Student Vets and VFW
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‘BLACK HAWK DOWN’ REUNION 800-MILE HIKE REJUVENATES ARMY VET AMERICA’S FUTURE Student Vets and VFW U.S. SPACE FORCE: AT WHAT COST? Did your job give you Lung Cancer? If you suffer from Lung Cancer or Mesothelioma, and were exposed to Asbestos on the job – even decades ago – you may be entitled to substantial compensation (even if you’ve been a smoker)! It costs you nothing to find out. And, until you win, it costs you nothing up front if we take on your case. Weitz & Luxenberg is acknowledged as a national leader among law firms experienced in litigating Asbestos-related claims. We have already won over $17 Billion in verdicts and settlements for working people just like you. For a free consultation please call us today at 844-500-HELP or visit us at www.LungCancerTrusts.com WEITZ LUXENBERG PC ASBESTOS | DRUGS/MEDICAL DEVICES | ENVIRONMENTAL | NEGLIGENCE 700 BROADWAY | NEW YORK, NY 10003 BRANCH OFFICES IN NEW JERSEY, CALIFORNIA & MICHIGAN 844-500-HELP WWW.LungCancerTrusts.COM L AWAW FIRMRM OF THE YEAR MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS — PLAINTIFFS 2017 ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Prior results do not guarantee a future outcome. We may associate with local firms in states wherein we do not maintain an office. If no recovery, no fees or costs are charged, unless prohibited by State Law or Rule. ‘BLACK HAWK DOWN’ REUNION 800-MILE HIKE REJUVENATES ARMY VET AMERICA’S FUTURE Student Vets and VFW U.S. SPACE FORCE: AT WHAT COST? FEBRUARY 2019 Vol. 106 No. 5 COVER PHOTO: Members of the Student Veterans of America are photographed on the campus of the University of Kansas in November. VFW and SVA have been offi cial ‘PROUD’ ARMY OLYMPIANS partners since 2013, and VFW magazine 22 Four Army National Guardsmen from New York represented the will profi le different SVA chapters at various United States at the 2018 Winter Olympics. They all participated universities throughout the year. through the Army’s World Class Athlete Program. BY KARI WILLIAMS (Photo by Susan McSpadden) ‘I WAS BECOMING THAT GUY’ ON THE COVER 6 Transitioning to civilian life after 32 U.S. Space Force 16 Student Vets years in the Army can be a daunting task. 26 Army Vet Hike After deployments to Iraq and Afghani- 30 Black Hawk Down Reunion stan, this VFW member hiked through the desert to contemplate his future. IN THIS ISSUE BY KARI WILLIAMS 12 Bush Obituary 26 14 Priority Goals 34 NVS Service Offi cer Profi le 36 Haband KOREA’S YONGSAN LEGACY 38 Vet Reunited with Vietnamese Woman A U.S. base since 1945, Yongsan Garrison IN EVERY ISSUE occupies an area of central Seoul that is 2 Command Post gentrifying at a rapid pace. Once GIs 4 Now Hear This relocate later this year, the former home of 6 Issues Up Front U.S. Forces Korea will become a city park. 8 Washington Wire BY JUSTIN MALZAC 44 Better Health 28 46 Book Corner 48 VFW in Action ANTELOPE HUNT ‘HUMBLING’ 50 Member Corner 52 Member Benefi ts Three veterans wounded during the 54 Reunions and Claims Vietnam War traveled to Montana last 60 Vets in Focus fall to hunt antelope. Here’s how they enjoyed this free trip, which VFW magazine has sponsored for 36 years. BY DAVE SPIVA 40 CHECK OUT OUR DIGITAL VERSION AT WWW.VFWMAGAZINE.ORG NEW! NOW ON FACEBOOK NEED HELP? VETERANS CRISIS LINE: 1-800-273-8255 FEBRUARY 2019 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 1 COMMAND POST FROM THE CHIEF VFW Opines on Supreme Court Cases he U.S. Supreme Court cur- carpeted the fi elds VFW magazine is the offi cial publication of the rently is considering three cases of Europe. VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS of particular interest to VFW. The Gold Star OF THE UNITED STATES In fact, we have issued amicus Mothers of Prince STAFF T DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, briefs to bolster our positions on each. George’s County in PUBLICATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS In November, the Supreme Court the 1920s chose the Joe Davis heard oral arguments on the Republic of memorial’s shape EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sudan v. Harrison. The case concerns specifi cally for Tim Dyhouse the families of the 17 sailors killed and that reason. As one SENIOR EDITOR the 42 wounded in the bombing of the mother said, “My Janie Dyhouse USS Cole in October 2000. The families son lost his life in COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ASSOCIATE EDITOR B.J. Lawrence Kari Williams sued the country of Sudan, whom they France and because SENIOR WRITER believe was responsible for the terrorist of that I feel that our memorial cross is, in Dave Spiva act, and won a judgment in a lower court. a way, his grave stone.” ART DIRECTOR Sudan — supported in the case by VFW wants the 4th Circuit rul- Lauren Goldman Libya, Saudi Arabia and, unbelievably, ing overturned. We’ve been involved ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT with this issue since 2015 Tina Clark An amicus curiae (“friend of the court’) brief is a legal document and demand that the ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE presented to the court by an outside party with interest in the Bladensburg Peace Cross GLM Communications, Inc. case. Such a brief off ers background informati on or opinions Jacqueline Tobin, Vice President, Digital/Print Media stay where it is. 500 1st Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030 that the court believes could be relevant to its decision. The third case in which (212) 929-1300 FAX 212-929-9574 we’ve provided an amicus Email: [email protected] EDITORIAL OFFICE our own government — is asking the brief is Gray v. Wilkie. At issue are Address all communications for publication to: Supreme Court to reject the multimil- U.S. Navy “blue water” veterans of the The Editor, VFW Magazine 406 W. 34th St., Suite 523, Kansas City, MO 64111 lion-dollar judgment. This is a profound Vietnam War, those sailors who served (816) 756-3390; www.vfw.org; [email protected] disappointment to us. offshore Vietnam. VFW magazine is protected through trademark reg is tra- tion in the United States and in the foreign countries where It is shocking and deeply disturb- Because of that, VA ruled in 2016 that VFW magazine circulates. VFW magazine (ISSN 0161-8598) ing that our government would stand they were not exposed to the defoliant is published 10 times a year by Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. Non-profi t standard with the nation that facilitated the Cole Agent Orange, and thus, not eligible for class postage paid at Oklahoma City, Okla., and additional bombing and against the surviving compensation for conditions connected mailing offi ces. American sailors and their families. I to exposure. Conversely, “brown water” Publications Agreement No. 1476947 want those veterans and their families sailors, those who served on inland Available on recording for the blind and those with physical handicaps that preclude reading material. to know that VFW supports their case, waterways or rivers, are eligible for Contact: [email protected]. particularly when the U.S. government Agent Orange compensation. SUBMISSIONS won’t do the same. Robert H. Gray, who served in DaNang Unsolicited manu scripts and pho to graphs must be ac com pa- nied by return postage and no re spon si bil i ty is assumed for safe The next case — Maryland- Harbor during the war, wants the ruling han dling. Poetry submissions not accepted. VFW mag a zine is National Capital Park and Planning changed and the presumption of Agent available in microfi lm from NA Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 998, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0998. Payment of membership dues Commission v. American Humanist Orange exposure extended to all Vietnam includes $1.98 for a year’s subscription to VFW magazine. Association — regards a World War War “blue water” sailors. VFW agrees. CHANGE OF ADDRESS/DECEASED MEMBER I memorial in Bladensburg, Md. It is In addition to issuing the amicus [email protected] 1-833-839-8387 Forward address changes to: a 32-foot-tall, cross-shaped memorial brief, VFW advocated diligently for pas- Member Service Center, VFW, 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111. that was built with private donations sage of H.R. 299 — the Blue Water Navy Be sure to furnish your old ad dress, also your Post number, and erected on then-private property to Vietnam Veterans Act this past year. Our when requesting change to new address. To ensure accuracy, please clip and enclose your present address honor the 49 men from Prince George’s National Legislative Service staff testi- as printed on a recent copy of VFW magazine. County who died in the war. The fi ed before the Senate VA Committee NON-MEMBER SUBSCRIPTIONS Humanist Association contends that the in August when the bill stalled in the U.S. and its possessions, $15 per year, $1.50 per copy. For subscription in other countries, $20 per year. memorial endorses Christianity rather Senate. At press time, VFW Action Make checks payable to VFW Magazine and send to: than memorializing the fallen. The U.S. Corps members had targeted their sena- Member Service Center, 406 W. 34th St., KC, MO 64111. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in tors with more than 31,000 messages VFW OBJECTIVES To ensure national security Richmond, Va., agreed and ruled that the and calls to urge them to pass the bill. through maximum military strength. memorial be moved or redesigned. VFW will be watching these cases To speed the rehabilitation of the nation’s disabled and needy veterans. This is preposterous and refl ects a closely this summer when the Supreme To assist the widows and orphans and the de pen dents of disabled and needy veterans.