The Final Push
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VETERANS AFFAIRS Lawsuits not answer in VA security breach National Commander Thomas L. Bock said he is encouraged that Congress and the administration are scruti¬ nizing the lapse in procedure that led to the largest informa¬ tion security breach in the history of the Department of Veterans Affairs. “VA must do everything possible to ensure that the FLAG PROTECTION personal information of America’s veterans, active-duty, Guard and Reserve personnel is never stored, packaged or transferred in a method that THE FINAL PUSH will allow such an enormous Legionnaires, legislators loss to result from the lapse in judgment of a single VA gather in Washington to employee,” Bock said. “The loss garner flag support. of more than 26 million veterans records - to include Earlier this year, Senator spouses, active-duty, Guard and Majority Leader Bill Frist Reserve members - is an pledged to bring the flag amend¬ inexcusable betrayal of trust. ment to a floor vote the week of However, we must now allow June 26. Frist reiterated that the office of the VA Inspector pledge in a June 14 press General, the FBI, the Attorney conference in Washington General’s office and Congress to where he was flanked by resolve this issue while at the several staunch supporters of same time taking steps to ensure S.J. Res. 12, which would give that the veterans and service- Congress the power to protect members who are on the stolen the U.S. Flag from physical list do not suffer further anguish desecration. as a result of criminal activity.” Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, While a few veterans the amendment’s author, attend¬ organizations may believe that ed the press conference, as did filing suit against VA will help several other senators, represen¬ veterans, Bock urged patience in tatives from The American allowing the existing offices of Legion and Citizens Flag oversight to complete their Alliance, former Major League National Commander Thomas L. Bock explains that a constitutional amendment is the only way to protect the U.S. Flag from desecration. analysis of this situation. “The Baseball player Rick Monday Bock joined Maj. Gen. Patrick H. Brady, left, several senators and other flag-amendment supporters at a June 14 press conference in Wash¬ executive and legislative and former Miss America ington. The amendment currently has 66 supporters and is expected to go for a Senate vote during the week of June 26. Sandy Schaeffer Photography branches of our government are Heather French Henry. Legion and CFA representatives Congress to enact laws to L. Bock said the only way to working toward a fair and Frist, R-Tenn., expressed have conducted press confer¬ protect the U.S. flag. protect the flag is through an expeditious resolution to this confidence in the amendment’s ences in various states to raise “Fifty states, all 50 states, amendment. A statute, he said, matter,” he said. “Dragging the chance for passage in the Senate. awareness of the amendment have called for this amend¬ would be struck down by the judicial branch into this by “I think it increases every and to present poll numbers ment,” Hatch said. “It is Supreme Court like a similar filing a lawsuit will only impede day,” Frist said. “There is a new showing that Americans supported by Democrats, statute passed shortly after the the process. It is unlikely that spirit coming across the overwhelmingly favor the Republicans, Independents, and Court’s 1989 decision that ruled the threat of a lawsuit against country, during the last six amendment. people from all faiths and all flag burning is protected speech. VA would act as a catalyst for months, of people coming One of those press confer¬ ways of life. It doesn’t ban Monday, who in 1976 ran the speedier recovery of the lost together around the flag. It is ences took place in Utah, where anything. It just puts the from his centerfield position to information. Neither would it the one thing that pulls all of the state’s other senator, Repub¬ country back to where it was snatch an U.S. Flag away from expedite the passing of legisla¬ America together. If we con¬ lican Bob Bennett, favors a before five unelected activist two would-be flag burners tion that would compensate tinue to build that momentum statute protecting the flag but jurists changed the law.” during a Cubs-Dodgers baseball veterans for the cost of monitor¬ we’ll be able to pass it.” does not support the amend¬ The amendment itself does game (see Page 4), said his ing and protecting their current The amendment currently ment, although a recent poll in not protect the flag; rather, it feelings haven’t changed since credit ratings and personal has 60 co-sponsors and the Utah showed that 72 percent of gives Congress the power to that incident. “It was wrong accounts or for those who may support of six other senators. those surveyed favor a constitu¬ enact flag-protection laws. But During the past two months tional amendment allowing National Commander Thomas See Final Push on page 6 See Theft on page 4 The American Legion NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION P.O.BOX 1055-INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46206 U.S. POSTAGE PAID COMMANDER’S VETERANS AFFAIRS PERMIT NO. 719 MESSAGE INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46206 Security breach affects active-duty Our place among personnel America's youth PAGE 4 PAGE 2 NATIONAL TRANSITION FLAG PROTECTION property of ASSISTANCE ADJUTANT’S COLUMN Secure S J. Res. 12 American Legion Library The Giving back after Armed forces 700 N. Pennsylvania Street co-sponsorship helping out to workforces Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 PAGE 7 in Senate PAGE 3 PAGES 8-10 Please Return 2 IDispatch 1 JUNE 20,2006 COMMANDER’S MESSAGE PLANNER JULY Our place among America's youth 1 Department I’ve spent nearly a year traveling from The American Legion Baseball program as more children who’ve lost parents to the Children & post to post across the country and around plays its 80th World Series this month. In an war enter college years, it will pay even less. the world as national commander of The era when childhood obesity, domestic abuse Recently, the Legion awarded six $5,000 Youth reports American Legion. At every stop, I am and innumerable temptations harm our American Legacy Scholarships to young due to National awestruck by the dedication, commitment youth, Legion Baseball teaches more than people who have lost parents since 9/11. At Headquarters and resolve of members who volunteer to 100,000 young people a year the importance the end of each undergraduate year, those run Legion programs of teamwork, discipline, leadership and students can re-apply. More students who 4 Independence Day on the local level. good sportsmanship. Similarly, more than will need this help are coming of college 15 End of Legion/CMN Sometimes, as in the 2,500 high-school students this year age. Legion posts across the country have Fund drive aftermath of Hurri¬ competed in our Oratorical Contest, fusing dedicated time and money to help build up cane Katrina, those the skills of statesmanship with constitu¬ this important program, which exists solely 15 Child Welfare efforts are herculean tional respect, in pursuit of college scholar¬ on donations. It’s all part of our commit¬ Foundation grant and high profile. ships. ment to America’s youth. applications More often, our work Some 25,000 young men participate in Nearly nine decades have passed since due to National in such areas as Boys State, learning firsthand how their this organization was founded in a gather¬ local, county and state governments work. ing of war-weary veterans in France. Then, Headquarters support for U.S. troops, advocacy for At various posts around the country, as now, their definition of “service” includ¬ 21- 29 American Legion VA health care and Legionnaires run soccer programs, host ed, if not centered on, support for those who Boys Nation in homeland security chess tournaments, offer day-care services will uphold our nation’s freedoms and Washington presses quietly and sponsor hundreds of Boy Scout units. values in the future. That is why “children forward thanks to tens of thousands of Added up, these programs benefit and youth” is one of the organization’s most 22- 29 Auxiliary Girls relatively anonymous volunteers. They hundreds of thousands of young men and important values. It is an honor to serve in Nation in deserve our gratitude because successful women each year. Those young people an organization that looks past its own Washington volunteer-run programs are the best recruit¬ depend on American Legion posts. This is short-term needs and thinks past the ing tools we have. Indeed, they are the why I often remind posts whose member¬ horizon, in terms of the young girl who lost 27-30 National backbone of our organization. When ship is declining that it’s not just about their a dad in Iraq and her chances for a college Membership prospective members learn of these pro¬ members. When a post turns in its charter, education, or in terms of the young boy Workshop in grams, they join. When former members are opportunities for young people disappear, who, if not for his place on the Legion Indianapolis reminded of them, they re-up. and an entire community suffers. In the 21st Baseball team, would be running the street This is a “veterans service organization,” century, the Legion’s commitment to youth at night, getting into trouble with the law. 27-29 Department Service but The American Legion offers yet another is more important than ever, and it contin¬ Youth support is, indeed, a dimension of Officers school in vital dimension of service: outstanding ues to evolve.