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12 Going Up or Going Down? The American Legion Magazine, a leader among national general-interest Analysts take sides on America’s gas-price roller- publications, is published monthly by coaster ride. Interviews by Matt Grills The American Legion for its 2.7 million members. These wartime veterans, 16 Nuclear Wasteland working through 15,000 community-level posts, dedicate themselves to God and It’s time to scrap the Yucca Mountain plan and explore Country and traditional American values; the option of nuclear recycling. By Sen. John Ensign strong national security; adequate and compassionate care for veterans, their 20 War Head widows and orphans; community service; VA braces for a looming spike in post-traumatic stress and the wholesome development of our disorder patients from Iraq and Afghanistan. nation’s youth. By James V. Carroll 28 The Two Assassinations of Abraham Lincoln A Presidents Day story you probably haven’t heard. By Jim Woodard 30 A Message for Corporate America CEO Bob Nardelli puts citizenship at the top of Home Depot’s agenda. Interview by Jeff Stoffer 36 VA’s Budget Bust of 2005 20 Rep. Steve Buyer has a solution to avoid shortfalls like “I can’t seem to erase last year’s: run VA more like a business. the terrible images I saw in Iraq. It’s not 1 4 Vet Voice just when the IED exploded; it’s all 8 Commander’s Message the other stuff, too.” 10 Big Issues 40 Rapid Fire 16 54 Comrades “Yucca 60 Parting Shots Mountain is not the solution that politicians in 1982 believed it would be. Too many problems already have surfaced, and too many more questions remain unanswered.”

30 “I think consumers today are interested in more than just great value and price, and they vote with their hard-earned dollars. I think our associates are interested in more than just the paycheck. It’s important for people to feel they are part of a corporation that refl ects their personal character.” Courtesy Home Depot Cover photo: Scott Jolliff

Page MESOTHELIOMA VICTIMS

700 N. Pennsylvania St. P.O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 (317) 630-1200 http://www.legion.org National Commander Thomas L. Bock Published by The American Legion Editor John Raughter Operations Administrator Patricia Marschand EDITORIAL Managing Editor Jeff Stoffer Editorial Administrator Brandy Ballenger Senior Editor Steve Brooks Assistant Editor James V. Carroll Assistant Editor Matt Grills Assistant Editor Elissa Kaupisch Contributing Editor Alan W. Dowd GRAPHIC DESIGN Art Director Holly K. Soria Designer Matt Everett PRODUCTION Production Director Jon Reynolds Designer King Doxsee ADVERTISING Advertising Director Diane Andretti Advertising Assistant Laura Edwards Advertising Assistant Amanda A. Harpenau The American Legion Magazine P.O. Box 7068 Indianapolis, IN 46207 PUBLISHER’S ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES James G. Elliott Company, Inc. New York: (212) 588-9200 Detroit: (248) 530-0300 Chicago: (312) 236-4900 Los Angeles: (213) 624-0900 THE AMERICAN LEGION When you’re in for the fight of your life, MAGAZINE COMMISSION Dennis J. Henkemeyer, Chairman, Bagley, MN Leo McKernan, Vice Chairman, Monroe Town- look to someone who’s been in your boots. ship, NJ; Terry D. Lewis, National Commander’s Representative, Philadelphia; James J. Charleston, Consultant, Hawthorn Woods, IL; Robert A. Corrigan, Consultant, Bronx, NY. Commission Members: Harold F. Arnold, For many veterans, their battles are far from Statesboro, GA; Sam Barney, Lancaster, OH; Phillip Boatner, Clayton, OK; Donald R. Conn, over. They’re stricken with mesothelioma South Bend, IN; James W. Conway, Charlestown, MA; Philip B. Finley, Colby, KS; Dennis E. Fritz, from exposure to asbestos aboard ships Columbus Junction, IA; Charles E. Hartman, Eau Claire, PA; Theodore Hartmann, Smithton, and in other environments. Burdened IL; Roy L. Kirkham, Minden, LA; Bob Legan, Russellville, AR; Michael L. Montaney, Ephrata, with skyrocketing medical costs, vets and WA; Silas M. Noel, Frankfurt, KY; Everett G. Shepard III, Woodstock, CT; George G. Sinopoli, their families need financial security. Fresno, CA; James Smotherman, Birmingham, AL; Robert E. Vass Sr., Huntington, WV; Frank C. Ward, Greenville, SC; Donald E. White Jr., As a former Marine, we fought together Bud Coady Frederica, DE. NEC Liaison Committee: William W. Kile, Chairman, Petersburg, WV; Alfred yesterday. As a seasoned attorney, I’ll Harvard, 1979 Pirolli, Philadelphia; Charles Schmidt, Hines, USMC, 1979-89, 1991 OR; Joseph W. Young, Chattanooga, TN. fight for you today. Attorneys at Coady Gulf War Veteran Copyright 2006 by The American Legion Law Firm have successfully represented Attorney at Law The American Legion (ISSN 0886-1234) is published monthly by The American Legion, 5745 Lee Road, veterans in mesothelioma claims nation- Indianapolis, IN 46216. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN 46204 and additional mailing offices. Annual non-member and gift subscriptions, wide for over a decade. We’ve helped $15 ($21, foreign); post-sponsored and widows’ subscriptions, $6; single copy, $3.50. Member them understand their rights – and annual subscription price $3, which is included in annual member dues. POST MASTER: Send secured their rightful compensation. address changes to The American Legion, Data Services, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Internet address: http://www.legion.org. Trust in someone who served with you. Change of Address: Notify The American Legion, Data Services, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. (317) Contact the Coady Law Firm. Receive a 860-3111. Attach old address label, provide old and new free addresses and current membership card number. , no obligation consultation. Canada Post International Publications Mall (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 546321. Re-entered second-class mail matter at Manila Central Post office dated Dec. 22, 1991. For free medical and legal information, dial 1-888-802-MESO, or visit www.MIRG.org Printed in USA Member Audit Bureau of Circulations 205 PORTLAND STREET • BOSTON, MA 02114 • E-MAIL: [email protected]

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‘For God & Country’ I enjoyed reading the article “For God & Country” (December). It was timely and touching. Thank you for listing the names of the brave men of God who lost their lives caring for their comrades. I was especially touched to see the name of my friend, Vincent Capodanno, listed with those who have received the Medal of Honor. I met Father Capodanno when I was a corpsman with the First Marine Division, stationed at First Medical Battalion near Da Nang. Father Capodanno would stop in to visit the wounded at our fi eld hospital and sometimes stay over for a night before returning to his unit. I found him to be a warm, compassionate and caring man. When we heard of his death, we were not in the least surprised to learn he died while caring for others. Thank you, Father Capodanno, and thank you to all the members of the Chaplain Corps for your care and love for your fellow man. U.S. Navy – John J. Berg, Kimball, Neb.

From 1970 to 1972, I worked ‘Heart of a Patriot’ indifference toward the worker overseas as an Army chaplain’s I’m of Polish descent, and I and the environment. assistant, also known as a “71- just want to thank you for the China insists on research and Mike Twenty.” “Honored” and article on Ignace Jan Paderewski development being a part of “blessed” are the two words that (December). Lt. Gen. Edward factory relocation. How can we best describe my experience. Rowny expressed his sentiments ever defend ourselves or our – Kenneth C. Ross, Syracuse, Ind. in such eloquent style. allies if an avowed enemy is our 4 – Robert E. Brzozowy, source of manufactured goods

2/2006 I take exception to Matt Grills’ New Hartford, Conn. and technology? Regardless of article on the military chaplain- what the “experts” say, the trade cy, especially so close on the ‘In America’s Best Interest’ defi cit cannot continue at this heels of the Air Force Academy’s With free trade we ship Ameri- rate indefi nitely. so-called proselytizing scandal. ca’s manufacturing jobs and – Jay L. Noyes, Lowell, Ind. This breed may be “new” but technologies overseas, while hardly very “brave.” Nor do their outsourcing, legal and illegal Delphi wants to lower the actions advance God or country. immigration, and guest workers manufacturing wage from $19 to Of course soldiers become take the jobs left here, and all at $9 an hour. GM and Ford are more spiritually oriented in taxpayer expense. What a going to reduce employment and combat. But a wounded trooper bargain! Free trade gave the Viet close plants, meaning lower is much more likely to worry if Cong Russian Ford trucks to use wages for remaining workers. he’s going to hell than if he’s against the United States in Mexico is closing manufacturing going blind, or whatever. At that Vietnam. Free trade gave China, plants and sending its workers to point, the role of the chaplain – North Korea and any rogue state the United States because it can’t or any other God-fearing offi cer – with enough money the missile compete with China. Low-paying is to bring that man to the Lord. technology that now threatens us. service jobs are replacing high- And if there aren’t any Mus- Free trade is nothing more paying manufacturing jobs. lims in my battalion, the Army than extreme greed and a way to Without a level playing fi eld for needs to change its policy, not avoid workplace safety and free trade, with rising interest send me some imam. Offi cial environmental laws. I deplore rates and reduced home-equity setting or not, I’ll lead my unit in the excesses of these restrictions, loans, with collapsing real-estate prayer if I wish. (Stonewall but I also remember the dead values, and with only 40 percent Jackson would have.) Any who Lake Erie Love Canal, Times of entering college students don’t believe don’t have to say Beach, black lung disease, white graduating, we are looking a “amen.” lung disease and innumerable depression square in the face. – James T. Kirmse, Tucson, Ariz. other instances of industry’s – Leland Tate, St. George, Utah

Page * Please readtheimportant ProductInformationabout CRESTORontheadjacentpage anddiscussitwithyourdoctor.

dl ramn ae AP I,Udt,2004 Update, III, Adult Treatment(ATP) Panel CRESTOR is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies. © 2005 AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP. All rights reserved. 229304 06/05 Page you afterassessingyourparticularneeds. decide thebestcourseoftreatmentfor Your doctorwill have withyourdoctor. That’s anotherconversationyouneedto Is CRESTORrightforyou? your LDL-C Thatmeans withplacebo). 7% (vs as 52% canlowerbadcholesterolbyas much with diet, along the10-mgdoseofCRESTOR, In fact, CRESTOR maymakethedifferenceyouneed. Aim lower. askwhetherCRESTORmighthelp. lower, need togetyourbadcholesteroleven doctorbelievesyou and exercise—your diet afterallyou’vetried—including If, your cholesterolgoal. is keytohelpingyoureach Working withyourdoctor an evenlowercholesterolgoalthanbefore.* guidelines suggestingmanypatientsaimfor medical expertsrecentlyproposedupdated apanelof Infact, it’s evenmoreimportant. Butforsome people, important foreveryone. Doctors knowloweringhighcholesterolis is important. Getting highcholesteroldown odw bu af Your resultsmayvary. go downabouthalf. — the badcholesterol When itcomestobadcholesterol– — could lwri etr”aimlowerwith “lower isbetter,” If yourdoctorsays, CRESTOR usually mildandtendtogoaway. Theyare andnausea. abdominal pain, weakness, constipation, muscle aches, Side effectsoccurinfrequentlyandinclude doctor ifyouaretakinganymedications. Be suretotellyour reach goalon20mg. of CRESTORisonlyforpatientswhodonot The40-mgdose to yourdoctorrightaway. serious sideeffectandshouldbereported and weaknesscouldbeasignofrarebut Unexplainedmusclepain your liverfunction. during treatmentwithCRESTORtomonitor Your doctorwilldobloodtestsbeforeand oranyonewithliverproblems. pregnant, orwhomaybecome pregnant, nursing, includingwomenwhoare for everyone, CRESTORisnotright orstrokes. attacks, heart determined topreventheartdisease, lowering highcholesterolandhasnotbeen CRESTOR isprescribedalongwithdietfor about CRESTORyouneedtoknow. Here isimportantsafetyinformation CRESTOR.com. be abletohelp.Call800-CRESTORorvisit afford yourmedication,AstraZenecamay are withoutprescriptioncoverageandcan’t To learnmoreaboutCRESTOR,orifyou Get moreinformationaboutCRESTOR. . Please read this summary carefully and then ask your doctor about CRESTOR. No advertisement can provide all the information needed to determine if a drug is right for you. This advertisement does not take the place of careful discussions with your doctor. Only your doctor has the training to weigh the risks and benefits of a prescription drug. BRIEF SUMMARY: For full Prescribing Information, see package insert. INDICATIONS concomitant cyclosporine (see WARNINGS, Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis, and DOSAGE AND Adverse Experiences Adverse experiences, regardless of causality assessment, reported AND USAGE CRESTOR is indicated: 1. as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, ADMINISTRATION). Warfarin: Coadministration of rosuvastatin to patients on stable warfarin in *2% of patients in placebo-controlled clinical studies of rosuvastatin are shown in Table 1; LDL-C, ApoB, nonHDL-C, and TG levels and to increase HDL-C in patients with primary hypercho- therapy resulted in clinically significant rises in INR (>4, baseline 2-3). In patients taking coumarin discontinuations due to adverse events in these studies of up to 12 weeks duration occurred in 3% lesterolemia (heterozygous familial and nonfamilial) and mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson Type IIa anticoagulants and rosuvastatin concomitantly, INR should be determined before starting rosuva- of patients on rosuvastatin and 5% on placebo. and IIb); 2. as an adjunct to diet for the treatment of patients with elevated serum TG levels statin and frequently enough during early therapy to ensure that no significant alteration of INR Table 1. Adverse Events in Placebo-Controlled Studies (Fredrickson Type IV); 3. to reduce LDL-C, total-C, and ApoB in patients with homozygous familial occurs. Once a stable INR time has been documented, INR can be monitored at the intervals Rosuvastatin Placebo hypercholesterolemia as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if usually recommended for patients on coumarin anticoagulants. If the dose of rosuvastatin is Adverse event N=744 N=382 such treatments are unavailable. CRESTOR is contraindicated in changed, the same procedure should be repeated. Rosuvastatin therapy has not been associated CONTRAINDICATIONS Pharyngitis 9.0 7.6 patients with a known hypersensitivity to any component of this product. Rosuvastatin is with bleeding or with changes in INR in patients not taking anticoagulants. Gemfibrozil: Headache 5.5 5.0 contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or with unexplained persistent elevations of Coadministration of a single rosuvastatin dose to healthy volunteers on gemfibrozil (600 mg twice Diarrhea 3.4 2.9 serum transaminases (see WARNINGS, Liver Enzymes). daily) resulted in a 2.2- and 1.9-fold, respectively, increase in mean C and mean AUC of rosuva- Pregnancy and Lactation max Dyspepsia 3.4 3.1 Atherosclerosis is a chronic process and discontinuation of lipid-lowering drugs during pregnancy statin (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Although clinical studies Endocrine Function Nausea 3.4 3.1 should have little impact on the outcome of long-term therapy of primary hypercholesterolemia. have shown that rosuvastatin alone does not reduce basal plasma cortisol concentration or impair Myalgia 2.8 1.3 Cholesterol and other products of cholesterol biosynthesis are essential components for fetal adrenal reserve, caution should be exercised if any HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or other agent Asthenia 2.7 2.6 development (including synthesis of steroids and cell membranes). Since HMG-CoA reductase used to lower cholesterol levels is administered concomitantly with drugs that may decrease the Back pain 2.6 2.4 inhibitors decrease cholesterol synthesis and possibly the synthesis of other biologically active levels or activity of endogenous steroid hormones such as ketoconazole, spironolactone, and Flu syndrome 2.3 1.8 substances derived from cholesterol, they may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant cimetidine. CNS vascular lesions, characterized by perivascular hemorrhages, CNS Toxicity Urinary tract infection 2.3 1.6 women. Therefore, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are contraindicated during pregnancy and in edema, and mononuclear cell infiltration of perivascular spaces, have been observed in dogs Rhinitis 2.2 2.1 nursing mothers. ROSUVASTATIN SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED TO WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING treated with several other members of this drug class. A chemically similar drug in this class Sinusitis 2.0 1.8 AGE ONLY WHEN SUCH PATIENTS ARE HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO CONCEIVE AND HAVE BEEN produced dose-dependent optic nerve degeneration (Wallerian degeneration of retinogeniculate In addition, the following adverse events were reported, regardless of causality assessment, in INFORMED OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS. If the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, fibers) in dogs, at a dose that produced plasma drug levels about 30 times higher than the mean *1% of 10,275 patients treated with rosuvastatin in clinical studies. The events in italics occurred therapy should be discontinued immediately and the patient apprised of the potential hazard to the drug level in humans taking the highest recommended dose. Edema, hemorrhage, and partial in *2% of these patients. Body as a Whole: Abdominal pain, accidental injury, chest pain, infec- fetus. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, like some other lipid- necrosis in the interstitium of the choroid plexus was observed in a female dog sacrificed mori- WARNINGS Liver Enzymes tion, pain, pelvic pain, and neck pain. Cardiovascular System: Hypertension, angina pectoris, lowering therapies, have been associated with biochemical abnormalities of liver function. The inci- bund at day 24 at 90 mg/kg/day by oral gavage (systemic exposures 100 times the human expo- vasodilatation, and palpitation. Digestive System: Constipation, gastroenteritis, vomiting, flatu- dence of persistent elevations (>3 times the upper limit of normal [ULN] occurring on 2 or more sure at 40 mg/day based on AUC comparisons). Corneal opacity was seen in dogs treated for lence, periodontal abscess, and gastritis. Endocrine: Diabetes mellitus. Hemic and Lymphatic consecutive occasions) in serum transaminases in fixed dose studies was 0.4, 0, 0, and 0.1% in 52 weeks at 6 mg/kg/day by oral gavage (systemic exposures 20 times the human exposure at System: Anemia and ecchymosis. Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: Peripheral edema. patients who received rosuvastatin 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg, respectively. In most cases, the eleva- 40 mg/day based on AUC comparisons). Cataracts were seen in dogs treated for 12 weeks by oral Musculoskeletal System: Arthritis, arthralgia, and pathological fracture. Nervous System: tions were transient and resolved or improved on continued therapy or after a brief interruption in gavage at 30 mg/kg/day (systemic exposures 60 times the human exposure at 40 mg/day based Dizziness, insomnia, hypertonia, paresthesia, depression, anxiety, vertigo, and neuralgia. therapy. There were two cases of jaundice, for which a relationship to rosuvastatin therapy could on AUC comparisons). Retinal dysplasia and retinal loss were seen in dogs treated for 4 weeks by Respiratory System: Bronchitis, cough increased, dyspnea, pneumonia, and asthma. Skin and not be determined, which resolved after discontinuation of therapy. There were no cases of liver oral gavage at 90 mg/kg/day (systemic exposures 100 times the human exposure at Appendages: Rash and pruritus. Laboratory Abnormalities: In the rosuvastatin clinical trial failure or irreversible liver disease in these trials. It is recommended that liver function tests be 40 mg/day based on AUC). Doses 30 mg/kg/day (systemic exposures 60 times the human expo- ) ) program, dipstick-positive proteinuria and microscopic hematuria were observed among rosuva- performed before and at 12 weeks following both the initiation of therapy and any elevation of sure at 40 mg/day based on AUC comparisons) following treatment up to one year, did not reveal statin-treated patients, predominantly in patients dosed above the recommended dose range (i.e., dose, and periodically (e.g., semiannually) thereafter. Liver enzyme changes generally occur in retinal findings. In a Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility 80 mg). However, this finding was more frequent in patients taking rosuvastatin 40 mg, when the first 3 months of treatment with rosuvastatin. Patients who develop increased transaminase 104-week carcinogenicity study in rats at dose levels of 2, 20, 60, or 80 mg/kg/day by oral gavage, compared to lower doses of rosuvastatin or comparator statins, though it was generally transient levels should be monitored until the abnormalities have resolved. Should an increase in ALT or AST the incidence of uterine stromal polyps was significantly increased in females at 80 mg/kg/day at and was not associated with worsening renal function. (See PRECAUTIONS, Laboratory Tests.) of >3 times ULN persist, reduction of dose or withdrawal of rosuvastatin is recommended. Other abnormal laboratory values reported were elevated creatinine phosphokinase, transami- Rosuvastatin should be used with caution in patients who consume substantial quantities of nases, hyperglycemia, glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and thyroid func- alcohol and/or have a history of liver disease (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Special tion abnormalities. Other adverse events reported less frequently than 1% in the rosuvastatin Populations, Hepatic Insufficiency). Active liver disease or unexplained persistent transaminase clinical study program, regardless of causality assessment, included arrhythmia, hepatitis, hyper- elevations are contraindications to the use of rosuvastatin (see CONTRAINDICATIONS). sensitivity reactions (i.e., face edema, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, vesiculobullous rash, Rare cases of rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis urticaria, and angioedema), kidney failure, syncope, myasthenia, myositis, pancreatitis, photosen- secondary to myoglobinuria have been reported with rosuvastatin and with other drugs in this sitivity reaction, myopathy, and rhabdomyolysis. Postmarketing Experience In addition class. Uncomplicated myalgia has been reported in rosuvastatin-treated patients (see ADVERSE to the events reported above, as with other drugs in this class, the following event has been REACTIONS). Creatine kinase (CK) elevations (>10 times upper limit of normal) occurred in 0.2% reported during post-marketing experience with CRESTOR, regardless of causality assessment: to 0.4% of patients taking rosuvastatin at doses up to 40 mg in clinical studies. Treatment-related very rare cases of jaundice. OVERDOSAGE There is no specific treatment in the event of myopathy, defined as muscle aches or muscle weakness in conjunction with increases in CK values overdose. In the event of overdose, the patient should be treated symptomatically and supportive >10 times upper limit of normal, was reported in up to 0.1% of patients taking rosuvastatin doses measures instituted as required. Hemodialysis does not significantly enhance clearance of rosuva- of up to 40 mg in clinical studies. In clinical trials, the incidence of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis statin. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The patient should be placed on a standard increased at doses of rosuvastatin above the recommended dosage range (5 to 40 mg). In post- systemic exposure 20 times the human exposure at 40 mg/day based on AUC. Increased incidence cholesterol-lowering diet before receiving CRESTOR and should continue on this diet during treat- marketing experience, effects on skeletal muscle, e.g. uncomplicated myalgia, myopathy and, of polyps was not seen at lower doses. In a 107-week carcinogenicity study in mice given 10, 60, ment. CRESTOR can be administered as a single dose at any time of day, with or without food. rarely, rhabdomyolysis have been reported in patients treated with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors 200 mg/kg/day by oral gavage, an increased incidence of hepatocellular adenoma/carcinoma was Hypercholesterolemia (Heterozygous Familial and Nonfamilial) and including rosuvastatin. As with other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, reports of rhabdomyolysis observed at 200 mg/kg/day at systemic exposures 20 times human exposure at 40 mg/day based Mixed Dyslipidemia (Fredrickson Type IIa and IIb) The dose range for with rosuvastatin are rare, but higher at the highest marketed dose (40 mg). Factors that may on AUC. An increased incidence of hepatocellular tumors was not seen at lower doses. CRESTOR is 5 to 40 mg once daily. Therapy with CRESTOR should be individualized according to predispose patients to myopathy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors include advanced age ( 65 Rosuvastatin was not mutagenic or clastogenic with or without metabolic activation in the Ames * goal of therapy and response. The usual recommended starting dose of CRESTOR is 10 mg once years), hypothyroidism, and renal insufficiency. Consequently: 1. Rosuvastatin should be test with Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli, the mouse lymphoma assay, and the chro- daily. However, initiation of therapy with 5 mg once daily should be considered for patients prescribed with caution in patients with predisposing factors for myopathy, such as, renal impair- mosomal aberration assay in Chinese hamster lung cells. Rosuvastatin was negative in the in vivo requiring less aggressive LDL-C reductions, who have predisposing factors for myopathy, and as ment (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION), advanced age, and inadequately treated hypothy- mouse micronucleus test. In rat fertility studies with oral gavage doses of 5, 15, 50 mg/kg/day, noted below for special populations such as patients taking cyclosporine, Asian patients, and roidism. 2. Patients should be advised to promptly report unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or males were treated for 9 weeks prior to and throughout mating and females were treated 2 weeks patients with severe renal insufficiency (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Race, and Renal weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Rosuvastatin therapy should be discon- prior to mating and throughout mating until gestation day 7. No adverse effect on fertility was Insufficiency, and Drug Interactions. For patients with marked hypercho-lesterolemia (LDL-C tinued if markedly elevated CK levels occur or myopathy is diagnosed or suspected. 3. The 40 mg observed at 50 mg/kg/day (systemic exposures up to 10 times human exposure at 40 mg/day >190 mg/dL) and aggressive lipid targets, a 20-mg starting dose may be considered. After initia- dose of rosuvastatin is reserved only for those patients who have not achieved their LDL-C goal based on AUC comparisons). In testicles of dogs treated with rosuvastatin at 30 mg/kg/day for one tion and/or upon titration of CRESTOR, lipid levels should be analyzed within 2 to 4 weeks and utilizing the 20 mg dose of rosuvastatin once daily (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). 4. The month, spermatidic giant cells were seen. Spermatidic giant cells were observed in monkeys after dosage adjusted accordingly. The 40-mg dose of CRESTOR is reserved only for those patients risk of myopathy during treatment with rosuvastatin may be increased with concurrent adminis- 6-month treatment at 30 mg/kg/day in addition to vacuolation of seminiferous tubular epithelium. who have not achieved their LDL-C goal utilizing the 20 mg dose of CRESTOR once daily (see tration of other lipid-lowering therapies or cyclosporine, (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Drug Exposures in the dog were 20 times and in the monkey 10 times human exposure at 40 mg/day WARNINGS, Myopathy/ Rhabdomyolysis). When initiating statin therapy or switching from Interactions, PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions, and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). The based on body surface area comparisons. Similar findings have been seen with other drugs in this another statin therapy, the appropriate CRESTOR starting dose should first be utilized, and only benefit of further alterations in lipid levels by the combined use of rosuvastatin with fibrates or class. Pregnancy Pregnancy Category X See CONTRAINDICATIONS. Rosuvastatin may cause then titrated according to the patient’s individualized goal of therapy. Homozygous niacin should be carefully weighed against the potential risks of this combination. fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Rosuvastatin is contraindicated in women Familial Hypercholesterolemia The recommended starting dose of CRESTOR is Combination therapy with rosuvastatin and gemfibrozil should generally be avoided. (See who are or may become pregnant. Safety in pregnant women has not been established. There are 20 mg once daily in patients with homozygous FH. The maximum recommended daily dose is DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions). 5. The risk of no adequate and well-controlled studies of rosuvastatin in pregnant women. Rosuvastatin crosses 40 mg. CRESTOR should be used in these patients as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments myopathy during treatment with rosuvastatin may be increased in circumstances which the placenta and is found in fetal tissue and amniotic fluid at 3% and 20%, respectively, of the (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable. Response to therapy should be esti- increase rosuvastatin drug levels (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Special Populations, Race maternal plasma concentration following a single 25 mg/kg oral gavage dose on gestation day 16 mated from pre-apheresis LDL-C levels. Dosage in Asian Patients Initiation of CRESTOR and Renal Insufficiency, and PRECAUTIONS, General). 6. Rosuvastatin therapy should also be in rats. A higher fetal tissue distribution (25% maternal plasma concentration) was observed in therapy with 5 mg once daily should be considered for Asian patients. The potential for increased temporarily withheld in any patient with an acute, serious condition suggestive of myopathy or rabbits after a single oral gavage dose of 1 mg/kg on gestation day 18. If this drug is administered systemic exposures relative to Caucasians is relevant when considering escalation of dose in cases predisposing to the development of renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis (e.g., sepsis, to a woman with reproductive potential, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to a where hypercholesterolemia is not adequately controlled at doses of 5, 10, or 20 mg once daily. hypotension, dehydration, major surgery, trauma, severe metabolic, endocrine, and elec- fetus. In female rats given oral gavage doses of 5, 15, 50 mg/kg/day rosuvastatin before mating (See WARNINGS, Myopathy/ Rhabdomyolysis, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Special Populations, trolyte disorders, or uncontrolled seizures). Before instituting and continuing through day 7 postcoitus results in decreased fetal body weight (female pups) and PRECAUTIONS General Race, and PRECAUTIONS, General). Dosage in Patients Taking Cyclosporine In therapy with rosuvastatin, an attempt should be made to control hypercholesterolemia with appro- delayed ossification at the high dose (systemic exposures 10 times human exposure at patients taking cyclosporine, therapy should be limited to CRESTOR 5 mg once daily (see WARN- priate diet and exercise, weight reduction in obese patients, and treatment of underlying medical 40 mg/day based on AUC comparisons). In pregnant rats given oral gavage doses of 2, 20, INGS, Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis, and PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions). Concomitant problems (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE). Administration of rosuvastatin 20 mg to patients with 50 mg/kg/day from gestation day 7 through lactation day 21 (weaning), decreased pup survival Lipid-Lowering Therapy The effect of CRESTOR on LDL-C and total-C may be enhanced severe renal impairment (CL <30 mL/min/1.73 m2) resulted in a 3-fold increase in plasma occurred in groups given 50 mg/kg/day, systemic exposures 12 times human exposure at cr * when used in combination with a bile acid binding resin. If CRESTOR is used in combination with concentrations of rosuvastatin compared with healthy volunteers (see WARNINGS, Myopathy/ 40 mg/day based on body surface area comparisons. In pregnant rabbits given oral gavage doses gemfibrozil, the dose of CRESTOR should be limited to 10 mg once daily (see WARNINGS, Rhabdomyolysis and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). The result of a large pharmacokinetic of 0.3, 1, 3 mg/kg/day from gestation day 6 to lactation day 18 (weaning), exposures equivalent to Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis, and PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions). Dosage in Patients study conducted in the US demonstrated an approximate 2-fold elevation in median exposure in human exposure at 40 mg/day based on body surface area comparisons, decreased fetal viability With Renal Insufficiency No modification of dosage is necessary for patients with mild Asian subjects (having either Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese or Asian-Indian and maternal mortality was observed. Rosuvastatin was not teratogenic in rats at 25 mg/kg/day ) to moderate renal insufficiency. For patients with severe renal impairment (CL <30 mL/min/ origin) compared with a Caucasian control group. This increase should be considered when or in rabbits 3 mg/kg/day (systemic exposures equivalent to human exposure at 40 mg/day based cr ) 1.73 m2) not on hemodialysis, dosing of CRESTOR should be started at 5 mg once daily and not to making rosuvastatin dosing decisions for Asian patients. (See WARNINGS, Myopathy/ on AUC or body surface comparison, respectively). It is not known Nursing Mothers exceed 10 mg once daily (see PRECAUTIONS, General, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Special Rhabdomyolysis; CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Special Populations, Race, and DOSAGE AND whether rosuvastatin is excreted in human milk. Studies in lactating rats have demonstrated that Populations, Renal Insufficiency). ADMINISTRATION.) Information for Patients Patients should be advised to report rosuvastatin is secreted into breast milk at levels 3 times higher than that obtained in the plasma promptly unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by following oral gavage dosing. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the NOTE: This summary provides important information about CRESTOR. For more information, malaise or fever. When taking rosuvastatin with an aluminum and magnesium hydroxide combina- potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from rosuvastatin, a decision should be please ask your doctor or health care professional about the full Prescribing Information and tion antacid, the antacid should be taken at least 2 hours after rosuvastatin administration (see made whether to discontinue nursing or administration of rosuvastatin taking into account the discuss it with them. CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Drug Interactions). Laboratory Tests In the rosuvastatin clin- importance of the drug to the lactating woman. Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness in Rx only ical trial program, dipstick-positive proteinuria and microscopic hematuria were observed among pediatric patients have not been established. Treatment experience with rosuvastatin in a pediatric rosuvastatin-treated patients, predominantly in patients dosed above the recommended dose population is limited to 8 patients with homozygous FH. None of these patients was below 8 years CRESTOR is a trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies. range (i.e., 80 mg). However, this finding was more frequent in patients taking rosuvastatin 40 mg, of age. Geriatric Use Of the 10,275 patients in clinical studies with rosuvastatin, 3,159 (31%) © AstraZeneca 2005 when compared to lower doses of rosuvastatin or comparator statins, though it was generally tran- were 65 years and older, and 698 (6.8%) were 75 years and older. The overall frequency of adverse Licensed from SHIONOGI & CO., LTD., Osaka, Japan sient and was not associated with worsening renal function. Although the clinical significance of events and types of adverse events were similar in patients above and below 65 years of age. (See Manufactured for: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP this finding is unknown, a dose reduction should be considered for patients on rosuvastatin 40 mg WARNINGS, Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis.) The efficacy of rosuvastatin in the geriatric population Wilmington, DE 19850 therapy with unexplained persistent proteinuria during routine urinalysis testing. Drug (*65 years of age) was comparable to the efficacy observed in the non-elderly. ADVERSE By: IPR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Interactions Cyclosporine: When rosuvastatin 10 mg was coadministered with cyclosporine REACTIONS Rosuvastatin is generally well tolerated. Adverse reactions have usually been Carolina, PR 00984 in cardiac transplant patients, rosuvastatin mean Cmax and mean AUC were increased 11-fold and mild and transient. In clinical studies of 10,275 patients, 3.7% were discontinued due to adverse PCC 630101 7-fold, respectively, compared with healthy volunteers. These increases are considered to be clin- experiences attributable to rosuvastatin. The most frequent adverse events thought to be related 30043-00 31028-00 ically significant and require special consideration in the dosing of rosuvastatin to patients taking to rosuvastatin were myalgia, constipation, asthenia, abdominal pain, and nausea. Clinical Rev 03/05 228011

Page vet voice I am not sure there is such a The maximum-age provision dent’s sacrifi cial lambs, not thing as free trade. I say this for law enforcement and fi re- patriots or heroes. after having looked at the 1,000- fi ghting employment should be Americans need to know the plus pages of the CAFTA docu- changed. I believe anyone accomplishments gained by our ment, full of stifl ing rules and capable of performing the duties sacrifi ces in this Middle East regulations that aren’t free at all. should be considered. Other- war. Veterans must tell the It looks more like a disguised wise, anyone older than 37 media we honor and appreciate foreign-aid program. I clearly should have to move out of law those sacrifi ces – and let the remember people saying that enforcement and fi refi ghting. troops know they are liberators, NAFTA would bring so much Either you’re physically capable not occupiers. Speak loud and prosperity to Mexico that illegal of doing the job or you aren’t. often – not for the enemy to hear, immigration would no longer – Chuck Meachum, Lewisburg, Pa. but for our own people. exist. That clearly is not the case – Richard D. Carmack, today. As our borders erode and ‘A Pearl Harbor Hero’ Gulf Shores, Ala. jobs go away, the last thing we In your December issue you need is more pacts like CAFTA depict the Army Medal of Honor ‘The Threat of Weakness’ and the FTAA. As veterans, we in an article about Navy man I am appalled that you allowed should all be concerned that by Doris Miller. Certainly anyone in Stephen Krasner of the State entering into these agreements The American Legion knows Department to present his we are turning over our sover- there are three Medal of Honor radical views without some form eignty to foreign bodies, all decorations: Army, Navy and of rebuttal or counterpoint contrary to the Constitution we Marines, and Air Force. (December). His combination of swore to defend. Maybe it’s just – Edward A. Bicknell, fear-mongering, interference in me, but this is exactly how I South Portland, Maine other nations’ politics under the watched the European Union guise of nation-building and evolve into what it is today. A grateful nation outright ignorance of world – William Rouse, Indianapolis I could not agree more with politics refl ect everything that is National Commander Tom Bock wrong with President Bush’s 7 Up to the task (“Troops At War Must Feel Our foreign policy. I read “Highly Qualifi ed Support,” December). Our Krasner gives an example of Military Retirees Deemed Too country has many freedoms, and Afghanistan under the Taliban Old For Federal Jobs” (Decem- with freedom comes responsibil- as a weak and failing state. Is he ber) with great interest. I too ity. It is sad that our own free unaware that Afghanistan drove retired from the Marine Corps press does not subscribe to that out the Soviet army and shut after 20 years of service. Two truth. While criticizing President down the opium business? That DoD facilities near me had a Bush for doing it in Iraq, the doesn’t sound weak to me. Now, large exodus of fi refi ghters over national media have taken it opium constitutes 80 percent of the past two years. I met all the upon themselves to effect a Afghanistan’s GDP, and the prerequisites for the position, “regime change” in America. central government controls only with a few additional qualifi ca- They fabricate stories, exagger- parts of Kabul. tions and seven years of experi- ate minor events and otherwise One of the biggest failings of ence. But because I am older mislead the public with an the current administration is our than 37, my application went unrelenting agenda to turn us loss of respect throughout the nowhere. I was in the best shape against the president and world. Bush still has three years of my life and felt confi dent I discredit the administration. to clean house and bring into his could easily handle the duties They have tried to make Saddam administration qualifi ed profes- and physical agility test. I even a victim, bin Laden a martyr and sionals and experts rather than paid a personal visit to the fi re terrorists nothing more than the loyalists who have performed chief, hoping he would see I was defenders of their way of life. To so dismally. up to the task, all to no avail. them, our troops are the presi- – Cliff Rierson, Austin, Texas

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE WELCOMES YOUR OPINIONS Include your hometown and a daytime phone number for verifi cation. All letters published are subject to editing. Due to the volume of mail received, not every letter can be acknowledged. The American Legion Magazine, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206 • [email protected]

Page commander’s message Unity is the strength behind diversity ne of the oldest American Legion posts in the United States can be Ofound along South State Street, Chicago, in a red-painted building next to a gravel parking lot. Inside, history hangs in the air. Framed photos of past commanders and adjutants, time-honored veterans, all black, line the rooms. Members gather daily and speak reverently of their post’s place in history, as the eyes of their forebears permanently gaze back at them. George L. Giles Post No. 87 traces its origins to 1919, the year of the Legion’s birth, a time when victorious young veterans of the Great War were coming home to restart their lives, unsure of the future. Many years would pass before Post 87 had a building to call its own, but that didn’t matter. Members gathered in living rooms and at kitchen tables; they went door to door, sharing information among deserving veterans, Chase Studios many of them damaged from the war and unaware they were entitled to National Commander federal benefi ts. The post offered more than that; it offered camaraderie Thomas L. Bock based purely on honorable service to our country, a shared experience. MEMORANDA A drum and bugle corps, social events, poppy sales, Memorial Day parades and a post home soon followed. Like thousands of other Legion SEEK SENATE FLAG SUPPORT: posts popping up across America at the time, its veterans were united. The U.S. Senate is expected to Diversity thrives where there is unity. The Legion admitted women vote on S.J. Res. 12 – an into its ranks before women had the right to vote for president. The amendment to return to Congress the right to protect Legion admitted blacks long before blacks had the same civil rights as the U.S. Flag from desecration – whites. The Legion was, at the very least, in line with the military and in the coming months. We have often ahead of it in the fair and equal treatment of our fellow veterans. never been closer to achieving 8 Black, white, Asian, Navajo, Comanche, Christian, Jew or Muslim – once the necessary supermajority on 2/2006 you laced up combat boots and marched under the banner to which you the measure, which reads, “The had sworn your life, you were part of the unity. A veteran is a veteran. Congress shall have power to That is why all of us – from those who belly-crawled through bloody prohibit the physical fi refi ghts to those who ordered supplies at a state-side base – cannot desecration of the fl ag of the accept budget-driven politics that aims to divide veterans. Disabled United States.” Legionnaires are military retirees, unless their service fi ts a particular type of combat urged to contact their senators duty, are to this day denied full retirement pay if they are also compen- and thank them if they are supporters, convince them if sated for service-connected disabilities. That’s wrong. The federal they are undecided and government divides veterans into eight priority groups for health care, demand an explanation from the eighth of which was less than three months old when it was quietly those who oppose fl ag cut off, defying the spirit, if not the letter, of a law passed in broad protection. daylight by Congress in 1996. Categorization creates divisiveness, even www.cfa-inc.org prejudice. We have heard that Priority Group 7 veterans are next in line WASHINGTON CONFERENCE: to have access to VA health care denied. They persist in their talk of new Legionnaires from across enrollment fees and doubling co-payments and different treatment for America will converge at our different veterans, based on economics or other distinctions. They try to nation’s capital Feb. 26 to dilute our unity, as a way to reduce the cost of past promises. March 1 for the annual Following World War I, the U.S. government did not go door to door Washington Conference. explaining benefi ts to young veterans, black or white. The American Among the scheduled speakers Legion did. In the years ahead, the federal government will not go door are Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, to door explaining benefi ts and opportunities to veterans home from R-Texas, recipient of this year’s Iraq. But the Legion will. We do it in every state every day, regardless of National Commander’s ethnicity, faith, gender, disability status or tax bracket. That is why The Distinguished Public Service American Legion is rich in diversity and has been since 1919. It is Award, and William J. Haynes II, general counsel for the because we are, and must forever be, united. Department of Defense.

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Page big issues Reduce funding for United Nations SUPPORT OPPOSE Rep. Henry J. Hyde, R-Ill. Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif. n Hyde is chairman of the House n Lantos is the ranking member International Relations on the House International Committee. Relations Committee.

The United Nations is in desperate need of While there is no disagreement between Chair- reform. No observer – be they passionate supporter man Hyde and me as to whether the United of the United Nations Reform Act of 2005 or Nations must be reformed, we part ways on how dismissive critic – can pretend that the current best to accomplish this important goal. structure and operations of the United Nations This global institution must become more represent an acceptable transparent and open, its em- standard. Very few are op- THE HEART OF THE ISSUE ployees must be held to the posed to the organization’s Backers of the U.N. Reform Act say highest ethical and moral role in facilitating diplomacy, needed changes at the world body standards, and the abuses of mediating disputes, monitor- will only come about by threatening the Oil-for-Food program ing the peace and feeding the to cut off funds. Opponents say must never be repeated. hungry. But we are opposed to negotiation is a better choice. But the United Nations bureaucratization, to political Reform Act, while emotion- grandstanding, to billions of dollars spent on ally satisfying for those who refl exively criticize programs with meager results, to the outright the United Nations, is truly a guillotine on auto- misappropriation of funds. And we rightly bristle pilot. If the United Nations accomplishes all but at the gratuitous anti-Americanism that has one of its more than 40 required reforms, but only 10 become ingrained over decades, even as our one-half of the last one, the United States will auto-

2/2006 checks continue to be regularly cashed. matically cut our U.N. contribution in half. Presi- In the United States, recognition of the need for dent Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice change is widely shared and bipartisan. will have absolutely no choice in the matter. Even opponents of the United Nations Reform The legislation is also a death blow to U.N. Act of 2005, approved by the House of Representa- peacekeeping. Immediately upon enactment of this tives in June, concede the need for change. The legislation, the United States will be forced to key difference between their proposals and our oppose any new or expanded peacekeeping measure lies in the methods. This legislation mission until a comprehensive series of peacekeep- brings to bear instruments of leverage suffi cient to ing reforms is implemented. Many will take years the task, the most important of which is tying the to accomplish. Rwanda-style genocides could U.S. fi nancial contribution to readily understand- unfold before our eyes, and the United Nations able benchmark reforms. would have to turn its back. We can either seek to accomplish concrete While the U.N. reform bill has the best inten- improvements, requiring an enforcement mecha- tions, it will not achieve the desired outcomes. nism, or we can pretend to do so. Any proposal Given the important role the United Nations is resting upon discretionary decisions concedes in currently playing in Afghanistan, Iraq, Darfur and advance that reform will be fragmentary at best. scores of other places, I fail to see how going into We are in a peculiar situation. Opponents of arrears at the United Nations will promote Ameri- change cloak themselves as defenders of the ca’s national security interests or our infl uence United Nations, when it is, in fact, they who would with other members of the organization. It will condemn it to irrelevance. Those who believe the only force the United States to take on greater United Nations can yet reclaim its mission have no global responsibilities at a moment when our choice but reform. troops and our diplomats are already spread thin.

CONTACT YOUR LEADERS The Honorable (name), U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510 • Phone: (202) 224-3121 The Honorable (name), U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 • Phone: (202) 225-3121

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Page Going Up

Analysts take sides on America’s gas-price roller-coaster ride. or Going Down?

ven before last year’s brutal hurricane season, Americans were paying Ehigh amounts at the pump. Then Katrina hit, and prices spiked to over $3 a gallon. So it came as no surprise when oil companies announced record profi ts for the third quarter of 2005. Exxon Mobil: $9.92 billion. Shell: $9.03 billion. BP announced its profi ts were up 34 percent over the previous year, and ConocoPhillips saw revenues jump 43 percent. As lawmakers demanded answers, even fl oating the idea of a windfall- Sara Banaszak profi ts tax, oil executives defended their earnings before Congress by saying industry profi ts as a percent of revenue are in line with other industries. Oil companies use these earnings to invest in new sources of oil, they added. Sara Banaszak is a senior economist at the American Petroleum Institute, 12

2/2006 which represents the oil and gas industry. She says current pump prices are set by both supply and demand, and simply refl ect the market. Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen’s energy program, disagrees. He believes the industry has exploited the situation, intentionally tightening its refi ning Tyson Slocum capacity to control supply and make bigger bucks. The American Legion Magazine recently interviewed both experts separately.

Retail gasoline prices (adjusted for infl ation) Source: U.S. Department of Energy $2.95 $2.36 $2.27 $2.17 $2.12 $2.11 $2.08 $2.05 $1.93 $1.91 $1.80 $1.68 $1.65 $1.57 $1.46 $1.42 * * *

1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2001 2002 2003 20 2005 2006 04 Images courtesy Ford Motor Co.

* estimate, ** forecast

Page Q: Why did gas prices skyrocket last year, and We are never, ever going to solve this why have they become so volatile? crisis by trying to produce more Sara Banaszak: The main reason gas prices oil. The only way to address it reached the height they did is really due is to take steps to reduce High global to the two major hurricanes that hit the our consumption. You gas prices* Gulf Coast in August and September. But do that by making our $6.48 Amsterdam, we were in a very tight market even before consumption more effi cient. Netherlands the hurricanes, seeing upward movement There are things Congress can $6.27 Oslo, Norway do: enact tougher fuel-economy of gasoline prices. The biggest driver in the $5.96 Milan, Italy price of gasoline is the price of crude oil. standards, offer more incentives $5.93 Copenhagen, About 55 percent of what a consumer pays for hybrids and give consumers Denmark for gasoline is just to cover the purchase of more options to use more fuel- the crude oil. Almost 50 cents on the gallon effi cient automobiles. Second, we $5.91 Brussels, Belgium are the taxes being paid. And then that need to hold the oil companies middle portion is what is left to take the accountable. They’re enjoying Low global crude, turn it into gasoline, transport it to record profi ts, and that’s a direct gas prices* the consumer and market it to the consumer. connection to the record-high The Department of Energy’s short- prices we’re paying. $0.91 Riyadh, Saudi term forecast basically calls for a slight Arabia moderation from where prices are now Q: Who deserves blame for the $0.78 Kuwait City, but still sustained at a fairly high level high prices? Kuwait through the winter. At the worst point of the SB: It’s a natural response $0.65 Cairo, Egypt hurricane damage we had almost 30 percent to want to blame somebody $0.38 Lagos, Nigeria of our refi ning capacity either completely because prices are high $0.12 Caracas, shut down or operating at reduced capacity. and they’re very diffi cult Venezuela * March 2005 As that comes back online, it’s putting on pocketbooks, but who do Source: CNN Money downward pressure on gasoline prices. we blame when there’s a freeze Tyson Slocum: First of all, there is no in Florida and the price of orange 13 question the high prices have something juice goes up? Markets have worked to do with supply and demand. Americans very effectively for consumers, and these are using record amounts of gas and oil; we hurricanes are a great testimony to that. use, by far, the most gas and oil of any other Prices went up very high, but it’s because we country in the world. Every day, we use 25 had tremendous damage from the hurricanes. percent of the world’s oil even though we What we saw is that as the facilities are only have about 4.5 percent of the world’s restored, the prices are coming back down. population. So anytime you’ve got tight That’s the mechanism you’d expect with the supply and demand you’re going to have market. The other thing is that prices are set an easier situation for energy companies to by both supply and demand. Any industry exploit that situation, and that’s exactly what is only trying to supply something that we’re seeing today. In March 2001, the Federal somebody’s trying to use. Trade Commission did an investigation The industry is concerned that we’ve under- of high prices in the Midwest and found invested in infrastructure and the ability conclusive evidence that oil companies were to supply fuel into the country because we intentionally withholding supplies in order to rejected so many of the options that would drive prices up. And they’re going to continue enable the supply to build. That’s also one going up. As long as our White House and our factor to the tight market. For instance, Congress refuse to address the fundamentals, natural gas this winter could actually be the sky’s the limit for prices. a bigger problem than gasoline, because The United States is already the third-largest unlike gasoline, where it’s easier to respond crude oil-producing nation in the world. Only to a domestic problem with the international Saudi Arabia and Russia produce more oil market, we haven’t been able yet to build the every day than we do. Even if we doubled infrastructure to import more natural gas our production to match that of Saudi Arabia, from the international market. In fact, there’s we’d still be forced to import half of our oil. so much natural gas that’s been set off limits

Page to the industry in terms of development, so considering the effect of high energy prices these are the kinds of things the industry on other kinds of consumption, was that the would like to suggest as ways that could help worst impact was really going to be felt in the keep the domestic market better supplied. second half of 2005, and that this year at least TS: I think we need to be honest here. Oil the hurricane-related impacts will be offset companies are enjoying record profi ts at a by positive economic activity that will occur time when Americans are paying record high in terms of rebuilding. So they didn’t see a prices, and we have a federal government that negative impact in 2006 or 2007. has seen fi t to provide those profi teering oil TS: Right now the economy is absolutely being companies with even bigger profi ts, giving hurt. It’s affecting job creation. It’s adding to them more tax breaks, and that just makes no infl ationary pressures. It’s raising prices across fi scal-policy sense. It makes no energy-policy the board. People are hit by high energy prices sense. Second, we do need to point the fi nger two ways. The fi rst way is directly, when you at ourselves. As long as we continue to buy go to the gas station to fi ll up your car and extremely fuel-ineffi cient automobiles, as long when you open up your utility bill for home as we continue to use oil and gas at a rate heating this winter. The indirect cost is that that far exceeds our competitors in Europe rising energy costs increase the costs of goods and Asia, we’re going to continue paying high and services. For example, Wal-Mart has prices. It’s one thing for the president to come already been talking about how it needs to out and say we need to be better conservers of increase prices to make up for the added costs energy. It’s another thing to say, “I’m going to of high energy prices on its bottom line, so help you become better conservers of energy consumers are going to pay for it there as well. by giving Americans more money to help them buy a new hybrid Q: Everybody thinks the industry is raking in Over a barrel vehicle, to give them money to big bucks. True or false? The United weatherize their homes so their SB: Not true relative to other industries. States windows won’t let heat escape When you look at the earnings of the oil and 14 consumed an and they’ve got better insulation gas industry compared to other industries, 2/2006 average of so the heat they use is used more they’re really right on average. In the 20 million effi ciently.” The president hasn’t second quarter of 2005, if you look across barrels of oil done that. All he’s done is given us all industries – everything from banking to per day in 2004, a lecture about how we need to be media to pharmaceuticals – the average was according to better conservers of energy because 7.9 percent, so 7.9 cents on the dollar. The the U.S. all the money he’s decided to give oil and natural gas industry was 7.7 cents. Department of for these things has been to oil That trend holds true over the longer picture. Energy. Of that, companies. Looking back over the past fi ve years, the 45 percent was average was 5.4 percent for all industries. Oil used for motor Q: What are the short-term and and gas was just slightly higher, 5.6 percent. gasoline. The long-term effects on the U.S. What confuses people is that many oil and rest was used economy? gas companies are very large. They don’t just for distillate fuel SB: Long before the hurricanes, sell it in the United States; they’re selling oil, jet fuel, Alan Greenspan testifi ed to all over the world. If you look at how much residual fuel and other oils. Congress that rising energy prices they’re earning, their profi t, that number In the United were probably having an effect tends to be very large. But if you look at how States, on economic growth. Then he much they’re selling and compare the two, approximately estimated about a quarter of a they’re right on average. 178 million percent or somewhere around half TS: The largest fi ve oil refi ners in the United gallons of a percent. With the hurricanes States, since 2001, have had profi ts of gasoline are and the price spikes that were $258 billion. That’s through the third quarter consumed hurricane-related, we can expect of 2005. Compared to other industries, the every day. that impact to be greater, and the oil industry is doing very, very well. In 2004, Source: Congressional Budget Offi ce did Money.howstuffworks.com Exxon Mobil’s global operations had a 23.6- some analysis on what the impacts percent rate of return. But its U.S. oil refi ning were. The forecast, even had a 28.6-percent rate of return. That tells

Page me its biggest profi t margins are coming from the breakthrough is going to be; What you pay Americans. So if we think that a 30-percent otherwise, we’d be going in that for in a gallon profi t margin on U.S. drilling is OK with direction already. I think the of regular Americans at a time when they’re paying markets will decide which of the gasoline record high prices, well, then, I guess we alternative technologies is the most Retail price have no complaint with Exxon Mobil. competitive. $2.26 per gallon TS: Yeah, there’s alternative fuels (November 2005) Q: Are gas prices really that high when – things like ethanol and biodiesel. Crude oil infl ation is taken into account? You have hybrid cars, which use 57 percent SB: If you adjust for infl ation, they never got electric power actually generated Refi ning as high as what we paid in 1981 for gasoline. from the operation of the vehicle 8 percent The same with crude oil. In fact, if you adjust itself. When you break the car, it Distribution for infl ation, our prices were going steadily actually captures the energy of that a n d m a r k e t i n g down, so we were actually paying much and recharges the battery. You have 15 percent less for fuel than we had been in the ’80s. alternative fuels like hydrogen, Taxes We think prices are high, but they’re not which you have to create. But once 20 percent really that high. In the last couple of years you create it, it is a zero-emission Source: U.S. Department of Energy they started rising, but for all of the ’80s and fuel. The only waste product when most of the ’90s our gasoline prices were you burn hydrogen is water. So there falling while gasoline was getting cleaner and are alternatives, but we need to invest heavily cleaner. We’ve taken more and more sulfur in them. Right now the private marketplace out of the fuel that we’re selling and made the isn’t doing a lot of that because it’s a long-term specifi cations for the fuel tighter and tighter. investment, and the private marketplace is TS: When you look at what happened in the interested in short-term profi tability. They’re 1970s, I think that we just got very close to going to stick with what we already have. It is breaking the infl ation-adjusted record, but the government’s job not to subsidize mature everything is relative. I mean, obviously the industries like oil companies but to instead 1970s was a horrendous economic era. You provide investments in these immature new 15 had annual infl ation at 20 to 25 percent. You technologies that will transition away from had huge jobless numbers. Is it as bad as it fossil fuels. was then today? No, it isn’t. Does that mean we should be breathing a sign of relief? No, Q: What would stability in a free Iraq mean to because it is clear, and it is documented, that the future of the industry? high prices today are having a huge negative SB: Iraq has the capability to produce a impact on Americans, especially those on lot more oil than it is. It would not be the fi xed incomes. They are going to suffer the No. 1 oil producer. But it’s an important most, especially when you take into account area of crude production. It would help the heating bills and the cost to fi ll up their cars markets. It’s hard to say who would have the with gas. opportunity to invest in further development in Iraq, but it would certainly bring more Q: Are alternative fuels viable? If so, which supply into the market if the country were ones hold the most promise? stable and developing its resources. SB: We should be seriously looking at TS: You can argue that Iran is a stable alternatives, and we are. Most of the oil we country, but we don’t get any oil from Iran use in this country is for transportation, because of political differences. We have so our movement toward hybrid vehicles to assume we have a democracy in Iraq is exactly the kind of response that that is supportive of the United States, and brings us into a more alternative arena assuming that, I don’t think it will make that that goes directly at our biggest area of big of a difference. There is no shortage of energy consumption. The development of crude oil today. The problems are in the U.S. alternatively fueled vehicles, like a hydrogen marketplace, and I think a lot of that has to vehicle, will be of tremendous importance. do with all the mergers we’ve allowed. x It’s impossible to say which technology we should develop. You never know where Interviews: Matt Grills

Page BY SEN. JOHN ENSIGN

or more than 20 years, the United States a purely political process. Since that time, Fhas pursued a policy of burying an incred- science has taken a back seat to the Depart- ibly valuable resource in an unstable moun- ment of Energy’s obsession to make the Yucca tain riddled with structural, scientifi c and Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository a real- fi nancial problems. We arrived at this point ity – at all costs. through pure politics and misguided so-called And the cost is steep, even beyond the fi - science, but we do still have real, sensible and nancial commitment required for the comple- viable options. tion and operation of this dump – if that can The 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act es- ever happen. Because DoE currently faces so tablished a national nuclear-waste disposal many serious setbacks, I question whether system and gave the Energy Department Yucca Mountain will ever open. until 1998 to open a permanent underground A federal appeals court ruled in July 2005 16

2/2006 repository for high-level nuclear waste. Yucca that a new radiation-safety standard must be Mountain in Nevada was singled out as the established before DoE can fi le a licensing only site to be studied for a permanent reposi- application with the Nuclear Regulatory Com- tory. Even supporters of the deal conceded mission. The standard must be at the point at the time that Nevada was a casualty in when the waste will be at its peak radiation.

Natural and engineered barriers at Yucca Mountain

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, plans for the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository rely on a series of barriers that prevent or slow the movement of radioactive materials. These include natural barriers, such as thick unsaturated rock, and human-engineered obstacles. The repository’s current design calls for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste to travel to the site by truck or rail in shielded shipping containers. Once the materials arrive, they would be removed from the shipping containers and placed in double-layered, corrosion- resistant packages for burying underground. Special rail cars would carry them underground, and remotely controlled equipment would place them on supports in an underground tunnel.

Page That could be 300,000 years from the time the waste is sent to Yucca Mountain, instead of the arbitrary Environment Protection Agency standard of 10,000 years. The 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act gave the Energy Department until 1998 to open a The American Legion’s permanent underground geologic repository for Resolution No. 46, passed last summer high-level nuclear waste. Until recently, Yucca Mountain was scheduled to open in 2010, but during the 87th National Convention in that date is now indefi nite. Honolulu, calls for the president and Congress E-mails from government workers on the Yucca Mountain Quality Assurance Pro- to compel the Department of Energy to 17 gram indicate the science behind the reposi- comply with the requirements of the Nuclear tory may have been falsifi ed. According to The Washington Post, “e-mails by a govern- Waste Policy Act by establishing a process to ment scientist on the Yucca Mountain nuclear- develop an integrated used-fuel management waste dump project suggest the worker was planning to fabricate records and manipulate system and fi nd sites for interim, centralized results to ensure outcomes that would help storage. The resolution also asks for DoE to move the project forward.” A recent Inspector General’s report found make timely progress in the characterization that DoE repeatedly gave bonuses to Bechtel of any proposed repository sites at various Corp. in spite of poor work performance at Yucca Mountain. The report says DoE’s Offi ce locations and seeks increased funding for of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management scientifi c and engineering studies. paid Bechtel $4 million in “incentive-based fees” even though “Bechtel did not meet con- The resolution seeks involvement from local tract specifi cations.” governments directly affected by interim Even plagued by all these problems and threats, the greatest cost to the United States storage and/or permanent disposal of nuclear of opening Yucca Mountain could arise from waste. Involvement includes planning and ignoring safer, smarter and more reasonable alternatives. I have long advocated investing in receiving appropriate benefi ts from such new technologies at our national labs to recycle facilities and urges the U.S. government to nuclear waste. We recycle plastics, glass and paper products. Why not nuclear waste? recycle nuclear waste to recover usable A potentially viable option to recycle nuclear nuclear energy whenever possible. waste is accelerator-driven transmutation of waste, or ATW. Simply put, ATW transforms

Page long-lived radioactive products into less haz- winners when looking for an alternative to ardous materials and generates electricity as a burying nuclear waste. Instead, let the com- byproduct. Unlike the reprocessing of waste, peting ideas create the best option. ATW does not produce weapons-grade mate- In the meantime, nuclear waste should rial as a byproduct. And recycling technology be kept in dry-cask storage on the sites of has a number of advantages over burying nuclear reactors. It will be safe there for at high-level nuclear waste. The waste that least 100 years – plenty of time to fi nd a viable remains after completing the ATW recycling alternative by developing recycling facilities. It process is harmful for a dramatically shorter is well worth the cost and effort to turn one of time than the unrecycled material. We know the most toxic substances into a clean energy we can build a repository that will be safe for alternative. 300 years. We can’t be certain Yucca Moun- I have also introduced legislation with tain will prove safe for 300,000 years, as is my colleague, Sen. Harry Reid, to amend the truly needed. Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. Our bill Even the advocates for transporting nuclear requires ownership to all spent nuclear fuel, waste through 43 states to Nevada admit stored in dry casks, to be passed to DoE when that by the time Yucca Mountain can begin the fuel is transferred on-site from storage accepting it, our country will have produced pools to casks. Currently, individual nuclear more than enough waste to fi ll it. Actually, waste sites retain ownership, meaning liability under the current plan, we won’t get rid of the remains with them. nuclear waste backlog for nearly a century, Conveying ownership means DoE will have and Yucca Mountain will have been fi lled long full responsibility for the possession, stew- before then. ardship, maintenance and monitoring of all However, if we recycle the 70,000 tons spent nuclear fuel. This will ensure waste is of high-level nuclear waste requiring stor- stored under a uniform standard, protecting age in 2015, ATW would leave roughly only public health and safety. Through the legisla- 3,000 tons requiring high-level storage in a re- tion, DoE also would be made responsible for pository. Plus, the waste could be stored more various maintenance and oversight associated 18

2/2006 densely because transmuted waste cannot with implementation. start a nuclear reaction. That means volume Yucca Mountain is not the solution that requirements of a repository would be further politicians in 1982 believed it would be. Too reduced. many problems already have surfaced, and We are all aware that our nation needs to too many more questions remain unanswered. develop new clean energy sources. Recycling Continuing to pursue this project is a huge nuclear waste would produce around 5 tril- mistake that could have catastrophic conse- lion kilowatt hours of emissions-free energy quences. I hope our nation takes a long, hard over 40 years. With offsetting revenue from look at other options, including recycling. electricity sales, the project could nearly pay With a projected cost of up to $100 billion for itself, making it more cost-effective than to complete Yucca Mountain, we cannot afford storage at Yucca Mountain, which currently to waste more time focusing on an unrealistic is projected to cost up to $100 billion. Instead plan that is not based on sound science and of spending it on a hole in a mountain, we that will not be licensed in the foreseeable should take that money and use it for research future. It is time to direct valuable resources and development of recycling technology. toward a plan that will serve our nation best DoE scientists from Argonne National Labo- for generations to come. x ratory already have come up with a way to recycle nuclear waste: pyroprocessing. All pos- Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., serves on the Armed sible ways to recycle spent nuclear fuel must Services, Budget and Veterans Affairs commit- be explored. The government should not pick tees of the U.S. Senate.

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Page rst thought the “I almost killed the guy myself ap- he when Three years Clark later, is not so sure his of luck. What happened is this: Clarkdriving was lead in a two-vehicle military police patrol along a four- lane highway in Baghdad. As approached he and began to passcivilian a slower vehicle, a terrorist detonated a bomb remote by control – a bomb fashioned, it was later learned, from three artillery soldiersrounds. The U.S. at fi civilian driver ahead themof was a suicide bomber hadwho set off the blast. In fact, the Iraqi an was innocent victim later who died from injuries caused by the explosion. proached us yelling and waving his Clark hands,” recalls. “But I didn’t because fell he to the ground before I could charge sidearm. my The poor guy died because was in he the wrong place at the wrong time. I guess the were we lucky ones that all We lived.” day. ce of Congressman ce of Rob gure out what happened.” rst, I thought I was blinded by the blast, oorboard his of an Humvee, explosion that oshua Clarkoshua it coming. saw never didn’t He hear it did. it when ripped It through the fl “At fi “At dgeting at a conference table in the Norwich, spewed shrapnel everywhere. Metal shards tore through combat boots. Clark’s and A foot arm lacerated.were His face was peppered; one piece lodged in his A Kevlar forehead. helmet his saved life, stopping a chunk debris of from penetrating his temple. thebut it was only 23-year-old temporary,” National Guard veteran explains, seated and fi Conn., district offi Simmons. “I somehow stumbled from the vehicle, but everything was a blur in motion. slow The guys in squad my me later told that I was yelling and screaming, remember it. At the but I don’t time I couldn’t fi

2/2006

Page 20 Post-traumatic stress disorder is back with a vengeance. Can VA handle it?

BY JAMES V. CARROLL

Nearly three years after an explosive device detonated near his vehicle, Joshua Clark, 23, is haunted by combat memories of his tour of duty in Iraq. According to an 21 Army study, returning U.S. servicemembers face an 18-percent risk of suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. James V. Carroll

That tragic moment on the war-torn streets of der or suffering from some other mental-health Baghdad plays in his mind, over and over, day condition. An Army study published in The New after day, like a video loop. He has trouble concen- England Journal of Medicine in 2004 estimated an trating. He is obsessed with to-do lists but neglects 18-percent risk of PTSD for servicemembers to refer to them. He has trouble keeping track of returning from Iraq and an 11-percent risk after his schedule and sometimes forgets to go to work. service in Afghanistan. The number of actual Each day of his life is an emotional roller coaster. cases is a moving target, but VA records show that The slightest provocation can elicit an angry between October 2003 and February 2005 up to 26 outburst. He values old friendships and distrusts percent of veterans seeking VA medical treatment new relationships. He doesn’t contemplate thoughts were diagnosed with mental disorders. PTSD is of hurting himself but sometimes wonders if the the most prevalent among veterans who saw day-to-day chaos of his life is worth the trouble. combat, says Fred Gusman, director of VA’s “I don’t know how people deal with me,” Clark National Center for PTSD in Menlo Park, Calif. replies when asked about his chronic mood Gusman and other mental-health professionals swings. “Even I sometimes can’t deal with me.” say the risk of developing chronic military-related PTSD and other mental-health problems increases A Looming Crisis. Clark is among a fast-swelling with frequency and intensity of combat. By most population of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans accounts, combat activities in Iraq and Afghani- returning home with post-traumatic stress disor- stan meet both criteria: frequent and intense.

Page – James V. Carroll – James V. rst step,” says American says step,” rst scal 2006 budget VA solely for nally being recognized by Con- Washington is starting to take After completing drug rehabilitation, “I had hit bottom,” Epson recalls. “For ictedwill seek care sooner than later. some reason, I suddenly decided I didn’t sowant to I got in contact die, with VA.” Epson was admitted to the PTSD and Desert Storm. Epson says when she returned from the her War Gulf life became a living hell. She lived on the edge, often engaging in life-threatening activities. She was depressed and didn’t She boughtknow why. alcohol and cocaine and locked herself in a hotel room for eight weeks. one She awoke paralyzedday from a stupor, on the left had a stroke.side of her She’d body. “It’s a small“It’s a fi step, “Soldiers didn’t come right after away Vietnam – “The program Epson did not says. cure me,” “I still “I don’t know where I would if it were be today, they are still coming,” Gusman “The sooner says. canwe treat theIraq and Afghanistan veterans, thebrighter the prognosis.” A Small Step. notice. After years funding of psychia- cuts in VA try programs, federal legislators allocated $2.2 billion in the fi mental-health care. Funding mental-health for research also an was doubled. It unprecedented commitment. Legion National Commander Thomas L. Bock. “We are pleased PTSD and related mental-health conditions are fi asgress problems unto and themselves. VA But we are concerned that the seed money is too little and comes too late many for America’s of emotionally wounded veterans.the applaud heightened We demand.And knows no one the fulllimits that of hopes He veterans toodemand. early. fear who It’s they are affl have rough times. What it did was allow me to start living my life again. I know how to control the bad thoughts when they attack I’ve me. learned I can live life without hurting myself with alcohol and drugs. I can nowwalk again with my head I’ve up. self-respect.” my back gained program at Menlo Park. It saved her she life, says. not for Epson, the says help a 46- Lydia I got here,” Navyyear-old veteran who served in Desert Shield PTSD at Menlo Park, The Calif. 10-year-old program is designed to treat women veterans with PTSD. They come to the intensive 60-day residential program from every state, all ages and walks of life. rmed rmed . “Women are re at the enemy, and 48re at the enemy, accordingre, to the Army’s ux PTSD of cases arising from Iraq and The Chicago Tribune icted by various degrees of PTSD or military Women in the military are as susceptible toPTSD many previousUnlike wars, Iraq and Afghanistan “This is what is different about this Thousands of women, as a result, are for requirements treatment unique the Realizing ghting it. These little wisps of things More women in combat means more women with PTSD as men, and many women suffer more pronounced and debilitating forms of the illness, according to professionals. psychiatric VA have placed more servicewomen U.S. than ever in combat situations. Many women have confi enemy kills. The killing of another human being is considered the top stressor in the diagnosis of PTSD. Lt. Col. Richard Rael, commander war,” Corps Supportof the Battalion, 515th told returning home from war emotionally damaged by what they have seen and done. A recently published children’s book, “Why Is Mommy She A Book Is? Like for Kids About illustrates PTSD,” how the role of women in combat might affect the nation in years to come. VA estimates percent 8 to 10 of women veterans are affl sexual trauma. openedwomen, VA the National Trauma Women’s Recovery Program as part of the National Center for are stronger than anyone could ever imagine and taking on more than most Americans could ever know.” fi Guerrilla warfare and terrorist actions from The infl Ninety-four percent soldiers of in Iraq reported Afghanistan worries is capable of Gusman. VA treating its current not sure caseload, VA but he’s has the strategy or resources needed to meet future percent reported being responsible the for death of combatant. Twenty-eight enemy least one at percent reported being responsible a noncom- for batant death. ambiguous and unknown enemies create unique stressors, Gusman Soldiers says. in Iraq and Afghanistan are required to maintain an unprec- edented degree vigilance. of There is no safeplace or safe to perform. role 2004 In addition, study. 86 percent soldiers of in Iraq reported knowing someone seriously was who injured or killed. Sixty-eight percent reported seeing deadseriously or wounded Americans, and percent51 reported handling or uncovering human remains. Seventy-seven percent soldiers of report- ed shooting or directing fi receiving small-arms fi

2/2006

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Page Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder awareness but remain supporting information and cautious.” PTSD usually appears within three failing to fully develop a The Legion and other months of a trauma. But sometimes claim prior to adjudication. veterans organizations are it can surface months, or even years, The Legion team found later. Psychiatrists identify PTSD understandably wary. Last numerous occasions where according to four categories of year, VA Secretary Jim symptoms: VA unnecessarily required Nicholson announced that VA veterans to submit additional Intrusive. A traumatic event remains was considering reviewing evidence to verify a claimed a dominating psychological more than 70,000 PTSD experience that evokes panic, terror, stressor when suffi cient disability claims approved grief or despair as manifested in evidence had already been between 1999 and 2004. VA’s daytime fantasies, traumatic obtained. Under-evaluation plan was based on a May nightmares and psychotic of mental conditions of 2005 report by its Offi ce of reenactments known as PTSD veterans also occurred in Inspector General, which fl ashbacks, or “triggers.” The triggers every regional offi ce the found about 25 percent of can be so strong that the individual Legion team visited. 2,100 randomly selected cases thinks he or she is actually re- “Veterans whose claims were fl awed by inadequate experiencing the trauma. have already been estab- evidence of a traumatic event Avoidant. An individual may attempt lished should not have to – a key requirement in a to avoid feelings, thoughts and suffer through the long and claim. situations reminiscent of the trauma, agonizing claims process VA’s proposed review was and experience a loss of normal again, because of VA defi - emotional responses. Taken to the widely assailed by veterans ciencies,” Bock says. “More- extreme, this may resemble organizations. The American agoraphobia because the PTSD over, in light of its enormous Legion publicly criticized it as patient is afraid to leave the house claims and appeals backlog, a knee-jerk reaction to a for fear of confronting reminders of VA simply should not have fl awed IG report. VA’s review the traumatic event. considered tapping its would have only covered Hyperarousal. Individuals with PTSD already limited resources to 24 claims that were granted, not often act as though they are conduct a review of more 2/2006 those that were erroneously constantly threatened by the trauma than 70,000 cases that would or prematurely denied or that caused their illness. These otherwise not have been granted low disability ratings. symptoms resemble those seen in touched. The Legion is “It was extremely irrespon- panic and generalized anxiety. pleased that Secretary sible for VA to announce it Associated features. The person Nicholson decided to do the would review thousands of with PTSD may attempt to rid himself right thing and call off the previously granted PTSD or herself of painful fl ashbacks, review.” cases without fully consider- loneliness and panic attacks by ing all possible ramifi ca- abusing alcohol and other drugs. A Long Learning Curve. Post- tions,” Bock says. “It resulted PTSD patient may also show poor traumatic stress disorder is control over his or her impulses, in undue stress among an not a new phenomenon. increasing the risk of suicide. untold number of veterans During the Civil War, it was Sources: VA, Houghton College Department of Psychiatry with serious psychiatric often called “soldier’s heart.” disabilities. Veterans were Returning veterans from concerned that VA would use World War I, World War II the review to take their benefi ts or make them and Korea suffered what was labeled “shell shock” relive the events that caused their illnesses by or “battle fatigue.” It wasn’t until Vietnam that requiring them to prove their cases all over again.” military-related PTSD entered the psychiatric After conducting its own review of the 2,100 lexicon. studied cases, VA concluded that problems noted It has been a long learning curve for psychiatric by the IG were mostly administrative. Late last professionals, but a better understanding of PTSD year, VA called off the expanded review. exists today thanks to a generation of Vietnam The American Legion’s Quality Review Team War veterans, Gusman says. Through long years of also studied the PTSD ratings process. In every treatment experience and research, VA has devel- regional VA offi ce they studied, the team found oped new strategies and effective methods. instances of improper denial of claims. Common Early diagnosis is a critical lesson. “If not treated errors made by VA staff were failures to request immediately, PTSD can last a lifetime,” Gusman

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Page PTSD’s impact says. “PTSD does not mean you 144 Number of specialized creep into his working day and are unable to function. It has PTSD programs in the VA haunt his sleep. Nightly bouts of degrees. Some people have health-care system sheet-drenching nightmares have symptoms but can function. 244,000 Approximate subsided, but seldom does a night Others cannot. We have learned number of PTSD patients go by when the young war veteran that intensive counseling, group treated by VA in 2004 is not awakened. therapy and antidepressant 6,900 Number of Iraq and “When I fi rst came home, I medication are very effective Afghanistan veterans treated would wake up terrifi ed, thrashing strategies.” in 2004 for PTSD and other around,” Clark says. “Now I wake Unfortunately, DoD or VA mental-health conditions up in the night sometimes angry, cannot help those who suffer 9,500 Minimum number of sometimes frightened, but mostly from PTSD if they do not come Iraq and Afghanistan feeling empty. It got so bad for a forward. Many active-duty veterans who received while that I hid in a bottle of servicemembers and veterans readjustment counseling at alcohol. But everytime I sobered avoid treatment, according to a VA Vet Centers in 2004 up, the faces were still there. I 2004 report by VA’s Special $4.3 billion Amount VA can’t seem to erase the terrible Committee on PTSD. Committee spent in 2004 on PTSD images I saw in Iraq. It’s not just co-chairman Dr. Harold Kudler disability benefi ts when the IED exploded; it’s all the cited two obstacles blocking 80 Percentage by which the other stuff, too.” diagnosis and treatment of number of veterans receiv- Simple pleasures he once PTSD. First is the stigma in the ing PTSD compensation rose enjoyed are problematic today for between 1999 and 2003 military associated with the Clark. He loved to immerse disorder. Second is VA’s inabil- $3,000 Approximate himself in music prior to his tour. ity to identify PTSD in return- monthly compensation for a In Iraq, he would soothe pent-up veteran rated 100 percent ing servicemembers. anger and aggressiveness by disabled by PTSD Within the Department of cranking up the volume on his Defense, many consider it a bad stereo earphones and take a 26 idea to report symptoms of momentary respite from the

2/2006 PTSD because they are concerned that it will frightful desert nights. Music was a ticket home. interfere with their missions, disrupt morale and Today, those same tunes create an emotional time possibly curtail their military careers, Kudler told machine that catapults him back to the war. members of Congress. Although DoD screens “I can’t listen to my music today – it’s too pain- returning servicemembers, VA often cannot access ful,” Clark whispers. “I don’t do a lot of things the questionnaire responses of veterans they serve, today I used to enjoy. I guess, when it comes down due to privacy rights. Such rights, however, make to it, I really don’t have much fun anymore.” follow-up diffi cult, if not impossible, Kudler added. Still, Clark is better off than many sufferers of “The culture is changing at DoD and VA,” PTSD. He can function. He has a part-time job, Gusman says. “There seems to be a greater will- attends college and is a wrestling coach at his local ingness to cooperate. Gaps remain, but it’s in high school. everyone’s interest to work together.” As part of his academic curriculum, Clark is an One way to identify PTSD is for the Pentagon to intern for U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-Conn. He establish a center where all returning servicemem- serves as a military and constituent services bers receive psychological and social screening, intern. But the former military policeman has Gusman says. Such a center could assist them with lingering fear that everything he has worked for employment, housing, family therapy, and, if since his discharge will explode in his face as needed, referral to VA. quickly as did the roadside bomb three years ago in Baghdad. A Brighter Future. Fortunately for Clark, the Army “It scares me sometimes,” he says. “But all I can recognized his wounds were more than physical. do is focus on what I have to do and take it one He received mental-health treatment from the day and one night at a time. I’m alive. That poor Army before discharge and sought VA assistance civilian Iraqi driver is dead. I have a second shortly after his release. chance at life.” x For the most part, Clark’s physical wounds are healed. But his emotional well-being is far from James V. Carroll is an assistant editor at The stable. Horrifi c memories of combat sporadically American Legion Magazine.

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Page 28 BY JIM WOODARD I’m the resident storyteller at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. One of my stories at the last Presidents Day event really fascinated the audience. It was a true Abraham Lincoln story that most people have never heard or read. At fi rst, you’ll think my historical accuracy is way off base, but stay with me:

braham Lincoln farmed a large land One bright, sunny day, Lincoln was parcel in Kentucky. For four years, he cutting down trees to expand his planting worked hard to make a living on the area. He heard a noise that sounded like farm, clearing land and planting and someone stepping on dried leaves or twigs. cultivating crops. However, he had a He looked around but saw nothing. He problem with local Indians, who didn’t concluded it was a squirrel and returned like Lincoln farming land they considered to clearing the land. to be within their territory. Unfortunately, the noise was no squirrel. On several occasions, Indian braves An Indian brave, sent by his tribe to kill stopped by to express their indignation Abraham Lincoln, stepped out from about Lincoln’s activities and told him to behind a tree. With a rifl e recently stolen move out. He refused and instead contin- from a white man, he aimed at Lincoln’s ued to expand his farm. back and fi red. One day, a rather large group of Indian Lincoln slumped to the ground, gasping braves came to Lincoln’s cabin, kidnapped for air with a bullet embedded in his chest. him and took him to the tribe’s village. He looked up in time to see the Indian There, they forced Lincoln to “run the brave running away through the trees. gauntlet,” meaning he had to run between Then, glancing toward an open area about two long rows of braves while they struck 50 feet away, Lincoln spotted his 6-year-old him with sticks and branches. It was their son, Thomas. Little Thomas had seen 29 way of punishing and humiliating him for everything. Then Abraham Lincoln died. not bowing to their demands. Years later, when Thomas was 28, he That experience caused Lincoln to married Nancy Hanks and had a son of his refl ect. Perhaps he was intruding on their own. He named him after his father, territorial rights. After all, the Indians Abraham. It was this Abraham Lincoln were there fi rst. Also, Lincoln feared what who became the 16th president of the the Indians might do next. He packed his United States. belongings and moved out. President Lincoln wrote about his About a year later, Lincoln reconsidered grandfather Abraham on several occa- his move. He reasoned that he had just as sions. He had served as a captain in the much right to work the land as did the Revolutionary War, then emigrated from Indians. Sure, they were fi rst to occupy Virginia to Kentucky with his wife and the land, but they didn’t own it. This THEfi ve children in 1781 to establish a farm. began to eat at him until he fi nally decid- Several interesting similarities exist ed to move back to his farm.SSASSbetweenIN theA twoT Abraham Lincolns, After returning, heO worked A the land grandfather and grandson.IO Both married even harder. TheW Indians again expressed women named Mary. BothN hadS sons their displeasureT with him, but he was named Thomas. And both were shot determined to continue his work. OFfrom behind. x Jim Woodard of Ventura, Calif., is a storyteller and writer. ABRAHAMwww.jimwoodard.net • or [email protected]

Page how you have one one have you how “i think value and and value think “i linked. i don’t know know don’t i linked. without the other.” the without values are inextricably inextricably are values The Ameri- The ’s job is to make sure’s rst full year in business, The

n 1979, after itsn 1979, fi Home DepotHome recorded approximately $7 million Nardelli took the reins Depot, at The Home Inc., also a familyHe’s man, a NASCAR fan and a If a nation it were unto itself, Depot, The Home A large part Bob Nardelli of

ve years, ve it has been a steady performer in an bob is in hardware. in is bob

bob has a message for corporate america. corporate for message a has bob i it’s a goliathit’s with a heart. in late 2000 after a 30-year career divided between General Electric and Case Construction Equip- ment. a likely was He candidate to replace the legendary at the Welch helm Jack six GE of years havingago, successfully Systems, Power led GE NardelliInc. Passedover, swiftly was snapped up Depot,by The Home and under his leadership, the company has nearly doubled its annual sales. He's done so by thinking outside the big working box, the online market, and bringing new and different forms Depot The Home of to urban, suburban and international markets. is He known in corporate circles as a technological a hard worker, innovator and a master acquisitions. of once described Welch him as the “best operating executive ever I’ve seen.” values-driven American has who more to done rebuild public faith in corporate citizenship than Enron did to unravel it. The recipient an of Ameri- can Legion commendation public for service last summer, Nardelli recently spoke with Magazine.can Legion with $73.1 billionwith $73.1 in 2004 sales, would rank right in the middle the of economy world – somewhere between the gross domestic products Bulgaria of and Israel. is It the third-largest retailer in the is It theworld. eighth-largest employer in the United States. operates It more than stores; 1,960 another outlet opens every 48 hours. In the past fi otherwise turbulent stock market, increasing earnings per percent. share is, without It by 105 question, a corporate goliath. in sales. Today, the company doesin that sales. in Today, an hour.

(he’s really big in hardware.) in big really (he’s meet bob.

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Page 30 Q: How does The Home Depot integrate corporate Therefore, it is very easy for them to carry service citizenship into its business philosophy? into the community. A: The wonderful part about this company is that service is at its core. It permeates more from the Q: How does community service and volunteerism bottom up than from the top down. Every Monday, put a better face on corporate America, given the we have a meeting called QMI – quick market troubles in recent years with accounting manipula- intelligence – and we really try to cover two big tion and inconsistent stockholder confi dence? themes. One is creating fi nancial value. The other A: Obviously, when you think about the literally is continuing to build our values. thousands of corporations, it is unfortunate that a few took it upon themselves to rise above the letter Q: How willing are Home Depot employees to and, equally important, the spirit of the laws. But perform community service outside their paid jobs? at the end of the day, I think what happens is, and A: It is totally at their discretion. We do not maybe it’s human nature, we tend to broad-brush. compensate our associates for the literally millions All corporations got tainted during that period. of hours they contribute. Last September alone, While the media was negatively broad-brushing Home Depot did over 300,000 hours and about corporate America, they missed the point that 2,000 projects across the whole country. corporate America is made up of corporate Ameri- We’re blessed to have 325,000 associates who cans. These are outstanding men and women who understand the importance of service in the store. do have high ethics, who do have high morals, who are raising their families in communities and areas that we are really privileged to work in.

Q: You are co-chairman of the Hands On Network advisory board representing 29 U.S. corporations and 52 nonprofi t organizations that are trying to drive volunteerism and civic engagement. How is that working? A: What we are trying to do through the Hands 31 On Network and working with the not-for-profi t sector is to come up with a prescription for positive change and to really make corporate volunteerism the glue that stitches together all of the energies out there. We try to foster initiatives our associates feel good about: building things, restoring things. We could certainly be critical of the things that have gone wrong in the last two hurricanes, but I think you would have to agree that what’s gone right has been corporate involve- ment with key nonprofi t organizations. I think the combination of public and private partnership puts a whole new complexion on corporations today. I was very privileged to have been selected by the White House and sworn in on the President’s Council for Service and Civic Participation. What I saw was clearly the private sector has not only the fi nancial wherewithal – and certainly the philan- thropic contribution is important – but then the ability to multiply that with sweat equity, working in harmony with nonprofi ts in the community that can help us with project selection and manage- ment. We had an unbelievable launch. We picked

Home Depot CEO Bob Nardelli believes in the value of sweat equity. Last September, he worked on six different community projects in the United States and Canada. Courtesy Home Depot

Page ags, ags, ts.” cers) both in direct-hire cers. We are veryWe Operation of proud If walk you our corridors, will you see hired have reached out. We We’ve cer inthe of one put branches. We our homeland, and that’s the outgrowth ourof Front Home initiative. got We board million. $1 approval for Our associates committed to 1 million put togetherhours. We this program that while the troops are protecting our homeland going were we to protect their front. home Career Front, which spawned when the initial war out in broke Afghanistan said,and immediately “Let’s Iraq. We commit to taking care pay differen- of tial. take Let’s care benefi of more than Star Blue 1,800 service fl everyone for deployed. associate who’s something like 30,000 veterans in the past two years. very Also, tough, it’s as military menand are women trans- ferred around the country, a spouse for a wonderful have We a job. to hold platform stores. I more than of 1,950 was down in Fort Worth the other day talking to an associate had who been with us eight for years but in that store only three months. When I asked how got there,she said, she my “Well, husband transferred, was and I was to keepable all service, my of all my of all continuity my of pay, and get re- employed at the local Depot Home near What attracts to military company your families? You also recruit actively leaders among You newly

The military shares the a lot of same values That’s a whole other a whole initiative. That’s got over We’ve the base.” We think We the important. base.” that’s Q: A: about commitment, about ethics and about leader- ship that are totally aligned with look for what we in our associates. Q: discharged junior offi discharged junior A: (junior1,000 military offi and in store-leadership programs. take We very talented men and demonstrated have who women their leadership skills by the badge they wear – of being an offi them through a very intensive rotational two-year, assignment, and they come out and run a $50-60- 70-million can business. imagine You the align- 1 a couple of ment. No. That voted were is we why times gotten have tremendous We in Jobs. GI support. ’s Operation Operation ’s ts ts t KaBOOM! share ting 1.5 million kids ting 1.5 ts to tackle tough benefi in a $25 million, Military support Hands On Network KaBOOM! Home is a Front Home Depot Home Nardelli co-chairs a newly discharged materials to support military efforts in Iraq. playspaces in America, America, in playspaces nationwide volunteer volunteer nationwide profi communities. in problems nonprofi Walking the walk veterans career training million, 1 million-hour$1 volunteer commitment million in tools$1 and employment. The effort to build and rebuild to families of deployed troops. In 2004, the service effort, linking U.S. Career offers Front company's Operation Operation company's company donated corporations and non- and opportunities for and their parents. their and The Home Depot and the 1 million-hour volunteer ? cation suppliers, of corporations, nonprofi Is it working? Do you see it expanding see Do you Does a program like thisDoes a program How does troop support fi t into your philosophy? t into your doesHow troop fi support We have a very have strongWe organizational structure

We’re well on track. We’re We I’m getting I’m callsa lot of Think about this: working I’m arm in arm last Q: September asa designated month service. of And then setwe some outrageous goals: 500,000 hours in the month and 2,000 projects. years saidAnd we 10 over wantedwe increase to the number volunteers of by 10 percent. Q: A: will deliver the 500,000 will hours. We do the 2,000 projects. And we’re well on track toward the million6.4 incremental volunteers two over years. I couldn’t be prouder. Q: A: about increasing the outer circle, an ever-increasing concentric circle, the of next corporations.100 get We’ll the next companies. 100 So, willwhat we is do have these ever-increasing rings of mobilization as go we forward. represent a unique milestone in corporate America? a unique in corporate milestone represent A: Saturday with working UPS. I’m arm in arm with Starwood. working I’m with Delta, Price-Water- Citigroup, 3M, Coca-Cola,house, SAP, Dell – all of these wonderful people, including our suppliers – alland we’re providing equity sweat a common for couldn’t be more excitedcause. You about the unifi Q: and, in some cases, local, state, municipality government built have leaders. We playgrounds with the had White senators have House. and We congressmen on site with us the – the governor, the localmayor, congressional leaders. I could go juston and a wonderful on. It’s opportunity us for to come together in a nonpartisan and way do the right thing and do more things right. A: Depotat The Home to support the men and brave put their who women lives on the line to protect

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Page x t into your your into t t children t Projects that that Projects nition of nitionof

At the East Q: benefi fi also defi corporate citizenship. A: Lake Community with Center, Hands On Atlanta, had aboutwe 700 volunteers. worked from We ects their personal character. ts is do it at schools. we when The youth of How does all this affect The Home Depot’s does allHow The this affect Depot’s Home Can you say what effect kind community say of Can you like armed theSort character our of members of The most precious thing is have our we free-

I think value and values are inextricably linked. I think consumers today are interested in more Courtesy Home Depot 7:30 until7:30 and 5:30 basically re-did site, 10-acre a withplaygrounds, a walking trail, new cabinets in the community repainting center, an was It … unbelievable experience. In Houston re-did we an entire school to facilitate dislocated children from Orleans.New is It rich, a rewarding and emotion- ally gratifying experience. Onceit, if do you you anhave ounce citizenship of it really in you, brings to light what is important. the One of real benefi America represent 20 percent the of population but percent the100 of future. a lasting leaves It impression as they mature, about giving back and taking care each of other. Q: bottom line? A: one without know have you how I don’t the other. Q: service has customers and employees? on A: than just great value and price, and they with vote their hard-earned dollars. I think our associates areinterested in more than just the paycheck. It’s important people for to feel they are part a of corporation that refl Q: demonstrate must when servingforces country? our A: ourdom, The democracy. only reason I can do what I do is because the military does what they anddo, that is protect our homeland, and make sure freedom have we speech of and free trade, the ability to travel across this country unintimidated. thinkI don’t can you enough have respect what for these men and are women a asked I have to do. tremendous amount respect of them. for Interview: Jeff Stoffer dence, ethics, last September, connected the nonprofi t KaBOOM! with the for-profi t t KaBOOM! with the for-profi last connected September, the nonprofi Home Depot and other corporations. park and community center in Atlanta. The project, sixth in a series Approximately 700 volunteers spent one day rebuilding a 10-acre rst rst How have you maintained connections you have theHow with What does the veteran employee or managerWhat or employee does the veteran I continually send letters to our associates on A tremendous amount of self-confi amount of tremendous A

We’ve asked what else canWe’ve do to help the we also DepotWe a Home spousal have program. We do not go out do not go out We military, particularlymilitary, deployed associates? your A: active duty – a series updates of throughout the done as a com- what we’ve “Here’s to say, year, pany as instance, it relates for to, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane And Rita.” they when come talkback, we a welcome-home, have to them. We formala re-engagement. men and still women “Bob, there. over They say, what would be great is tools. power Cordless toolspower that would help not only in putting up barracks and taking them down, portable camps, but it would alsoetc., help in the rebuilding with worked So we effort.” the Pentagon and each branch and then distributed million $1 in tools. It was a wonderful and emotional The stores event. loaded trucks that crossed the country to the port debarkationof to ship containers to various branches. There ownership was a lot of in it. example,For wife my sponsored a number other of spouses packed at our 400 house. We Depot Home buckets – these 5-gallon orange buckets – because what the military men and said women “Send was, us things like sauce, send Tabasco us socks, send just we had So, a pick- us hygiene products ….” and-pack party. packed we up And in one day, 400 buckets, loaded them and had them UPS-ed and Federal Express-ed that evening. Q: Q: morals, ability to make judgments. They under- stand the importance the of team. They can build things. They are immersed in the importance of camaraderie and organizational effectiveness. Q: in line to offer opportu- an them nity a very for meaningful career, as they transition from a military career Depot to a Home career. and recruit JMOs fromaway the military. But we stand tall and ready when someone has completed their tour If they duty. of elect not to stay in, want to bewe fi bring to the table? A:

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Page 34

AP nal ow.’ nd ways to close the nd ways Early Corrine Rep. on, Brown, D-Fla., framed must fi saysBuyer VA Buyer, six monthsBuyer, on the job as chairman, And while last summer’s hearings may merely wanted VA Under Secretary Under merely wanted VA Jonathan Perlin to explain the how annual funding request – which seemsbe to annually off the mark – comes into existence. also He invited The American Legion and other veterans organizations to explain they how calculate their annual budget recommendations, which are annually closer to reality. the discussion with we a question: “Are budgeting better for health care veterans for or are budgeting we saving for money?” health-care system survive the fi year’s quarter. gap between data-collection year and budget A centralyear. with problem the 2005 shortfall itswas reliance on patient numbers from 2003. must employ better business saysHe VA savvy to project its funding says, he needs. However, overnight. happen change won’t improve the unlikely math, says Buyer it’s nish The 2005. cient funds to fi VA’s Budget Bust of 2005 VA’s It just needs to be more businesslike to keep up with the ‘ebb and fl and ‘ebb the to keep with up businesslike needs to be more just It ouse Veterans Affairs Committee Chair- called R-Ind., man a series Buyer, Steve of Rep. Steve Buyer says the health-care system’s funding model is not broken. not is model funding system’s health-care the says Buyer Rep. Steve First-year VA SecretaryFirst-year VA Jim Nicholson had scal it would be shot. year, hearings last summer that seemed destined to to destined hearings seemed that summer last most elusive problems: its take VA’s on one of health-care budget process. Soon into the members Congress of however, journey, found themselves confronted a more urgent by dilem- insuffima: system running was on fumes. That grave real- ity soon drowned out the discussion on how the budget is built. By the the end of 2005 fi planned to squeeze millions from capital reserves and carryover accounts, draining them, to make ends meet. More than 85,000 new patients from Iraq and Afghanistana – number far greater than expected – had by then poured hospitals into and VA clinics. Rising costs, increased patient loads and lackluster collections from insurance compa- nies all were given a share blame. of Congress acted quickly and billion passed a $1.5 emer- gency spending bill largest to help the nation’s H a & q

2/2006

Page 36 Congress will signifi cantly change its appro- pension. They also might have health care priations philosophy. Currently, VA health care from some place at work. And they might also is a discretionary cost. The American Legion have access to VA through disability or be- and members of Congress have argued to cause they are a 7 or an 8 (priority groups of make it mandatory, like Medicare or Social veterans eligible for VA health care). They look Security, to prevent budget shortfalls like the at multiple health systems, and the individual one in 2005. Buyer promotes a more business- is making a choice to move in and out, based like approach, including user fees and deduct- on a variety of reasons. It might be where they ible increases for certain types of veterans, to live. It also might be cost on prescriptions. It is close the gap between dollars and demand. very challenging and very diffi cult to manage. Buyer recently spoke with The American Legion Magazine about last summer’s hear- Q: How does the uncertainty of increases in ings, the shortfall and where the VA health- VA-eligible veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan care budget debate goes from here. affect the budget? A: That’s where we got into the whole question Q: What inspired you to call hearings to exam- of modeling. This model we are using – is it ine VA’s health-care budget model? the correct model? The model is the very same A: I served as chairman of the personnel model used by private entities in the market- subcommittee of the House Armed Services place. There is nothing wrong with the model. Committee with responsibility over the mili- It is the assumptions. It is the data. Is it tary health-delivery system, and I would deal current? Is it credible? We looked at this and with the surgeons general of each of the said, “All right, we had faulty assumptions.” services in putting together their budgets We learned that the data put into the model every year. It was extraordinarily challenging was two and three years old and that the because we would deal with assumptions did not even ghost populations. Military take into account the surge “If we are going to continue retirees and their depen- from OIF and OEF (Opera- to open access to VA for dents would ebb and fl ow tions Iraqi Freedom and non-service-connected 37 and cherry-pick multiple treatment, we have to act Enduring Freedom). It also systems based on services. and be more like a business.” did not take into account the The surgeons general of the surge of 7s and 8s. Air Force, the Army, the Navy … they would always have to come back, Q: Besides the shortfall, what other discoveries and we would have to make additions in their did the hearings produce? budgets. After having done that for several A: It is very important – and I think VA has years, I got into modeling issues with them. learned this lesson – that if we are going to The reality is that the landscape shifts like a continue to open access to VA for non-service- beach on the surf because you have the ebb connected treatment, we have to act and be and fl ow of a population that picks and more like a business. When we opened access chooses when they want to move in and out of of the system, the veterans service organiza- the system. tions that supported it, along with those of us in Congress, believed it would be a revenue Q: VA’s health-care budget model has been enhancement. Right now, we’re losing money an issue for veterans groups for a long time. in this proposition. We have to think and be Why do you think it had not been examined more like a business. There are some who in this way before? disagree with me. That’s why I support things A: I don’t think anybody had the experience like an enrollment fee and deductibles and co- I had, handling it from that approach, here pays. These are extremely important aspects of in Congress. running it more like a business.

Q: What makes it so diffi cult to forecast Q: What about VA’s problems collecting mon- VA’s health-care budget needs? ey from insurance companies and other third- A: This ghost population. These are veterans party payers? who have access to multiple health systems. A: Congressman (Jim) Walsh and I three years They might be eligible for health care from a ago said, “How do we tap into the great minds

Page ciencies. ciencies. cer (CIO) x cult to get ows in ows and out of uidity the of ghost population, the What other steps can be taken to protect What taken to protect can be other steps Do you foresee the VA health-care budget the VA foresee Do you Do you plan to resume your examination your of plan to resume Do you ciencies and standardization. and ciencies

Not only Not am I demanding accountability, so These hearings that through went we It requires It constant maintenance because of ghting efforts my to bring these effi There is right too autonomy much within now health-carethe VA hospital have system. You directors and VISN(Veterans Integrated Service directors Network) out there like who to do their own thing and are very resistant to centralized management, can where we bring effi Q: veterans fromveterans shortfalls like the in 2005? one A: is the leadership The American of Legion and other military and veterans groups. In order to do that, the secretary has now been on put notice that owns he all future budgets. That increases greater accountability on his part. Q: model changing soon? anytime substantially A: highlighted that the data not current were and there faulty were assumptions, but there was model. the with wrong nothing Q: population that ebbs and fl the system, and it is very diffi predictability on budgetsin when people move and out. If are you in system, my I can do better forecasting based on your present health. But if are you moving in and out of several different health hard systems, for it’s me to get predictability, especially when I’m dealing with millions people. of the VA health-care process? budget the VA A: the fl Stoffer Interview: Jeff sumptions current in the modeling, whether makingit’s thechief information offi a line inbudget authority, these are all things that are extremely important and can an have effect the on system. I also believe that VA should be brought on equal par with other federal departments and the have same number political of appointments. is It bizarre to me thatpenalized have we and handed VA theover reins to the bureaucracy. is renowned its for health VA care. is It renowned its for patient medical records. People wantto follow that model right now. They want are to follow what we about to do with the I have the bureaucracy CIO. in VA fi xed, ve years. ciently and ciently. It’s not a lot of not a lot of It’s ciently. ow in ow your accounts. We guringmake we out how the ce Management of and Budget) here do you take last summer’s exploration takehere last do you summer’s cient cash fl cash cient Are you talking you about outsourcing? Are Is it unusual that VA had carryover budget it unusualIs that VA How do you close the gap between the gap data close do How you

W

This is not outsourcing. This is we how right continues. It is now VA working with None of that is new. Even if you’re in if Even that of you’re None is new. We all We believe in swift and bold changes. scal 2005 shortfall? 2005 scal scal year.” The carryovers scal year.” are meant to be in the private sector and utilize the best business practices?” current a have We pilot project in Ohio. Right Chairman now, Walsh has some provisions that hopefully willcome theout of appropriations conference a to have secondcompetitive pilot. will It permit to VA look at two different to approaches on how improve ourcollections. Q: you justyou want to make sure it runs right. That’s arewhat we doing. are doing We the mechan- ics and maintenance a health of system right get to it to run effi more now, splash. When send you your car in to get fi improve our health care, which is also about patient medical records, electronics. are We going to create a centralized approach to information technology. That is extremely important. Creating the centralized approach is estimated billion $1 to save fi over A: cycle the revenue-enhancement improve internally. I am spending time my a lot of and the effort the of committee on popping the hood and fi engine run more effi not justSo collections. it’s Q: health-care model budget from here? VA’s of A: OMB (Offi putting together an will budget. ’07 We continue to make with to work sure VA they utilize current data andassumptions. Q: money and was planning the to use it to cover fi A: business, to make have you sure have you suffi cannot take our health systems and say, get to spend we all“OK, your of money in the fi just that, to carry in case get over, an you surge. unexpected Q: collection year and budget year? and budget collection year A: Realistically, they come incrementally. The things that I am working can you on, connect the dots. Whether bringing it’s the data and as- &a q

2/2006

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“This is the day to get our ‘Why am I not doing something?’ revenge on Saddam.” That’s the he entire country watched in horror as the fetid Chiman Saleh, a Kurdish housewife question Bob water rose in New Orleans, taking lives and who said two of her brothers T Gehlen asked were killed by the former Iraqi livelihoods by the thousands. Hurricane Katrina dictator’s regime, speaking about right before he and its aftermath moved the hearts of millions the country’s Dec. 15 elections and his across the country and around the world. When Minnesota American Legion District 3 Post 96 Commander “The fundies want it all Legion post Bob Gehlen learned no fund-raising drives were taught in a science class, stepped up for but this will be a nice slap veterans and being conducted in his south-central Minnesota in their big fat face by children in city of Hutchinson, he thought, “Why am I not teaching it as a religious- Louisiana. doing something?” studies class under the “The whole country watched this thing and saw category ‘mythology.’” BY JEAN L. the devastation. I think the whole country should Paul Mirecki, chairman of the MCCORKLE stand up and do something,” he said. University of Kansas religious-studies Gehlen offered Post 96 as a community collec- department, in a private e-mail, on adding a course titled “Special tion center. Then, after raising $12,364 for hurri- Topics in Religion: Intelligent Design, cane relief, Legionnaires considered how to best Creationism and Other Religious use the money. Mythologies” after the Kansas State Board of Education adopted new He searched for a deserving Legion post along standards that question evolution the Gulf Coast. He found one. It was Hutchinson’s sister post: Post 96, Morgan City, La., also in the “You can call me state’s third district. Hutchinson and Morgan City anything you want, but are roughly the same size, and both are familiar do not call me a racist.” with natural disasters. Hurricane Andrew struck President George W. Bush, Morgan City in 1992, and rural areas of south- in an interview with “NBC Nightly 40 News,” on allegations that racial central Minnesota suffered devastating tornadoes

2/2006 indifference played a role in the in 1998. federal government’s slow response Gehlen and Roger Olson, past department in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina commander for Minnesota and adjutant of Post 96 “It would be hard to know in Hutchinson, fl ew to New Orleans on their own what would happen to the dime last December and delivered a check to the economy of the United the Morgan City post. States if it wasn’t for the The Minnesota Legionnaires were overwhelmed enormous contribution, the by their reception. “It’s nice to see and meet the productivity, the quality people who will distribute the funds and to have of work of our countrymen confi dence that we’re doing something good,” in that country.” Gehlen said. Mexican President Vicente Fox, Many Legion posts adopted their counterparts who called U.S. plans to build a Mexico-California border fence along the Gulf Coast to help other veterans, but “disgraceful” and “shameful” DONATE TO THE NEF WWW.LEGION.ORG • (800) 433-3318 “He felt he had created kind of a monster.” Kent Farnsworth, referring to his [NATIONAL EMERGENCY FUND] father Philo T. Farnsworth, Breathing a little easier the inventor of television A heart-transplant patient and member of Legion Post 820 in Independence, La., found it extremely hard to breathe in the high “(W)hen you’re close to the humidity that strangled the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina struck. His goal, you’re like, ‘Do I want rental home had no generator to provide air conditioning, so he used to score a goal or breathe?’ what little money he had to travel to the nearest town and buy a genera- Most of the time I say, tor. The trip took fi ve days. He powered it up, then got to work repairing ‘Score.’” his rented home and removing debris from the yard. He was nearly A Cincinnati high-school student broke when he heard about the National Emergency Fund. His grant who plays underwater hockey, a sport with nearly 50 U.S. teams request was approved within days.

Page Foreign aid to America? Believe it or not! Some of America’s closest friends and fi ercest enemies offered assistance in response to Hurricane Katrina. Among the surprises found in a list compiled by Foreign Policy magazine were Venezuela’s $1 million pledge, Vietnam’s $100,000 pledge, tiny Djibouti’s $50,000 gift and Sri Lanka’s $25,000. Old friends in Australia ($7.6 million), Canada ($5.1 mil- lion plus military equipment), Britain (400,000 MREs plus search personnel), France ($1 million plus hundreds of tents and cots) and Germany (70,000 MREs plus vaccinations and water-purifi cation equip- ment) stepped up. The Greek government’s offer of 2,000

Jean L. McCorkle face and body towels may have been the most unusual pledge. Commander Bob this connection was different. The entire amount Oil-rich nations that depend Gehlen, foreground, raised went to improving the situation for children. on America for protection and Adjutant Roger A Christmas party was held for displaced opened their checkbooks and Olson, background in 41 children, and school supplies were purchased for oil wells: Bahrain offered red hat, of Hutchin- use in outlying parishes. A donation to the local $5 million; Kuwait proposed son, Minn., Post 96 Toys for Tots campaign, which serves portions of $100 million in cash and hand-delivered more $400 million in oil; and Saudi three parishes, also came from the Minnesota than $12,000 to a Arabia pledged $5 million and funds. Toys for Tots experienced nearly double its Louisiana post. The promised to increase oil usual number of requests this year. large donation has production to steady global “Soldiers take care of soldiers, and veterans take helped provide relief energy prices. care of veterans, but veterans love kids,” Olson in the aftermath of Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and Hurricane Katrina, explained. Iraq offered $500,000, $100,000 particularly for Thanks to one veteran and a Legion post that and $1 million respectively. Iran children. asked, “Why am I not doing something?” support, offered 20 million barrels of oil relief and hope all arrived in the aftermath of one but – surprise – only if of U.S. history’s most terrible moments. U.S. sanctions are lifted.

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Catch 22, hurricane style With his 11-year-old granddaughter in his arms, a or by high winds. FEMA could not provide the veteran Legionnaire from Post 139 evacuated his home in with fi nancial assistance because he had fl ood Waveland, Miss., just before Hurricane Katrina swept insurance. Subsequently, he was unable to have his through his community. His house was severely home repaired and was forced to live in a tent with damaged, and he lost most of his personal posses- his wife and granddaughter in what was left of their sions. But that was just the start of his problems. front yard. A little sunshine came into his life, Although he had fl ood insurance, his insurance however, when his NEF grant application was swiftly company would not pay the claim, insisting it could processed and approved by the NEF team at National not determine if the damage was caused by fl ooding Headquarters.

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[REMEMBRANCE] The legacy of a disabled veteran California Legionnaire devoted his life to inspiring others like him. Charles C. McGonegal of Sunol, along without your fi ns, I can get Calif., was a World War I veteran along without my pins.” That spirit and a double amputee who trans- enabled both men to overcome formed tragedy into triumph. He their handicaps and later return to died more than 40 years ago, after productive civilian lives – Antonie- touching the lives of hundreds of wicz with wooden legs and disabled veterans. McGonegal McGonegal was an For more info with wooden Army infantryman Linda McGonegal forearms fi tted when he lost both 24410 Crenshaw Blvd. No. 302 with steel lower arms to the Torrance, CA 90505 hooks. The two elbows in February men remained 1918 during hand-grenade combat inseparable after their discharges. Granddaughter resurrects in the Seicheprey-Toul sector of After the war, they joined The McGonegal’s message France. He suffered numerous American Legion. Known as “Tony Forty years after her grandfa- other injuries in the blast, includ- and Mac,” the pair became reha- ther’s death, Linda McGonegal ing a compound fracture of the bilitation fi eld service representa- has composed a printed tribute skull. He was sent to an Army fi eld tives, traveling the country to to her grandfather that she hospital in Chattereaux, France, rebuild the morale of hundreds of hopes to distribute to members where he began the long road to hospitalized World War II ampu- of the armed forces. The 8x10 recovery. tees. Tony and Mac also met with tribute, suitable for framing, There, McGonegal teamed up industry leaders, demonstrating includes her grandfather’s with another amputee, Walter how amputee veterans can capably motto for living, a poem she Antoniewicz of Brooklyn, N.Y., hold down jobs. wrote about his faith and a 42 photo of “smiling Mac.”

2 /2006 who lost both feet when he was During his years with the struck by a 14-inch German shell Legion, McGonegal served in “My grandfather served his in the Arras sector of France in various positions in the Depart- country honorably and lost his arms as a result,” McGonegal April 1918. Every day, the soldier ment of California and later as a says. “This photo of him shows with no hands pushed the wheel- national vice commander. a man who, despite his handi- chair of the soldier with no feet to A member of William Charles caps, always had a smile for the dining room. And every meal, Orr Jr. Post 120, in Bell, Calif., he everyone. I know if he were the soldier with no feet fed the one died in 1960 at age 64, but his alive today, he would encour- with no hands. spirit and patriotism remain an age our wounded servicemem- One day, Antoniewicz remarked inspiration. bers serving in Iraq and to McGonegal, “If you can get – Elissa Kaupisch Afghanistan.”

[SUPPORT] Legion helps severely injured daughter of D.C. comrade Julie Mogenis was living in Hunt, Texas, when Julie is the daughter of Bron Mogenis, a member she was critically injured in a shooting accident. A of Washington D.C.’s J. Edgar Hoover Memorial high-powered rifl e accidentally discharged, and American Legion Post 56 and the National Legisla- the bullet entered Julie’s tive Commission. Her hospital bills now lower stomach and exited Julie Mogenis Fund exceed $500,000. For that reason, the through her right buttocks. For information and updates, Department of D.C. has established a She received life-threatening contact Dennis Kurre: fund to help the family. injuries. Her female organs The American Legion Checks should be made payable to were destroyed, and severe Department of D.C. The American Legion Department of damage was sustained to her 3408 Wisconsin Ave. N.W., #218 D.C. with ‘Julie Mogenis Fund’ written lower intestines, bladder and Washington, DC 20016-3047 on the check memo line. So far, more pelvic bone structure. [email protected] than $20,000 has been raised.

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[HONOR] “Corporal Tibor Rubin distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism during the period from July Korean War hero 23, 1950, to April 20, 1953, while serving as a joins elite group rifl eman with Company I, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in the Republic of Korea. Hungarian born Tibor While his unit was retreating to the Pusan “Ted” Rubin joined an Perimeter, Corporal Rubin was assigned to exclusive club last stay behind to keep open the vital Taegu- September when Pusan Road link ... During the ensuing battle, President George W. overwhelming numbers of North Korean Bush presented him troops assaulted a hill defended solely by with the Medal of Corporal Rubin. He infl icted a staggering Honor. Since 1863, number of casualties on the attacking force during his personal 24-hour battle, single- 3,461 Medals of Honor handedly slowing the enemy advance and have been awarded for allowing the 8th Cavalry Regiment to 3,456 acts of heroism – complete its withdrawal successfully ... On including nine un- Oct. 30, 1950, Chinese forces attacked his knowns – according to unit at Unsan during a massive nighttime the Congressional Medal assault. That night and throughout the next of Honor Society. day, he manned a .30-caliber machine gun at President Bush has the south end of the unit’s line after three previous gunners became casualties ... As the presented fi ve other battle raged, Corporal Rubin was severely Medals of Honor. They were wounded and captured ... (He) disregarded his awarded to World War II own personal safety and immediately began veteran Ben Louis Salomon, sneaking out of the camp at night in search of Vietnam War veterans Jon food for his comrades. Breaking into enemy food Swanson, Ed Freeman and Humbert storehouses and gardens, he risked certain torture Roque Versace, and Iraq war veteran Paul Ray or death if caught. Corporal Rubin provided not 44 Smith. President Clinton presented 26 Medals of only food to the starving soldiers, but also 2/2006 Honor during his presidency. Only three have been desperately needed medical care and moral awarded for post-Vietnam War actions. support for the sick and wounded ... saving the lives of as many as 40 of his fellow prisoners ...” [BY THE NUMBERS] From the Medal of Honor citation for Tibor Rubin Ultimate test of citizenship who survived 14 months at the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria before he 27,000 Approximate number of foreign nationals who was freed by U.S. soldiers during World War II. have served in the U.S. military in the war on terrorism Forever thankful, he joined the U.S. Army, 59 Minimum number of foreign nationals who obtained refused deportation to Hungary after his posthumous citizenship for having given their lives in capture in North Korea, and became service to the United States a U.S. citizen after his tour. Source: DoD

[FOREIGN AFFAIRS] A clear and present case for caution with China Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations of nuclear weapons against U.S. cities in has laid out a detailed case against a U.S.-People's the event of a U.S. intervention in a Republic of China partnership. He notes that: Taiwan-PRC war. n The PRC has passed a law asserting its author- The PRC also continues a “massive ity “to employ ‘non-peaceful means’ against campaign of industrial espionage Taiwan should the island democracy take any intended to steal U.S. military and steps toward independence.” technological secrets.” n Beijing has worked with Moscow to pressure Part of Boot’s solution calls for Asian nations to kick U.S. forces out of key bases. encouraging China’s neighbors to n China and Russia conducted a joint military invest more in their own militaries exercise “focused on combating the United States.” and to explore more open defense n It did not rebuke a general who threatened use commitments with one another. AP

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[LIVING WELL] How to have happy feet Wear proper shoes. Good shoes have Your own two feet soft, fl exible leather uppers and thick soles They often reveal clues to imminent health problems. to cushion your feet. Proper fi t is para- mount. Stores that specialize in walking BY DR. JOEL KUPERSMITH shoes may have trained staff to help you Anyone who served in the infantry has likely experienced choose the right pair. Be prepared to spend “the agony of the feet” in the form of calluses or blisters. And $60 to $90. Don’t pay more for stylish footwear that short-change you on support almost all of us, at some point, have suffered sore feet due to or cushioning. ill-fi tting shoes. But foot health involves more than minor aches and pains. Arthritis, heart disease, nerve disorders and Wear good socks. Cotton, wool or acrylic is best. Nylon may lead to excessive other serious diseases may show up fi rst in your feet. A stress sweating and foot odor. fracture in the foot is often the fi rst sign of osteoporosis. Poor circulation in the feet may warn of cardiovascular disease. Exercise regularly. Walking helps maintain strength, fl exibility and good circulation in Even when they are not symptoms of larger medical issues, feet. Stretching exercises that include your foot problems should not be overlooked. Abnormalities in ankles and toes also help. your stride can lead to knee or back pain. Inability to walk Eat nutritious food. A diet that promotes because of heel spurs – painful protrusions of bone – can put cardiovascular health will help ensure good you at risk for physical and psychological complications. circulation. Nutrients such as calcium and With proper care, our feet can transport us for many years. vitamin D are vital for the feet, which The average person will walk about 115,000 miles over a contain a quarter of the body’s 206 bones. lifetime – enough to circle the globe four times. Consult a physician. Certain problems may require an orthopedic surgeon or Foot Health and Diabetes. About a quarter of people with dermatologist. Check with your doctor diabetes develop foot problems. Diabetes often leads to before treating corns and calluses yourself. peripheral neuropathy, which causes a loss of feeling in the Over-the-counter medications contain feet. As a result, people with diabetes – especially those with acids that destroy tissue but do not treat the cause. 46 ill-fi tting shoes – may go unaware of cuts, blisters or sores on

2/2006 their feet. These wounds often don’t heal well because of poor blood fl ow in the feet – a result of another diabetes complica- tion, peripheral vascular disease. VA researchers are developing better ways to monitor and treat wounds and infections in the diabetic foot. One recent international study – led by a VA researcher in Seattle – showed that a relatively new antibi- otic, linezolid, was effective for treating diabetic foot infections. The drug may help doctors treat infections caused by bacteria that are increas- ingly resistant to standard antibiotics. The main goal is stopping diabetes-related foot problems before they start. Much of the answer lies in advancing diabetes treatment and improving patient education and self-care. Simple activities, such as daily washing of the feet and weekly toenail- trimming, can make a difference. If you have diabetes, consult your doctor or diabetes educator to learn more about taking care of your feet.

Dr. Joel Kupersmith is chief research and development offi cer for the Veterans Health Administration.

This article is designed to provide general information. It is not intended to be, nor is it, medical advice. Readers should consult their physicians when they have health problems.

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& AMERICA’S FAMIL IES” 2006 CA TALOG [LEGIONNAIRES IN ACTION] Post 1233, Green Rock- Post 1080, Joliet, Ill.: Colona, Ill.: Post mem- Local businesses and Emblem Sales catalog loaded bers helped families of community members with new merchandise deployed servicemen and joined the post in The 2006 Emblem Sales catalog Order Toll Free: 1-888-4LEGION women record holiday Operation Care Packages, Order Online: emblem.legion.org has more than 50 new items for Prices Effective Through November 15, 2006 greetings on more than together collecting and members of The American Legion, 70 DVDs and shipped assembling items to Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion. Copies them to the troops. The ship to military personnel are available by calling toll-free (888) 453-4466. post plans to make the in Iraq for the holidays. Most merchandise can be ordered 24 hours a day recordings an annual Funds also were raised by logging on to www.emblem.legion.org. program. to purchase international Among the new items: “Support Our Troops” Post 129, Queen Creek, phone cards for troops. bracelets, Blue Star magnets, Legion Racing Ariz.: Less than a year Items shipped included merchandise, Legion Riders accessories and fund- old, this post has one of humanitarian aid items raising candy. the fastest-growing to be handed out by the memberships in the troops to needy civilians. nation. In order to get a Local schoolchildren cardboard boxes fi lled November” fair to collect temporary charter for the created holiday cards for with frozen turkeys, donations for shipment post, Commander Craig the care packages. canned goods, pears to U.S. troops at Tikrit, Barnes said 15 new Post 25, Clovis, N.M.: and vegetables to Najaf, Baghdad and other members were needed. Sons of the American needy families for overseas locations. “We ended up with 25 at Legion, Auxiliary and Thanksgiving. Organizers ended up the fi rst meeting,” Barnes Legion Riders drove Auxiliary Unit 321, with enough donated said. “This is our third through local neighbor- Cooper City, Fla.: goods and money to month, and now we’ve hoods the second year Auxiliary members send approximately got 100 members.” in a row, delivering hosted a “Christmas in 1,200 shoeboxes to Iraq.

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[AMERICAN LEGION RACING] [MEMBERSHIP] Merchandise sales fuel the Freedom Car Awards honor those who make The 2006 NASCAR season is at the starting line, and The American Legion’s “Freedom membership Car” is ready to roll. Legion family members are urged to support the Freedom Car’s a priority operating budget through the purchase of souvenir merchandise. The Legion provides no up-front money for its sponsorship with Team Johnson Motorsports, but members The American Legion can support the car through merchandise purchases. New items this year include offers many awards for clocks, window stickers, license plates, sweatshirts and fl ags. They can be viewed at members, posts and www.emblem.legion.org or ordered by calling (888) 453-4466. To order wholesale districts dedicated to a Post Pack merchandise (12 shirts, 12 caps, 12 lapel pins), order forms can be printed vibrant and growing from the racing Web site at www.legionracing.org or by calling (704) 658-9988. membership: District Commander Race to the Top The top district commander in each of fi ve categories whose membership on March 31 represents the greatest percentage increase over the previous year’s membership wins. Winning commanders James V. Carroll and their spouses receive an all-expens- [VALUES] es-paid trip for fi ve ‘In the Founders’ Footsteps’ days to see the New booklet guides Legion support for public expression of religion act. Indianapolis 500. Second-place district The American Legion has produced “The American Legion fully supports 50 commanders receive 2/2006 a new booklet to build grass-roots legislation introduced by Rep. Hostet- $500 gift certifi cates. support for H.R. 2679, the Public tler,” said National Commander Third-place command- Expression of Religion Act. Authored Thomas L. Bock. “It will remove the ers receive $375 by Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind., the chilling effect on constitutionally certifi cates. measure would protected free expression Dubious damages The Gold Brigade end the practice of of religion in public areas A Legionnaire who The City of San Diego agreed awarding taxpay- n by ending court-ordered recruits 50 or more to pay the ACLU approximately er-funded attorney attorney fees, or damages, new members by the $940,000 in attorney fees to fees to the Ameri- in establishment clause May target date will settle the ACLU’s multi-year can Civil Liberties cases – but only those qualify for enrollment litigation to remove the Boy in the elite Gold Union in court Scouts from Balboa Park. cases.” cases involving The booklet, “In the Brigade. Special gifts The ACLU collected $500,000 the constitution- n Founders’ Footsteps: A are awarded to in attorney fees arguing the ally protected Guide to Defending members of the Ten Commandments case in Brigade, and the expression of American Values,” is Alabama. awards grow in value religion by state available by contacting the n The ACLU has collected at for those who qualify and local offi cials. least $63,000 from a lawsuit Public Relations Division multiple times. The ACLU has at [email protected]. It to destroy a cross placed in The Silver Brigade brought suits features information on the Mojave Desert in honor Pins, patches and against Boy Scouts of veterans. the history of the issue, certifi cates of recogni- of America and suggested press releases, tion are awarded to against the public display of the Ten letters to the editor, op-ed articles, and members to recruit 25 Commandments and other religious a guide to educating and activating to 49 new Legionnaires symbols, charging millions of dollars communities through internal post by the May target date. in attorney fees. PERA would with- communications, media contacts and For more information, draw from judges the authority to community relations. Key message contact Membership award such fees in these cases. points in the campaign also are listed. at (317) 630-1327.

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[GALLERY] [MEMORIAM] Revered Legion mentor passes Churchill Williams will be missed by Legionnaires at every level. But he isn’t irreplaceable. That, National The art of war Finance Marine Sgt. Jack Carrillo called Commission his unique 2003 mission in Chairman Iraq “a dream come true to Ken Danilson be able to tell the Marine says, was Corps’ story and be a part of something that’s bigger than always me.” On his second day Williams’ there, his Humvee over- plan. turned in a swamp, and all “I think his painting supplies because of were ruined. He carried the way he mentored people, on with pencils, charcoal the hole he left behind and sketch pads, already was fi lled before he building a stunning died,” said Danilson, who portfolio for which he knew Williams more than 30 was later honored with years. “He made it a point to the prestigious Col. John Marine cleaning have the hole fi lled when he W. Thomason Award. a pistol, Iraq 2003 left positions. He always had the right people in place.” Williams, a World War II bomber pilot and member of The American Legion for 61 years, passed away Nov. 15 at age 89. A member of Ross Reid Post 9 in Oelwein, Iowa, he was a mainstay on the National Finance Commis- sion, serving as chairman of the commission from 1968 to 1985, vice chairman from 1963 to 1968 and as a mem- ber of the commission for fi ve years prior. Past National Commander John Geiger, an Illinois resident but Iowa native, also had a good working relation- ship with Williams. “He always seemed to be able to sit down and coach or help members of the commission and staff on an issue,” Geiger said. “He trained many people, and he was a good, solid fi gurehead for integrity, both in his own department and on the national level.”

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

AIR FORCE/ARMY AIR FORCES Bn (All Years), Branson, MO, 6/13-15, Arcadia AD 23, Chicago, 5/4-7, Andrew Victor J. Stamos, (612) 724-1180; 540th Malone, (516) 681-0725, arcd23@yahoo. 3rd Motor Trans Sqdn, Hutchinson, TC Co (Quinhon, Vietnam, 1965-1972), com; Atka AGB 3 “Icebreaker,” KS, 5/18-20, Art Henry, (620) 663- Tampa, FL, Fall, Wayne Gallant, (813) Baltimore, 4/27-29, Henry G. Giles, 4717, [email protected]; 38th 925-8421, [email protected]; (734) 591-3068; Benewah APB 35, Bomb Wing (France), Covington, 564th MP 586th QM Corp (Tokyo, Indianapolis, 5/4-6, Richard Jackal, KY, 6/1-3, J. Black, (813) 909-7185, Japan, 1954-1957), Vince Tripodi, (517) 293-3084, [email protected]; [email protected]; 343rd Strat Betelgeuse AK 260, Charleston, SC, Recon Sqdn (Topeka, KS, 1950-1970), August, (740) 264-5208, bocenz@aol. com; 702nd Tank Dest Bn (WWII), 4/20-23, Arthur L. Miller, (843) 797- Wichita, KS, 5/10-12, Paul F. Dolby, 7727; Cadmus AR 14, Chicago, 5/4-7, (260) 356-1761, paul68n@netscape. Nashville, TN, 6/9-11, Mike Leumer, (866) 777-8383, t.d.blasting@verizon. Robert Baschmann, (716) 655-5415, net; 556th Recon Sqdn, Las Vegas, [email protected] 4/18-21, Buck Buchanan, (707) 446-2825, net; 707th AAA Gun Bn (1950-1953), [email protected] Pigeon Forge, TN, 5/9-12, M.T. Sanford, 3087 Mensi St., Memphis, TN 38127, Carpenter DD 825, Washington, [email protected] 5/4-8, Jimmie Kennedy, (714) 776-4019, 794th AC&W (Cape Newenham, [email protected]; Colleton APB AK), Branson, MO, 6/21-25, Delta Co 1/20th Bn 11th LIB, Bowling 36, Indianapolis, 5/4-6, Richard Jackal, Victoria Anderson, (800) 877-8687, (517) 293-3084, rjackel@optonline. 54 [email protected]; 6091st Green, KY, 4/27-30, Wendell Strode, (270) 2/2006 net; Diphda AKA59, Louisville, KY, Recon Sqdn, Las Vegas, 4/18-21, 781-7973, [email protected]; Delta Co 2nd Bn 8th Cav Abn 1st Cav 5/24-28, Judy Coogan, (734) 675-0148, Buck Buchanan, (707) 446-2825, [email protected]; Effingham APA [email protected]; 6989th, 6921st, Div Airmobile (Vietnam), Orlando, FL, 5/18-21, Richard M. O’Brien, (630) 941- 165, Norfolk, VA, 4/26-30, Wayne H. 6920th Sec Serv (Misawa, Japan), Peterson, (612) 822-1437 Colorado Springs, CO, 6/22-25, Helen 8727, [email protected]; F Trp 8th Cav “Blue Ghost,” San Antonio, 3/31- Henderson, (904) 829-9235, etaya@ Eunice PCE 846, Savannah, GA, aug.com 4/2, Paul L. Reitchel, (207) 626-0354; L Co 35th Inf 25th Div (Korea), Bismarck, 4/20-23, Harry Kalbach, (641) 524-2811, [email protected]; Floyds Bay AVP ND, 6/7-10, Victor Gibbins; MARS TF C-7A Caribou Assn, Pigeon Forge, 40, Benton, AR, 5/17, Gene Cagle, (501) Arty 612th & 613th FA (Burma, WWII), TN, 4/9-12, Bill Avon, (330) 878-7451, 315-2917, [email protected]; Franklin Salt Lake City, 9/14-17, Orland Crandall, [email protected]; Pilot Class D. Roosevelt CVB/CVA/CV 42 Air Wing, (435) 783-5231 43-D (All Cmds), Burlington, VT, Norfolk, VA, 5/14-21, Raymond Hough, 5/31-6/3, Frank Dutko, (850) 932-3467, JOINT (361) 992-0224; George E. Davis DE 357, [email protected]; Pilot Tng Class St. Louis, Fall, Rod Hoffmaster, (610) 926- 50-Q Nav 09, San Antonio, 6/24-28, Anzio Beachhead Veterans (WWII), 4590, [email protected] Ned Derhammer, (765) 463-4988, Fayetteville, NC, 4/19-22, John Boller, [email protected] (631) 691-5002, [email protected]; Hamlin AV 15, Chattanooga, TN, 6/15-17, Carolinas LST Chpt, Myrtle Beach, SC, Lawrence C. Godwin, 226 S.R. 18, New ARMY 4/30-5/2, C. C. Benton, (843) 449-7914; Wilmington, PA 16142, (724) 652-4880; 9th Inf Div (Vietnam), Indianapolis, Vets of All Three Wars (WWII, Korea & Henley DD 762, Charleston, SC, 5/7-10, 5/2-4, Roy Moseman, (706) 549-0749, Vietnam), Las Vegas, May, Frank Durbin, Richard Le Blanc, (760) 369-0453, [email protected]; 27th FA Rgt (650) 712-0967, [email protected] [email protected]; Huntington CL Assn, Fayetteville, NC, 6/9-11, James 107, Savannah, GA, Fall, Gene Volcik, R. Suessmann, (973) 357-0033, jrs. MARINES (512) 926-7008, [email protected]; John [email protected]; 73rd Tank Bn 73rd A. Bole DD 755, Corpus Christi, TX, Raider Roundup, Reno, NV, 5/2-3, Archie Armor, Santa Maria, CA, 4/10-14, Curtis 4/30-5/3, Mike Springer, (715) 536-1526, B. Rackerby, (530) 273-4220 Banker, (518) 643-2302, dmbanker- [email protected] [email protected]; 82nd Abn Div NAVY Assn, Orlando, FL, 8/7-14, Ken Glynn, King DD 242, Las Vegas, 6/25-29, (863) 682-3382 128th Seabees, Branson, MO, 6/15- Craig T. Bernat, (814) 322-4150, 17, Harvey Smith, (913) 236-5837, [email protected]; Lawrence 84th & 62nd Eng, Canton, OH, [email protected]; DD 250/DDG 4, Las Vegas, 6/25- 5/15-19, Bob Donatini, (330) 492- 133rd Seabees, Gulfport, MS, Fall, 29, Craig T. Bernat, (814) 322-4150, 1597, [email protected]; W. Dennis Ruocco, (910) 842-1341, [email protected]; LCI Nat’l Assn, 134th Assault Heli Co, St. Louis, [email protected]; Abnaki ATF Norfolk, VA, 4/19-23, Robert McLain, 6/1-4, Jim Cowan, (765) 344-0653, 96, San Antonio, 8/23-27, Pete Kingsley, (717) 392-4558; LCT Flotillas (WWII), [email protected]; 304th Sig Op (515) 276-7250, [email protected]; Evansville, IN, 5/18-20, George Hackett,

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(330) 343-3144, ghamphibious@att. IN SEARCH OF Nang AB, Vietnam, 1965-1966), net; Marias AO 57, Chicago, 5/4-7, Ray Jerry Fulwood, (910) 763-1613, Bower, (863) 676-4047, rabower@netzero. 1st Bn 33rd Armd 3rd Armd Div All Cos [email protected] net; Mercer APB 39, Indianapolis, (Gelnhausen, Germany), Jack Grant, Howitzer Btry 3rd Recon Sqdn 150th 5/4-6, Richard Jackal, (517) 293-3084, (765) 643-8226, [email protected] Armd Cav WV Nat’l Guard, (Fort [email protected]; Mullinnix DD 944, 1st Cav Div HQ Btry 19th Arty (Camp Meade, Camp Pickett, 1961-1962), Bill Pelham, Sonyaree, Korea, 1961-1962), Valley Forge, PA, 4/19-23, Bob Houghton, McKinney, [email protected] Clarence A. Johnston, (904) 783-2548, (843) 277-4362, muxassn@hotmail. HQ Co 127th Eng Bn 11th Air Assault [email protected] com; Nicholas DD/DDE 449, Mesa, AZ, Div (Fort Benning, GA, 1963-1964), 2nd Air Postal Sqdn (Wiesbaden, 8/31-9/5, Gary C. Wise, (303) 252-4987, Shirley Blackwell, (620) 947-3909, Germany & Toul Rosiere AB, 1950- [email protected] [email protected] 1953), Elmer Reichert, (813) 655-5351, HQ Det 39th Trans Bn (Truck) (Fort [email protected] Noa DD 841/343/APO 24, San Antonio, Benning, GA, Dec 1965-July 1966 & 2nd Dental Co 2nd Mar Div FMF 5/4-7, Wilma Bennett Rascoe, (386) Vietnam, July 1966-July 1967), Fred (Camp Lejeune, NC, 1956-1959), 228-3366; North Carolina Battleship Plese, (763) 566-5418, [email protected] Bill Jacobson, (319) 393-5443, Assn, Wilmington, NC, 4/26-29, Gordon K-9 Unit (Nouasseur AB, French [email protected] Knapp, (315) 839-5482, knappga@msn. Morocco, 1961-1963), Jerry Wood, 8th Air Serv Sqdn 5th AF (Charleyville/ com; Nueces APB 40, Indianapolis, (916) 457-1231 Moratai, 1942-1945), Glenn Oliver, 5/4-6, Richard Jackal, (517) 293-3084, LSM 304 (1945-1946), Lou Wit, (810) (864) 489-9093 [email protected]; Ommaney Bay 987-3045, [email protected] 9th Inf 1097th “Mike” Boat (Mekong CVE 79, Appleton, WI, 6/13-17, Richard D. LST 1185 “Skinny T” Sailors (1969- Delta, Vietnam, 1968-1969), Whisner, (951) 658-0873 1993), Tom Totoris, (505) 890-1228, Harry A. Simpson, (314) 731-2388, [email protected] [email protected] Osage LSV 3, Williamsburg, VA, Mobile Fleet Post Office 18 (Hong 11th Ord Co DAS (1955-1961), Lonas 5/8-12, Tommy Seward, (757) Kong, 1945-1946), Phil Schreiber, (732) Kralik, (951) 679-3911, mslonas@ 220-2159, [email protected]; 634-6670, [email protected] verizon.net Pascagoula PCE 874, Savannah, Nav Armed Guard (1941-1946), C.A. 92nd AAA Bn 32nd Bde (Brize Norton, GA, 4/20-23, Harry Kalbach, (641) Lloyd, (919) 570-0909, [email protected] England, 1953-1955), Tom McVey, 524-2811, [email protected]; Oahu ARG 5 (1944-1946), David Smith, (815) 937-4050 Patrol Craft Sailors Assn, Chicago, (203) 421-0978 128th Plt (Parris Island, Mar-June 5/2-6, Duane Walters, (315) 487-2623, OCS Class 23 (Fort Riley, KS, 1950), 1958), Charles Lubanski, (732) 264- [email protected]; Purdy DD 734, Eduardo M. Javelosa, 2908 Cabo Villano 7202, [email protected] Nashville, TN, 4/19-23, Larry DiPasquale, Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85650 204th Mil Intel Det (Phu Bai & (610) 433-4787, [email protected] Oriskany CVA 34 (1950-1953), Allan Da Nang, Vietnam, 1969-1970), Barr, (860) 529-6550 Mike Cherrington, (432) 699-0202, Raleigh LPD 1, Saint Simon’s Island, Radio Receiver Site (Lago Patria, AF [email protected] GA, 6/29-7/2, Steve Southard, (912) South Naples, Italy, 1957-1959), Jim 291st Army Band (Camp Otsu, Japan, 294-0046, [email protected]; Collins, (401) 737-0384, reachjim_ 1954-1955), Robert D. Myers, (317) Redpoll AMS/MSCO 57, Fort Myers, FL, [email protected] 784-6841 56 3/8-10, Walt Jablonski, (248) 851-3390, Sperry AS 12, S-6 Div (San Diego,

2/2006 572nd Light Equip Co (Tuy Hoa, Vung [email protected]; Rendova CVE 114, Ranh Bay, Vietnam, 1966-1967), 1967-1969), Bill Turner, (305) 986-1931, Silverdale, WA, 4/26-29, Eddie Frank, (303) LeRoy Musland, (701) 396-7801, [email protected] 857-4248, [email protected]; Richard [email protected] Tattnall DDG 19 (Dec 1965-Dec 1968), L. Page DEG/FFG 5, Virginia Beach, VA, 577th Strat Msl Sqdn (Altus AFB, OK, Dick Harmon, [email protected] 4/28-30, Jay Gill, (757) 479-0304 1961-1963), Jim Smotherman, (205) TAPS 823-2633, [email protected] Roanoke CL 145, Nashville, TN, 705th Eng Dist (Italy, Dec 1944-Aug Merwyn M. Beavers, Dept. of France. 4/19-23, Tom Carter, (407) 767-9075, 1946), Jake Wolski (317) 714-2190, Dept. Cmdr. 1978-1980, Alt. Nat’l Exec [email protected]; Salem CA 139, [email protected] Cmte. Memb. 1980-1982 and 1993-1994, Orlando, FL, 4/21-23, Bob Daniels, 782nd TCS (Evereau, France, 1955- Nat’l Exec. Cmte. Memb. 1988-1992 and (352) 315-1397; San Pablo AVP/AGS 1957), Duane E. Goodhart, (717) 1994-2004, Nat’l Public Relations Cmsn. 30, Seattle, 5/4-7, Stuart Norris, (585) 532-4906, [email protected] Liaison Cmte. Memb. 1988-1992 and 223-2713, [email protected]; 6925th Radio Sqdn Mobile C-Flt (Clark 1994-1996, Nat’l Internal Affairs Liaison Small Boat Reunion Yard Freight AFB, Phillippines, 1963), R. Bucher, Cmte. Memb. 1996-1997 and 1998-1999, Utility/Landing Craft Utility/Yard 315 Stokesay Ave., Ludlow, KY 41016 and Nat’l Econ. Cmsn. Liaison Cmte. Oiler Gasoline (Da Nang, Vietnam), A Co 2nd Bn 12th Inf 4th & 25th Inf Memb. 1997-1998 and 1999-2004. Indianapolis, 5/2-4, Tom Lanagan, (804) Div (Dec 1965-Dec 1967, Vietnam), William A. Egan Jr., Dept. of New York. 748-9155, [email protected] Pete Cullen, (973) 471-4436, Dept. Cmdr. 1965-1966, Alt. Nat’l Exec. [email protected] Cmte. Memb. 1966-1967 and Nat’l Steinaker DDR/DD 863, San B Co 24th S&T Bn (Augsburg, Aerospace Cmte. Memb. 1966-1972. Antonio, 5/4-7, Bill Combs, (757) Germany, 1966-1970), Robert Hines, Allen Ehrlich, Dept. of New York. Nat’l 416-1983, [email protected]; VC-6, (781) 828-8099 Distinguished Guests Cmte. Memb. Washington, 5/4-8, Laurence Adams, Base Fire Dept (Wiesbaden AFB, 1973-1974, Nat’l Employment Cmte. (301) 983-4046, adams1921@msn. Germany, 1969-1973), Andre Greene, Memb. 1974-1976, Nat’l Veterans Affairs com; VC-7 (1949-1956), Washington, (718) 828-5602 & Rehab. Cmsn. Vice Chmn. 1984-1985 5/5-8, Joe D’Ambrosio, (916) 689-6924, Beach Master Unit 2 Bravo Co 2 (1985- and 1990-1991, Nat’l Veterans Affairs & [email protected] 1988), Little Creek, VA, Roger Bush, Rehab. Cmsn. Memb. 1984-1996 and (717) 426-1749, [email protected] Nat’l Veterans Affairs & Rehab. Cmsn. LIFE MEMBERSHIPS C Btry 6th Bn 32nd FA (Vietnam, Aug Chmn. 1991-1992. Post 53, FL: Edward R. Herald, Waldo A. 1970-Aug 1971), James E. Dahl, (406) William H. Emanuel, Dept. of Wisconsin. Spangler 265-9050, [email protected] Nat’l Memb. & Post Activ. Cmte Memb. Post 41, ID: J.R. Scott C Co 1/14th Inf 25th Inf Div (1980- 1964-1965, Dept. Cmdr. 1966-1967, Alt. Post 306, NJ: Clyde G. Hood 1983), Jim Fleming, (941) 429-1227, Nat’l Exec. Cmte. Memb. 1968-1970, Post 165, NY: John M. Ham [email protected] Nat’l Americanism Cmsn. Vice Chmn. Post 131, PA: Vernon M. Brumbaugh, Co 91 (Great Lakes, IL, 1950), Allan 1968-1969, Nat’l Distinguished Guests Richard E. Confer, Zane C. Strune, Barr, (860) 529-6550 Cmte. Vice Chmn. 1970-1981, Nat’l Stephen Toboz Jr. Det 5 9th Air Postal Sqdn (Da Americanism Cmsn. Memb. 1980-1981

Page and Nat’l Distinguished Guests Cmte Memb. 1981-1984. Robert C. Fuller, Dept. of New York. CLASSIFIED Nat’l Distinguished Guests Cmte. Memb. 1956-1957, Dept. Cmdr. 1959-1960, Nat’l Americanism Cmsn. Memb. 1959-1980 and Alt. Nat’l Exec. Cmte. Memb. 1960- SEND ADVERTISING COPY AND REMITTANCE IMPROVEMENT TO: Ms. Kyona Levine, Classified Advertising, 1961. The American Legion Magazine, c/o James G. TRADE IN any old smoke eating system, Wayne R. Husk, Dept. of Oregon. Nat’l & Elliott Company, Inc., 626 Wilshire Blvd., Suite working or not, for our guaranteed superior Homeland Sec. Cncl. Memb. 1980-1982 500, Los Angeles, CA 90017. (213) 624-0900, Smoke/Odor Eating Systems. Money back and Nat’l & Homeland Sec. Cncl. Vice Ext. 1219, FAX (213) 624-0997. All classified and lifetime replacement warranty. www. advertising is payable in advance by check or aircleanerwholesale.com, (800) 211-2117. Chmn. 1986-1988. money order. Please make remittance payable Churchill T. Williams, Dept. of Iowa. to “The American Legion Magazine.” RATES: MISCELLANEOUS Dept. Cmdr. 1955-1956, Nat’l Memb. $32 per word. Count street addresses and OXYGEN USERS: Enjoy freedom to travel! & Post Activ. Cmte. Chmn. 1956-1957, box numbers as two words; all city, state and Oxlife’s lightweight, American-made oxygen zip codes as three words. 3 word minimum. concentrators produce 3-6 LPM continu- Nat’l Memb. & Post Activ. Vice Chmn. CIRCULATION: 2,500,000 per month. DEAD- 1957-1958, Nat’l Finance Cmsn. Memb. ously. For home, car, even overseas. (800) LINE: Advertising copy must be received 60 780-2616. www.oxlifeinc.com. 1958-1963, Nat’l Inter-Americanism days before cover date of issue desired. All Cmte. Memb. 1960-1961, Nat’l American advertisements are accepted at the discretion OF INTEREST TO ALL of the publisher. Legion Endowment Fund Corp Memb. BETTER THAN VIAGRA? Stamina-Rx. Two tab- 1962-2002, Nat’l Advisory Cmte. to the APPAREL lets $5, 30 tablets $39.95. (800) 458-1613. Nat’l Cmdr. Memb. 1963-1987, Nat’l SUSPENDERS. Patented “no-slip clip.” Cata- www.BeholdJesus.info. Finance Cmsn. Vice Chmn 1963-1968, log, (800) 700-4515, www.suspenders.com. PERSONALS Nat’l 50th Anniv. Cmte. Ex-Officio CASINO SUPPLIES/PLAYING Memb. 1966-1969, Nat’l Finance Cmsn. CARDS MEET NICE SINGLES. Free catalog. (931) Chmn. 1968-1985, Nat’l Overseas Graves CATALOG, (800) 233-0828, www.kardwell. 879-4625. Decoration Trust Memb. 1968-1979, Nat’l com. WANTED Spirit of ’76 Cmte. Consultant 1970-1976, EMBLEMS SWORDS, (800) 798-6167. Nat’l American Legion Endowment Fund CUSTOM CHALLENGE COINS and unit patch- BOY SCOUT PATCHES, (940) 566-5766. Corp Director 1984-2002, Nat’l Legis. es. www.easternemblem.com or (800) 344- Cncl. Memb. 1989-1990, 1993-1994, 5112. BANJOS, (800) 451-9728. 1999-2000 and 2001-2002, Nat’l Sec. Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1989-2004, and Nat’l Distinguished Guests Cmte. Vice Chmn. 2004-2005.

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Page parting shots

For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.

A GAME WARDEN stopped a deer hunter and asked to see his hunting license. “This is last year’s,” the warden informed him after inspecting it. “I know,” the hunter replied. “But I shouldn’t need a new license. I’m just shooting at the deer I missed last year.”

AN OLD SAILOR and an old Marine argued “Like it? It’s the peopleneck look.” about who’d had the tougher career. “I did 30 years in the Corps,” the Marine declared proudly, “and fought in three of my country’s wars. Fresh out of boot camp, I hit the beach at Okinawa, clawed my way up the blood-soaked sand and eventually took out an entire enemy machine-gun nest with a single grenade. “As a sergeant, I fought in Korea. We pushed back the enemy inch by bloody inch all the way up to the Chinese border, always under a barrage of artillery and small-arms fi re. “Finally, as a gunny sergeant, I did three combat tours in Vietnam. We humped through the mud and razorgrass 14 hours a day, plagued by rain and mosquitoes, ducking under sniper fi re all day and 60 mortar fi re all night. In a fi refi ght, we shot until

2/2006 our arms ached and our guns were empty. Then we charged the enemy with bayonets!” “Ah,” the sailor said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “All shore duty, huh?”

“Does this mean you won’t be coming in on Monday?”

A PASSENGER JET was traveling through a severe thunderstorm. As everyone onboard did their best to ignore the turbulence, a young woman turned to a minister sitting next to her and with a nervous laugh asked, “Reverend, you’re a man of God. Can’t you do something about this storm?” The minister replied, “Lady, I’m in sales, not management.”

A LITTLE GIRL accompanied her father to the post offi ce. She immediately noticed the “Wanted” posters pinned to the wall and asked her father about them. “Those are pictures of people the police would like to catch,” her father explained. “But Daddy,” the little girl said, “if the police “I’m looking for my husband. wanted to catch them, why didn’t they hold onto Which fl oor are the nudes on?” them when they took their pictures?”

Page Asbestos Cancer Hits Former Sailors

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