Inside: ■ Message from the National Commander page 2 “NOW IS THE TIME FOR CONCURRENT RECEIPT"

■ National Adjutant’s column page 3 “SINGLE POST MAKES A DIFFERENCE”

■ Legion celebrates 82nd anniversary page a

■ On the road: A look at Post success stories page 5 A National Headquarters Publication ■ Tracking flag-protection support in House page 6 March 9, 2001 Vol. 10, No. 13 ■ Dateline: Capitol Hill page 7 ■ Patrick H. Brady’s column page s Up & Coming: MARCH Community Service Month 10- 11 - Auxiliary mid-year NEC Meeting in Washington, D C. 11- 14 - Washington Conference and Auxiliary Awareness Assembly in Washington, D.C. 23-25 - National Information Conferences in Nashua, N.H. (Region 1) and Indianapolis (Region 5). 30-31 - National Information Conferences in Macon, Ga. (Region 3) and Las Vegas (Region 7). APRIL Children & Youth Month 1 - National Information Conferences in Macon, Ga. (Region 3) and Las Vegas (Region 7). 1 - Eagle Scout of the Year applications due to National Headquarters. 6- 8 - 64th Annual National Oratorical Contest in Indianapolis. 8-14 - Child Welfare Foundation Week. 13 - Good Friday. 15-Easter. 20-22 - National Information Conferences in Cherry Hill, N.J. An oil painting by John Wisinki depicts the German U-boat attack on the USCGC Tampa at about 8:45 p.m. Sept. 26,1918. (Region 2) and Sioux City, Iowa (Region 6).. MAY 1 - Child Welfare Foundation grant application available. Remembering the Tampa 4- 6 - Auxiliary membership workshop in Indianapolis. 5- 6 - SAL Spring National Executive Committee Meetings in Indianapolis. 2 Florida Posts named after destroyed WWI 6 - Child Welfare Foundation Board of Directors meeting in Indianapolis. Coast Guard cutter awarded Purple Hearts. 7- 10 - National Executive Committee Spring Meetings in Indianapolis. By Jeff Stoffer Purple Hearts were awarded until a 1999 ceremony 19-Armed Forces Day. Contributing Editor in Washington, D.C., followed by a dockside presen¬ 25-28 - Race to the Top activities in Indianapolis. When the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tampa was tation Jan. 24 in the cutter's namesake city. Tampa's 28 - Memorial Day. torpedoed by a German U-boat on Sept. 26, 1918, all American Legion Posts 5 and 167 - both chartered in 31 - End of Child Welfare Foundation Award year. 130 people aboard perished in the Bristol Channel of memory of the ill-fated cutter - were among those the Irish Sea. No other World War I maritime battle who accepted the medals. claimed more lives. In the 1920s, USCGC Tampa Post 5 - one of Press conference scheduled So complete was the destruction that only two Florida's earliest American Legion charters - com¬ A press conference has been scheduled for 12:15 p.m. bodies and scant wreckage from the 270-foot vessel missioned a large stained-glass panel containing the March 13 to announce the reintroduction of flag-protection were recovered after a three-day search by Navy vessel's image, The American Legion emblem and amendments in both the U.S. Senate and House of Repre¬ destroyers and British aircraft. the names of those who died in the attack. For many sentatives. The Tampa's grim end nearly 82 years ago has years, it served as a front window of the Post, sur- The press conference will take place at the Senate been memorialized from Gibraltar to Coast Guard Swamp at the northeast corner of the Capitol Building. It will Hill in Arlington National Cemetery. However, no SEE TAMPA, PAGE 5 be moved to Dirksen 226 (Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing Room) in case of inclement weather. Legionnaires attending the Washington Conference March 11-14 are encouraged to attend the press conference, Smith: VA budget not good enough then visit their Senators and Representatives to urge con¬ National Commander Ray G. such as hepatitis C treatment and during his campaign. gressional support for the amendment. Smith says the Bush administra¬ long-term care mandates con¬ "As a candidate, Mr. Bush said tion's Fiscal Year 2002 budget for tained in the Veterans' Millen¬ he would improve VA health The American Legion the Department of Veterans nium Health Care and Benefits care, modernize the VA claims National Headquarters NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION Affairs is not good enough and Act," Smith said. "It's not good process and reactivate VA facili¬ P.O. Box 1055 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Indianapolis, IN 46206 PERMIT NO. 354 fails to live up to campaign enough to hire enough claims ties that have been unoccupied, FRANKLIN, IN 46131 promises made by the President. adjudicators to expedite the due to scant funding, so that they Smith criticized the funding delivery of benefits; it takes may provide services that many after President Bush outlined his months, sometimes years, to get a veterans lack," Smith said. budget to a joint session of Con¬ claim processed. It's not even "Frankly, this budget is insuffi¬ gress Feb. 27. good enough to simultaneously cient to fulfill the campaign "It's not good enough to pro¬ offset inflation and universally promises George W. Bush made vide quality health care to those extend homeless, dental, mental Sept. 6 at The American Legion who provided honorable military health, spinal cord, and other ser¬ 82nd National Convention in service to our nation. It's not vices systemwide." Milwaukee." good enough to address emerg¬ Smith said the budget falls ing veterans' health care concerns short of what Bush promised SEE VA, PAGE 3 2 Dispatch March 9, 2001 A message from the national Commander: Now is the time for concurrent receipt Military retirees have been getting short end of compensation stick for too long. Two U.S. soldiers are riding in a tage to this provision is that while mili¬ In the past decade, many veterans' Retirement Equity Act of 2001. Under Humvee. They are in an accident tary retirement pay is taxable income, programs have been pared to the bone the provisions of this measure, service- and both sustain identical veterans' disability compensation is to help balance the budget. With the connected military retirees would re¬ injuries. Both are now eligible to not subject to federal income taxes. current national debate over how to ceive both military retired pay and VA receive disability compensation from For example, if a retired E-7 is get¬ handle the sizeable budget surplus, disability compensation. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs. ting $1,200 a month in retirement pay The American Legion believes the time their retired pay would be reduced by One soldier leaves the service and from the Department of Defense and is has come for retirees to receive full a percentage equal to their disability takes a federal job. The entire time he awarded a 50 percent disability rating compensation for both their honorable rating. works, he ($600) from VA, he can waive $600 of military service and their service-con¬ Bilirakis also introduced HR 303, the receives his full his retired pay and receive $600 from nected debilitating injuries or illnesses. Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2001. government VA. As a result, a retiree who receives Fairness demands it. This bill allows military retirees with at salary and his veterans' compensation and the bal¬ Military service rendered in defense least 20 years of service and a service- VA disability ance of the retired pay has a smaller tax of and on behalf of the nation deserves connected disability to receive both payment. When burden than a retiree who receives, special consideration when determin¬ military retired pay and VA disability he retires, he only taxable retired pay. Current law ing policy toward such matters as ben¬ compensation without reduction of receives his full bars concurrent receipt of military re¬ efit offsets. The American Legion isn't either. federal retire¬ tired pay and VA disability compensa¬ asking for preferential treatment for Rep. Lane Evans, D-IL., House VA ment benefits in tion. these veterans, just what is fair and Committee Ranking Member, intro¬ addition to his Certainly, PL 78-314 is better than what is provided to every other federal duced HR 609, the Veterans' Compen¬ full VA disabili¬ the law originally passed by Congress employee and retiree. sation Equity Act of 2001. This bill, ty compensa¬ in 1891. But veterans are still being A provision in the Fiscal Year 2000 cosponsored by Bilirakis, would elimi¬ tion payment. treated unfairly. National Defense Authorization Act nate the reduction in military retire¬ But the other Each payment is for a distinct rea¬ authorized special compensation for ment benefits for veterans who are soldier, the one son: longevity of honorable military the most severely disabled retired vet¬ entitled to both military retirement pay who decided to serve 20 more years in service and service-connected disabili¬ erans, those who have served for at and service-connected compensation the military, doesn't fare so well. He ty. Military retired pay is compensa¬ least 20 years and who have disability benefits when the retiree reaches age can't receive his VA disability compen¬ tion for longevity of honorable military ratings of between 70 percent and 100 65. sation until he retires from the military, service. VA service-connected disabili¬ percent. Specifically, it authorized Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., introduced and then his earned retirement pay will ty compensation is for medical condi¬ monthly payments of $300 for totally S 170, the Retired Pay Restoration Act be reduced dollar for dollar by the tions incurred or aggravated while on disabled retired veterans, $200 for of 2001. This bill would end the current amount of his VA disability compensa¬ active duty. Disabled veterans have retirees rated as 90-percent disabled practice of deducting disability benefits tion payment. already paid a very high price for serv¬ and $100 for retirees with disability rat¬ from the amount of retirement pay a Doesn't sound fair, does it? Unfor¬ ing their country; they shouldn't have ings of 70 percent to 80 percent. military retiree receives. Both pay¬ tunately, that's the way it is for our ser¬ to keep paying. A provision contained in PL 106-398, ments would be made in full, rather vice members and veterans. It's a situa¬ Moreover, a veteran can receive dis¬ the 2001 National Defense Authoriza¬ than deducting from the retirement tion that needs to be corrected. ability compensation without any off¬ tion Act, addresses another group of benefits to offset the disability pay¬ The issue is "concurrent receipt." sets, reductions or limits while collect¬ retirees. Under this provision, veterans ment. It would cover all military Simply put, concurrent receipt is pay¬ ing unemployment compensation in who were eligible to retire after 20 retirees with 20 or more years of ser¬ ing veterans their VA disability pay¬ Social Security, federal civil service years but remained on active duty and vice, as well as retirees who served ments without cutting into their earned pay, pay from a private sector job, fed¬ subsequently were retired due to a dis¬ between 15 and 19 years and then retirement benefits. The rule applies to eral civil service retirement (including ability, commonly referred to as opted for special early retirements at every federal employee except military disability retirement), retirement pen¬ "Chapter 61 retirees," are eligible for the end of the Cold War. personnel. sion from non-federal jobs, or federal the same special monthly compensa¬ I urge members of The American This injustice goes back to 1891, workers compensation (benefits for tion payments mentioned above in FY Legion family to contact their members when Congress passed a law prohibit¬ work-caused disability or illness pro¬ 2002. of Congress and ask them to co-spon- ing any active-duty or retired military vided under the Federal Employees' Four separate pieces of legislation sor these important bills. Penalizing personnel from receiving military or Compensation Act). Only military have been introduced in Congress that military retirees for choosing to serve retirement pay in addition to disability retired pay is reduced dollar for dollar will alter the link between military re¬ their country for an entire career is not pensions. The current law dealing with by VA disability compensation pay¬ tirement pay and service-connected only an injustice to those who have concurrent receipt was established in ments. disability compensation. It is expected served but also a deterrent to those 1944, when Public Law 78-314 allowed The unique nature of military ser¬ that at least one of these measures will who may be considering a life of ser¬ retired military personnel to elect vice, given the sacrifices and hardships be passed and enacted during this vice in the U.S. military. waiving an amount of their retirement involved, should merit these retirees Congress. All service-connected disabled mili¬ pay equal to their veterans' disability receiving both military retired pay and Rep. Michael Bilirakis, R-Fla., intro¬ tary retirees deserve fair and equitable compensation payments. The advan¬ VA disability compensation. duced HR 65, known as the Military treatment.

EDITOR Steve B. Brooks Still Serving America CONTRIBUTORS James V. Carroll Does your Post have an tion, please be sure to include Matt Grills ongoing program or activity Elissa Kaupisch your full name, address and Jeff Staffer that serves your community? telephone number. There's a SUBSCRIPTIONS Do you have any Post members good chance the information Robin Bowman who go above and beyond the you send us will make it into Published semi-monthly, except September and P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206. For subscriptions or call of duty to help others? The Dispatch. December. Printed by the Daily Journal, Franklin, Ind. All customer service, call (317) 630-1349. Annual subscription Drop us a line and tell us Send your news items to: American Legion publications are entitled and encouraged rate: $15. what your Post and its members Still Serving America, The to reproduce all staff-written stories within, but please Editorial office: (317) 630-1352 credit Dispatch as the source. Send correspondence and FAX: (317) 630-1280 are doing to demonstrate they American Legion Dispatch, P.O. letters to the editor in care of: The American Legion Dispatch, Online at: http://www.legion.org are Still Serving America. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN

A proud mattber of The National American Legion Press Association In submitting your informa¬ 46206. Dispatch 3

Sound off: From the desk of the national Adjutant: Letters from readers Editor's note - Readers xvith questions or comments concerning Single Post makes a difference Legion matters can write to The Dispatch at P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206 or e-mail [email protected]. Georgia’s Post 192 provides support, service to entire county. nly one American Legion Post exists within Post Commander applauded Othe confines of Columbia County, Ga., an I would like to write to you about a man who has area with a population of more than 90,000 been an upstanding individual in our community: the people. Commander of Post 252 in Williamstown, N.J. On Feb. But rather than feeling overwhelmed, the mem¬ 27, our local county freeholders recognized him for his bers of Post 192, along with Auxiliary Unit 192 and concern for homeless and low-income people within the Sons of The American Legion Squadron 192, our community. have taken on the responsi¬ For Thanksgiving, Joe Depompa, along with only bility of serving their com¬ two other adults and two Cub Scouts, served and fed Robert W. munity in several ways. Patients of the Georgia War Veterans Home, above, enjoy approximately 225 people. What makes this more The result is a Post staying bingo while visiting American Legion Post 192, Evans, Ga. unique is that Joe paid for this event out of his own Spanogle busy year-round while ful- The Post annually invites patients from the Georgia War pocket. Fie got some help from Post members, who filling The American Legion Veterans Home and local veterans hospitals to the Post for mission every step of the way. days of fishing, bingo, horseshoes, pool and meals. It’s just gave food for the event. We tried very hard to reim¬ one of many services the Post offers. The Post also donated burse him for this; Post officers voted to do so, but he For starters, the Post supports Junior ROTC pro¬ more than 500 stuffed animals to the Columbia County refused. I was one of the members who helped with grams at two local high schools, providing the pro¬ Sheriff’s Department and the Martinez Fire Department to the serving of the food and did so with my son and grams with air rifles, uniforms and scholastic and support the Hug-a-Bear Program. Below, from left, are leadership awards. The Post also participates in Georgia 11th District Commander Robert Pollard, Martinez one of his friends. But I think Joe should be recog¬ Fire Department Administrator David Butler, Martinez Fire nized for his gift to the elderly and low-income people Veterans Day and Christmas parades with the Chief Doug Cooper, Unit 192 Auxiliary President Joan of our community. ROTC drill teams and sends six boys and three girls Wilkins-Fink and Post 192 Commander Jimmy Farris. Charles Bast to Boys and Girls State each year. Post 252 Adjutant, Williamstown, N.J. When it comes to fund raising, the members of 192's Legion family again come through. Two recent benefits for three families in distress raised $20,000. Post 192 takes care of the veterans in the commu¬ Gulf legislation praised nity. For more than 10 years, the Post has hosted National Commander Ray G. Smith praised U.S. Rep. days of activities for patients at the local veterans Donald Manzullo, R-Ill., Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., hospital and the Georgia War Veterans Home. The and Rep. Ronnie Shows, D-Miss., for introducing legisla¬ activities include fishing, bingo, horseshoes, pool tion that would clarify the definition of "undiagnosed ill¬ and meals. Post members contributed more than 150 ness" for VA purposes under the law and eradicate pre¬ volunteer hours at both facilities and numerous vious ambiguity. The language of HR 612, titled the additional hours at local nursing homes. "Persian Gulf War Illness Compensation Act of 2001," The Post's family also lends a hand to local youth. children throughout the county with Christmas pre¬ aims to clarify the standards for compensation for An annual event is the Children's Fishing Rodeo, sents and a Christmas Day meal. Persian Gulf veterans suffering from poorly defined and open to all the community's children. Numerous It sounds like a full year, but Post members don't undiagnosed illnesses. organizations and local businesses provide support stop there. They provide more than 1,000 gunlocks "At least 9,000 Gulf War veterans who filed claims for to stock a pond with fish, provide fishing tackle and to the community each year, offer a local scholar¬ their undiagnosed illnesses were denied compensation feed all the participants. ship, support a T-ball baseball team and the local and health care," Smith said. "We believe valid claims The Hug-a-Bear program also receives regular Lakeside High School baseball team, provide flags have been denied under the VA's narrow interpretation contributions from the Post. The program provides to local schools and honorably retire unserviceable of the 1994 undiagnosed-illness law, which The stuffed animals to the Columbia County Sheriff's flags. American Legion fought hard for. I commend Rep. Department and all of Columbia County's fire de¬ The Legion Family members at Post 192 have left Manzullo for extending statutory relief to Gulf War vet¬ partments to give to children in distress. This past few stones unturned when it comes to making a dif¬ erans who suffer from chronic undiagnosed or poorly- year more than 500 stuffed animals were donated to ference in their community. Rather than letting cer¬ defined illnesses." the program. tain members of the community slip through the Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-, and Sen. Dick The holidays find the Post busy, as its members cracks because it's the only Post in the county, Post Durbin, D-Ill., have introduced a companion bill, S 409, coordinate with the county's Department of Family 192 provides service and support at every level of in the Senate. Services to provide Thanksgiving food baskets to the community - its youth, its needy and its veter¬ Legionnaires are encouraged to contact their legisla¬ needy residents throughout the county. And in ans. tors and ask them to support both bills. December the Post teams up with the sheriff's Post 192 is a shining example of the impact one "Congress should pass this bill, the President should department, the Martinez Fire Department and the Post can make on so many lives. All it takes is effort sign it and these veterans should be properly compensat¬ Southern Chrome motorcycle club to provide needy and desire. ed expeditiously," Smith said. This legislation would extend the current presumptive veterans and to all military retirees on Tricare. The period for veterans' undiagnosed illnesses to be reported. VA FROM PAGE 1 third-party funding would help finance improve¬ The symptoms must be reported before Dec. 31, 2011 (20 ments in VA and open up the system to more veter¬ years after service in the Persian Gulf), or such later date Smith said the Legion would immediately begin ans — and their families." as the VA Secretary may prescribe by regulation. to lobby for an increase in VA spending. America's veterans have earned these services, Signs or symptoms that may be a manifestation of "Starting with our Washington Conference in Smith said. undiagnosed illness under the proposed legislation in¬ March, the men and women of The American "Adequate health care for veterans is important clude the following: Legion will insist members of Congress find the because veterans are important. The sacrifice of ■fatigue; money to help President Bush keep his promises," America's veterans is the human cost of American ■ unexplained rashes or other dermatological signs or he said. "The American Legion will fight for a mini¬ foreign policy," he said. "Whenever the VA budget symptoms, mum $1.4 billion increase in VA health care spend¬ suffers, some of America's finest .citizens suffer: the ■headache, muscle and/or joint pains; ing alone. The president called for merely a $1 bil¬ ones who stormed the beach at Normandy or who ■ neurologic signs or symptoms: lion increase in the entire current VA budget. fought through the stinging cold at Chosin or who ■neuropsychological signs or symptoms, "On March 13, I will lead my Legion to Capitol charged a hill in Vietnam or who liberated Kuwait, ■ signs or symptoms involving the respiratory system Hill. We will fight for a budget that will allow VA and in so doing contracted illnesses that mystify sci¬ (upper or lower); Secretary Tony Principi to implement crucial ence. They wait and wait for a claim to be processed ■ sleep disturbances; reforms and to provide quality health care to and for a medical appointment to arrive. ■ gastrointestinal signs or symptoms; America's veterans. Congress additionally should "We know so few of their names, but we owe so ■ cardiovascular signs or symptoms; implement two key provisions of The American much to their sacrifice. The American Legion exists ■ abnormal weight loss; or Legion's GI Bill of Health, those which would make to fight for them and for the values they fought to ■ menstrual disorders (for women veterans). VA health care accessible to all Medicare-eligible protect." Legion celebrating 82nd anniversary This month The American Legion living dependents of deceased veterans, establish a veterans service program for up the task of urging our government to celebrates the 82nd anniversary of its constitute a significant part of the present disabled veterans. But the Legion is also maintain a strong national defense posture. founding. population. justifiably proud that this program became And we will continue to be a staunch advo¬ The organization was born March You only need look at the accomplish¬ the pattern that our government followed cate of the maintenance of such military as 15-17,1919, when some members of the ments of The American Legion down in setting up the entire Social Security is necessary to insure the security and free¬ World War I American Expeditionary through the years to realize what a vibrant System of protection for our civilian popu¬ dom of the American people. Force came together in Paris and and viable force we have been on the lation. While the Legion is concerned with founded the Legion during a caucus. American scene. While our primary concern is for the these programs nationally, we are basically Two months later, in St. Louis, For example, the establishment of the veteran and his family, The American a hometown organization and have been another caucus meeting adopted the Veterans Administration, later the Legion is in step with issues that are na¬ during our 82 years of service to God and name "The American Legion" for the Department of Veterans Affairs, with its tional and international in scope. The Country. Our members are to be found in organization. The Legion's draft consti¬ hospital-medical-care program for veterans; American Legion has always been counted nearly 15,000 local Legion Posts scattered tution was approved, as was its pream¬ aid to the sick and handicapped; programs in the cause of a strong system of national throughout the United States and more ble, which began "For God and Coun¬ for the protection and well-being of our security and forthright dealings with other than 20 foreign countries. try, we associate ourselves together." nation's children; and advanced education nations. Many of the important things The The preamble, with its heartfelt dedica¬ and training for America's war veterans It is ironic that the founders of The American Legion and American Legion¬ tion to freedom and democracy, is still under the Legion sponsored and supported American Legion believed that the organi¬ naires do are being done right here in this recited today at official gatherings of G.I. Bill of Rights, are just a few. zation would one day phase itself out of community. This is where Legionnaires are The American Legion. White these programs are and should be existence, since they had just fought the providing programs for young Americans, And that was just the start. The top priority, The American Legion's main "war to end all wars" and certainly the such as American Legion Baseball, Boy American Legion was instrumental in program has been its rehabilitation pro¬ world would not come to grips with this Scout sponsorship, American Legion Boys helping overcome the obstacles facing gram. It is one of service to those who kind of horror again. In the late 1930s, the State, Junior Shooting Sports and High veterans of World War I, and it contin¬ served their nation in time of national Legion was already contemplating that School Oratorical Contest. ues to champion the rights of this emergency and to their dependents and within a few short years, the organization This is where the Legion seeks to lend a country's veterans and their families, beneficiaries,,wherever they might reside would reach its peak and begin to fulfill the hand to veterans by helping them with as well as those still serving in our mili¬ without cost or obligation on their part. destiny its founders had envisioned. their employment and educational prob¬ tary. This concept as seen and practiced by The It is also ironic that within this same lems. This is where the Legion reaches out Below is a speech written by our American Legion, includes physical, men¬ timeframe, The American Legion was urg¬ to the sick and the disabled veteran and his Public Relations staff for this, our 82nd tal, vocational and economic rehabilitation. ing that the United States should keep it¬ family to assist them in whatever way pos¬ birthday, for use by our membership at We believe it to be the public policy of self prepared militarily, something the Le¬ sible. Legion birthday celebrations. The this nation, to make available to its veter¬ gion had been doing since its beginning. Ladies and gentlemen, The American words of the speech ring true about ans the highest quality of health care and The Legion was calling for an Army and Legion is, as its founders intended, an ex¬ both what we've accomplished in the rehabilitation services, and to grant to Navy, adequate in size, strength and train¬ cellent vehicle for continued and important past and what we'll continue to accom¬ those who are disabled, or to their widows ing, to maintain the safety and dignity of civic service for the veterans who served plish in the future. and orphans, compensation and pension the nation. And as we all know, the Le¬ America in war. benefits commensurate with their needs. gion's warning was drowned out by the Today, there are more than 19 million Serving the disabled veterans of World The American Legion's nationwide sys¬ terrible attack on Pearl Harbor. American military veterans eligible to join War I was the first thought of the founders tem of veterans service officers did not Another generation of veterans joined our organization. Since Aug. 2,1990, of The American Legion. Their task was spring up over night. Since 1919, it has re¬ the ranks of the Legion with the hope that every man and woman serving on active monumental. There were no hospitals, no quired the careful planning and constant perhaps they would be the last. I can assure duty is eligible for membership. More than beds, no medical care, no government com¬ attention of a sound-thinking membership, you that every American Legionnaire 60 percent of reserve and National Guard pensation — in fact, no provisions whatev¬ and most important - teamwork. dreams of that day when there will be no members are eligible. er for looking after the battlefield wounded As The American Legion grew from a more war, but the reality of life and the per¬ New members can always find opportu¬ cases of the first World War. struggling infant in 1919 to America's versity of man did not permit that dream to nities for service in this many faceted orga¬ What the fledgling American Legion did foremost veterans organization, teamwork come true. We now have in our ranks vet¬ nization. to overcome these obstacles is dramatically has played a major role in the success of erans of not only the Great War, but also We bridge all racial and religious differ¬ linked with the entire social progress of the our veterans affairs and rehabilitation pro¬ World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert ences and cross all economic and social bar¬ American nation following World War I. gram. The American Legion is justly proud Storm, as well as military actions in riers in building a force of 2.55-million Yet, few have ever given a second thought of this program, which has provided a ser¬ Lebanon, Panama and Grenada. American men and women for the good of to The American Legion as a great modern vice unequalled by any other organization Almost as a matter of course, it seems, our society. We are men and women who social force in these United States. in this nation. Through this service, The prevailing American public sentiment simply want to make our wartime service You could ask the question: How is this American Legion has placed all of the facil¬ urges the dismantling of the military forces and sacrifice count for something positive so? Let's consider some statistics to find ities of the National and Department following a period of military conflict. for America. our answer. More than 42 million men and Headquarters and the local Posts as close to There is always someone advocating that Today, as we celebrate 82 years of com¬ women have served in the United States the veterans as his or her nearest Legion the defense budget be cut. This was true radeship, let us take pride in continuing a Armed Forces from the Revolution onward Post, and it is all free of charge. following World War I and it is true again great legacy. We are American Legion¬ and more than 25 million are still living. As 1 mentioned, The American Legion today. naires. We are "Still Serving America." Living veterans and their families, plus the takes a great deal of pride in its efforts to The American Legion has again taken Thank you. Taps Jay Field ber of the National Americanism Council from 1964 to 1962 to 1963 and 1983 to 1984, National M&PA Commit¬ Honolulu, Hawaii 1965, the National Distinguished Guests Committee from tee Vice Chairman from 1958 to 1961, Department M&PA Jay Field (Department of Hawaii) of Post 56 passed 1969 to 1970, the National M&PA Committee from 1967 to Committee Chairman from 1983 to 1984, National Security away Feb. 15. He was a World War II Army veteran with 48 1968 and the National Legislative Council from 1975 to Council Vice Chairman from 1968 to 1985 and 1995 to continuous years of Legion membership. 1976. 1998, National Life Insurance & Trust Committee Vice Mr. Field served as Department Commander from 1968 He is survived by his .wife, Emiko, and three sons. Chairman from 1990 to 1993 and Department Internal to 1969 and 1973 to 1974, Department Adjutant from 1975 Affairs Chairman from 1963 to 1965. to 1976, Alternate National Executive Committeeman from Roy Koeneman He was a member of the National M&PA Committee 1971 to 1972, National Counter-Subversive Activities Belleville, III. from 1957 to 1958 and 1962 to 1964, the National Hous¬ Committee member from 1965 to 1968 and 1969 to 1980, Robert Koeneman (Department of Illinois) of Post 480 ing Committee from 1962 to 1968, the National Life In¬ Department Vice Commander from 1967 to 1968, Depart¬ passed away Feb. 24. He was a World War II Army veteran surance & Trust Committee from 1985 to 1993 and the ment M&PA Chairman from 1967 to 1968, Department with 55 continuous years of Legion membership. National Finance Commission Liaison Committee from Americanism Chairman from 1964 to 1965, Department Mr. Koeneman served as Department Commander from 1993 to 1995. Counter-Subversive Chairman from 1970 to 1972, Depart¬ 1984 to 1985, National Executive Committeeman from He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and two daughters ment PR Chairman from 1969 to 1972 and Department 1993 to 1995, Alternate National Executive Committeeman and a son. Condolences can be sent to his wife, 422 S. Publications Chairman from 1975 to 1978. He was a mem¬ from 1991 to 1993, Department Vice Commander from High St„ Belleville, IL 62220-2119. On the road: Post success stories New opportunities exist to expand Legion’s role By James Fiedler donating start-up funds and conduct¬ The past year has been very excit¬ ing special fund-raisers, with all pro¬ ing, with new opportunities constantly ceeds donated to the new or revital¬ opening up to expand The American ized Post. When you see this level of Legion's presence in communities and interest and participation, you can on military installations. bank on an effective mentoring The Post Development and Revi¬ process being in place to help these talization program, combined with the Posts. Anyone who has worked with Reconnect effort, is propelling the new Posts knows Post success de¬ Legion into the 21st Century. It's easy pends on good follow-up and mentor¬ to recognize the interest the young ing. veteran has in Legion programs and Individuals with diverse back¬ services. It only takes a little time to ground experiences are helping devel¬ talk with young veterans and active- op existing Posts and chartering new duty personnel to find out how inter¬ Posts. Though their backgrounds may ested in The American Legion they differ - from retired to semi-retired, are. from blue-collar workers to profes¬ When looking for examples of suc¬ sionals, from career military to law cess, look no further than Naval Air enforcement and everyone in between Station Lemoore in Lemoore, Calif., or - they are united by a commitment to Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great service through Legion programs. Ken Shanklin, past District 14 Commander, Falls, Mont., where the Legion was In California, retired Air Force Lt. Department of California, passes out able to charter Posts. These newly- Col. Ken Shanklin, past District 14 American flags to children at Naval Air Station Lemoore in Lemoore, Calif. chartered Posts serve as examples of Commander, enjoys setting up a Shanklin has been successful setting up the relationship between those who recruiting station at a base exchange, recruiting stations at base exchanges and have served in the country's armed saying it gives him a chance to talk often asks children passing by if they can recite the Pledge of Allegiance. If they can, forces and those who are presently with some of America's best - military like the young patriot to the left, he presents serving. It's a true "reconnection" that personnel. Shanklin says he also them with a flag. has the positive effect of developing a enjoys asking passing children if they better understanding of each group's know the Pledge of Allegiance. When Their combined efforts have resulted commitment to service. they salute the flag and recite the in three new Posts in the past eight The modern military and The pledge, he thanks them by presenting months. Their combined efforts trans¬ American Legion have many things in them with an American Flag. Shanklin late into Legion Posts now providing common. Both remain fluid, meeting says the parents follow the children, services and opportunities for chil¬ the challenges and demands placed and soon they are signing up to join young veteran to sign a young veter¬ dren, veterans and their families in upon them by an ever-changing the Legion. an. He found this to be a myth; the locations where Legion Posts were world. A Post whose membership is Montana Department Executive truth is that the young veterans nonexistent last year. made up of both active-duty and Committeeman Sam Pappas has found respected him for his experience and "The ground is fertile," Sperry said. retired military personnel is a Post the key element in recruiting to be knowledge of Legion programs and "We just haven't been planting any providing an opportunity for an knowing the services and programs how they work for all age groups of seed." exchange of ideas and concepts. offered by The American Legion. veterans, veterans' families and our These are just a few examples of In the true sense of mutual helpful¬ Pappas' work resulted in developing a communities. what dedicated Legionnaires with a ness, we find Districts and neighbor¬ Legion Post comprised of retired mili¬ Department Commander Art true understanding of The American ing Posts working to assist newly- tary and active-duty military at Ellison, Sperry and Department Legion have accomplished. Many chartered Posts or revitalized Posts. Malmstrom AFB. Executive Committeeman Larry more success stories are waiting out Often the District has purchased the Montana Department Vice Stroklund say they understand the there to be written. colors for a new Post to welcome it to Commander Ed Sperry says he felt he importance of communications in the District and the Legion. wouldn't be successful in signing keeping continuity in the Post James Fiedler is an assistant director of Neighboring Posts also help by young veterans and was told it takes a Development / Revitalization program. Membership.

5 Commander Debra Roush. "We were Coast Guard's historian. "A lot of TAMPA FROM PAGE 1 very honored. It was overdue." things fall through the cracks. Because Past Post Chaplain John H. Padgett the Purple Heart was not being used viving one devastating fire there. It is Sr. accepted two Purple Hearts, cita¬ during World War d, giving an award now safely displayed inside. tions and plaques for Carmichael- (now) to those who died on the Tampa Post 167 was chartered under the Legree Post 167. is a special recognition for the sacrifice names of two of the cutter's crew mem¬ The American Revolution-born of the crew." bers, Herman Carmichael and Eston Purple Heart was idled between the First launched from Newport News, Drew Legree. time of George Washington and Frank¬ Va., on Feb. 10, 1912, the cutter was Both of the Tampa Posts, along with lin D. Roosevelt. Only three Purple originally named the Miami. However, five descendants of Tampa's crew, now Hearts were awarded by Washington. because of the crew's strong ties to display Purple Hearts, plaques and Roosevelt re-established the honor in Tampa, Fla., it was renamed in 1916. citations for the 111 Coast Guardsmen 1932 for U.S. Army soldiers wounded The USCGC Tampa was based in who died in the attack, which also took or killed by wartime enemy action. Gibraltar during World War I and the lives of four U.S. Navy sailors, 10 Ten years later, eligibility was escorted Allied ship convoys to the Royal Navy men and five civilians. broadened to include the Navy, Marine United Kingdom. The January presentation was made Corps and the Coast Guard. But the Guiding 18 convoys consisting of by 7th Coast Guard District Comman¬ medal was not retroactive to World 350 vessels during its one-year span of der Thad W. Allen and James Howe, War I until President Harry Truman service, the Tampa lost only two Allied commanding officer of the modern issued those orders in 1952. Only then ships in enemy action. USCGC Tampa. Tours of the cutter did the crew of the Tampa fit the eligi¬ Only the mysterious USS Cyclops, a were offered to about 300 people who bility criteria. Navy cargo ship that disappeared This stained-glass panel is inside USCGC attended. "Usually awards and medals are without a trace with 309 aboard in Tampa Post 5, Florida, and contains the "For the Post to receive a Purple retroactively given because of over¬ March 1918, had a greater loss of life at image of the Post’s namesake, the names of those who died in the attack on the ship and Heart was truly astounding," said Post sights," said Robert Browning, the sea during World War I. The American Legion emblem March 9, 2001 6 Dispatch Tracking support for the flag-protection amendment The flag-protection amend¬ Lois Capps (D-22) Sanford Bishop Jr. (D-2)* John Cooksey (R-5)* Nebraska Doug Bereuter (R-l)* ment will soon be reintro¬ Elton Gallegly (R-23) Michael Collins (R-3) Richard Baker (R-6) duced in the 107th Congress. Brad Sherman (D-24) Cynthia McKinney (D-4) (D-7) Lee Terry (R-2) Thomas Osborne (R-3)* Please review the list here and Howard McKeon (R-25) John Lewis (D-5) contact your U.S. represent- . Howard Berman (D-26) Johnny Isakson (R-6)* Maine ative. Thank those who sup¬ Adam Schiff (D-27) (R-7) Thomas Allen (D-l) Nevada Shelley Berkley (D-l) port it and encourage those David Dreier (R-28) Saxby Chambliss (R-8) John Baldacci (D-2) James Gibbons (R-2) opposed or undecided to lend Henry Waxman (D-29) Nathan Deal (R-9)* their support to it. All repre¬ Xavier Becerra (D-30) Charles Norwood (R-10) Maryland sentatives should be urged to Hilda Solis (D-31) John Linder (R-ll) Wayne Gilchrest (R-l) New Hampshire become official co-sponsors of Open seat (32) Robert Ehrlich Jr., (R-2)* John Sununu (R-l)* the Cunningham-Murtha Flag Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-33) Hawaii Benjamin Cardin (D-3) Charles Bass (R-2) Protection Amendment. Grace Napolitano (D-34) Neil Abercrombie (D-l) Albert Wynn (D-4) Telephone numbers for Maxine Waters (D-35) Patsy Mink (D-2) Steny Hoyer (D-5) New Jersey Robert Andrews (D-l) district offices can be obtained Jane Harman (D-36) Roscoe Bartlett (R-6) Frank LoBiondo (R-2)* from the blue pages of local Juanita Millender-McDonald Idaho Elijah Cummings (D-7) Jim Saxton (R-3)* phone books or by calling the (D-37) C.L. Otter (R-l) Connie A. Morelia (R-8) Christopher Smith (R-4)* U.S. Capitol switchboard at Steve Horn (R-38) Mike Simpson (R-2)* Marge Roukema (R-5) (202) 224-3121. Letters should Edward Royce (R-39) Massachusetts Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6) be addressed to The Honor¬ Jerry Lewis (R-40) Illinois John Olver (D-l) Michael Ferguson (R-7) able (full name), U.S. House of Gary Miller (R-41)* Bobby Rush (D-l) Richard Neal (D-2) William Pascrell Jr. (D-8) Representatives, Washington, Joe Baca (D-42) Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-2) James McGovern (D-3) Steven Rothman (D-9) D.C., 20515. Ken Calvert (R-43) William Lipinski (D-3)* Barney Frank (D-4) Those representatives who Mary Bono (R-44) Luis Gutierrez (D-4) Marty Meehan (D-5) Donald Payne (D-10) Rodney Frelinghuysen (R- have expressed support for Dana Rohrabacher (R-45)* Rod Blagojevich (D-5) John Tierney (D-6) the flag amendment are in Loretta Sanchez (D-46) Henry Hyde (R-6) Edward Markey (D-7) 11)* bold, those undecided in ital¬ Christopher Cox (R-47) Danny Davis (D-7) Michael Capuano (D-8) Rush Holt (D-12) Robert Menendez (D-13) ics, those opposed in red and Darrell Issa (R-48) Philip Crane (R-8) Joe Moakley (D-9) those sponsoring the bill Susan Davis (D-49) Janice Schakowsky (D-9) William Delahunt (D-10) New Mexico marked with an asterisk. (D-50) Mark Kirk (R-10) Randy Cunningham (R-51)* Jerry Weller (R-ll) Michigan Heather Wilson (R-l) Joe Skeen (R-2) Alabama Duncan Hunter (R-52)* Jerry Costelle (D-12) Bart Stupak (D-l) Sonny Callahan (R-l) Judy Biggert (R-13) Peter Hoekstra (R-2) Tom Udall (D-3) Terry Everett (R-2)* Colorado J. (R-14) Vernon Ehlers (R-3) Bob Riley (R-3)* Diana DeGette (D-l) Timothy Johnson (R-15) Dave Camp (R-4)* Felix Grucci Jr. (R-l) Robert Aderholt (R-4) Mark Udall (D-2) Donald Manzullo (R-16) James Barcia (D-5)* (D-2) Robert Cramer (D-5)* Scott Mclnnis (R-3) Lane Evans (D-17) Fred Upton (R-6) Peter King (R-3)* Spencer Bachus (R-6)* Bob Schaffer (R-4) Ray LaHood (R-18) Nick Smith (R-7) Carolyn McCarthy (D-4)* Earl Hilliard (D-7) Joel Hefley (R-5) David Phelps (D-19) Michael Rogers (R-8) Thomas Tancredo (R-6) John Shimkus (R-20)* Dale Kildee (D-9) (D-5) Alaska David Bonior (D-10) (D-6) Joseph Crowley (D-7)* Don Young (R-at large) Connecticut Indiana Joseph Knollenberg (R-ll) John Larson (D-l) Peter Visclosky (D-l) Sander Levin (D-12) Jerrold Nadler (D-8) Robert Simmons (R-2)* Mike Pence (R-2) Lynn Rivers (D-13) Anthony David Weiner (D-9) (D-10) (R-l) Rosa DeLauro (D-3) Tim Roemer (D-3) John Conyers Jr. (D-14) (D-2) Christopher Shays (R-4) Mark Souder (R-4)* Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-15) (D-ll) Bob Stump (R-3)* James Maloney (D-5) (R-5)* John Dingell (D-16) Nydia Velazquez (D-12) (R-13)* (R-4) Nancy Johnson (R-6) Dan Burton (R-6)* (R-5) Brian Kems (R-7) Minnesota (D-14) J.D. Hayworth (R-6) Delaware John Hostettler (R-8) Gil Gutknecht (R-l)* (D-15) Michael Castle (R-at large) Baron Hill (D-9) Mark Kennedy (R-2) Jose Serrano (D-16) Arkansas Julia Carson (D-10) Jim Ramstad (R-3)* (D-17) Marion Berry (D-l) Florida Betty McCollum (D-4) (D-18) Joe Scarborough (R-l) Iowa Martin Olav Sabo (D-5) Sue Kelly (R-19)* Vic Snyder (D-2) (R-20)* Asa Hutchinson (R-3)* F. Allen Boyd Jr. (D-2) Jim Leach (R-l) Bill Luther (D-6) Michael McNulty (D-21)* Michael Ross (D-4) Corrine Brown (D-3) (R-2) Collin Peterson (D-7) Ander Crenshaw (R-4)* Leonard Boswell (D-3) James Oberstar (D-8) John Sweeney (R-22)* (R-23)* California Karen Thurman (D-5)* Greg Ganske (R-4)* John McHugh (R-24) Mike Thompson (D-l) Cliff Stearns (R-6) Tom Latham (R-5) Mississippi Wally Herger (R-2) John Mica (R-7) Roger Wicker (R-l)* James Walsh (R-25) Doug Ose (R-3) Ric Keller (R-8) Kansas Bennie Thompson (D-2) (D-26) John Doolittle (R-4) Michael Bilirakis (R-9)* Jerry Moran (R-l) Charles Pickering Jr., (R-3) Thomas Reynolds (R-27)* Robert Matsui (D-5) C.W. Young (R-10) Jim Ryun (R-2)* Ronnie Shows (D-4)* Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D- Lynn Woolsey (D-6) Jim Davis (D-ll) Dermis Moore (D-3) Gene Taylor (D-5)* 28) George Miller (D-7) Adam Putnam (R-12) Todd Tiahrt (R-4) John LaFalce (D-29) (R-30) Nancy Pelosi (D-8) Dan Miller (R-13) Missouri Amory Houghton Jr. (R-31) Barbara Lee (D-9) Porter Goss (R-14) Kentucky William Clay Jr. (D-l) Ellen Tauscher (D-10) Dave Weldon (R-15) Edward Whitfield (R-l) Todd Akin (R-2) Richard Pombo (R-ll) Mark Foley (R-16)* Ron Lewis (R-2) Richard Gephardt (D-3) North Carolina Tom Lantos (D-12) Carrie Meek (D-17) Anne Northup (R-3) (D-4)* Eva Clayton (D-l) Bob Etheridge (D-2) Fortney Stark (D-13) Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-18) Ken Lucas (D-4) Karen McCarthy (D-5) Walter Jones Jr. (R-3) Anna Eshoo (D-14) Robert Wexler (D-19) Harold Rogers (R-5)* Samuel Graves (R-6) Mike Honda (D-15) Peter Deutsch (D-20) Ernest (R-6)* Roy Blunt (R-7) David Price (D-4) Richard Burr (R-5) Zoe Lofgren (D-16) Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-21) Jo Ann Emerson (R-8) Howard Coble (R-6) Sam Farr (D-l 7) E. Clay Shaw Jr. (R-22) Kenny Hulshof (R-9) Gary Condit (D-18) Alcee Hastings (D-23) (R-l) Mike McIntyre (D-7) George Radanovich (R-19) William Jefferson (D-2) Montana Robin Hayes (R-8) Calvin Dooley (D-20)* Georgia W.J. Tauzin (R-3) Dennis Rehberg (R-at large) Sue Myrick (R-9)* William Thomas (R-21) Jack Kingston (R-l) Jim McCrery (R-4)* SEE FLAG, PAGE 7 Dispatch 7

Dateline: Capitol Hill Washington Legislative Rally to feature noted speakers The American Legion's 40th annu¬ ■ Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., new day. The measures' sponsors, Sens. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J. If enact¬ al Washington Conference will chairman of the VA Subcommittee on Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Max Cleland, ed, the bill would establish a compre¬ take place in the nation's capital Oversight and Investigations, Who will D-Ga., and Reps. Duke Cunningham, hensive program for testing and treat¬ March 11-14. speak on the subject of military voting R-Calif., and John Murtha, D-Pa., will ment of veterans with the hepatitis C One of the con¬ in U.S. elections; conduct a joint press conference on virus. ference's high¬ ■Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who will Capitol Hill. All Washington This includes protocols for testing lights will be speak on the issue of concurrent Conference attendees are urged to and treatment, assignment of a mini¬ the Legislative receipt. Reid has introduced legisla¬ attend. mum number of personnel in each VA Rally, set for the tion, S 170, which would rfiow service- facility specifically to deal with hepati¬ morning of connected military retirees to receive Legion pushes for hepatitis C bill tis C cases and the establishment of up March 13. both retired pay and VA disability The American Legion continues to to three hepatitis C centers of excel¬ During the compensation without subtraction express great concern over the state of lence in VA geographic service areas rally, Legion from either; VA treatment of veterans who suffer with the highest case rates of hepatitis family members ■ Department of Veterans Affairs from hepatitis C, a rare disease identi¬ C in FY 1999. Currently, HR 639 has 43 will be briefed Secretary Anthony Principi, who will fied as recently as 1989. The disease is cosponsors. by various com¬ talk about the challenges facing VA in especially prevalent among veterans This legislation is similar to a bill John A. mission chair¬ that Frelinghuysen introduced in the Brieden III men on the leg¬ 106th Congress. However, after meet¬ islative issues The American Legion’s Distinguished ing with officials of The American most important Legion and other veterans' service to our organization. Public Service Award will be presented organizations, he made changes to the In addition to these briefings, The legislation and introduced the current American Legion's Distinguished to Rep. Bob Stump, R-Ariz. bill. Public Service Award will be presented Discussions are also being conduct¬ to Rep. Bob Stump, R-Ariz., recently ed with the staff of Sen. Olympia appointed chairman of the Armed the coming years and the VA budget who served in Vietnam and were Snowe, R-Maine, who introduced simi¬ Services Committee for the 107th for Fiscal Year 2002; exposed to the virus as a result of com¬ lar legislation in 1999, to reintroduce Congress. Stump has been a member of ■ Representative Chris Smith, R- bat-related surgical care. A reliable test her bill in the Senate. Snowe's bill the Veterans' Affairs Committee for 16 N.J., new chairman of the VA for hepatitis C was not dev doped until would include new language dealing of his 24 years in Congress; he has been Committee, who will discuss the 1992. As more veterans are diagnosed with veterans who receive tattoos chairman of that panel for the past six panel's upcoming agenda for the 107th with hepatitis C, VA must develop new while on active duty. years. He will be honored for his long¬ Congress. treatments and new strategies to Most members of Congress are time support for veterans' programs, a After the rally, Legionnaires will address this issue. Many VA medical reluctant to endorse legislation that strong national defense and the flag- travel to Capitol Hill to meet with their facilities are ill-equipped to handle the allows veterans, who were put at risk protection constitutional amendment. elected congressional officials to dis¬ growing numbers of veterans being as a result of tattooing, eligibility for Another highlight of the rally will be cuss The American Legion's legislative diagnosed with hepatitis C. treatment. several speakers from the executive priorities. In addition, the flag-protec¬ As a result, Congress is taking steps and legislative branches of the federal tion constitutional amendment legisla¬ to address this problem. On Feb. 22, John A. Brieden III is Chairman of The government. They include: tion will be reintroduced that same HR 639 was introduced by Rep. American Legion Legislative Commission.

FLAG FROM PAGE 6 Ernest Istook Jr. (R-5) South Carolina William Thornberry (R-13) James Moran (D-8) Frank Lucas (R-6) Henry Brown Jr. (R-l) Ron Paul (R-14). Rick Boucher (D-9) Cass Ballenger (R-10) (R-2) Ruben Hinojosa (D-15) Frank Wolf (R-10)* Charles Taylor (R-ll) Oregon Lindsey Graham (R-3) Silvestre Reyes (D-16) Thomas Davis III (R-ll)* Mel Watt (D-12) David Wu (D-l) Jim DeMint (R-4) Charles Stenholm (D-17)* Greg Walden (R-2)* John Spratt Jr. (D-5) Sheila Jackson Lee (D-18) Washington North Dakota Earl Blumenauer (D-3) James Clyburn (D-6) Larry Combest (R-19) Jay Inslee (D-l) Earl Pomeroy (D-at large) Peter DeFazio (D-4) Charles Gonzalez (D-20) Richard Larsen (D-2) Darlene Hooley (D-5) South Dakota Lamar Smith (R-21)* Brian Baird (D-3) Ohio John Thune (R-at large)* Tom DeLay (R-22) Doc Hastings (R-4) Steve Chabot (R-l) Pennsylvania Henry Bonilla (R-23) George Nethercutt Jr. (R-5) (R-2) Robert Brady (D-l) Tennessee Martin Frost (D-24) Norman Dicks (D-6) Tony Hall (D-3) Chaka Fattah (D-2) William Jenkins (R-l) Ken Bentsen (D-25) Jim McDermott (D-7) Michael Oxley (R-4) Robert Borski (D-3) John Duncan Jr. (R-2)* Richard Armey (R-26) Jennifer Dunn (R-8) Paul Gillmor (R-5)* Melissa Hart (R-4)* Zach Wamp (R-3) Solomon Ortiz (D-27) (D-9) Ted Strickland (D-6) John Peterson (R-5) Van Hilleary (R-4)* Ciro Rodriguez (D-28) David Hobson (R-7) Tim Holden (D-6) Bob Clement (D-5) Gene Green (D-29)* West Virginia John Boehner (R-8) Curt Weldon (R-7) Bart Gordon (D-6) Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-30) Alan Mollohan (D-l) Marcy Kaptur (D-9) Jim Greenwood (R-8) Ed Bryant (R-7) Shelley Moore Capito (R-2) Dennis Kucinich (D-10) Don Sherwood (R-10) John Tanner (D-8) Utah Nick Rahal II (D-3)* Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-ll) Paul Kanjorksi (D-ll)* Harold Ford Jr. (D-9) James Hansen (R-l) Patrick Tiberi (R-12) John Murtha (D-12)* James David Matheson (D-2) Wisconsin Sherrod Brown (D-13) Joseph Hoeffel HI (D-13) Texas Chris Cannon (R-3) Paul Ryan (R-l) Thomas Sawyer (D-14) William Coyne (D-14) Max Sandlin (D-l) Tammy Baldwin (D-2) Deborah Pryce (R-15) Pat Toomey (R-15)* Jim Turner (D-2) Vermont Ron Kind (D-3) Ralph Regula (R-16) Joseph Pitts (R-16) Sam Johnson (R-3) Bernard Sanders (I-at large) Jerry Kleczka (D-4) James Traficant Jr. (D-17) George Gekas (R-17) Ralph Hall (D-4) Thomas Barrett (D-5) Bob Ney (R-18) Mike Doyle (D-18)* Pete Sessions (R-5) Virginia Thomas Petri (R-6) Steven LaTourette (R-19) Todd Platts (R-19) Joe Barton (R-6)* Jo Ann Davis (R-l) David Obey (D-7) Frank Mascara (D-20) John Culberson (R-7) Edward Schrock (R-2)* Mark Green (R-8)* Oklahoma Philip English (R-21)* Kevin Brady (R-8) Bobby Scott (D-3) F. James Sensenbrenner (R-9) Steve Largent (R-l) Nicholas Lampson (D-9) Norman Sisisky (D-4) Brad Carson (D-2) Rhode Island Lloyd Doggett (D-10) Virgil Goode Jr. (1-5)* Wyoming Wes Watkins (R-3) Patrick Kennedy (D-l) Chet Edwards (D-ll)* Bob Goodlatte (R-6) Barbara Cubin (R-at large) J.C. Watts Jr. (R-4) James Langevin (D-2) Kay Granger (R-12) Eric Cantor (R-7) 8 Dispatch March 9, 2001 Courts interfering with power of Constitution Regardless of one's presidential government, but the government, the hard work of the CFA. using the Constitution as an excuse to choice in the last election, many through the courts, has been using it to Our efforts to return to the people ban school prayer. They don't realize were offended by the actions of defile the values of the people and the right to protect their flag is driven that it is the courts, not Congress, who the various courts and lawyers. There redefine our Constitution. by our duty to protect and defend the do this. -v. was a winner and a loser in the presi¬ Last March, 93 percent of the Senate Constitution. We do not believe we This data is not an indictment of our dential battle, voted for flag protection either through have the right to ignore the constitu¬ Constitution; it is an indictment of our but only losers an amendment or a statute. There are tional mistakes of the Supreme Court. educational system. And it is hardly in the judicial few reasonable people who maintain In this process we pray that our youth surprising, considering what is in our battle. We saw that burning the flag is speech. Yet the learn more about the treasure that is textbooks. A survey of the four most the highest Supreme Court has ruled just that. A their Constitution. Defending the Con¬ popular American history books found court of a state, former Chief Justice of the Supreme stitution is the core issue and absolute¬ only three to six pages on the Bill of and of America, Court said the Constitution is what the ly vital for young people today. Rights. In the same book there were 24 look at identical judges, say it is. Judges are able to Consider: A recent survey of high pages on the civil rights movement, 12 laws and come change the Constitution because we the school students found that less than pages on the environmental move¬ to diametrically people, many of us, do not understand half knew what the Bill of Rights was, ment, 20 pages on diversity, 23 pages opposite con¬ our rights or the Bill of Rights or don't 98 percent could not name the Chief on labor unions and 10 pages on clusions. There care. The CFA believes the Consti¬ Justice of the Supreme Court, only 26 President Clinton. Every book had can be little tution is what the people say it is, and percent knew the Constitution was more on Clinton than on the Bill of doubt that it that is why we will be taking our fight written in Philadelphia, 58 percent Rights. And many of these books por¬ was not the law for the flag into the 107th Congress. could not name the three branches of tray America in a poor light. but the political Once again we are in a strong posi¬ government and only 9 percent knew So it is important to know that the ideology of tion in the House. We can count over that Lincoln's hometown was Spring- battle for the flag is about much more some judges that ruled. The prejudices 300 votes there; 32 of 41 new House field, Illinois. than a colored cloth. It is about our fab¬ and confusions of the courts opened members support the right of the peo¬ But 75 percent knew Springfield was ric as a people. It is about our Consti¬ the eyes of many Americans, and that ple to protect their flag, only three home to Bart Simpson. Ninety percent tution. Once the flag amendment gets is good, but for many others it was yet oppose, the rest are undecided. Things knew-the male star of "Titanic" and 92 out of the Congress, it will go to the another repetition of the political and are tougher in the Senate. We count percent believed the Spice Girls pro¬ people for a long overdue debate on cultural opinions of judges overruling only 64 of the 67 votes needed, with moted girl power. the Bill of Rights and the First a just interpretation of the law. eight of the 12 new senators supporting Another survey found that only 51 Amendment. Finally, the people will But there have been many judicial the flag. percent of the people would vote for be able to get their hands on their scandals on other closely-decided But we have the support of the pres¬ passage of the Constitution if it were Constitution and show the judges that issues which overrode the will of the ident now. Hopefully, his labors to put on a ballot today. Twenty-two per¬ the Constitution is not what they say it people, took from us the right to unify will encourage support for the cent would be against it and 27 percent is, it is what the people say it is. choose right from wrong and rede¬ symbol of unity. were not sure they would support it. fined, against our will, our personal It is noteworthy that 87 percent of Yet 81 percent agree that the First Patrick H. Brady is chairman of the morality. The Bill of Rights was de¬ newly-elected members of Congress Amendment protection of speech is board of the Citizens Flag Alliance signed to defend the people from the support the flag. This fact is a tribute to good. And 63 percent think Congress is (www.cfa-inc.org). Get-well notes Magazine story rekindles lost friendship Dominic DiFrancesco Past National Commander Letter reunites '45 Dominic DiFrancesco has been hos¬ pitalized for major surgery and is Air Corps buddies progressing normally. Get-well cards can be sent to his home at 6 By Elissa Kaupisch Bangor Road, Middletown, Pa Contributing Editor 17057-3202. Some pranks are too good to forget, even after 56 years. Just ask Legion¬ Newton Bracken naires Martin Pelland of Tucson, Ariz., Department of Delaware Co¬ and, William Mrazek of Naperville, Ill. mmander Newton "Newt" Bracken Pelland's letter to The American recently had bypass surgery. Get- Legion Magazine describing a buddy's well wishes can be sent to his home, prank during Army Air Corps basic training at Sheppard Field, Wichita

Leisure Point Box C5, Millsboro, DE Courtesy William Mrazek 19966. Falls, Texas, in 1945 appeared in the September 1999 issue. John Mahoney Pelland described how recruits, John Mahoney, Past National deprived for the first time of the priva¬ Executive Committeeman and Past cy and comforts of home, slept in tents Department Commander of Illinois, with dirt floors and lined up to share William Mrazek, left, and Martin Pelland met recently underwent bypass surgery toilet facilities. during basic training at Sheppard Air Force in Chicago. His prognosis is good. One day Pelland, leaving the bar¬ Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1945. The photo at left was taken after the men had com¬ Get-well cards can be sent to his racks after showering, was crossing the pleted basic training. Thanks to Pelland’s let¬ home, 10231 S. Whipple, Chicago, IL sandy compound leading to his tent, ter, which appeared in the September 1999 60655. when his buddy, William Mrazek, sud¬ issue of The American Legion Magazine describing a Mrazek’s prank 56 years ago, the denly divested Pelland of the towel he two buddies have rekindled their friendship. Leo Maynard had wrapped around his waist, leaving Above is a current picture of Pelland, left, and Foreign Relations Council mem¬ Pelland standing stark naked. Mrazek. ber Leo Maynard, Past Department Just then, a lorry of open-back trucks Commander of Iowa and Past Na¬ loaded with female nurses drove by. After their military service, the two Pelland's defrocking in Texas and tional Executive Committeeman, has Pelland heard laughter and screams as men lost contact - that is, until talked about what had transpired in been hospitalized and undergone the women caught sight of him. Feeling Pelland's article appeared in the maga¬ their lives since then. successful surgery. Get-well wishes vulnerable, Pelland dropped to the zine. Mrazek read the article and con¬ The men plan to continue their can be sent Leo Maynard, 1425 12th ground, face down. Flabbergasted, he tacted his old buddy. reunions in 2001 and beyond, thanks to Ave., DeWitt, IA 52742-1042. stayed in the sand until the convoy Several months later, the friends a prank that neither man will ever for¬ passed. were reunited. They laughed about get.