The American Legion [Volume 133, No. 2 (August 1992)]
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HABAND 265 N. 9th Street, Paterson, NJ 07530 The Magazine for a Strong America Vol.133, No. 2 ARTICLES August 1992 VA NIXES HEALTH-CARE PLAN Derwinski opposes apilotprogram to treat Medicare-eligible veterans. 12 THE AGENT ORANGE LEGACY Birth defects caused by dioxin may bepassed on t 16 IN THE DEFENSE OF THE NATION HowAmerica defends its future is 19 THE PRICE OF PEACE The U. S. military must downsize. How much, is the debate ofthe decade. By William Matthews 20 THE VIEW FROM THE MILITIA Citizen-soldiers are the best and least expensive way to defend the nation. By Robert F. EnsslinJr. 22 THE VIEW FROM THE PENTAGON An exclusive interview withAdm. DavidE. Jeremiah, vice chairman oftheJoint Chiefs ofStaff. 2A THE VIEW FROM THE FIELD Downsizing means those in uniform maygofromfront lines to unemployment lines. ByJim Michaels 26 VETERANS VOTER'S GUIDE This special section reviews the major issuesfacingAmerica's veterans this election. 30 PRISON ROOT CAMPS 24 A "tough" way to reform today's criminals. By Frank Bentayou 37 D E P A R M NTS Should Congress Make Deep Cuts In the Military Budget? VETVOICE 4 YOUR AMERICAN LEGION 14 VETS 44 =f==t= COMMANDER'S MESSAGE 6 VETERANS UPDATE 40 PARTING SHOTS 64 WASHINGTON WATCH 10 LEGION NEWS 42 COVER Ma,j. Ralph Coyle introduces a prisoner to the Marine boot-camp atmosphere ofCamp REAMS, Ohio. It's one of several controversial prisons that use basic training discipline. See page 37. Photo by Mike Williams/Picture Group. The American Legion magazine, a leader among national general-interest publications, is published monthly by The American Legion for its 3.1 million members. These military-service veterans, working through more than 15,000 community-level posts, dedicate themselves to God and country and tradi- tional American values; strong national security; adequate and compassionate care for veterans, their widows and orphans; community service; and the wholesome development of our nation's youths. AUGUST 1992 1 . yum ihmmmmihM The FOR GOD AND COUNTRY 700 N. Pennsylvania St. P.O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 Non-Surgical 317-635-8411 National Commander Dominic D. DiFrancesco Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Solution Daniel S.Wheeler Editor John Greenwald Managing Editor For Impotence Miles Z. Epstein Associate Editor Raymond H. Mahon Simple, effective and safe, And no treatment has proven to be Assistant Editors ErecAid System® can put safer in over 15 years of use. T. Douglas Donaldson impotence in your past with- ErecAid System is medically Ken Scharnberg Art Director out the risk and expense of surgery approved and available with a Simon Smith or drugs. An excellent first step, prescription for under S400. When Art Assistant ErecAid System may be the only medically necessary, ErecAid Caron M. Morales step you will ever have to take. System is approved for reimburse- Production Manager ment by some Medicare and com- William L. Poff A SIMPLE NATURAL-LIKE mercial insurance carriers. Administration METHOD, EFFECTIVE AND Kathy Ferrer, Joan L. Berzins information call SAFE ErecAid System mimics the For more our Toil-Free Information Line Advertising Director natural process more closely than Donald B. Thomson 1-800-438-8592 -U.S. any other technique and can end Advertising Assistants 1-800-356-4676 - Canada the worry of impotence. Thou- Diane Andretti, Robyn Black sands of users have found the Osbon Medical Systems The American Legion Magazine P.O. Box 7068 P.O. Drawer 1478, Dept. 20 Osbon Technique of vacuum ther- Indianapolis. IN 46207 apy greater than 90% effective. Augusta, GA 30903 317-635-8411 Publisher's Representatives Fox Associates, Inc. Chicago: 312-644-3888 New York: 212-725-2106 Los Angeles: 213-487-5630 ErecAid System Detroit, Ml: 313-543-0068 Atlanta: 404-252-0968 by Osbon San Francisco: 415-989-5804 The American Legion Magazine Commission Milford A. Forrester, Chairman, Greenville, SC; George G. Sinopoli, Vice Chairman, Fresno, CA; James R. The leading choicefor impotence management Kelley, National Commander's Representative, Wayne, PA; James D. Baker, Tulsa, OK; George F. Ballard, Belleville, IL; Sam Barney, Lancaster, OH; J. Leslie Brown Jr., Louisville, KY; Joseph Chase, Hatboro, PA; Donald Conn, South Bend, IN; James W. Conway, Charlestown, MA; Lincoln Cox, Kirby, WV; Orval E. Faubus, Conway, AR; James H. Hall, Hopewell, NJ; Halbert G. Horton, Topeka, KS; W.B. (Brad) Jorgens, Beardsly, MN; Eugene J. Kelley, Savannah, GA; James V. Kissner, Palatine, IL; Russell H. Laird, Des Moines, IA; J. Fred Mitchell, Brewton, AL; J.H. Morris, Baton Rouge, LA; Everett G. Shepard, III, Woodstock, CT; Paul T. Woodard, Lacey, WA; Neal L. Thomas Jr., Consultant, Colorado Springs, CO. Copyright 1 992 by The American Legion The American Legion (ISSN 0886-1234) is published monthly by The American Legion, 5561 W. 74th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Second-class postage paid at Indianapolis, IN 46204 and additional mailing offices. Price: Annual subscription, $12 ($18, Foreign); post- sponsored gift subscriptions, $4; Single copy, $2. POST- MASTER: Send address changes to The American Legion, Input Services, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Change of Address: Notify The American Legion, Input Services, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. 31 7-328-461 6. Attach old address label, provide old and new addresses and current membership card number. Canada Post International Publications Mail (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 546321. Re-entered second class mail matter at Manila Central Post office dated December 22, 1 991 Member Audit Bureau of Circulations THE AMERICAN LEGION — Traveling the Snow Laden Rails •23K gold •Limited to a total of 28 firing days You can hear the thunder of the Respond by: August 31, 1992 rails before you see them round Limit: Two plates per collector the bend. The winter silence is accept my reservation for shattered as two steam powered WINTER CROSSING (1 or 2) "Winter Crossing" plate(s) at giants of iron cut through the icy by TED XARAS just $29.50* (plus $2.68 shipping and heights of the Rocky Mountains handling) each. and move through a wilderness of smoke stacks to the cowcatchers and oil burning I need send no money now. On white. A pair of matching headlamps. This work inaugurates a collection acceptance, I will be billed for my plate(s) prior to shipment. Baldwin locomotives, as majestic of original Xaras works entitled The Winter VLM1 QH AA and powerful as the treacherous Rails Plate Collection. Each issue will be gilded Ms./Mrs./Mr. snow-capped mountains they with a rim of gleaming 23K gold, hand- Address. cross. Now, this scene is vividly numbered and accompanied by a Certificate of recaptured in "Winter Crossing," a Authenticity. City stunning collector plate by of Crossing," will As an owner "Winter you Zip renowned transportation artist have the opportunity—but not the obligation Ted Xaras, a "Plate of the Year" to acquire subsequent issues as they are Telephone( ) winner with plates to his credit introduced. Our 100% Buy-Back Guarantee Signature that have risen in price by as allows you to return any plate within 30 days of *FL residents will be charged the appropriate much as 399%! state sales tax. All applications must be signed and receipt for a prompt replacement or full refund. are subject to acceptance. In "Winter Crossing," Xaras To recapture the fascinating rhythm of the The Hamilton Collection captures a world of authentic rails, submit your reservation today! 4810 Executive Park Ct., P.O. Box 44051, Jacksonville, FL 32231-4051 detail—from the diamond-shaped © 1992 HC. All Rights Reserved. VETVOICE Flag Waving dates, seems to be inhaling. There is opinions to black leaders. I think if we no speculation that The Washington could get the rest of the black commu- It is very encouraging to find some- Times "might fold" (Washington nity to agree with Steele, we would one, some organization, who stands up Watch, April), because The Times will have fewer problems between the and defends our Americanism ("Why not fold. We are enjoying our best year races. Protect Our Flag?" June). I commend ever, and expect to be here long after Gill Luft Michael Novak for his insight and sen- The American Legion follows the Long Beach, Calif. sitivity on such a passionate subject. Grand Army of the Republic into the Angella Laney suburbs of Valhalla, which I hope will Rome, Ga. be a long time from now. Kincaid's Greed Renounced was irresponsible. item The interview with Robert Water- I enlisted in the Navy as a kid out of Wesley Pruden man ("Greed, Egos and the Decline of high school because I thought freedom Managing Editor American Business," April) is a of expression was worth protecting. I The Washington Times responsible way for the Legion to live would enlist today if I thought our up to the part of our organization's freedoms were about to be taken away.