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RECRUITERS ‘MADE IT HAPPEN’ IN 2019 O?PLP:LABG@MHGCENTENNIAL SERVING VETERANS FOR 100YEARS WOUNDED VETS INSPIRE & MOTIVATE VFW FOSTERS FIRST ALL-GIRL BOY SCOUT TROOP Mesothelioma Victims While bravely serving this country, many military veterans were exposed to asbestos – the dangerous mineral that causes the cancer, mesothelioma. 5 Important Facts: 1. Asbestos-containing products and equipment were widely used across every branch of the military between 1930 and the late 1970s. 2. 44% of all Sokolove Law mesothelioma cases are U.S. Veterans – representing nearly every state in the U.S. 3. Symptoms of mesothelioma can take 20-50 years to appear. 4. An estimated $30 Billion in court-ordered trusts has been set aside to provide funds for victims and families. 5. Pursuing an asbestos legal claim does not affect VA LiiwÌÃÀ pensions. We bring claims against the manufacturers – not the U.S. government or military. Most mesothelioma claims are settled out of court, easing the stress and burden on families. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related cancer, you may be eligible for compensation – without ever w}>>ÜÃÕÌÀiÛi}}ÌVÕÀÌ° Call us today. Our team is available 24/7, every day. Call 800-721-1960 This is an advertisement. Sokolove Law, LLC (LLP in certain states), 1330 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill/MA. Ricky LeBlanc admitted in MA only. Members: Hardy Croxton, Rogers/AR, Rich Grabow, 970 Farmington Ave West Hartford/CT (860) 904-7789, Paul J. Morgan, Winter Park/ FL, Nick Nighswander, Florence/KY, Michael Breaux, Gonzales, admitted LA, Gregg Hobbie, NJ, Matt Christian, 1007 East Washington Street, Greenville SC. This is general information only and should not be taken or relied on as legal, medical, or other advice. No attorney-client or other professional relationship is created by providing or using this information. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than ÌiµÕ>ÌÞvi}>ÃiÀÛViëiÀvÀ i`LÞÌiÀ>ÜÞiÀð7iÌÃwÀ >Ì>ÃÌÀiëÃLÌÞ] ÃÌV>ÃiÃvÌÃÌÞ«i>ÀiÀiviÀÀi` to other attorneys for principal responsibility. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The Wyoming State Bar does not certify any lawyer as a specialist or expert. Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyer’s credentials and ability, and not rely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. Free background information available upon request. ©2019 Sokolove Law, LLC RECRUITERS ‘MADE IT HAPPEN’ IN 2019 O?PLP:LABG@MHGCENTENNIAL SERVING VETERANS FOR 100YEARS WOUNDED VETS INSPIRE & MOTIVATE VFW FOSTERS FIRST ALL-GIRL BOY SCOUT TROOP AUGUST 2019 Vol. 106 No. 10 COVER ILLUSTRATION: 67Ü>ÃÌiwÀÃÌ FIGHTING THE REDS IN NORTH RUSSIA veterans service organization to establish >«iÀ>iÌÃiÀÛ Vi vwVi 7>à }Ì ] Though the Cold War wouldn’t become a reality for more than a quarter 34 ° °]Üi Ì` `à ££°/ à Ì]Üi century, U.S. World War I-era soldiers traded shots with communist formally recognize the organization’s 100th Russian soldiers in North Russia more than 100 years ago. BY EARL RICKARD Þi>À vi« }ÛiÌiÀ>ÃwiV> Ã>` advocating for veteran-friendly legislation on Capitol Hill. (Illustration by John Bosley) REAL SACRIFICE, ON THE COVER REAL INSPIRATION 14 VFW’s Centennial of Service A group of combat-wounded veterans 24 Recruiters Made It Happen take their stories of traumatic injuries and 30 Wounded Vets Inspire recovery to audiences around the country. 38 All-Girl Boy Scout Troop In their roles as motivational speakers, they inspire others to overcome life’s IN THIS ISSUE obstacles. BY KARI WILLIAMS 30 26 2 Supreme Court Victory 22 A New Leader in Washington 26 SVA Chapter at George Mason 28 Call for Fallujah Vets GIRLS FORM BOY SCOUT TROOP 40 Remembering the Crew of the Evans Two years ago, the Boy Scouts of America 44 DIAVOLO Project ruled that it would allow girls to join their 46 VFW Fact Sheet ranks. A VFW Post in California now sponsors one of the nation’s fi rst all-girl IN EVERY ISSUE BY KARI WILLIAMS Boy Scout troops. 4 Mail Call 6 Now Hear This 38 8 Issues Up Front 10 Washington Wire 48iLiÀ iiwÌà MALE-FEMALE MARINE BOOT CAMP 50 Better Health The fi rst Marine recruit company 54 Reunions and Claims comprised of men and women recently 60 Vets in Focus earned their globe and anchors at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. A lieutenant general selected to be the Corps’ next commandant said he wants to look into gender-integrated boot camps in the future. BY DAVE SPIVA 42 CHECK OUT OUR DIGITAL VERSION AT WWW.VFWMAGAZINE.ORG NEW! NOW ON FACEBOOK NEED HELP? VETERANS CRISIS LINE: 1-800-273-8255 AUGUST 2019 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 1 VFW’s Advocacy Aids in Supreme Court Victory he Supreme Court ruled in June that a World War I veterans memorial in Maryland can remain standing VFW magazine is the offi cial publication of the VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS on public land. It was the right call by the nation’s high OF THE UNITED STATES court and sets a legal precedent that will protect thou- STAFF T PUBLISHER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF sands of other veterans memorials across the country. The memorial is a 32-foot-tall, cross-shaped structure Tim Dyhouse in Bladensburg, Md., that honors the 49 men from Prince SENIOR EDITOR George’s County who died in the war. Since 1961, the state of Janie Dyhouse Maryland has owned the land and has used public funds to ASSOCIATE EDITOR maintain the memorial. Kari Williams The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case — Maryland- SENIOR WRITER National Capital Park and Planning Commission v. American Dave Spiva Humanist Association — in November. When VFW learned of ART DIRECTOR this, we fi led an amicus brief, as did other organizations, offer- Lauren Goldman ing our support to keep the memorial on the land it has stood on ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT since 1925. Tina Clark We took issue with the Humanist Association’s contention ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE GLM Communications, Inc. that the memorial endorses Christianity rather than honors the Jacqueline Tobin, Vice President, Digital/Print Media fallen. That position refl ects a profound lack of historical under- 500 1st Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030 (212) 929-1300 FAX 212-929-9574 standing. During and after WWI, the cross became a symbol of Email: [email protected] military sacrifi ce. EDITORIAL OFFICE Our input directly infl uenced the Supreme Court’s decision. Address all communications for publication to: The Editor, VFW Magazine In his opinion writing for the majority following the 7-2 decision, 406 W. 34th St., Suite 523, Kansas City, MO 64111 Associate Justice Samuel Alito cited our brief, in which we wrote (816) 756-3390; www.vfw.org; [email protected] “the image of a simple white cross developed VFW magazine is protected through trademark reg is tra- tion in the United States and in the foreign countries where into a central symbol of the confl ict.” VFW magazine circulates. VFW magazine (ISSN 0161-8598) He also cited the 1915 poem “In Flanders is published 10 times a year by Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. Non-profi t standard Fields” written by Canadian army Lt. Col. class postage paid at Oklahoma City, Okla., and additional John McCrae. One of the lines reads “In mailing offi ces. Flanders fi elds the poppies blow, Between Publications Agreement No. 1476947 the crosses, row on row.” As VFW members Available on recording for the blind and those with physical know, that imagery is the genesis of our orga- handicaps that preclude reading material. Contact: [email protected]. nization’s offi cial fl ower, the Buddy Poppy. More currently, we’ve been an ardent SUBMISSIONS Unsolicited manu scripts and pho to graphs must be ac com pa- and active supporter of the 100th anni- nied by return postage and no re spon si bil i ty is assumed for safe versary of the end of WWI. We donated han dling. Poetry submissions not accepted. VFW mag a zine is available in microfi lm from NA Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 998, $300,000 to help build a national memorial Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0998. Payment of membership dues in Washington, D.C., and have made restoration and upkeep includes $1.98 for a year’s subscription to VFW magazine. of WWI memorials across the country a priority though our CHANGE OF ADDRESS/DECEASED MEMBER [email protected] 1-833-839-8387 100 Cities/100 Memorials program. Forward address changes to: We agree with a Gold Star mother of Prince George’s Member Service Center, VFW, 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111. County, Mrs. Martin Redman, whose son never came home Be sure to furnish your old ad dress, also your Post number, from the war. She said years ago that, “My son lost his life in when requesting change to new address. To ensure accuracy, please clip and enclose your present address France and because of that I feel that our memorial cross is, in as printed on a recent copy of VFW magazine. a way, his grave stone.” NON-MEMBER SUBSCRIPTIONS We also agree with the Supreme Court that “the Bladensburg U.S. and its possessions, $15 per year, $1.50 per copy. Cross does not violate the Establishment Clause” of the For subscription in other countries, $20 per year. Make checks payable to VFW Magazine and send to: Constitution and that the memorial is “a symbolic resting place Member Service Center, 406 W.