more information. we turned to various grief support organizations for -J.V.C.

32 1 October 2001 The American Legion Magazine " "

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BY KAY S. HYMOWITZ

.\ FEW weeks ago at a dinner

/ \ at my daughter's school, I _Z _Lsat next to the father of a friend of hers. He's a man I knew to be a loving husband and a de-

voted parent. I wish I could say something similar about his talent as a dinner companion. During the course of the dinner, his 10-year- old daughter called his cell phone two different times to complain - loudly enough for others at the table to hear - that she needed a new pair of soccer cleats and to demand that he promise to take her as soon as possible to purchase a

new pair. On both occasions, I heard him weakly try to explain that he was at a dinner party and could talk about this later. Not only did she not listen, but she also con- tinued her harangue, which he du- tifully endured. When he finally finished his calls, he apologized. "I couldn't get her to hang up," he

said. "I didn't know what to do." I wondered silently whether his cell phone had an off button. My dinner companion is hardly alone in his uncertainty. Many parents today are unsure what to do and say to their children when

it comes to things like manners and morals. About a year ago, while researching an article about

school discipline, I spoke to teach- ers, administrators and school

lawyers around the country. I asked what is making their jobs more difficult today. Their answers were almost always the same: parents. School officials say parents aren't accepting their roles as partners with educators to civi- lize the next generation. They of- Photos by Randall Baughn

34 October 2001 1 The American Legion Magazine | commentary ten come in with a "my-child- stars, prizes or high grades, they Last fall at a curriculum confer- right-or-wrong" attitude. These were dramatizing cultural mean- ence, my daughter's sixth-grade life parents have little patience for the ing for the young who often fail to science teacher showed how this shared rules of behavior required find its demands immediately approach works in practice. He an- to turn a school into a civil com- pleasurable. nounced that instead of deciding munity, not to mention those who But according to many of what scientific knowledge was im- might teach their own children the today's education authorities, this portant for his students to have, he necessary limits to self-expression. is the dreaded "control model." had asked his classes what they '"You and your stupid rules.' They argue that we should wanted to learn. The answer was I've heard that a hundred times," empower children to choose what unanimous. These budding adoles- sighs Cathy Collins, counsel to the to learn, how to learn it and even, cents wanted to study the human School Administrators of Iowa, in some cases, how they should be body! So he had reorganized the speaking not, as it might sound, graded. Despite the recent calls for year's curriculum in accordance of 16-year-olds, but of their par- testing and high standards, a 1998 with their wishes. The message is ents. Even 10 years ago when a study from PubUc Agenda found clear: the kids, not the adults, de- child got into trouble, parents as- that only 7 percent of education cide what is worth learning. sumed the teacher or principal professors think teachers should Some education theorists even was in the right. be "conveyors of knowledge who believe that kids should determine "Now we're always being sec- enlighten students with what they their own grades. Harvard psychol- ond-guessed," says a 2 5 -year veter- know." Ninety-two percent believe ogist Howard Gardner, best known an of suburban New Jersey elemen- teachers should only "enable stu- for his theory of multiple intel- tary schools. "I know my child and dents to learn on their own." ligences, has initiated a project ti- he wouldn't do this" or, proudly, In rejecting the "control mod- tled the "Arts PROPEL" program "He has a mind of his own." Those el," educators go far beyond en- for middle- and high-school lines are often repeated. couraging the critical thinking students using student portfolios, necessary in a democratic society; an increasingly popular way to Don't Harm the Children. Why is they hand over curriculum choic- judge performance, to replace tests. it that so many parents seem re- es to children, announcing, in ef- "The student is asked to bring luctant to act like, well, parents? I fect, that they are at a loss to say about change in herself," Gardner believe it is because they are la- what it is the young really need to writes, "rather than to wait for boring under a misguided set of learn. The new "Standards for the change to be imposed from the out- ideas about what children are like English Arts," published by the side ... and to accept the possibility and what aduh obligations toward International Reading Association that assessment may be the burden them are. These ideas - reinforced and the National Council of not of the teacher primarily but of by experts, educators, judges and Teachers of English, says that the learner herself." the media - boil down to this: "children's perspectives, interests In such a world, adults are children are rational, self-aware, and needs (should) shape class- without a clear job description. morally mature and autonomous. room discussion, writing projects Teachers are not even supposed to They need affection, to be sure, and curriculum choices." be teachers. They are and they need to be encour- "facilitators," "managers of aged to express themselves Today's parents grew up instruction" or "coaches." and to make independent de- Seymour Papert, author of cisions. But, according to the in a world that had already "The Children's Machine," experts, they don't need views teachers as "co-learn- adults to teach them the rules begun to seriously question ers." In some schools, stu- of the world they have so re- the universal distinction dents grade them in "reverse cently entered. In fact, such report cards." instruction could be harmful between adults and children to their self-esteem and inde- Blurrmg the Line. This view pendence of mind. of children as the competent Consider, for instance, the and able equals of adults be- ideas parents hear from some gan to emerge in the late of America's education 1960s, when many of today's experts. Throughout history, younger parents were them- human beings have imagined selves children. It was espe- education as a process where- cially noticeable in the pre- by an experienced and intelli- vailing legal thinking and, in- gent teacher passes know- deed, in many of the major ledge considered meaningful legal decisions of those years. to that culture on to inexperi- In a 1973 essay made famous enced youth. When teachers during the 1992 presidential required students to take spe- election, Hillary Rodham ar- cific courses and work on spe gued that it was necessary to cific homework projects, and blur the traditional bright-line when they gave children gold boundaries between adults Parents aren't accepting their roles as partners with educators to civiUze the next generation. They often come in with a ''my-child-right-or-wrong" attitude. and children when she called for a dren many of the constitutional to put up with ridiculous, ineffec- redefinition of childhood in the rights that up until then had been tual adults. Fathers bear the brunt eyes of the law. a privilege of aduh citizenship, of the mockery. Think of Tim Tay- "The legal status of infancy, or they were clearly trying to extend lor of "Home Improvement," Al minority, should be abolished and to the young legal protection Bundy of "Married With Children" the presumption of incompetence against arbitrary power due all and most of all. Homer Simpson reversed," she wrote, in matters Americans. But in doing so, they of "The Simpsons." that "significantly affect the child's unwittingly raised doubts about Not that women are immune to future." Similarly, around that the role of adults in the socializa- media put-downs. The critically time, the chairman of the American tion of children. If a 15-year-old acclaimed series "Gilmore Girls" Bar Association's section on Rights has a constitutional right to free concerns a 3 2 -year-old single moth- and Responsibilities proposed that speech, for instance, how can a er, Lorelai Gilmore, and her 16- "all legal distinctions between chil- teacher justify telling him to stop year-old daughter, Rory. But don't dren and adults be abolished." using foul language or verbally make the mistake of thinking of the That's almost what happened. harassing his fellow students? If a teen-ager in this series as the child. By the late 1960s, the Supreme 14-year-old can get an abortion It's the mother who picks fights Court had made a number of deci- without telling her parents, then with her daughter over borrowed sions relating to children and ado- on what grounds can parents ex- sweaters and the size of their lescents that, if the justices didn't pect to exercise some control over "boobs," makes pop-culture allu- do away entirely with "legal dis- what clothes she wears or where sions as obsessively as any fan club tinctions between children and she is going Saturday night? teeny-bopper, and mugs and pouts adults," they took major steps in during her weekly adolescent-style that direction. Role Reversal. Looking back, it tiffs with her own parents. The first and most important, In would be a serious mistake to Rory, on the other hand, is the re Gault, granted minors - for the blame judges and educators as the real aduh. Sober, hard-working and first time since the founding of the reason my dinner companion did thoughtful, she is forever having to juvenile court 70 years earlier - not know what to do when con- rein in her mother's teen antics. the right to counsel, the right to fronted with his daughter's rude Given this steady drumbeat of remain silent and the right to con- and egotistical behavior. The truth messages about the irrelevance front witnesses. is, many other areas of American and fooUshness of parental author- In 1969 Tinker v. Des Moines society have helped cast doubt on ity, it's not surprising to find so School District, the court extended the traditional role of adults in civ- many parents who stand paralyzed to students the "constitutional ilizing children. The most power- before their children's sometimes- right to freedom of speech or ex- ful forces have been the media. A irrafional demands, their egotistical pression" inside schools. while back, I found an ad for Time longings and confused nofions of Over the next decade, several that perfectly captured the media's right and wrong. This state of af- other major decisions granted fe- message about parents and chil- fairs is hard on teachers who can male minors the right to seek abor- dren and the ideas of educators no longer count on parents to be tions without getting permission we already saw. It showed a mid- their allies in the often difficult from, or even notifying, parents. dle-aged man with a confused process of civilizing children. And "There is no factual justification look on his face sitting next to a it's hard on parents themselves for treating 14-year-old women dif- scoffing teen-ager who had his who are ill at ease in their own ferently, in this regard, from 18- hands stuffed in his pockets. homes with the very people they year-old women," the American "It's time we had a talk about love most in the world. Psychological Association wrote in sex," the text began. But most of all, it is hard on an amicus brief in one parental "OK, Dad, what do you want children, who in a media-saturat- notification case during the 1980s. to know?" it continued. ed, fast-changing, fragmented The brief revealed that the nation's Parents are clueless and foolish, world, are so often deprived of the experts agreed with the transfor- and never more so than when adult clarity and sound judgment mation then brewing: "There is no they try to act like parents who they crave, r basis for the differentiation of ado- actually have something to teach lescents from aduks on the ground their children. Don't they realize Kay S. Hymowitz is a contribut- of competence alone." that kids know it all, and what ing editor for the City Journal, a In other words, today's parents they don't know, they certainly pubUcation of the Manhattan In- grew up in a world that had can't learn from their parents? stitute, and author of "Ready or already begun to seriously ques- The airwaves are full of what Not: What Happens When We tion the universal distinction be- the American Psychological Asso- Treat Children as Small Adults." tween adults and children. When ciation might call 8-, 10- and 14- the Supreme Court granted chil- year-old men and women having Article design: Holly K. Soria

36 October 2001 1 The American Legion Magazine |

0m

New National Commander Ric Santos seeks to elevate the Legion's name among a new crop of American veterans. Driven to Excel

BY MATT GRILLS above the sea and outboard of the Annapolis Harbor, home of the flight deck and catwalk - well, U.S. Naval Academy, is one of Santos won't forget the who would want to do it? many Maryland attractions Ric RIC Santos enjoys sharing with visi- day he learned what it "In a similar fashion that you means to "lead by example." would cKmb up a water tower or tors to his home state. Tom Strattman He was a radioman third class land-erected radio or TV antenna, to chairing Boys State and Oratori- petty officer on the you put on a safety harness and cal committees, from post com- USS Enterprise CVN-65, in charge start the climb on an antenna- mander to department comman- of performing a most undesirable attached ladder," Santos says. der - Santos has rolled up his and dangerous detail: cleaning Which is just what Santos did. sleeves and shown others why the porcelain insulators on the ves- Sure, it took courage. But he wasn't Legion's work is worth doing. sel's outboard radio antennas. about to ask seamen to do a job he He's a man who gets involved and The radiomen strikers weren't ex- hadn't first shown them how to do follows through with as much actly climbing all over each other himself. So up he went. commitment as he can muster. to volunteer for this daring task. The experience neatly frames Now, as the new national com-

When it came time to clean the Santos' 34 years of American Le- mander, Santos is doing his best top of one particular antenna that gion involvement. In every task to infect Legion members at every stood 40 feet above the flight he's taken up - from organizing level with that same enthusiasm. deck, which was already 60 feet local poKce and firefighter awards You can bet he'll succeed, says

38 I October 2001 The American Legion Magazine | ''Whether he's speaking to a group or one-on- with a family in between. If she likes her bread brown, I like mine

one, Ric talks at your level. He's never forgotten white. She's an animal lover. I love my work. It's a lot of fun." how to be a blue-cap Legionnaire." Don't let him fool you about - Past National Commander Clarence M. Bacon the animals, though. One look at Santos playing with the family Past National Commander "We're in a bed of history dogs - two Welsh Corgi named Clarence M. Bacon ('84-'85}, San- here," he says excitedly, counfing Dee Dee and Bear - and it's plain tos' mentor and close friend. off the reasons he loves that corner to see he has a hard time masking "Whether he's speaking to a of the country: go a half-hour and his affection. group or one-on-one, Ric talks at you find the U.S. Naval Academy "One night the dog wouldn't get your level," Bacon says. "He's at Annapolis, Fort McHenry at Bal- off the bed," Linda recalls, laugh- never forgotten how to be a blue- timore Harbor and counfiess sites ing. "He's on his hands and knees:

cap Legionnaire. I believe he'll be in the nation's capital. Go west 50 'Dee Dee, Daddy wants to go to a superb commander." miles and you're at the Anfietam bed.' Not an animal person, right?" National Battlefield in Sharpsburg. A Proud Marylander. After com- The Gettysburg National Battiefield A Traveling Man. When talking pleting his military service in 1965 is only 80 miles away. about his work, Santos is right on

and moving to Maryland in 1966, Only a few minutes from in saying he loves it. A person Santos made the historic city of Greenbelt is Goddard Space FKght would have to, being away from Greenbelt his home. Created in 1935 Center, where Santos landed his home as often as he's been in his under Franklin D. Roosevelt's Reset- first job after leaving the Naval 31 years as a property insurance tlement Administration, Greenbek Reserve - and where he met Lin- claims adjuster. was the first U.S. community bulk da. He was a technical librarian; "I would go on catastrophe duty as a federal venture in housing. she was a government secretary for hurricanes, earthquakes, torna-

From the start, it was designed as a who walked by him every day on does and floods and stay there for complete city, with businesses, her way to the office. It wasn't several months," Santos says. "Cat- schools, roads, and facikties for gov- long before they were dating, and astrophe duty is very tough, men- ernment and recreation. in June 1968 they married. They tally and physically, on a person. Santos and his wife, Linda, live have three children: Betsy, 33, You learn how to be compassion- in one of the town's original co- Lee, 31, and Steffen, 29. ate to your fellow man, following operative housing units, a two- "We're opposites," Santos says, catastrophic damages to their story, wood-frame building not his eyes sparkling. "We're like the homes, businesses and personal far from Greenbek's center. An North Pole and the South Pole, property. There are many things American flag hangs outside their front door, a rare splash of color on a street of stark white home fronts and dense green forest. Their yard backs up to acres of land administered by the U.S. De- partment of Agriculture. In the winter, Santos has looked out and seen four, sometimes five, deer and other wildlife - usually right before a hunting trip where he won't spot a thing. "You want to talk about frustration," he says, grinning and shaking his head. Hunting is just one of Santos' favorite ways to unwind. In April, he joined about 30 Legion bud- dies for a North Carolina golf out- ing - it's a trip the group makes annually. And being a proud Marylander, Santos is always ready to take visiting friends up to the harbors in or Annapolis, where he knows the best place to get a soft-shell crab dinner and a spot to watch ships come in. Spend a day with Santos on his turf and it's hard to imagine the man living anywhere else. " "

you can do for people in need, and other times there's no way you can comply with their call for assistance. It's tough to tell someone 'no' in those instances. So you learn to be a realist as well. For the past couple of years, though, it's been Legion business that's kept him on the road, first as a candidate for national comman- der and now as national comman- der. But Santos says he loves the

travel and the opportunities it gives him to talk with Legionnaires around the world. "It's difficult for those doing the hard work in the trenches at the posts to always feel they're part of the group, unless they have the op- portunity to meet or speak with the leadership of their organization. And they must feel that their leader is not just a guy they read about, but is someone they can communi-

cate with directly," he says. "So I feel the nafional commander should make himself available to as many Legionnaires as he can. After all, I'm not just the national comman-

der; I'm t/iez'r national commander." Clearly, members of Greenbeh Post 136 are thrilled to see one of

their own in office. Courtesy Ric Santos "He's just one of the guys," says Jerry DuShane, 1995-1996 post Richard J. Santos commander. "If Ric meets you, Residence: Greenbelt, Md. he'll never forget your name. As a leader, Santos confesses to Age: 57 being a bit of a perfectionist. "A lot Family: Wife Linda; children Betsy, Lee and Steffen of people don't like to work with Education: Bedford High School, Mass., 1962; Class "A" Ra- me. See how clean my computer New dio School, U.S. Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Md., 1962 desk is? It's like that all the fime," he points out. Those around him, MiUtary: U.S. Naval Reserve, 1961-1967; USS Enterprise, CVN 65, 1963- though, applaud the results he gets. 1965; received honorable discharge April 1967 Jay Mayock, past post adjutant Insurance claim representative: Greenbelt, 1970-2001 and a friend of the national com- American Legion: mander for 30 years, says Santos' The Post - Sergeant-at-arms, assistant adjutant, adjutant, commander way of getting down to brass tacks - and doing business has served the County Adjutant, first vice commander, commander District - Finance officer, second-first vice commander, commander post - and the Department of Depariment - Sergeant-at-arms, third-second-first vice commander, Maryland - in good fashion. commander. Alternate National Executive Committeeman, National "You don't achieve Ric's status Executive Committeeman, Boys State Board of Directors, Legisla- by just saying 'I want to be' or 'I'm tive Committee, Internal Affairs Commission chairman. Veterans putting my hat in the ring,'" May- Affairs Commission, Budget and Finance Committee ock says. "He totally commits and National - Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Commission, National always puts his best foot forward & Commander's Liaison Committee to the VA&R Commission, for The American Legion." NEC Policy Coordination and Action Group, Veterans Planning and Co- ordination Committee, Public Relations Committee chairman. Leg- "Santos to Enterprise." Santos is islative Commission consultant one of three children, born in New Bedford, Mass., and raised Honors: Gubernatorial appointment to Maryland Veterans in that city and nearby Fairhaven. Commission, 1987; gubernatorial appointment to Maryland Military He grew up around the military - Monuments Commission, 1989 one uncle in the Air Force, two in Interests: Golfing, hunting the Army, one in the Navy. San-

40 1 October 2001 The American Legion Magazine | Gene Watson Bobby Bare •Farewell Party • Love In The Hot . Detroit City . Marie Laveau .

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asked a post member if it was possi- ble to get some current music for the jukebox - they even volunteered to put a few CDs on themselves, since the machine had some empty slots. The answer was "no." Such actions make younger veterans feel they aren't welcome or wanted in Santos talks post business with Jay left, Post Adjutant Mayock, and the post, Santos says.

Dicic Dutton, right. Santos has been aI member of Maryland's Greenbelt "The older veterans were willing Post 136 for 34 years, romstrattman to share their facility for the collec- tos was closest to the uncle in the | one-bedroom( efficiency in Green- tion of membership dues, but not

Navy, who was stationed on a belt1 and was hired on at Goddard, little things like the music," he says. out of Newport, R.I. where he soon was introduced to a "Anyone who says 'I do' today and Santos' uncle took him aboard on woman whose husband was a past goes to boot camp tomorrow is eli- family days and cruises, which commander( of Greenbelt Post 136. gible for Legion membership. left quite an impression on the On Dec. 7, 1967 - Pearl Harbor We've got to make them feel wel- - young man. Day,] he notes Santos became a come and part of the whole picture.

When Santos was 16, his broth- memberi of The American Legion. We must treat today's veterans in er-in-law - also in the Navy - en- the same manner that we wanted to couraged him to join the Naval Re- Tomorrow's Legion. During his be treated when we joined." serve. "He told me, 'Start your mil- term1 as national commander, San- More than anything, Santos itary service time in high school, tos1 wants to get back to basics with wants to make sure younger gen- and you'll be done sooner,'" San- a new emphasis on the membership erations of veterans don't miss tos says. of( younger veterans and on veter- the camaraderie he's enjoyed in So he joined at 17 and complet- ans' service programs. "Somehow The American Legion. ed basic training between his ju- the1 younger veterans haven't joined Smiling, he recalls the Legion nior and senior years of high our( ranks in great numbers, and the Softball league he and another fel-

school. Upon graduation in 1962, service; programs haven't stayed as low put together in the '70s. His he attended radio school in Bain- elevated( as they should," he says. team had a bunch of Vietnam vets bridge, Md., followed by an assign- Reminding America what the and a couple of older vets. Over

ment on the most awesome war- Legion] has to offer veterans is an time, they became like family. ship of the time: the USS Enterprise importanti step at this point in the There was a mutual admiration and

CVN-65, the world's first nuclear- organization's( life, Santos says. In respect amongst the team members,

powered aircraft carrier. fact,I it's crucial to meeting a goal regardless if one was a veteran of

"I had the opportunity to make he1 shares with many of his prede- World War II, or Vietnam. two Mediterranean cruises and to cessors:( reversing the member- "We used to move each other go around the world on it," Santos ship! slide. into new homes, paint or repair says. Operation Sea Orbit, a 30,565- "We've got to get a good core each other's houses, make trips mile voyage around the globe, took of( Desert Storm and Balkan war and vacations together, get togeth- him to , , , , veterans," he says. "We've got to er with the kids on weekends and , Lebanon, Pakistan, Aus- get them in. The Reconnect Pro- holidays," Santos says. "We were, \ tralia and Brazil - quite an educa- gram is one method. Another is and still are, a close-knit group." \ tion for a boy. the1 Military Transition Program, He pauses, then says quietly, He came home as friends were which provides services to veter- "That's what it's all about." j leaving for Vietnam. Work wasn't ans at the point of separation or plentiful in New Bedford, so he retirement.i They need to know Matt Grills is an assistant editor for headed down to Maryland to visit we're interested in them so they The American Legion Magazine. his sister and see what the area can( experience services that The might have for him. Santos got a American Legion can provide." Article design: Doug Rollison

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life Exercise can add years to Test your fitness

Researchers at California State 'Never too late to start/ University at Fullerton liave devel- experts say. oped simple exercises to do at home to help gage fitness. Scores for men are listed first, and BY TARA PARKER-POPE women's scores are in parentheses. The scores represent the average

How physically fit are you? for each age group. Even if your A lifetime of wear and tear on scores are high, don't rest on your muscles and bones makes it tough for laurels. The health benefits of exer- many older Americans to gage their cise can disappear in a matter of physical fimess. Health problems vi/eeks once you stop. such as arthritic knees prompt some Two-Minute Marching Step. people to forego exercise altogether. Find the point that falls midway be- Indeed, nearly one-third of people tween your kneecap and hip bone, older than 55 are essentially seden- and mark that height on the wall. tary and only one in four older Start stepping in place, lifting your adults gets regular exercise. These knees to the measured height. are troubling statistics when you Count how many times your right consider that people in their later knee reaches the target height dur- years may have the most to gain ing a two-minute period. Use the from exercise. back of a chair for balance. Physical fitness doesn't just im- Ages 60-64: 87-115 steps (75-106) Ages 65-69: 86-116 Steps (73-107) prove quality of life; it's been shown Ages 70-74: 80-110 steps (68-101) to actually prolong life. In a study Ages 75-79: 73-109 Steps (68-100) involving 10,000 men, researchers at the Dallas-based Cooper Institute Six-Minute Wallt. Count how far tracked fitness using two treadmill you can go during a brisk, six-

walk. If tests five years apart. The bottom minute you can't use a jog- ging track, measure out a 50-yard line: the men who had low fitness Corbis course and do laps. were twice as likely to die as those Ages 60-64: 610-735 yards (545-660) who were moderately fit. week on moderate physical activities Ages 65-69: 580-700 yards (500-635) Perhaps more importantly, the puts you in the middle-fitness cate- Ages 70-74: 545-680 yards (480-615) study showed that it's never too late gory. If you spend an hour or less Ages 75-79: 470-640 yards (430-585) to improve fitness. Men who started each week engaged in moderate ac- Curls. Sit in a chair with your the study with a poor level of fitness tivity, then you aren't very fit. Arm straight feet shoulder- were sfiU able to lower their risk of The difference between that one back and width apart. Take an 8-pound dying by 44 percent if they signifi- hour a week of exercise and five weight (5 pounds for women) in cantly improved their fitness by the hours a week is startling. A low-fit your dominant hand with your arm second test. person is five times as likely to die hanging down beside the chair. And seemingly minor improve- from heart disease as someone in the Count how many times you can curl ments pay big dividends. For every high-fitness group. Simply moving it in and up toward your shoulders minute longer the men could stay on from unfit to moderately fit will in 30 seconds. the treadmill during the second markedly lower your risk for cancer Ages 60-64: 16-22 curls (13-19) exam compared with their first and heart disease. Ages 65-69: 15-21 curls (12-18) exam, they reduced their risk of ear- Despite the benefits, exercise can Ages 70-74: 14-21 curls (12-17) ly death 8 percent. risky if have certain healtii by be you Ages 75-79: 13-19 curls (11-17) You don't need sophisficated ex- problems, so always discuss any new 30-Second chair Stand. Place a ercise tesfing facilifies to gage your exercise program with your doctor. chair against a wall and sit with your fitness. To find out where you stand, back straight, feet flat and arms simply count the number of hours Living Well is a section designed crossed against the chest. Stand each week you take part in a moder- to provide general information to our and sit as many times as you can in ate level of physical activity, says readers. It is not intended to be, nor 30 seconds. Walter Ettinger, a physician and au- is it, medical advice. Readers should Ages 60-64: 14-19 times (12-17) 50." for- physicians thor of "Fitness After Don't consult their personal Ages 65-69: 12-18 times (11-16) get to include the exercise involved when they have health problems Ages 70-74: 12-17 times (10-15) in daily tasks, such as walking the Tara Parker-Pope writes a weekly Ages 75-79: 11-17 times (10-15) dog or working in the garden. health column for The Wall Street So how did you do? It doesn't If your total adds up to five or Journal and is the author of "Ciga- really matter how you scored as more hours a week you fall into the rettes: Anatomy of an Industry from " long as you keep moving. high-fitness category. Three hours a Seed to Smoke.

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Diseases potentially prevented by Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease that is mild in children but can be much more severe in vaccinations kill adults thousands of adults. People who have had chickenpox will not each year in the United States. contract it again. The CDC recommends two doses of vaccine for people 13 or older who have never had chickenpox. Some people who had chickenpox as BY DR. JOHN R. FEUSSNER children develop shingles as aduUs later in life. The With flu season approaching, adults should make two diseases are caused by the same virus, known as certain they have received all their recommended vac- varicella, which can reactivate to cause shingles after cinations. A proper immunization program is just as being dormant for years. Shingles can be very painful important for adults as it is for children. Diseases that and can scar the skin permanently. In rare cases, could be prevented by vaccina- shingles can affect the face and tions kill thousands of adults even the eyes. each year in the United States. Recommended Adult The VA Cooperative Studies For example, flu and pneumonia immunizations Program is now testing a new are leading causes of death shingles vaccine at 16 VA med- among older Americans. Addi- VACCINATION WHEN TO RECEIVE ical centers and six other hospi- tionally, diseases that may be tals across the country. More Flu October to December annually mild in children and younger than 38,000 veterans and their adults can be life-threatening in Pneumonia Age 65 or older spouses who are age 60 or older adults. more and have never had shin- Tetanus Every 10 years gles have volunteered to partic- Flu and Pneumonia. The Centers ipate. The department will for Disease Control and Preven- share the resuUs once the effec- tion encourages adults to be immunized against a num- tiveness of the vaccine is determined. ber of infectious diseases, including flu and pneumonia. People traveling outside the United States may Because flu viruses change, you should receive a flu need a variety of vaccinations depending on the shot each year. The best time to receive your flu shot is season. Before traveling, ask a doctor about needed in the fall, preferably by mid-November, so your body vaccinations. For additional specific information has time to build its defense against the disease. Some you may wish to check the CDC's Web site at people think the flu shot "gives me the flu." That's not www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm. the case, although the vaccination is not 100-percent This Web site also has information about the spe- effective. People 65 and older should also receive a cial concerns regarding immunizations for pregnant pneumonia vaccination at the same time they get flu women who may travel outside the country. Before shots, if they have never had one. If a person received leaving, women should ask their doctors about the his first pneumonia shot more than five years ago and benefits and potenfial risks of the recommended vac- before he turned 65, he should get a second dose. cinations. Of course, all pregnant women should be The benefits of immunization go well beyond pre- up to date on their routine immunizations. venting disease. A recent VA study found that the routine annual flu vaccination of all working adults Keep Immunization Record. As with any health could save the nation as much as $1.3 billion a year program, a person should talk with his doctor about by reducing expenses for health care, lost work time needed vaccinations. The doctor will have a record and other costs. Another research project found pneu- of the types and dates of the shots received. But a monia vaccination significantly decreased hospitaliza- person should keep his own personal record. That tions and death rates among elderly patients with way it's certain all necessary immunizations are chronic lung disease. taken care of, and the chances of leading a healthy life are increased. Other Vaccinations. The CDC also recommends that adults be immunized against tetanus, diphtheria and Living Well is a section designed to provide general chickenpox. Every 10 years, aduks should receive a information to our readers. It is not intended to be, nor is

Td booster shot. The shot will protect against tetanus it, medical advice. Readers should consult their personal bacteria, which can enter the body through breaks in physicians when they have health problems the skin during routine activifies. If a person cannot remember when he had his last tetanus booster, he John R. Feussner, M.D., is chief research and devel- should ask his doctor if he is overdue. opment officer of the Veterans Health Administration.

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Federal mismanagement A Senate Governmental Affairs Committee report has described a series of major management and work-force problems that could jeopardize veterans' health care and national security. Titled "Government at the The General Brink," the well-documented re- Assembly port calls DoD finances "a meets for the shambles... It wastes billions of final session dollars each year and cannot ac- during the count for much of what it spends." AIDS confer- DoD was third on the hst of the 10 ence at U.N. worst examples of federal misman- Headquarters agement. The report also stated ^ iniune.AP that the military services face re- cruiting problems, including the U.N. fights AIDS Without testing fighting forces loss of intelligence analysts, com- The United Nations conduct- personnel involved in interna- puter programmers and pilots. ed a global conference on AIDS tional peacekeeping operations The Department of Veterans Af- and wants to spend billions of while also continuing with on- fairs was eighth on the list of man- dollars on the disease. But it going education and prevention agement problems. An Inspector still won't test its own troops efforts, including pre-deploy- General's report found that veter- for the HIV virus before ment orientation, for these per- ans' health was put at risk in one deploying them. Buried in the sonnel." This is a bureaucratic hospital where food was kept next U.N.'s global declaration way of saying that in two years to an area where hazardous waste against AIDS was the following U.N. soldiers will be educated and biohazard carts were stored. paragraph: "By 2003, ensure about AIDS, but they won't be

In the long term, a national nurs- the inclusion of HIV/AIDS tested for it. The United ing shortage could adversely affect awareness and training, includ- Nations continues to insist that efforts to improve patient safety at ing a gender component, into national governments test their VA medical facilities and could put guidehnes designed for use by own troops before sending veterans at risk, the report said. defense personnel and other them on U.N. operations. Luxurious punishment Federal prisoners - including Burden of proof making sure those officers do not those on death row - can bide After five years and $350,000, disclose national security informa- their time watching cable TV, in- Elaine Donnelly of the Center for fion. Donnelly filed suit against the cluding the premium channels of Military Readiness is still fighting a Navy, contending such interven- HBO, Showtime and Cinemax. In libel lawsuit that contends she ru- fion was illegal and was designed fact, almost $180 million was ined the career of Lt. Carey to prevent the officers from help- spent last year on cable TV in fed- Lohrenz, a former female F-14 pi- ing her side of the case. The suit eral prisons. Or if bored, prisoners lot. Donnelly denies the charge, was thrown out 18 months after it can rent videos. insisting she was drawing attention was filed, further delaying the "While some of our children go to to a double standard in naval avia- case. Donnelly called the Lohrenz school in overcrowded, portable tion designed to benefit the careers suit frivolous and a threat to free trailers without computers, criminals of Lt. Kara Hultgreen and Lohrenz. speech. She said the Navy's inter- incarcerated in our federal prisons Lohrenz filed the lawsuit after vention threatened her constitu- enjoy luxurious facilities complete Hultgreen, 29, died in a crash fional rights of due process, and with cable television," said Rep. Ric while attempting to land an F-14 that she will have to raise another Keller, R-Fla. His "No-Frills Prison on a carrier in October 1994. $150,000 to prevail. StiU, she said Act of 2001" would oudaw federal Lohrenz's suit claimed Donnelly's she has "more than enough evi- spending on cable TV as well as accusations about double dence and testimony" to win. video rentals for prisoners. "Federal standards in the training of males A judge can throw the suit out prisoners need not be coddled with and females ruined her career. or order it to go to trial, Lohrenz's frivolous luxuries at the expense of Lohrenz sued the Navy and left attorney Susan Barnes said. She the American taxpayer," he said. with a financial settlement. remains confident of victory if the Supporting the congressman's The Lohrenz suit has dragged case goes to trial and insisted that proposal, the Florida Times-Union on in part, according to Donnelly, the evidence shows Lohrenz was said the purpose of criminal justice because Navy lawyers have inter- qualified to fly the F-14 and that should be to punish lawbreakers, vened in the case in an effort to she did not benefit from any dou- not taxpayers. It suggests that crim- control what retired naval officers ble standard. inals read books to pass the time. may say. The Navy said it was - By Cliff Kincaid

50 1 October 2001 The American Legion Magazine —

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'Old Ironsides' tours nation Beginning this school Fan mail for year, educators and stu- dents, service members, the troops historians and civic Schools, churches, groups will experience campus groups, veter- firsthand an impressive ans organizations and piece of naval history: the auxiliaries across the USS Constitution. nation are sending fan The Constitution is the mail to U.S. troops at oldest commissioned war- home and abroad for ship afloat in the world this year's Chhstmas Military Mail today. Built in the campaign. The Friends of Our shipyards in 1794, the Troops program, a con- Constitution was first put tinuation of the Vietnam to sea in 1798. The ship is Mail Call established in most famous for its role 1965, has served and in the War of 1812, where supported U.S. soldiers, she earned the name "Old sailors, Marines, airmen Ironsides." and Coast Guardsmen '"Old Ironsides' Across for more than 35 years. the Nation" is a six-year A life ring from tlie U.S. Navy destroyer USS Ramage Over the years, millions program conducted by the frames the USS Constitution in July 1997. "Old Iron- of pieces of fan mail USS Constitution and the sides" will tour cities throughout the United States have boosted the USS Constitution Museum for the next six years, u s Navy moraleof U.S. troops that focuses on education around the world. and public relations. Weeklong tours to American Legion Bunker Hill Post 26. Hundreds of partici- cities in each of six designated U.S. re- Winners received invitations for a spe- pants nationally - in- gions consist of school visits, educator cial "Salute to Charlestown" turnaround cluding 20 American workshops and public demonstrations cruise in June. The voyage served as a Legion posts and auxil- - provided by museum staff members "thank-you" to Charlestown residents iaries sent more than 1,000 cards and letters and the ship's crewmembers. Periodic for the support and care given to the in the most recent cam- performances by the museum's living- historic ship during its years there. paign. The Military Mail history actor will offer a glimpse at the Constitution tours have a history. campaign is an out- experiences of a 19th-century sailor. From 1931 to 1934, "Old Ironsides" standing activity for Le- Visits are coordinated with local toured the nation and visited 90 ports, gion posts and auxil- resources, including potential host mu- attracting a record visitation of more iaries, as well as for seums. Navy recruiters, local Navy than 4.5 million people. From to families, schools and chapters, local California, schoolchildren donated pen- League schools and area scout troops. To learn Navy installations. During the summer nies totaling $154,000 for the ship's more about the pro- in lines months, the Constitution will conduct restoration, then waited long to gram, visit the Web site turnaround cruises, saluting the previ- set foot on the Constitution's deck. at www.militarymail.org. ous year's focus region. Cruise partici- For more information, contact Mar- To participate in the pro- pants will be chosen via a lottery con- garet Otte, the museum's national out- gram, send your name ducted by the museum. reach coordinator, at (617) 426-1812, ext. and address to Friends Such was the case for residents in 131, or visit one of the following Web of Our Troops, P.O. Box Charlestown, Mass., eariier this year. sites: www.USSConstitutionmuseum.org 65408, Fayetteville, NC Lottery registration was conducted at or www.ussconstitution.navy.mil. 28306,

Georgia youth elected Boys Nation president

Evan Wilson of Roswell, Ga., Commission and city, county and state party chair- was elected 2001 Boys Nation Htalis a section leader in man and served in the House of president on July 24. his high school's Representatives. He plans to The son of Fred and Kathy Wil- band. The 17-year- attend Princeton University, study son, the incoming senior at Roswell old Wilson also was physics and pursue a career as a High School is a member of the Ju- named the Bausch research scientist. Evan Wilson nior National Rowing Team. He is a and Lomb Science Ninety-six young men from 48 participant in the Governor's Hon- Award Honoree in May. states attended the 56th session of ors Program, president of the Beta At Boys State, Wilson distin- American Legion Boys Nation July Club, president of the Environmen- guished himself by serving as the 20 to 28.

52 1 October 2001 The American Legion Magazine | . !

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Continuing Smith's Legionnaire's gift saves life worl< Icey to building membership Legionnaire Linda Anderson be- procedure. Then one day, Ander- Heves in giving of herself to help son asked how Williams was do- It's time to stow away the others. The Piscataquis County ing. He jokingly responded that membership slide and erect a and Guilford, Maine, Post 119 he'd be fine if only someone membership ladder, The Ameri- commander, recently donated 60 would give him a liver. When An- can Legion's leading candidate percent of her liver to Guilford res derson found out hers was a for national commander told idem Wayne Wilhams. match, she simply told Wilhams, incoming Legion department Live-liver donations are a new "I'll give you my hver." and district leaders July 28 at procedure. Anderson Five months later, the 38th Annual National Mem- is only the 14th per- "Linda's quite after several trips to

bership Workshop in son to make such a Boston, it was deter- Indianapolis. donation at the New courageous. mined that the proce- Ric Santos, elected national England Medical Cen- She's my angel!' dure was possible. In commander on Aug. 30, said ter in Boston. The liv- the meantime, Ander- - the downward spiral of mem- er is the only organ in Liver recipient son sold raffle tickets bership has halted, thanks to the human body that Wayne Williams for three American flag the hard work and dedication of will rejuvenate itself. sets and managed to National Commander Ray G. A genetic match is not necessary for raise $376 toward travel expenses Smith and his crew of depart- liver donation, but the blood type for Williams and herself. ment , district com- must match. She and Williams went "I'm not doing this for the manders and vice commanders, through extensive testing to make recognition," Anderson said. "The

membership chairmen and sure her liver was the right size and way I see it is this man has "Ray's Aces." that all arteries would match. The worked hard all his hfe to raise a Santos, of Maryland, then procedure is not without its risks, family. Now it's time for he and

outlined his 2002 membership and some doctors caution against it. his wife to retire and enjoy life. If goals. He and his team intend to Williams, 62, has rheumatoid the miracles of science can offer

increase membership to 2.8 mil- arthritis and was given an experi- him a better life and I have the lion, increase Legion presence mental drug for the condition means to help, why not?" in communities by adding 100 about 10 years ago that caused The July 24 operation was a suc- new posts, take a more aggres- him to develop cirrhosis. In July cess. A few days later, doctors told sive approach to post charters 2000, his liver shut down Williams if he had not had the submitted for cancellation and completely, and his name was surgery when he did, he would not expand the Reconnect and Mili- added to a donor Hst for a new have survived another six months. tary Transition programs. one. At that time, more than "Linda's quite courageous," Speaking of his year as com- 15,000 people were waiting for liv- Williams said. "She's my angel. mander. Smith said, "It has er transplants from cadavers. God sent her to me just in time."

been a year I will remember al- In January, Williams was told - Maine Department Adjutant

ways, and I owe it all to you." about the new live-liver donation Ron Sailor contributed to this story. - James V. Carroll Guilford, Maine, Post 119 Commander Linda Anderson Join us! donated 60 percent

The American Legion is an organiza- of her liver to Guil- tion of veterans serving other veterans, ford resident their families and communities. The Le- Wayne Williams, gion serves as the veteran's voice in who suffered Washington, fighting for the benefits and from cirrhosis rights of those who served our country of the liver. in the armed forces. Both are Membership eligibility is based upon recovering dates set forth by Congress. Eligibility dates are from 4/6/17 to 11/11/18; 12/7/41 successfully to 12/31/46; 6/25/50 to 1/31/55; 2/28/61 tO from their 5/7/75; 8/24/82 to 7/31/84; 12/20/89 tO July surgeries. 1/31/90; and from 8/2/90 to present. Ron Sailor For Information concerning member- ship, write The American Legion, Attn. Membership Division, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1055; call (800) 433-3318; e-mail [email protected]; or visit the Web site at www.legion.org/ membership/membership, htm.

54 October 2001 1 The American Legion Magazine | " Macular Degeneration

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Records set at rifle competition Seven records were broken or tied as ju- scoring in the Precision Category. nior air rifle competitors met Aug. 13 at the Brandon Green of Poplarville, Miss., set a Olympic Training Center in Colorado new record with a 783 in the Sporter Prone Springs, Colo., for the 11th annual competition on his way to capturing the American Legion National Junior Air 2001 Sporter Division crown. Green, a mem- Rifle championships. ber of the Bogalusa, La., High School Junior Matthew Rawlings of Wharton, Reserve Officer Training Corps shooting Texas, and Aaron Phillips of Comer, team, was sponsored by Magic City Legion Ga., both shot perfect scores of 800 Post 24. Green's total score of 2,291.4 of a in the Precision Prone competition. possible 2,509 placed him second on the all- Rawlings also set a new record of 781 time top five scores in the Sporter category. out of a possible 800 in the Precision Stand- The American Legion Junior Shooting ing competition. Sports competition begins with postal rounds Rawlings, who was sponsored by Wharton involving more than 1,250 competitors and Legion Post 87, earned the National Champi- progresses to the finals in Colorado Springs on Precision award. He won the overall Pre- for the top 30 shooters nationwide. cision championship with 2,471.8 points, The tournament provides young competi- which put him alone atop the all-time list of tive shooters an opportunity to test their marksmanship in Olympic-style competition . Vicki Goss of Palmyra, Pa., fired a 2,464.1 to with other junior shooters throughout the \ finish second in the Precision championship at The American Legion's 2001 National Air nation. The sport is the fastest-growing Rifle Championships in Colorado Springs, youth program sponsored by The American Colo. Ron Engel Legion.

Defense Department seeks Vets' stories inspire students

Korean War MIA families Thanks to four Legionnaires war veterans and whether the from Dallas Post 453 - Past Com- children actually learned more The Department of Defense seeks mander Bob Elkins and members about the Korean War by reading relatives of Korean War MIAs to inform Roland McDuffie, Pat Mars and firsthand accounts. thenn of efforts to recover their loved Sam Elizalde - high school teach- The magazine was a hit with ones and to collect blood samples from ers in the Dallas In- the students and family members to be used to make dependent School teachers for its DNA identifications. District are supple- unique report on the Contact with most families of Kore- menting this year's Korean War, accord- an War MIAs has been lost over the curriculum with The ing to school officials. course of 50 Elkins, McDuffie, years. DoD has American Legion located only about Magazine. Mars and Elizalde 36 percent of the Last fall, the said they were more families of more group ordered 500 than happy they than 8,100 service copies of the Korean could help.

members still War-themed Septem- "Our goal was to missing from the ber 2000 issue for help educate Korean War. the school adminis- children," EHzalde

If you are a tration to distribute. said. "The return we family member or While some of the got back was very know a family member who is in the copies went to Dallas-area positive - the kids loved it. The maternal bloodline of an unaccounted- elementary, middle-school and articles gave a broader view of for service member, contact one of the high-school libraries for general the war than their history books following military casualty offices: the reference, the majority of the and opened lots of eyes. We Army at 892-2490, the Air Force at (800) magazines were utiHzed in U.S. wanted the kids to look at veter- (800) 531-5501, the Navy at (800) 443- history classrooms as part of their ans differently. We wanted them 9298 or the Marines at (800) 847-1597. Korean-War curriculum. School to be able to relate better to their DoD's worldwide search in South- officials asked social-studies relatives who served in the mili- east Asia, in and in the teachers at four area high schools tary, especially during wartime." jungles of the South Pacific brings to perform a preliminary study School officials said the teach- back the remains of MIAs almost last school year using the maga- ers consider the magazine an every week. This vital DNA link to their "excellent supplemental resource families may well be the sole piece of zine as a teaching tool. They gain a better un- evidence that will ultimately lead to wanted to know whether children to help students identification. enjoyed reading true stories by derstanding of the Korean War."

56 October 2001 I The American Legion Magazine j . ^

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Commander visits museum PUFL members Even if you've never been an air- gain benefits borne and special-operations soldier, you can experience the thrill and Members in good standing adventure by visiting the Airborne witli The American Legion are and Special Operations Museum in eligible for the Paid-Up-For- Fayetteville, N.C. Life membership, which enti- The 59,000-square-foot building tles members and their fami- is highlighted by a 5,000-square- lies to Legion benefits for life. foot, five-story lobby with two fully Based on a member's age and deployed parachutes, one a World the current dues of the mem- War Il-era T-5 round chute and the ber's local post, lifetime mem- other a modern MC-4 square chute. bership fees are calculated. The parachutes represent the devel- Significant benefits are opment of airborne infiltration and provided in the Legion's PUFL the soldiers who support one anoth- membership program. Partici- er in the combined airborne and pants no longer pay annual special operations community. membership dues, even when Exhibits move visitors through annual dues increase. PUFL time, starting in 1940 with the con- members receive uninterrupt- ception of the U.S. Army Parachute ed help in obtaining their Test Platoon and ending with medical, educational and in- today's airborne and special opera- surance benefits from the De- tions units. Exciting military action oartment of Veterans Affairs. The Airborne movies shown in the 235-seat the- and Special Opera- as well as assistance in tions Museum's lobby exhibit fea- ater show operations in a way never prepahng their VA claims. tures two fully deployed para- before experienced by the public. They also receive other mem- chutes, one a World war ll-era T-5 The "Pitch, Roll and Yaw Dome" ber benefits for life, including round chute and the other a mod- features a motion simulator that discounts on prescriptions, ern MC-4 square chute. Airborne and physically moves seated viewers up eye care and travel services. Special Operations Museum to 18 degrees in concert with the PUFL members receive a life- film. Suddenly, a larger-than-hfe Both the mihtary and civilian time subscription to The film provides visitors with an communities are served by the Air- American Legion Magazine extreme taste of what the airborne borne & Special Operafions Muse- and are issued a PUFL mem- are trained to do. um. The only museum dedicated to bership card that provides ac- Aug. 16 marked the airborne's all Army airborne and special oper- cess to American Legion

61st anniversary and the museum's ations units, it provides a place for posts nationwide. first anniversary. Even before the educational programming and re- As an added incentive. The end of its first year, the museum search and helps airborne and spe- American Legion is offering a welcomed 250,000 visitors, including cial operations soldiers share their special flag kit to all members Nafional Commander Ray G. Smith. unique world. The museum recog- who apply for PUFL member- "It's outstanding," Smith said nizes history, equipment, technolo- ship by Dec. 31. Details of this following his visit. "It's an excellent gy, legend, art and weaponry. offer are included in members' place for young people to learn For more information, visit the renewal packets or can be ob- what veterans have done to museum's Web site at tained by calling National Head- preserve our freedom." www.asomf.org/home.htm. quarters at (800)433-3318.

California post supports winning color guard For the past seven years. Post 12 monial units for community phies, three second-place trophies, in Selma, Calif., has supported its events. Uniformed cadets teach two third-place trophies and one local Marine Corps JROTC Color morals, ethics and future goals to fifth-place trophy. These Marine Guard with scholarships, academic local eighth-graders. cadets have also competed at the and leadership awards and mem- The cadets, trained by refired National Invitational Drill Meet in bership in the MCJROTC Booster Marine Corps Master Sgt. Philip Colorado Springs at the U.S. Air Club. In return, the cadets have "Max" Merghart of Post 12, have Force Academy, where they have provided close to 10,000 hours of won first place four years running won the color-guard championship community service per year: veter- at the American Legion U.S. tide for the past four consecutive ans' burial details with full military National Championship Drill Meet. years. The drill meet pits the high- honors, services to rest homes and Since 1998 they have won nine school unit against colleges, univer- veterans organizations, and cere- first-place and "best of service" tro- sities and the service academies.

58 October 2001 I The American Legion Magazine Announcing the National Collector's ^Mint tribute to the... NEW 2001 U.S. GOV'T SILVER BUFFALO DOLLAR

o-

100 Mil Pure Silver Proof for only ^9 95

WASHINGTON, D.C. Corp. ID Center, Each 2001 Silver Buffalo Proof mail orders will be accepted if directed Tuesday, 8:55 AM — Today history is comes with a Certificate of Authenticity to: National Collector's Mint, Dept. being made! The National Collector's and is mdividually numbered. Distri- 3529, 4401 A Connecticut Ave. NW, Mint amiounces the limited advance bution will take place in registration PMB-850, Washington, DC 20008. striking of the 2001 Silver Buffalo number order. So, the earliest orders Nonetheless, late orders may not be hon- Proof heralding America's new 2001 receive the lowest registration numbers. ored and remittance will be returned Silver Buffalo Dollar. It's the first time A deluxe velvet presentation case is uncashed. James E. Fraser's Buffalo and Indian available for an additional charge. You may order one 2001 Silver Buffalo Head design has ever appeared on any SPECIFICATIONS Proof for $9.95 plus $2.50 shipping, coin, since the famous Buffalo Nickel Composition:.. 100 mil .999 Pure Silver Clad Base handling & insurance, 3 for only $35 was last minted 63 years ago. Weight: ~loz. avdp ppd., or 5 for only $55 ppd. Deluxe vel- silver dollar is is The new U.S. Mint Diameter: 39MM Silver Dollar Size vet presentation case only $3.50 each much rarer than the Golden Sacagawea Condition: Individually Struck Proof ppd. So, don't delay. Avoid disappoint- Dollar. the And, extraordinary 2001 Series: BB ment and future regret. ACT NOW! Silver Buffalo Proof is even more Edition Limit:. 10,000 CALL TOLL-FREE, ASK FOR EXT. 3529 scarce. extraordinary This issue fea- Registration:..., ..By number in ascending order tures the beautiful frosted American Buffalo against a mirror-like back- STRICT LIMIT 1-888-NAT-MINT

ground on the obverse. On the reverse, There is a strict limit of five Proofs the classic Indian Head design stands per customer. Orders will be filled on a out in striking relief. first-come, first-served basis. Nonethe- less, if the 2001 Silver Buffalo Proof is ADVANCE DISCOUNT PRICE not everything we promised, send back The issue's price will be set at $35.00 your order within 30 days by insured for each proof. But, during this limited mail and we'll promptly refiind your advance striking period, this .999 pure purchase price. Your satisfaction is silver clad masterpiece can be yours for guaranteed. only $9.95. But you must act NOW to take advantage of this Special Advance HOW TO ORDER Striking offer. The edition is limited to Call now to ensure availability, 24 10,000 pieces worldwide. THIS MAY hours a day, 7 days a week with your BE THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY YOU credit card or we'll take your check by WILL EVER HAVE TO ACQUIRE phone. Call toll-free 1-888-NAT-MINT, THIS SILVER MASTERPIECE! Ext. 3529 (1-888-628-6468). Timely comrades

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

AIR FORCE Grp, Galveston, TX, 10/16-18, Ronald Brubaker, (304) 538-7189; 17th Trans Det, Alton, IL, 10/6-8, David 866-4415, [email protected]; 57th Ftr Grp, Albers, (203) 929-5764, [email protected]; 25th Inf 1st AACS Sqdn Mobile, Newport, Rl, 10/9-11, Don Branson, MO, 10/25-27, Charles Filer, (419) 855-3996; Div Assn, Honolulu/Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, 10/3- Devine, (352) 241-4965, [email protected]; 1st Air 87th Airdrome Sqdn, Williamsburg, VA, 10/20-23, Ray 7, Reunion Planner, [email protected]; 27th Inf Div Commando Assn, Philadelphia, 10/3-7, Felix Lockman, Rogers, (419) 734-4702, [email protected]; 90lh 102nd QM Rgt, Ellenville, NY, 10/2-5, Mike Zuckerman, 532-1942: Isl Weather Grp Offutl AFB, Council (610) Strat Recon Wing, Branson, MO, 1 1/7-1 1 , Chuck Hale, (954) 742-6728; 29th Radio Mobile Sqdn, Biloxi, MS, Bluffs, lA, 10/14-16, Ed Rehberg, (319) 393-9339, (785) 865-5794, [email protected]; 98th Bomb 11/11-12, Bob Rennick, (704) 435-0555, rennick@ [email protected]; 2nd AARUF, Nashville, TN, Grp/Wing, Tucson, AZ, 10/9-13, Lee Taube, (714) vnet.net; 32nd Gen Hosp, Memphis, TN, 10/4-6, Janies 10/3-6, Daniel liberie, (724) 239-5644, dntiet@ 546-0956, [email protected]; 103rd Regan, (856) 303-8993; 35th AAA Bn, St. Louis, 10/4- bentcom.net; 4th Ftr Interceptor Wing, Savannah, GA, AC&W Sqdn, Groton, CT, 11/3, Bill Lewis, (860) 536- 7, V. Yanisch, (320) 843-3205 10/3-6, Andrew Whipple, (941) 739-6947; 5th AF 5th 6937, [email protected] Comm Grp, St. Louis, 10/17-20, Billie Ogden Jr., (636) 37th Sig Bn, Phoenix, 11/23-25, Robert Fash, (520) 946-7665, [email protected] 189th Assault Heli Co, Colorado Springs, CO, 10/4-7, 606-5921 , hobol 01 [email protected]; 39th AAA Bn, St. Gerry Sandlin, [email protected]; 315th Bomb Louis, 10/4-7, V. Yanisch, (320) 843-3205; 40th Inf 5th AF 8th Fir Grp 8th/33rd/35th/36lh/80th Ftr Cmd Wing, , 10/3-7, Beverly Green, (217) 893- Div 115th Med Bn, Independence, MO, 10/7-11, Robert Sqdns and Support Units, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, 10/25- 3197; 318th Air Serv Grp Assn WWII, Cincinnati, KY, Stiens, (816) 928-3637; 44th Eng, Gettysburg, PA, 27, John Mark, (847) 678-5075, [email protected]; 10/18-21, Alfred Hudson, (704) 864-6506, October, Albert Cline, (864) 489-6528; 45th Surg Hosp 5th AF 80lh Serv Grp 66th Serv Sqdn, Myrtle Beach, [email protected]; 363rd Ftr Grp Mustangs, Vietnam, Washington, 11/9-11, Bradley Burns, (419) SC, 10/12-15, John Sainola, (813) 689-1549; 7lh Cbt Charleston, SC, 10/4-6, Art Mimler, (800) 363-3864; 289-4942, [email protected]; 51st Eng Comm Cargo Sqdn, Milwaukee, 10/17-19, Curtis Krogh, (262) 386th Bomb Grp Assn, Tampa, FL, 10/24-28, Bamett Bn, Parksville, NY, 10/4-7, Leonard Weil, (615) 254- 633-4373, [email protected]; 8lh AF 1st Strat Air Young, (941) 482-5059, [email protected]; 5005 Dept, Branson, MO, 10/27-30, Herb Kaster, (856) 751- 435th Org Maint Sqdn Enroute Maint Personnel, 1763; 8th AF 358th Ftr Grp 462nd Serv Sqdn, Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/12-14, Stanley Miller, (910) 867- 56th Amph Tank and Tract Bn, Ft. Worth, TX, 10/8-10, Charteston, SC, 10/4-6, Lubbertus Lok Jr., (570) 629- 6508, [email protected] Jack Budler, (308) 532-6402, [email protected]; 3488 61st Arty 3rd Bn 24th Grp, Colorado Spnngs, CO, 445th TCW 701st, 702nd TCS, Memphis, TN, 10/19- 10/7-9, Joe Corle, (801) 681-3567, [email protected]; 8th AF 359th Ftr Grp, Branson, MO, 10/11-14, Charles 20, A. Jones, (913) 381-0982; 463rd Bomb Grp, 68th AAA Gun Bn Korea, Branson, MO, 10/18-21, Staley, (608) 362-5513; 8th, 9th AF 386th Bomb Grp Nashville, TN, 10/3-6, Art Mendelsohn, (818) 790- Bobby Burks, (573) 636-2030, [email protected]; Assn, Tampa, FL, 10/24-28, Bamett Young, (941) 482- 3722; 483rd Bomb Grp, Denver, 10/2-6, Bob Bailey, 68th Sig Bn, SL Louis, 10/5-6, Larry Orechia, (419) 5059, [email protected]; 8lh AF 446th Bomb Grp (303) 979-4983, [email protected]; 763rd AC&W 668-5464; 75th FA Bn Korea, Albuquerque, NM, H, New Orleans, 10/3-5, Bill Davenport, (714) 832- Sqdn, Lockport, NY, 10/7-10, Leo Phelps, (317) 984- 10/13-17, N. Vanderhave, (973) 538-7189; 92nd Inf 2829, [email protected]; 8th AF 487th Bomb 3402, [email protected]; 1254th Air Trans Grp "Buffalo" Div WWII Avn, Silver Spnng, MD, 10/5-7, Grp H, St. Louis, 10/3-7, Howard Todt, (314) 821- (Special Missions), Artington, VA, 10/26-27, Joseph Howard Fletcher, (301) 622-2179 5449, [email protected]; 8th Recon Tech Sqdn, Kuchinsky, (301) 948-8835, [email protected]; A-37 Hayward, Wl, 10/5-7, Chuck Kinneberg, (715) 865- Assn, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, 10/3-7, Oliver Maier, (512) 96th FA Bn Korea, Albuquerque, NM, 10/13-17, N. 2202, [email protected] 353-7432, [email protected] Vanderhave, (973) 538-7189; 132nd Cbf Eng, , FL, 10/18-21, Eugene Recknagel, (262) 547-4771; 9th AF 368th Ftr Grp, Reno, NV, 10/8-12, Randolph AF HQ Cmd Flight Line Crews, Clinton, MD, 10/7, John 138th Eng Cbt Bn, Savannah, GA, 10/16-19, Robert Goulding, (687) 333-0241, [email protected]; 9th AF Joyner, (301) 868-6855; AF Postal Courier, Atkins, (913) 772-8176, [email protected]; 387th Bomb Grp 556th-559th Bomb Sqdns, , Pleasanton, CA, 10/12-15, Jim Foshee, (254) 774- 145th, 159th FA Bn Korea, Albuquerque, NM, 10/13- 10/3-7, Lloyd Swenson, (760) 360-8057, Iswen123@ 7303, [email protected]; Burtonwood Assn, 17, N. Vanderhave, (973) 538-7189; 160th Eng C Bn, earthlink.net; 9th AF 405th Ftr Grp, Charleston, SC, Colorado Springs, CO, 10/2-6, Richard Iwanowski, Louisville, KY, 10/11-14, Max Roberts, (561) 466- 10/4-6, Lubbertus Lok Jr., (570) 629-3488; 11th Bomb (773) 767-1810; Matador/Mace Missileers, Orlando, 1493; 163rd Med Bn, Atlanta, 10/12-14, Joe Wilkes, Grp, Honolulu, 12/4-12, Allan Davis, (918) 299-5379, FL, 10/4-7, Joe Perkins, (904) 282-9064, perkster@ (803) 781-7726, [email protected] [email protected]; 13th Ftr Sqdn, Branson, MO, fcol.com; Phalsbourg AFB, SL Louis, 10/6, George November, Jared Potvin, (503) 636-3417, Stanley, (618) 633-2520, [email protected]; 167th Eng Cbt Bn, Spnngfield, IL, 10/5-7, Jesse Hicks, [email protected]; 14th AF Assn, Branson, MO, 10/3- Pilot Class 48C, Dayton, OH, 10/4-8, Roy Chamberlin, (865) 922-2473, [email protected]; 176th FA Bn 6, Ron Phillips, (660) 679-5365, [email protected] (831) 624-0830, [email protected]; Pleiku AB, Korea, Albuquerque. NM, 10/13-17, N. Vanderhave, Pittsburgh, 12/9-16, Tom Rushnock, (724) 334-9445, (973) 538-7189; 199th Cbt Eng, Shakopee, MN, 15th AF, Tuskegee Airmen, Branson, MO, 11/7-12, [email protected]; Vietnam Sec Police, Hampton, VA, 10/12-14, Ray Sanders, (507) 334-4445; 204th FABn Tnsh Thompson, (417) 336-6350, thedish@ 10/4-7, Steve Gattis, [email protected] Korea, Albuquerque, NM, 10/13-17, N. Vanderhave, mymailstation.com; 15th AF 312th Depot Repair Sqdn (973) 538-7189; 243rd Port Co, Myrtle Beach, SC, 41st Air Depot Group, Kansas City, KS, 10/4-7, Larry ARIVIY 10/4-6, Melvin Jacobson, (814) 723-6278; 256th Eng Schulte, (785) 256-4308, [email protected]; 15th AF C Bn, St. Augustine, FL, 10/4-6, Bob Geist, (352) 259- 461st Bomb Grp, Las Vegas, 10/1-5, Bob Hayes, (843) 1st FA Obsn Bn Assn, Fayetteville, NC, 10/-57, James 4343; 281st Eng, Gettysburg, PA, October, Albert Cline, 763-7780, [email protected]; 19th Bomb Grp, Fidler, (910) 439-0086; 2nd Armd Div 67th Armd Rgl (864) 489-6528 Atlanta, 10/31-11/4, Gerald Michael, (317) 253-9265, F Co, Charleston, SC, 10/14-18, Jim O'Neal, (803) [email protected]; 36th Supply Sqdn, Daytona 787-8526, [email protected]; 3rd Inf Div 15th Inf 321st Sig Bn, Biloxi, MS, 10/18-21, Donald Romig, Beach, FL, 10/1, Jacquelynn Martin, (904) 2671622, Rgt B Co, Daytona Beach, FL, 11/4-8, Donald Sonsalla, (504) 835-1024, [email protected]; 342nd Armd FA [email protected] (651) 429-1634, [email protected]; 4th Armd Div Bn, Lincoln, NE, 10/11-13, Chall Allred, (208) 678- 66th Armd Rgt 2nd Medium Tank Bn, Dallas, 11/2-3, 5297, callred@pmLorg; 361st Eng Const Bn, 38th Air Police Sqdn, Las Vegas, 10/2-4, Harky Riste, Rex Searson, (214) 691-9261, [email protected]; Asheville, NC, 10/19-20, Delmer Wallen Sr., (423) 247- (920) 336-9599, [email protected]; 38th Tact 6th Med Depot Korea, Myrtle Beach, SC, 11/9-11, 3933, [email protected]; 362nd Sig Co, Missile Wing, Orlando, FL, 10/3-6, Gene Henderson, MackMullins, (910) 867-4292, [email protected] Washington, 10/26-28, Bob Doerr, (618) 867-2577, (863) 533-7628, [email protected]; 44th [email protected]; 398th AAA AW Bn Korea, Bomb Grp Assn, Shreveport, LA, 10/15-18, Jerry 7th FA Obsn Bn, Huntsville, AL, 10/3-6, Henry Lizak, Warrensburg, MO, 10/4-7, Lawrence Lockard, (660) Folsom, (801) 942-9988, [email protected]; 516) 796-4853; 12th Armd Div, Abilene, TX, 10/3-7, 747-8549 47th Bomb Wing, Washington, 10/4-8, Carty Lawson, ohn Critzas, (344) 773-8610, [email protected]; 12th (703) 779-4670, [email protected]; 48th Ord Bn Spec Wpns, Quinton, VA, 10/5, James Ogle, 425th MP Escort Guard Co, Chartotte, NC, 11/9-10, FS/FIS/FTS Assn, Orlando, FL, 10/10-13, Joseph (804) 932-4959, [email protected]; 15th Major Port Louis Henderson, (904) 641-5250, louspeedy@ Onesty, 431-2901 Ftr Corps, Seekonk, MA, 10/18-20, Roland aol.com; 440th Sig Bn, Asheville, NC, 10/9-11, Richard (562) , [email protected]; 50th Trans Grp 313th Ftr Sqdn, San Diego, 10/11-14, George Schaeffer, (314) 544-2262; 17th FA Bn Korea, Fluke, (814) 928-5041, [email protected]; Condem, (775) 826-3127, [email protected]; 56th Ftr Albuquerque, NM, 10/13-17, N. Vanderhave, (973) 459th Sig Bn, Washington, 11/11, Howard Bartholf,

60 1 October 2001 The American Legion Magazine comrades

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(804) 740-7652; 465th, 467th, 472nd Sig Bns, 10/4-8, Richard Mansfield, (314) 838-4495; 2623rd Greenland Patrol WWII, Savannah, GA, 10/7-11, Asheville, NC, 10/9-11, Richard Fluke, (814) 928-5041, Sig Serv Bn A Co, 3195th Sig Serv Co, 6662nd Sig Richard Bissette, (941) 426-4806, jstam8885@ [email protected]; 496th AAA Gun Bn, Serv Co, San Diego, 10/18-22, Charles Dorfman, (800) aol.com; Marines/Navy Paratroopers WWII, Las Rochester, NY, 10/5-6, Juiian Declerck, (716) 346- 484-8156, [email protected]; Army Counterintel- Vegas, 10/23-26, Dave Severance, (858) 459-0607; 6638; 504th AAA Gun Bn, Akron, OH, 10/25-28, Robert ligence Corps Vets, Bushkill, PA, 10/19-22, M. Natl Chief Petty Officers, Corpus Christi, TX, 10/10-14, Janssens, (330) 336-5816; 516th Sig Co, Ashevilie, Dougherty, [email protected]; 3333rd Serv Cmd Unit, William Williams, (830) 537-4899; Natl Eod Assn, Las NC, 10/5-7, Dow Duncan, (515) 432-5657, blinentr® Army Air Unit Specialized Training Corps, Gettysburg, Vegas, 10/1-3, Bud Englehardt, (413) 569-5040, spec.net; 517th FA Bn, Orlando, FL, 10/7-11, Chuck PA, 10/25, William Irwin, (717) 396-0188, wirwin® [email protected]; Operation Dominic Underwood, (515) 987-5576, [email protected]; juno.com; Eng OCS Assn Commemoration Reunion, 1962, Honolulu, 11/25-12/7, Stan Alsing, (760) 952- 518th Sig Co, Washington, 10/26-28, Bob Doerr, (618) Alexandria, VA, 10/12-15, Thorpe Mealing, (404) 231- 3852, [email protected]; Pearl Harbor Survivors, 867-2577, [email protected] 3402, en-ocs-a®dellnet.com; ROTC Univ, Honolulu, 12/3-8, Bill Eckel, (903) 683-4507; USS Miami, 11/2-3, B. Jennewine, (813) 681-7844, Arizona, BB 39, , 12/3-10, Joe Campbell, (520) 527th Personnel Serv Co, New Orleans, 11/2-4, bgtd96®aol.com; Sig Serv Assn, San Diego, 10/18- 529-7494, [email protected]; USS A7/n/7eapo//s, CA Richard Furman, (321) 356-4976, rafurman® 22, Charles Dorfman, (800) 484-8156, chukaru® 36, Orlando, FL, 10/2-7, Robert Murphy, (516) 770- bigplanet.com; 530th FA Bn, Branson, MO, 11/1-5, earthllnk.net 3037, [email protected] George Robinson, (856) 589-1039, closure® prodigy.net; 551st AAA Bn WWII, Williamsburg, VA, COASTJGUARD MARINES 10/12-14, Benhamin Knaut, (716) 334-5050; 623rd FA

Bn Korea, Albuquerque, MM, 10/13-17, I\l. Vanderhave, Lightship Sailors, Port Huron, Ml, 10/4-6, Jerry 1st Mar 2nd Bn Echo Co, Orlando, FL, 11/11, Steve (973) 538-7189; 644th Tank Dest Bn, Daytona Beach, Radloff, (313) 884-3071, [email protected]; Krupa, (817) 447-9343, [email protected]; 1st Scout FL, 10/7-10, Samuel Higginbotham, (386) 428-4296, USCGC/lfisecon, Norfolk, VA, 10/11-13, John Peters, Recon Co, San Antonio, 10/11-14, Baber,

mshigginbotham®webtv.net (757) 479-0000, [email protected]; USCGC (623) 973-491 ; 2nd Mar Div 1 0th Mar 4th Bn, Chambers, WDE 491, New Bedford, MA, 10/12-14, Monroe, LA, 10/11-14, Robert Fiala, (314) 962-1775; 650th Eng Topographic Bn WWII, Fayetteville, NC, Bob Pehnke, (516) 437-2495, [email protected]; 3rd Mar Div 3rd Rgt 3rd Bn Okinawa, San Diego, 10/5-8, Frank , (718) 667-4231, fcapt® USCGC Chlncoteague, WAVP 375, Norfolk, VA, 10/17-21, Roger Holtzapple, (570) 524-7424, vhford@ prodigy.net; 672nd Amph Tract Bn, Springfield, IL, October, John Peters, (757) 479-0000, odupeters@ ptdprolog.net; 7th Mar 3rd Bn Kilo Co, Tucson, AZ, 10/12-14, Norm McDonald, (217) 483-5646, aol.com; USCGC Rockaway, WAVP 377, Phoenix, 10/18-21, Harry Smith, (870) 247-1146, smitty@ [email protected]; 709th MP Bn, IVlyrtle Beach, 10/20-22, Chuck Harris, (602) 274-8980, tio@ kilo37.com; 8th Del AAA Bn, St Louis, 10/11-15, SC, 11/9-12, Brad Mitton, (508) 880-2521, inficad.com James Powers, (781) 449-4035 [email protected]; 776th Tank Dest Bn, Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/1-5, Arthur Pelkey, (843) 272-5378, USCGC Taney, WPG/WHEC 37, Alameda, CA, 10/4-7, 9th Def 9th AAA Bn, New London, CT, 10/10-14, Bill [email protected]; 788th AAA AW Bn, Phoenix, Garret Conklin, (510) 523-1878, [email protected]; Sorensen, (203) 378-0350; 22nd Mar Assn, Lancaster, 10/12-14, Cecil Gilliam, (480) 633-8341 USS Bayfield, APA 33, Orlando, FL, 10/26-29, John PA, 10/8-12, Harold Walters, (330) 264-5451, Harris, (915) 947-2805, [email protected]; USS [email protected]; B-1-1-1, Korea 1950- 793rd MP Bn, Niagara Falls, NY, 10/10-13, Frank De Leonard Wood, APA 12, San Diego, 10/15-18, Joseph 1953, Las Vegas, 10/24-26, Tom Prendergast, (561) Rosa, (847) 255-3977; 811th Tank Dest Bn, Raguckas, (734) 254-0844; USS LST 767, St. 283-6813; Kilo Co 3/7 Vietnam Assn, Tucson, AZ, Chillicothe, OH, 10/5-7, John True, (740) 773-1225; Petersburg, FL, 10/9-12, Dave Ramsay, (352) 527- 10/18-21, Harry Smith, (870) 247-1146, smitty@ 829th Sig Serv Bn C Co, San Diego, 10/18-22, Charles 2869, [email protected]; USS Peoria, PF 67, Ft. kilo37.com; Korean War Recon Marines, San Antonio, Dorfman, (800) 484-8156, [email protected]; Lauderdale, FL, 10/4-7, Kenneth Slifka, (922) 382- 10/10-13, Morris Estess, (210) 494-7870; Lake Mead 931st Sig Bn Avn, Rapid City, SD, October, Troy 3160 Base, Las Vegas, 10/17-19, Jim Hamann, (763) 428- Marshall, (407) 277-1864, [email protected]; 2046; Mar Air Grps 11, 12, 14, Branson, MO, 10/3-6, 945th FA Bn, Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/18-21, George JOINT L. Twomey, (903) 675-1218, [email protected]; Buck, (515) 255-4629; 1884th Eng Avn Bn, Savannah, Mar Air Warn Sqdn 7, San Antonio, 10/11-14, Don De GA, 10/21-26, James Pallazza, (352) 854-9628, 33rd Inf Rgt Cbt Team, Virginia Beach, VA, 10/3-7, Chambeau, (320) 252-9180; Mar Photo Sqdn 354, [email protected]; 1901st Eng Avn Bn, Branson, MO, Don Shinn, (972) 423-4954, [email protected]; MO, 1 0/4-7, Earl Vaughn, (91 8) 335-3390, Advertisement Hydrogen Peroxide Can Heal What?

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October 2001 1 61 Ttie American Legion Magazine I ,

comrades

[email protected]; Mar Scout Bomb Sqdn, 10/11- (740) 548-6200, [email protected]; USS Joe Anthony, (610) 873-6304, [email protected]; 14, Thomas Schmidt, (858) 258-3817; Mar Sec Bagley, DD386, Perrysburg. OH, 10/1-4, Chartes USS George Bancrolt, SSBN 643, Mystic, CT, 10/11- Guards Saigon, San Diego, 10/17-21, Mike Bertini, Schneider, (419) 862-2978; USS Bairoko, CVE 115, 14, Richard Elmore. (207) 247-3095, elmore@ (910) 353-7377; MAWS 7/MGCIS 7/MACS 7, San Cincinnati. 10/10-14. Tom Marcks. (513) 553-3586; saconver.net; USS George Clymer, APA 27, Ft. Worfh, Antonio, 10/11-14, Don De Chambeau, (320) 252- USS Bang, SS 385, Mystic. CT, 10/28-31. Bob TX, 10/4-6, Fred Pellegrene, (734) 676-7671, 9180; USMC Det Reunion Grp, San Diego, 10/4-6, Jutstrom. (508) 477-0436, [email protected]; [email protected]; USS George E. Davis, DE 357, Franldin Barrett, (501) 496-2285, [email protected]; USS Bannock, ATF 81, Charleston, SC. 10/18-20, John Colorado Springs, CO, 10/4-7, Rod Hoffmaster, (610) USMC Postal MOS Personnel 0160/0161, Robin- Evers. (770) 963-3421; USS Barnstable, APA 93, San 926-4590; USS Grand Canyon, AD/AR 28, Bowie. MD, sonville, IVIS, 10/14-19, Harold Wilson, (740) 385- Antonio, 10/10-11. Harold Chvarak, (920) 452-8620, 10/28-11/1. Alexander Stefanic Jr., (732) 251-4067, 6204, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]; USS Griggs, APA 110, New Orfeans, 10/11-14, John Mallon, (703) 524-4562 USS Curtiss Mar Det, Reno, NV, 10/15-19, George USS Basilone, DE 824, Charleston, SC, 10/11-14, Kelly, (480) 898-0062, [email protected]; Philip Poplaski, (315) 457-6847. [email protected]; USS Grundy, APA 111, New Orfeans, 10/11-14, Daniel USS Kitty Hawk Mar Det, Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/11-13, USS Bausell, DO 845, San Diego. 10/4-7. Edward Brown. (610) 398-1174; USS Guest, DD 472, Baton Sidney McLaughlin, (423) 246-5276, bruce.cayton@ Floyd, (619) 423-2870; USS Bearss, DD 654, Rouge. LA. 10/10-12, Tom Barnhouse, (972) 235- gte.net; USS Mississippi Mar Det, BB 41/EAG 128, San Alexandria, VA, 10/10-13, Jerry Walkins, (412) 487- 6635. [email protected]; USS Halsey Powell, DD 686, Antonio, TX, 11/9-12, Bill Miller, (830) 672-3645. 6073, [email protected]; USS Blue, DD 387, Reno, Colorado Spnngs, CO, 10/3-7, Michael Baker, (616) [email protected]; USS Pliilippine Sea Mar Det, NV, 10/1-4, Delbert McWhinney, (530) 347-0373; USS 392-3547, [email protected]; USS Hamner, DD CV/CVA/CVE 47, Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/2-6, Ralph Braine, DD 630, St. Louis, 10/5-10, Jim Rountree, 718, Las Vegas, 10/2-4, Bill Odie, (619) 421-0624, Lund, (215) 345-6430, [email protected]; VMB-423 (401) 847-1035, [email protected]; USS Bryce [email protected]; USS Hanson, DD/DDR 832, Sea Horse Marines, Branson, MO, 10/11-14, Bill Canyon, AD 36, , 10/4-7, Gayle Teachout, (425) Charleston, SC. 10/4-7, Louis Delancey. (717) 567- Woolman, (417) 858-6256, [email protected]; 355-2132 3538. [email protected] VIVIF/VMA-211 Assn, Alcoa, TN, 10/16-20, Ray Foust, (270) 395-4901, [email protected]; VMTB-131, USS Bunleson, APA 67, Branson, MO. 10/14-16. John USS Haynsworth, DD 700, Portsmouth. NH, 11/1-4. Portland, OR, 10/2-7, Merrill Hughes, (765) 675-2259 Grzywa. (630) 584-6726; USS Cabot, CVL 28, Bill Morton. (217) 324-4414, [email protected]; Charleston. SC. 10/31-11/4. Ron Davis. (860) 536- USS Henry L. Stimson, SSBN 655, Groton, CT. 10/12- NAVY 1835; USS , CVE 55, Bedford. MA. 10/30- 14. Ray Kreul, (401) 792-0237, [email protected]; 11/2, Milton Rowe, (717) 761-8526; USS Castor, AKS USS Hermitage, AP 54, Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/1-3, 35th Naval Const Rgt , San Angelo, TX, 10/23, 1, Las Vegas, 10/1-4, Walt Whittemore, (702) 431- Frank Calvarese, (716) 656-9646, [email protected];

Jerry Johnson, (915) 653-1795, maccaulaycox@ 1290, [email protected]; USS , ARG 6, Myrtle USS Hissem, DE/DER 400, Las Vegas, 1 0/8-1 1 internet.com; 78th , Brentwood, TN, 10/17-21, Beach, SC. 10/28-31. Harold Bond, (910) 579-3777; Bernard Sistek, (631) 853-5923. navyclipper@ Kenneth Kelly, (800) 678-1382; 114th Bn, USS Chara, AKA 58/AE 31, San Diego, 10/10-15, Jim usshissem.org; USS Hocking, APA 121, St. Louis, MO, Memphis, TN, 10/6-9, Edward Grinder, (901) 747- Harper, (972) 359-9147, [email protected] 10/24-27, Daniel O'Keefe, (415) 453-6727 2131, [email protected]; 301st Seabees, Providence, Rl, 10/18-21, William Lyon, (859) 278- USS Chickasaw, ATF 83, San Diego, 10/9-14, Floyd USS Holder, DDE 819, Orfando. FL, 10/7-11, Bruce 9692, [email protected]; American Assn of Navy Clark, (409) 385-2534; USS Chilton, APA/LPA 38, Rambo, (843) 556-0255, [email protected]; USS Hosp Corpsman, Pensacola, PL, 11/7-12, Thomas Seattle, 10/4-6, Edward Ritterhoff, (816) 358-8624, Hunt, DD 674, San Diego, 10/17-21, Nelson Syler, Foumier Sr., (850) 623-4849 [email protected]; USS Chivo, SS 341, Myrtle Beach, SC, (714) 534-5178, [email protected]; USSHuse, DE 10/25-28, Stan Pollard, (910) 845-3080, iustan2@ 145, Charleston, SC, 10/17-21, David Perfstein, (201) AOG Gasoline Tankers Assn, Williamsburg, VA, 10/4- earthlink.com; USS Cleveland, LPD 7, Myrtle Beach, 358-1462, [email protected]; USS Hutchins, DD 476, 7, William Waller Jr., (757) 464-6553, newaller@ SC, 10/4-7, Jack Greeson, (972) 723-3839, Chattanooga, TN, 10/21-25. Bill Sherwood. (410) 219- aol.com; CAG 14, San Antonio, 10/11-14, J. Oswald, [email protected]; USS Clinton, APA 144, Reno, NV, 5448. [email protected]; USS Independence, CVA/CV [956) 423-3411; CASU 12, Dayton, OH, 10/4-6, Boyd 10/16-18, Donal Haff, (218) 828-0380. haffhaff® 62, Savannah. GA. 10/10-14, Denis Bagley, (732) 819- Dixon, (573) 365-6603, [email protected]; brainerd.net 0359, [email protected] CASU 16/17, Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/4-8, Michael Deery, (816) 436-7599, [email protected]: CBMU 301, USS Collingsworth, APA 146, San Antonio. 10/5-10, USS Jaccard, DE 355, , FL, 10/14-16, Al Gregg, Branson, MO, 11/8-11, Shirely Essary, (417) 866- Mark Schaitel. (608) 269-7266; USS Constellation, (301) 735-6414, [email protected]; USS James E. 7819, [email protected]; FASRON 105, San Diego, CVA 64, San Diego, 10/26-29, Phil McGehee, (573) Kyes, DD 787, Branson, MO, 10/11-14, Dan Garfand, 10/4-6, Franklin Barrett, (501) 496-2285, barrett27@ 765-4788, [email protected]; USS Coronado, (216) 731-3877. [email protected]; USS James Miller, alltel.net LDP 11, Memphis, TN, 10/11-14, John Smith III, (409) DD 535, San Diego. CA, 10/24-28, Roy Klock, (610) 233-4543, [email protected]; USS Crescent City, 929-8343, [email protected]; USS John A. Four Stack APD Vets, APD 1/36, Myrtle Beach, SC, APA 21, New Orfeans, 12/6-10, Bill Vormbrock. (860) Bole, DD 755, St. Louis, 10/11-13. Mike Sprfnger, Clark, 282-0971 apdsec@worfdnet. 536-1526; John Weeks, Biloxi, 10/10, Curt (619) , 376-5557, [email protected]; USS Crux, AK 115, (715) USS W. DD 701, att.net; Lemoore Veteran Aviators, Visalia, CA, 10/12- Myrfle Beach, SC, 10/28-11/1, Wilton Price, (919) 365- MS, 10/14-18, Hal Gross, (561) 467-0130, gros701@ 14, Robert Taylor, [email protected]; LPD Assn, 5926; USS Damon M. Cummings, DE 643, San juno.com Memphis, TN, 10/11-14, Joe Havens, (501) 679-4980; Antonio, 10/26-30, Rollan Eberhard, (316) 799-2262 NAS Trinidad, San Diego, CA, 10/4-6, Franklin Barrett, USS Joseph Strauss, DDG 16, San Antonio, 10/4-7, (501) 496-2285, [email protected]; Navy Avn USS Davis 937, DD 937, Jacksonville, FL, 10/4-7, Carl Bart Bartholomew. (716) 985-4273, obarth289@ Repair Overhaul Unit 1, 2, 3 and 140, Chattanooga, Ross, (727) 847-0247, [email protected]; USS madbbs.com; USS Kadashan Bay, CVE 76/VC 20, TN, 10/15-17, Gene Lowe, (770) 536-4008, Delong, DE 684, Baltimore, 10/11-13, Billy Owen, Seattle, 10/4-8, Zacharias Zink, (509) 758-2654; USS [email protected] (757) 583-4285; USS Dixie, AD 14, Mesa, AZ, 10/25- Kasaan Bay, CVE 69, San Diego, 10/14-18. Charles 27, Ronald McPhail, (407) 671-0629, andy779@ O'Neal. (706) 323-4483, [email protected]; USS Navy Classifiers, Pensacola, FL, 10/11-14, Fred msn.com; USS Edison, DD 439, Kissimmee, FL, 10/1- Kearny, DD 432, Savannah, GA, 11/5-7, Thomas Fontaine, (334) 263-5325, [email protected]; NCB 4, Jean Whetstine. (810) 266-6821; USS Edwards, DD Barrett, (828) 369-6950, [email protected]; USS 28, Corning, NY, 10/7-11, Bruno Petmccione, (315) 619, Norfolk, VA, 10/11-14. Nat Hurwitx. (516) 625- Kimberly, DD 521, Branson, MO, 10/4-7, Joe 736-0263, [email protected]; NCB 58, Atlantic 4736; USS Elmore, APA 42, Tempe. AZ, 10/4-6, Falkenbach, (937) 849-6773 City, NJ, 10/1-5, Harold Plude, (401) 638-6221, Leonard Kuczynski. (480) 838-4289. [email protected] [email protected]; NCB 95, Daytona Beach, FL, 10/4-6, USS Koiner, DE/DER 331/WDE 431, Branson, MO, Joseph Snipas, (215) 947-1931; NCB 119, Nashville, USS Ernest G. Small, DD/DDR 838, New Orfeans, 10/1-4, Gus Dermand, (515) 832-1137; USS Lansing, TN, 10/11-15, Adam Belajac, (412) 884-7019, 10/18-21, Johnnie Ludwig, [972) 221-3344, DE/DER 388/WDE 488, Virginia Beach, VA, 10/17-21, [email protected]; NCB 145, Laughlin, NV, 10/1-4, [email protected]; USS Escambia, AO 80, Norwich, Terry Moberg, (218) 829-3288, [email protected]; Edward Webber, (407) 254-4074 CT, 10/8-12, Virgil Grier, (316) 943-0526, viriungrfer@ USS Latimer, APA 152, Raleigh, NC, 10/11-15, Kelly webtv.net; USS Farragut, DD 300/DO 348/DDG 37, Cmmp, (919) 851-1782, [email protected]; USS PB2Y Coronado FB Sqdn, Huntsville, AL, 10/25-28, Branson, MO, 10/11-14, Walter Nowell, (314) 962- Lavallette, DD 448, Albuquerque, NM, 10/31-11/4, Donald Mansell, (810) 228-7161; SLCU 32, Boat Pools 4018; USS foss, DE 59, Myrfle Beach. SC, 10/3-7, Donald Ingram, (505) 864-7583, iackwi@surfsouth. 17 and 18, New Orfeans, 9/10-12, Howard Ritchie, Frank Irvine, (804) 452-4062, [email protected]; com; USS Laws, DD 558, Treasure Island, FL. 10/17- (618) 442-5512, [email protected]; SNAG 56, Branson, USS Francis M. Robinson, DE 220, Norfolk, VA, 21, Daniel Cmm Sr.. (727) 526-5773, dana72124@ MO, 10/10-14, W. Huston, 616-942-2503, wiayhusl@ 10/12-14, Roberf Wilson, (757) 420-7611, yahoo.com iuno.com; USNAB Bremerhaven Weser/Rhlne, [email protected] Clearwater Beach, FL, 10/4-6, Richard Morrissex, (352) USS Leutze, DD 481, Tulsa, OK, 10/18-21, Richard 666-4954; [iSS Adroit, MSO 509, Wilmington, NC, USS Francis Marion, APA/LPA 249, San Antonio, Kleiber, (916) 428-4323; USS Lowndes, APA 154, 10/12-14, Al Hines, (910) 799-7284, ahmso509@ 10/18-21, Roberf Martin, (781) 665-9222, tinman61@ Nashville. TN. 10/11-13. William Kautz. (815) 344- earthlink.net juno.com; USS Frank Knox, DDR 742, Jacksonville, FL, 6326. [email protected]; USS LSM 132, Ft. 10/10-15, Bob O'Kon, (954) 717-9906, bobokon@ Myers. FL, 10/16-21, Gerry Danmeier, (941) 368-3569, USS Aeolus, ARC 3, Portsmouth, NH, 10/11-14, Mark aol.com; USS Fred T. Berry, DD/DDE 858, Charfeston, [email protected]; USS LSI 347/72, Myrtle Beach, Anthony, (603) 431-5034, [email protected]; USS SC, 1 0/1 1 -1 4, John Titsworfh, (203) 531 -661 8; USS SC. 10/1-5, Dale Nelsen, (940) 692-5946,

1 Clean, [email protected]; USS LSI 487, Oklahoma City, Alliena, AK 26/29, Baton Rouge, LA, 10/17-21. Chris Frontier, AD 25, Tucson, AZ, i/8-l 1 , Joseph Walker. (912) 352-8702; \iSS Alsliain, AKA 55, (401) 348-8882. [email protected]; USS Frybarger, 10/8-9, James McGhee, (580) 564-4735, Minneapolis. 10/11-14. Carroll Abbott, yoyoabbott@ OE/DEC 705, Kansas City, MO, 10/3-7, Alex Boyd, [email protected] aol.com; [)SS Ammen, DD 527, San Antonio, 10/3-7, (804) 233-0581 James Graham. (732) 833-9355. [email protected]; USS LSI 586, Daytona Beach, FL. 10/5-7. Richard USS Anne Arundel, AP 76, Wichita, KA, 1 0/1 1 -1 3, USS Furse, DD/DDR 882, Kissimmee. FL. 10/10-14, Colehour. (815) 244-3152, [email protected]; Denzel Pearce, (316) 733-1008; USS Archerfish, Maurfce Tuttle, (631) 749-0274, [email protected]; USS LST 818, Lake George. NY. 10/9-12. Thomas AGSS 311, Lake Tahoe, CA, 10/8-10, Kenneth Henry, USS General M.C. Meigs, AP 116, Charleston, SC, Judkins, (518) 793-2717, [email protected]; (813) 689-6285, [email protected]; USS 10/18-20, Avner Dare, (843) 571-4816; USS General USS , ARG 2, Pensacola, FL, 11/8-12, Charles Arkansas, BB 33, San Diego, 10/3-7, Darrell Baker, W.A. Mann, AP/TAP 112, Valley Forge, PA, 10/12-14, Mitchell, (845) 692-5760, [email protected];

October 2001 62 I The American Legion Magazine mncsui® mm o mmmmmm

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Need At Times Fitting Needs None None Included Testing Requirements None None None This compact, state-of-the-art electronic device can be easily concealed. No annoying, unsightly, behind-the-ear Inconspicuous Yes Yes Yes component. It's easy to use. Allows you to easily amplify Feed Back Limited Limited Limited the sounds around you. Imagine! Now you can hear clear, Resists Impact Excellent Excellent Excellent crisp sound. Great for the outdoors or today's shopping Volume Control Yes Yes Yes malls. All you do is slip our tiny, sound-amplifying compo- Retail Price: Each $700. $299.85 $29.95 nent in the ear. Easily fits in right or left ear. That's it. The amplifying system is small enough to fit comfortably. Its Pair $1,200. $599.70 $54.95 lightweight design is ruggedly built to assure you that it will "/ am over 18 years of age. I have been advised by Lakeside Products tliat ttie Food and Drug Administration has determined that my best health interest would last a long, long time. You can take it anywhere. Ideal for be served if I had a medical evaluation by a licensed physician (preferably a watching TV, movies, sporting events, parties, or simply physician who specializes in diseases of the ear) before purchasing a hearing aid. I do not wish a medical evaluation before purchasing a hearing aid". having a relaxing evening with a few good friends. * Not sold as a medical device. Not available in CA, FL, lA. GREAT FOR PICKING UP DISTANT SOUND FROM ANYWHERE |"LAKESrD"E PRODUCfsrOepT E317 ' 3038 N.W. 25 Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 Imagine how this small device will change your life. It can 1 30 Day Money Back Guarantee help you to hear those sounds which have eluded you I One Micro Ear Sound Amplifying Device before. Perhaps you simply got bored while watching TV, I only $29.95 plus $5.00 shipping & handling or it's been years since you appreciated the sound of birds shipping I Two Micro Ear Devices only $54.95 plus $8.00 chirping or rain gently pouring on your house. These are Enclosed is my payment: Money order Check I life's little special gifts. They were meant to be enjoyed. Mastercard Visa Cash I This compact, inconspicuous device can help put back the Card No. Exp. Date I quality of life we all need and deserve. Comes with on/off Waiver I Signature switch and volume control. Three different sizes of ear tips j to assure you of a proper fit everytime. Takes common, I Name easy-to-find batteries. You get a 10-piece set including six replacement batteries and also a designer case to protect Address, your sound amplifier when not in use. No wires. No tubes. City We recommend you discuss this product with your physi- cian. This is not a medical device. J^tate_ Zip, ,

comrades

USS Manley, DD 940, Fairfax, VA, 10/25-29, Joe FL, 11/1-4, A. Burchfield, (662) 289-4745, adb- John A. Fletcher, Sam Gatlln, Richard T. McGovern, Dennison, (904) 767-8068, [email protected]; [email protected]; USS Sigourney, DD 643, Myrtle Herman E. Mitchell, William D. White

USS Mars, AFS 1 , San Diego, 10/11-13, Everett Jones, Beach, SC, 10/4-6, Carroll Caverly, (843) 651-2225; Post 376, NY: William H. Dutcher Jr., Bruce W. (619) 421-3721, [email protected]; USS Marvin H. USS Simpson, DD 221, Virginia Beach, VA, 10/2-4, Wackford Mclntyre, APA 129, Laughlin, NV, 11/13-14, Kenneth Walter Zehrfuhs, (732) 350-0536, 4piperdestroyer@ Post 873, NY: Lloyd E. Murray, Kenneth H. Sherry Schneider, (407) 843-2810; USS Melville, AD 2, St. gci.net; USS Skill, MSG 471/AIV1 115, Baltimore, Post 1376, NY: John J. Jadlowski Augustine, I^L, 10/7-11, Fredericl< O'Hare, (_518) 747- 10/18-21, Joseph Morton, (215) 822-3484, 3970, [email protected]; USS Meredith, DD mortonsannioe(aiuno.com; USS Sperry, AS 12, IN SEARCH OF 165/434/729/890, Nashville, TN, 10/9-14, Harry Pensacola, FL, 10/11-13, Jim Taylor, (757) 463-2804, Wrede, (973) 839-0332, [email protected] [email protected]; USS Sphinx, ARL 24, Branson, MO, Anyone who served aboard the USS Ostara, AKA 33, 10/13, Franklin Ironi, (806) 266-5035 contact George B. Swarts, 6044 Hazel Dnve, USS Mona Island, Virginia Beach, VA, 10/9-11, William Florence, KY41042, call (859) 283-2984 or e-mail Bunte, (908) 647-4641; USS Monrovia, APA 31, USS Springfield, CLG 7/CL66/SSN761, Philadelphia, [email protected]. Charleston, SC, 10/3-7, Dick Gushing, (727) 863-1381, 10/26-28, John Adams, (603) 598-2806, iohnmrwillie@ Anyone who served aboard the USS Olmstead, APA [email protected]; USS Montour, APA 101, aol.com; USS Stoddard, DD 566, Pittsburgh, 10/11-14, 1 88, between 1 952 and 1 955, contact Cart J. Pauli, 4 Savannah, GA, 10/3, Max Kirshstein, (843) 556-6031, Joseph Harpster, (412) 486-1569; USS Talladega, APA Hackensack St., Apt. 2D, Woodridge, NJ 07075 or [email protected]; USS Moosehead, IX 98, 208, San Diego, 10/5-8, Thomas Ulmer, (618) 684- call (201) 939-3961. Tulsa, OK, 10/2-4, James Yarbrough, (713) 774-3558; 5666, [email protected]; USS Tattnall 125, Anyone who served with the Air-Sea Rescue in the USS Morton, DD 948, San Diego, 10/10-13, John Kieft, DD125/APD 19, Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/7-10, Anthony De North Sea north of London in late 1944 and early (541) 471-2777, [email protected]; USS Murray, Marco, (609) 859-1238; USS Tom Green County, LST 1945, contact Noble Peterson, 2604 4th Ave. N.E., DD/DDE 576, Philadelphia, 10/4-6, Vince Sponziello, 1159, San Angelo, TX, 10/4-7, William Ropko, (301) Lemmon, SD 57638 or call (701) 376-3279. (609) 894-9068, [email protected] 345-1639, [email protected] Anyone who served with 230tn Ordnance Base Depot at Palo, , in the , between August USS Natrona, APA 214, San Antonio, 10/10-14, Joe USS Trinity, AO 13, San Diego, 10/3-7, Clarence Wills, 1 945 and February 1 946, contact Walter Harsch, Dedomenico, (914) 359-8761, [email protected]; (773) 779-4727, [email protected]; USS 1461 Kimberly Court, Grand Blanc, Ml 48439 or e- USS Newman K. Perry, DD/DDR 883, Savannah, GA, Tyrrell, AKA 80, Louisville, KY, 10/18-21, Fred Gast, mail [email protected]. 10/25-28, Gerard Bonneau, (315) 691-6217, (727) 586-4259, [email protected]; USS Union, Anyone who served with the 465th Bomb Wing at [email protected]; USS Norris, DD DDE AKA 106, Baton Rouge, LA, 10/20-23, Dot Yerby, (225) Robins AFB, Ga., between October 1965 and August 859, Laughlin, NV, 10/4-7, Edward IVIehl, (302) 541- 751-0229, [email protected]; USS Valley Forge, CV 1 967, HQ Sqdn, or with 1 961 st Comm Grp at Clark 0685, [email protected]; USS Northampton, CA 45/LPH 8, Daytona Beach, FL, 10/10-14, Don AB, Philippines, between October 1967 and April 26/CLC 1, San Jose, CA, 10/25-29, Phillip Knights, Whitman, (904) 761-0355; USS Van Valkenburg, DD 1969, contact Don Phillips, 949 35th Ave. North, St. [email protected]; USS Ocklawaha, AO 84, 656, Venice, FL, 11/7-11, George Barr, (941) 485- Cloud, MN 56303, call (320) 252-4794 ore-mail Branson, MO, 10/22-26, Bill Parker, (831) 449-4874, 5001, [email protected] [email protected]. [email protected] Anyone who served with the 81st Wildcat Div, C Co,

USS Wilhoite, DE 397, San Diego, 10/18-21, Daniel 323rd Inf in the Pacific dunng Wortd War II, contact USS OmmaneyBay, CVE 79, Shreveport, LA, 10/1-5, McHugh, (502) 426-3594, [email protected]; USS William Warren Heuton, 901 Henry St., Moberly, MO 65270. Lowell Tebeest, (630) 428-9598, redombay@gateway. P. BIddle, APA 8, Charleston, SC, 10/17-21, Don Anyone who served with the 1318th Serv Unit at Camp net; USS Ozbourn, DD 846, Seekonk, MA, 10/17-21, Skouse, (816) 478-3403; USS William Seiverling, DE Picket in Blackstone, Va., contact Nicholas William Minter, (903) 794-4748, [email protected]; 441, Seattle, WA, 10/3-7, H. Love, (228) 467-8538; Constantine, 6916 Crafton Lane, Clinton, MD 20735 USS Patterson, DD 392, Branson, MO, 10/14-18, V. USS Wilkes-Barre, CL 103, Louisville, KY, 10/1-4, or call (301) 868-5281. Balamontis, (888) 714-4020; USS Perry, DD 844, Alvin Clark. (502) 458-7790, [email protected]; Anyone who was in Co 1263 at Great Lakes, III., in Jacksonville, PL, 10/5-9, Joe Malmendier, (717) 258- USS Woodford, AKA 86, Pensacola, FL, 10/11-14, Jim December 1 945, contact CT. Bowman at 267 9695, [email protected]; USS Pickaway, APA 222, Cutler, (920) 739-8065, [email protected]; USS Albright St. S.E., Palm Bay, FL 32909 or call (321) Denver, 10/10-13, Will Green, (303) 660-0575, Worcester, CL 144, Minneapolis, 10/5-8, Phil Harter, 676-4390. [email protected] (845) 255-2603, [email protected] Anyone who served with the 3rd Mar Raider Bn in 1943, contact Archie Rackerby, P.O. Box 83, Rough USS Picking, DD 685, Wyomissin, PA, 10/10-14, Jerry USS Yancey, AKA 93, San Diego, 11/1-4, Paul Dunn, & Ready, CA 95975. Reinhold, (714) 523-3232, [email protected]; (440) 350-0585; VC/VAH-1/RVAH-1, Pensacola, FL, Anyone who served with U.S. Navy ACORN 19 in USS Polk County, LST 1084, Laughlin, NV, 10/24-26, 10/25-28, James Mathews, (904) 783-6943, Benika Island, Solomons, to Island, Lloyd King, (661) 589-1757, [email protected]; [email protected]; VF-51, 1954 Cruise, Philippines, between October 1943 and 1945, USS Pollux, AKS 2/AKS 4, Biloxi, MS, 10/14-18, Glen San Antonio, 10/16-18, Joseph Green, 781-488-8427, contact Floyd D. Foster, 5837 Blue Sage Road, Broxson, (850) 994-0416, [email protected]; USS [email protected]; VF-54, Tucson, AZ, 10/11- Waterloo, lA 50701. Rainier, AE 5, Chula Vista, CA, 10/4-6, Larry Hill, 14, Glenn Ward, (703) 527-7315, [email protected]; Anyone who served with the 20th AF, 9th Air Vehicle (503) 285-6052; USS Rasher, SS 269, Charleston, SC, VF-92 Korea, Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/7-9, Ed Ellstrom, Repair Sqdn at Kadina AFB, Okinawa, , between 10/5-9, Dick Traser, (760) 446-4659, (970) 593-1756, [email protected]; VIVlF/VMA-124, 1952 and 1953, contact Scotty Sherretts, 3337 S. [email protected] Pensacola, FL, 10/10-13, Al , (901) 386-8738; 113th SL, West Allis, Wl 53227, call (414) 541-7579 VP-48, San Diego, 10/18-21, Alan Hardie, (805) 495- or e-mail [email protected] USS Redtin, SS 272, Charleston, SC, 10/4-7, Peter 1359, [email protected]; VPB-111, VP-21, Anyone who served with the 16th Avn Operating Det A Amunrud, (608) 788-4491, [email protected]; USS Virginia Beach, VA, 10/22-24, Warren Massey, (804) at Echterdingen Army Airtield in Germany between Renshaw, DD DDE 499, Norfolk, VA, 10/18-21, Ray 495-0789; VR-24, Pensacola, FL, 10/25-28, Pete 1959 and 1960, contact Thomas W. Senuta, 79 Smith, (301) 474-6127, [email protected]; USS Owen, (949) 462-3696; VT-1 (Torpedo Sqdnl) WWII, Fanning Road, Ledyard, CT 06339, call (860) 889- Renville, APA 227, New Orleans, 10/11-14, Oscar Lax, Overland Park, KS, 10/4-7, Adrian Freels, (270) 554- 0654 or e-mail [email protected]. (973) 762-4560; USS Rhodes, DD/DDR 384, Nashville, 8226, [email protected] Anyone who served aboard the USS Pentheus, ARL 20, TN, 10/11-14, Lynne Mannino, (718) 833-3779, between June 1945 and August 1946, contact Jack [email protected]; USS Richard E. Byrd, Cavender, 355 County Road 1 5, Heflin, AL 36264 or LIFE DDG 23, Norfolk, VA, 10/11-13, David Cunningham, MEMBERSHIPS call (256) 253-2221. Anyone who served with the 857th Avn Eng Bn, B Co, (757) 467-6682, [email protected] Life Membership notices are published for Legion- contact William Gracia, 20 Applegate Lane, naires who have been awarded Life f\/lemberships by Providence, Rl 02905 or call (401) 461-0339. USS Richard p. Leary, DD 664, Mobile, AL, 10/17-21, their posts. Life IVIembership notices must be Anyone who served aboard the USS Maury, AGS 1 6, Thomas Wren, (607) 263-5928, [email protected]; submitted on official forms, which may be obtained by contact James M. White, 946 E. 7th St., Mesa, AZ USS Rigel, AF 11/58, San Diego, 11/1-4, Paul sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Life 85204 or e-mail iamesandieanne@ McKeever, (315) 344-7390, [email protected]; h/lemberships. The American Legion Magazine, P.O. mymailstation.com. USS Rocky Mount, AGC 3, Johnstown, PA, 10/10-15, Box 1055. Indianapolis, IN 46206. 307th Bn, B Cos, John Vreeland, (858) 277-0689; USS Rodman, DD Anyone who served with ASA A and Post 354, CA: Arthur Ashton, Gerald Dow, George W. outstations and 456/DIVIS 21, Atlantic City, NJ, 10/4-7, Norman Army Post Office 171 at Lubeck Hagerty, Henry Lively, Moss O'Bryant, Carlos Siorda, Rothwestern, between 1955 and 1957, Simonelli, (757) 464-2845, [email protected]; USS Germany, Herbert Spaulding, Clifford Wangrud P. 1893 Cavalier Drive, Rogers, DD/DDR 876, Atlantic City, NJ, 10/23-26, contact Wiley La Mond, Post 156, CI: William M. Auster, William J. Berner Jr., call 535-3087. George Eichenberg, (859) 987-0112, usrogers2001@ Huntington, MD 20639 or (410) J. Bielot, Joseph S. Bury, Walter J. Consic, aol.com Walter Anyone who served at Ft. Sam Houston in August Robert C. Faircloth, Anthony J. Florko, Henry M. 1940, Ft. Warren, Wyo., in winter 1941 or FL Fournier, John M. Halish, Edward J. Kabara, John F. USS Salisbury Sound, AV-13, Branson, MO, 10/11-13, Leonardwood, Mo., in December 1941, as well as Kromish, Albin A. Novinski, Michael W. Simal, Torch in in October and Marian Bruce, [email protected]; USS Samuel N. Moore, veterans of Operation Joseph Tesar, George G. Worthington 1942, contact Rudolph V. Talamantez Sr., DD 747, San Antonio, 10/17-21, Bob Culver, (402) November Edward Bigenski, Fred Buckley, Jared 368- 489-5910, [email protected]; USS San Marcos, Post 180, CT: P.O. Box 204, Aberdeen, MD 21001, call (800) Hinckley, Paul Puhlick 6330 or e-mail [email protected]. LSD 25, Asheville, NC, 10/25-28, Ray Willis, (419) Post 208, FL: Louis Alesiani, Gerard Dicairano, Rodger Anyone served aboard the USS Dorsey, DMS 1 331-4699; USS Saratoga, CV 3/CVA 60/CV 60, Long who Hinds, Donald Mericle, Charles Voipe 1941 contact M. Brice, 119 Beach, CA, 10/17-21, John Brandman, (877) 360- between and 1945, W. Post 330, FL: James E. Roser Abell Circle, Midland, TX 79707 or call (91 7272, [email protected]; USS Scania, AKA 40, New Hanger 5) Post 334, FL: J. Barber 699-6928. Castle, DE, 10/3-6, Carl Book, (302) 328-2829; USS Post 467, lA: Victor Kovarik the Loran Station at Sevier, APA 233, Charleston, SC, 10/21-27, Jack Anyone who served aboard USCG Post 33, IL: Charles R. Rice Bikati in the Gilbert Islands between mid-1945 and Lazor, (860) 749-3577 Post 385, KS: Richard L. Barnum mid-1946, contact "Buck" Buckler at 1925 Post 143, ME: Paul Poehler Westchester Road, Apt. 108, Watertoo, lA 50701 or USS Shenandoah, AD 26, Pensacola, FL, 10/4-8, E. Post102,IVIN: Larry C.Phillips 234-8845. Zapf, [email protected]; USS Sheridan, APA 51, call (319) Post 82, MO: Hugh R. Mefford served with HQ Sqdn, 309th Bomb Wing Mobile, AL, 11/10-12, Louis Perez, (661) 285-3794, Anyone who Post 160, MS: Ray L. Boutwell, Chartes P. Brooks, in in contact Paul Oriando, 19 [email protected]; USS Shields, DD 596, Jacksonville, the Philippines 1945,

64 October 2001 [ The American Legion Magazine j .

comrades

[

Empire Court, Commack, NY 11725. Anyone who served with the 211th Sqdn RAF, contact Scottsdale, AZ 85259, call (480) 391-7322 or e-mail Anyone who served with tlie 41st Eng Petroleum Adrian Fryatt, 10 Adair Street, Scuilin A.C.T. 2614 [email protected]. Distribution Co APO 331 on OI

1 950 and December 1 951 , contact Rex A. O'Neal, RR Anyone who served with the 7th Eng Bn, C Co, 2nd Pit 26, contact Russell Brewer, 11199 W. State Road 2, 3, Box 73, Oakland City, IN 47660 or e-mail or the 43rd Div, 118th Eng Bn, C Co at Henry Kaserne Lot 3, Westville, IN 46391 or call (219) 785-2020. [email protected]. in Munich, Germany, between 1953 and 1956, Anyone who served aboard the USS Bear during an Anyone who served with the 667th and contact Robert D. Wallis, 1050 Meadowlark Drive, Antarctic expedition between 1939 and 1941, contact 932nd/933rd/934th AC&Ws in Iceland, contact Florissant, MO 63033 or call (31 4) 921 -1 1 46. Joseph A. Daigle, 210 Lynn Drive, Lumberton, TX William A. Chick, 104 Summit Point Court, Chapin, Anyone who served in Survey Section, HQ Btry, 39th 77657 or call (409) 755-7651. SC 29036, call (803) 932-9596 or e-mail FA Bn, 3rd Inf Div in Korea between March 1951 and [email protected]. February 1952, contact Cart H. Armbrust, P.O. Box TAPS Anyone who served with the 5307th Composite Unit 306, Manito, IL 61546 or call (309) 968-6409. (Provisional) S-2 Intelligence HQ Bn, "Merrill's Anyone who served with the 1 79th Station Hosp at Daniel W. McClintock, Dept. of Idaho. Nat'l Mbrshp. & Marauders, at Burma in 1944, contact Bill Burgess, Adak, Alaska, between 1943 and 1945, contact Jerry Post Activ. Cmte. Memb. 1967-1968, Nat'l 9410 Roslyndale Ave., Arleta, CA 91331, call (818) M. Radostis, 8876 N. U.S. 31 Bernen Spnngs, Ml, Amencanism Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1969-1970 and

899-6775 or e-mail [email protected]. 49103 or call (616) 471-5892. 1994-1995, Dept. Cmdr. 1970-1971 , Nat'l Contest Anyone who served with the 8th Army HQ, Cnminal Anyone who underwent basic training at Naval Air Supervisory Cmte. Memb. 1971-1974, Nat'l Exec. HQ, during the war crimes trials between 1946 Station, Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, N.Y., dunng Cmte. Memb. 1972-1974, Nat'l Public Relations and 1948, contact Edward C. Rice, 315 Gun Club summer 1965, contact Pete Byrne, 8945 E. 58th St., Cmsn. Liaison Cmte. Memb. 1972-1974, Nat'l Road, Nashville, TN 37205 or e-mail Tulsa, OK 741 45 or call (91 252-5241 Distinguished Guests Cmte. Vice Chmn. 1974-1975, 8J [email protected]. Anyone who served with the 1 7th Trans Det at Nat'l Amencanism Cmsn. Memb. 1975-1978, Nat'l Anyone who served with the 25th AAA Searchlight Bn, Boscomantico, Italy, between 1960 and 1962, Sec. Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1988-1990 and vanous contact Frank Dorsey, 6 Ann Ave., Stony Point, NY contact James R. Mattern, 3966 W. Mill Creek Road, department positions. 10980. Wabash, IN 46992. Douglas A. Mory, Dept. of Maryland. Nat'l Americanism Anyone who underwent basic training with Co 259, Anyone who underwent basic training with the 470th Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1983-1996 and DepL Cmdr. 1993- 43rd Bn, 4th Rgt at the U.S. Naval Training Center in MP Escort Guard Co at Camp Atterbury, Ind., 1994.

Bainbridge, Md., between July and October 1953, between January and June 1 951 , contact Cart M. Wilbur W. Saukerson, Dept. of South Dakota. Dept. contact George "Joe" Joseph at (603) 624-4180 or Robinson, 1436 Morrison Viola Road, Morrison, TN Cmdr. 1983-1984 and Nat'l Membership & Post e-mail [email protected]. 37357 or call (931) 635-2245. Activ. Cmte. Memb. 1974-1977. Anyone who served aboard the USS PC 586 between Anyone who served with the 2998th Eng Co (FB) Mark J. Studer, Dept. of Iowa. Nat'l Sec. Cncl. Vice 1943 and 1946, contact David "Baldy" Craig at (716) between June 1953 and September 1954, H&S Co Chmn. 1976-1978, Dept. Cmdr. 1978-1979, AIL Nat'l 433-8291. 116th EBC between October 1954 and January 1955 Exec. Cmte. Memb. 1981-1983, Nat'l Exec. Cmte. Anyone who served aboard the USS PC 1134 during or A Co 44th EBC between January and August 1955, Memb. 1983-1987, Nat'l Foreign Relations Cmsn. WWII, contact Lester R. Green, 1 1 51 W. Park Ave., all in Korea, contact Jack Temple, 106 Hoyt St., Liaison Cmte. Chmn. 1985-1986 and Nat'l Foreign Brazil, IN 47834. Saginaw, Ml 48607, call (800) 832-7060 or e-mail Relations Cmsn. Liaison Cmte. Memb. 1983-1992. Anyone who served with the 1317th Eng General Serv [email protected]. Richard C. Sutton, Dept. of Hawaii. Dept. Cmdr. 1965- Rgt in during WWII, contact Eari Watson, 315 Anyone who served with the 7773rd Sig Bn HQ at 1966, Nat'l Distinguished Guests Cmsn. Memb. E. Nees Ave., Apt. 113, Fresno, CA 93720 or call Starnburg, Germany, between 1947 and 1949, 1969-1970, Nat'l Legis. Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1985-1986 (559) 431-4717. contact Don E. Jackson, 21595 Sable Dnve, and Nat'l Law and Order Cmte. Memb. 1960-1961 Anyone who served with the 796th MP Bn during WWII Waynesville, MO 65583 or call (573) 774-5558. and 1963-1966. and in Vienna, Austria, between 1945 and 1953, Anyone who served in the Hawaiian Div, L Co, 19th Inf Roy Sweet, Dept. of Vermont. Nat'l Sec. Training Cmte. contact William H. Meek Jr., 5709 Chris Mar Ave., Rgt at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in 1941, contact Memb. 1960-1961, Nat'l Mbrshp. & Post Activ. Clinton, MD 20735, call (800) 922-0796 or e-mail Joseph J. Giza, 145 Mt. Edge Drive, Southington, CT Cmte. Memb. 1961-1962, Nat'l Counter-Subversive [email protected]. 06489. Activ. Cmte. Memb. 1962-1973, Dept Cmdr. 1964- Anyone who served with the 106th Seabees, Pit 7, Any Air Force personnel who served at Rhine Main 1965, Nat'l Naval Affairs Cmte. 1964-1970, Nat'l CBMU 532 in the Pacific between 1943 and 1945, dunng the Berlin Airtift, including the 53rd TC Sqdn, Exec. Cmte. AIL Memb. 1967-1969, Nat'l Exec. contact Martin Davis, 4404 S. Rita Lane, Tempe, AZ contact Derrell T. Esplin, 1176 Sego Lily Drive, Cmte. Memb. 1969-1971, Nat'l Sec. Cmsn. Liaison

85282, call (480) 838-0513 or e-mail Sandy, UT 84094, call (801 ) 572-1 570 or e-mail Memb. 1969-1970, Nat'l Economic Cmsn. Liaison [email protected]. [email protected]. Cmte. Memb. 1970-1971, Nat'l Vice Cmdr. 1971- Anyone who served with the 307th Inf Cannon Co in Anyone who served with the 20th AF, 73rd Wing on 1972, Nat'l Merchant Marine Cmte. Memb. 1972- the Pacific during WWII, contact Steve Sturm at (740) in 1 944 or 1 945, contact Joseph Yanni at 1981 and various department positions. 369-7052 or [email protected]. (716) 271-0399. George S. Wilkerson, Dept. of Indiana. Nat'l Legis. Anyone who served aboard the USS O'Brien, DD 415, Anyone who served with the 34th AAA Opns Det at Ft. Cncl. Memb. 1979-1982, Nat'l Merchant Manne in 1941, contact Shirely Coffman at (865) 992-6567 Bliss, Texas, and England, between 1949 and 1958, Cmte. Rep. 1988-1998 and Nat'l Select Cmte. on or e-mail [email protected]. contact Roy Reeves, 13633 E. Sweetwater Ave., Special Problems of VA&R Program 1979-1982.

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October 2001 1 67 The American Legion Magazine I parting shots

|

"You're lucky to get on this flight. It was sold to the lady with the gentleman's fully booked by a psychic organization hands around her throat!" that canceled this morning."

Working-class Wisdom Long Shot Too bad that all the people who know how to run A golfer told his caddy, "I'm eager to make this the country are busy driving taxicabs and cutting hair. shot. That's my mother-in-law up there on the club- - George Burns house porch." "That's more than 300 yards," the caddy said \Na\k Before You Talk doubtfully. "You'll never hit her from here."

Before criticizing a man, you should walk a mile in - Submitted by Donald E. Ray, , Wash. his shoes. That way, when you criticize him, you're a mile away and you've got his shoes. What Do YOU Know? - Subrvitted by Allan Pitcock, Granville, Ohio An old man visited the doctor's office. After a physical exam, the doctor looked at him and said, "I NO Smoking can't find anything. You should live to be 90."

A man asked a nun if she was permitted to smoke. The old man replied, "But, doctor, I am 90."

"No," she replied. "One habit is enough." "See!" the doctor said. "What did I tell you?"

- Submitted by Mark L. Totten, Belle, w. va. - Submitted by John W. Dospoly, Pottstown, Pa.

"Can't you read?"

October 2001 68 I 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

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