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Vol. 149, No. 6 The Magazine for a Strong America December : ARTICLES

NATIONAL COMMANDER TAKES VETEItANS ISSUES TO Hill By John Raughter .^^

The Legion pushes for increased miiitary spending and accessible VA health care. I i

WARTIME CHRISTMASES Vets recall how the cold reality of the Korean War couldn't smother the spirit of Christmas.

SLAVERY IN THE 21ST CENTURY By Georgie Anne Geyer .

Human-rights efforts haven't eradicated a centuries-old evil. rl

INTHELINEOFFIREfiyPe/erfi./?ose Legionnaires pitch in to put out some of the l\/latchbox West's worst blazes yet il

THE BAHLE FOR AMERICAN ALLEGIANCE By John Fonte Some want to "dumb-down" citizenship requirements. Il

DR. BALINT VAZSONYI: A CONVERSATION WITH AMERICA interview „ The immigrant-activist is hard at work on a documentary about our nation 's founding principles. £§

HEPATITIS C: A DISEASE WITHOUT SYMPTOMS By Phyiiis zauner „ Ten percent of veterans may be infected with the mystery virus. M

MOUNTAIN LANDING GARNERED MEDAL OF HONOR By Edward f. Murphy „ One wingman risked it all trying to save a Navy aviator during the Korean War m lO P ARTMENTS J

ISSUES Should Internet-based commerce be taxed? SI

VETVOICE 4 DB>AiniViBVTCOMIVIAniDffisi LEGION NEWS

COMMANDER'S MESSAGE I NEC MEMBERS II VETS

WASHINGTON WATCH 38 VETERANS UPDATE H PARTING SHOTS II

COVER "Christmas Watch in Korea, " by Sean IVIcNally

The American Legion Magazine, a leader among notional general-Interest publications, is publistied monttily by The American Legion for Its 2,55 million readers. These wartime veterans, working through nearly 1 5,000 community-level Posts, dedicate themselves to God and Country and traditional Ameri- can values; strong national security; adequate and compossionote care for veterans, their widows and orphans; community service; and the wholesome development of our nation's youths.

DECEMBER 2000 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • ] DIABETES BENEFITS FOR r VETERANS HAVE CHANGED!! ^ For Cod and Count

700 N. Pennsylvania St. P.O. Box 1055 If you are having problems getting your diabetic supplies Indianapolis, IN 46206 317-630-1200 from the VA, call us. able to help. We may be National Commander Ray G. Smith

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Dick McNally Test Strips Lancets Editor John Raughter & £d/tor/a/ IVIanaging Editor Ron Hyink at little or Contributing Editor Steve BrOOkS Assistant Editor IVlatt Grills Assistant Editor Elissa Kaupisch NO COST TO YOU! Editorial Administrator Patricia Marschand General Administrator Robyn Black General Administrator Robin Bowman Call Today To Start Saving! Graph/cs/Producf/on Graphics/Production Manager Jon Reynolds Art Editor Holly K. Soria 1 -800-DIABETIC Designer Douglas Rollison

Advertising Manager Diane Andretti (1-800-342-2384) Advertising Assistant Laura Baker Advertising Assistant Sara Palmer

The American Legion Magazine P.O. Box 7068 diabetic com Indianapolis, IN 46207 Publisher's Representatives Fox Associates, Inc. Chicago: 312-644-3888 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ www.diabetic.com New York: 212-725-2106 Los Angeles: 310-841-0280 Detroit: 248-543-0068 Atlanta: 404-252-0968 San Francisco: 415-989-5804 The

Dennis J. Henkemeyer, Chairman, Sauk Rapids, MN; Samuel Barney, Vice Chairman, Lancaster, OH; Robert H. Allen, MyLegion.com National Representative, Mechanicsburg, PA; Commander's

Theodore R. Hartmann, Smithton, IL; Donald R. Conn, South Bend, IN; James W. Conway, Charlestown, MA: Hoy M, Haught, Huntsville, AR; James H. Hall, Hopewell, NJ; Bettylou

Visit www.MyLegion.com for: Evans, Laurel, DE; Eugene J. Kelley, Savannah, GA; James

P. Comiskey, Pittsburgh, PA; George G. Sinopoli, Fresno, CA; O Online Legion news and polls Philip B. Finley, Colby, KS; Joe D. Mercer, Oklahoma City, OK; Russell H. Laird, Des Moines, lA; J. Fred Mitchell, Brew-

O Online Legion discussion forums ton, AL; J.O. Berthelot, Gonzales, lA; Everett G. Shepard III, Woodstock, CT; Dolores Zegler, Bellevue, WA; Silas M. Noel, O Online Legion shopping discounts Frankfort, KY; Frank C. Ward, Greenville, SC; Robert E. Vass Sr., Huntington, WV; James J. Charleston, Arlington Hgts., IL

Casimir F. Sojka, New Rochelle, NY, consultants. O Online nnilitary news and Copyright 2000 by The American Legion

The American Legion (ISSN 0886-1234) is published monthly by The American Legion, 5745 Lee Road, India- Plus the best napolis, IN 46216. Periodicals postage paid at Indiana- polis, IN 46204 and additional mailing offices.

Annual non-member and gift subscriptions, $15 ($21, for- of the Web! eign); Post-sponsored and widows' subscriptions, $6; sin- gle copy, $3.50. Member annual subscription price $3.00,

which is included in annual member dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The American Legion, input Ser- Make vices, P.O. Box 1954, indianapolis, iN 46206. Internet address: htlp://www.legion.org. www.IVIyLegion.com Change of Address: Notify The American Legion, Input Services, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. (317) your gateway to the Internet 860-3111. Attach old address label, provide old and new addresses and current membership card number. and support the American Legion Canada Post International Publications Mall (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 546321. Re-entered every day! second-class mail matter at Manila Central Post office dated Dec. 22, 1991.

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2 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 magtiMcent sculptured A Please mail by December 31, 2000. collector plate created by America's The Franklin Mint Franklin Center, PA 19091-0001 foremost eagle sculptor Ronald Van Ruyckevelt. Please enter my order for Wings Over America by Ronald Abold American eagle soars high above majestic mountains, against the Van Ruyckevelt. I need SEND NO MONEY NOW. 1 will be billed $39.50* when my plate is ready to be sent. Limit: one plate per collector. backdrop of the "Stars and Stripes." It is an image that symbolizes .^^^^ j^^^^

and $495for s. courage, strength, freedom, the beauty of our country and our cherished

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by these gal- ment. We did not receive it. - Alex Sanchez, Yuma, Ariz. lant veterans - Gerald "Pete" Brooks, Union, Maine whose service to their country was not afford- Sacrifioe appreciated ed the wonder- I am a veteran of World War II and ful treatment Korea. Our armed forces liberated we World War II veterans received. It's many countries from tyranny. But of about time they received the tributes all the countries and all the people we they deserve, and this issue was one freed, the only people I have ever way to let them know we do care. heard thank me on a personal basis

- Helen Anderson Glass, Tucson, Ariz. are the Korean people. Many times I have had a Korean person take my hand and say, "Thank you for saving TnanKpu' orlngs tears Lesson for next generation my country." I enjoyed the article written by Jack The Korean War stories cry out - Ret. Maj. Arthur S. Manchester, Sauter ("Why Korea was Forgotten"). for reading and understanding. Cer- U.S. Army Reserve, It's great to get a "thank you" from tainly it can serve as source material Huntington Beach, Calif. people whose country you liberated. I for any study of Korea in high will reread this issue from time to time schools and colleges throughout the to remind myself that the Korean War United States and the world. I will Sailors' efforts forgotten will not be forgotten. keep my copy to pass on to my chil- I enjoyed the article by James Brady - Mike Rivera, Maiden, Mass. dren and grandchildren. ("Korea"). However, I take exception - Richard H. Grlesser. Appleton. Wis. to his statement that "our battleships and cruisers shelled enemy ridgelines; Post aids family in crisis and our sailors puked up their guts on I have been a member of Post 25 in Koreaamajnrwar the Sea of Japan." Newport News, Va., since 1992, and I I enjoyed the tribute to the Korean I was onboard the destroyer Frank want to commend The American Le- War. To our families that lost sons and E. Evans. In between puking, we man- gion for being the most caring organi- to those who never came home, it was a zation I have ever belonged to.

major war. On May 3 1 , my wife was killed in a My uncle, Kenneth Lee Green, died WE WANT YOUR OPINIONS car accident when a drunk driver struck in a Korean POW camp. He was her car, leaving me alone to raise our awarded the Bronze Star posthumously The American Legion Magazine five children, ranging in age from 1 to 8. for his actions while there. He was welcomes letters concerning articles The Post donated $300 to our fami- wounded when he arrived at the camp. that appear in the publication. Letter ly to help pay bills, and the Auxiliary's During one of the notorious death writers are also encouraged to submit chaplain, Darlene Mays, took my chil- photographs of themselves for marches, Kenneth - despite his own dren shopping for school clothes with possible publication with their letters. wounds - carried other wounded sol- funds from the Post. Be sure to include your hometown diers as they fell to keep them from be- These contributions during our time and a daytime phone number for ing assassinated Korean guards. of need were greatly appreciated, and by verification. All letters are subject to We are proud of Kenneth and those editing. Send your opinions to: such sacrifice deserves recognition. who gave their lives. - Thomas Cooper, Newport News, Va. The American Legion Magazine - Randy Brown, Bedford, Texas P.O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 Military in dire straits can also contact us via e- Cnnntrytaiied troops You Caspar Weinberger's article (U.S. mail directly or through the World As a Korean War veteran, I really Military: Downsized, Downtrodden Wide Web: appreciated your coverage of this so- and Discontented," October) concern- called "police action" ("Lessons From e-mail: [email protected] ing the sad state of our military just

Korea"). I have always felt that my Internet: http://www.legion.org may have been the best anyone has country failed to back our military and written about the subject. Those who

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BRIEF SUMMARY-CELEBREX® (celecoxib capsules) ing lithium 450 mg BID with CELEBREX 200 mg Bl Patients on lithium treatment should be closely introduced or with- INDICATIONS AND USAGE drawn. Methotrexate: In :ion study of rheumatoid arthritis patients taking methotrexate,

For relief of the signs and s\ i of OA, and of i RA CELEBREX did not have a s effect on the pharmacokinetics of methotrexate. Warfarin: Anti- CONTRAINDICATIONS coagulant activity should red, particularly in the first few days, after initiating or changing

CELEBREX is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensi celecoxib. CELEBREX should CELEBREX therapy in pati^ ! patients are at an

ased r ng complicatii . effect of c not be given to patients who have demonstrated allergic-type f ; to sulfonamides. CELEBREX The ithe t ticoagi t effect of V should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria p of healthy )iects receiving daily doses of 2-5 mg these after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic-lrke

been reported in sue ients (see WARNINGS — Anaphylactoid Reactit I PRECAUTIONS -marketing experience, bleeding events have been reported, predominant Preexisting Asthma).

WARNINGS ntly with \ . Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility: Celecoxib was not cinogenic in rats given oral doses up to 200 mg/kg for males and 10 mg/kg for Gastrointestinal (Gl) Effects -Risk of Gl Ulceration, Bleeding, ar females (appi mately 2- to 4-fold the the such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach, smi human exposure as measured by AUCo-24 at 200 mg BID) or in mice g oral doses up to 25 mg/kg for males and mg/kg for females 3tely occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms, in patients with NSAIDs. Minor upper 50 (approxim; equal to human Gl problems, such as dyspepsia, are common and may also occur ime during NSAID therapy. exposure as measured by the AUCo-24 at 200 mg BID) for two years. Celecox Therefore, physicians and patients should remain alert for ulceratior in an Ames test and a mutation assay in Chinese hamster ovary (CHOI cells of previous Gl tract symptoms. Patients should be informed abc signs and/or symptoms of Celecoxib did not impair male and female fertility in rats at oral serious Gl toxicity and the steps to take if they occur. Only 1/5 pati 10 develop a serious upper doses up to 6(30 mg/kg/day (approx- imately ll-fold Gl adverse event on NSAID therapy is symptomatic. Upper Gl ulc. human exposure at 200 mg BID based on the AUCo-24). caused by NSAIDs, appear to occur in approximately 1% of patiei Pregnancy: Teratogenic effects: Pregnancy Category C. Celecoxib was not ter atogenic in rabbits up about 2-4% of patients treated for one year. These trends continue thus, increasing the likelihood of to an oral dose of 60 mg/kg/day (equal to human exposure at 200 mg BID as n-leasured by AUCo-24); developing a serious Gl event at some time during the course of therapy. However, even short-term however, at oral doses 5^150 mg/kg/day (approximately 2-fold human expos ure at 200 mg BID as

is It is therapy not without risk. unclear, at the present time, how the above rates apply to CELEBREX measured by AUC0-24I. an increased incidence of fetal alterations, such as 1

(see CLINICAL STUDIES- Special Studies in the complete prescribing information). Among 5,285 fused and sternebrae misshapen, was observed. A dose-dependent increase in >diaphragmatic hernias patients who received CELEBREX in controlled clinical trials of 1 to 6 months duration (most were 3 was observed in one of two rat studies at oral doses $30 mg/kg/day (approx:imately 6-fold human month studies) at a daily dose of 200 mg or more, 2 (0.04%) experienced significant upper Gl bleeding, exposure based on the AUCo-24 at 200 mg BID). There are no studies in pregn ant women. CELEBREX at 14 and 22 days after initiation of dosing. Approximately 40% of these 5,285 patients were in studies should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potisntial risk to the fetus. that required them to be free of ulcers by endoscopy at study entry. Thus it is unclear if this study Nonteratogenic effects: Celecoxib produced preimp population is representative of the general population. Prospective, long-term studies required to reduced embryo/fetal survival in rats at oral dosages :50 mg/kg/day (approximately 6-fold human compare the incidence of serious, clinically significant upper Gl adverse events in patients taking exposure based on the AUCo-24 at 200 mg BID). These ihanges are expected with inhibition of pros- Celebrex vs. comparator products have not been performed. should be prescribed NSAID NSAIDs taglandin synthesis and are not the result of permane t alteration of female reproductive function, with extreme caution in patients with a prior history of ulcer disease or Gl bleeding. Most sponta- nor are they expected at clinical exposures.osures. No studiesstudie' have been conducted to evaluate the effect are elderly debilitated therefore special care neous reports of fatal Gl events in or patients and should of celecoxib on the closure of the ductusjctus arteriosus in humans. Therefore, use of CELEBREX during be taken in treating this population. To minimize the potential risk for an adverse Gl event, the lowest ould be avoided. Labor and delivery: Celecoxib produced no effective dose should be used for the shortest possible duration. For high risk patients, alternate ! of delayed I ion at oral doses up to 100 mg/kg in rats (approximately 7-fold

; AUCo-24 at 200 mg BID). The effects of CELEBREX on labor and a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or Gl bleeding and who use NSAIDs, have a greater than in pregnant

Hepatic Effects: Borderline elevations of one or more liver tests may occur i 1 15% of t uation rate due to adverse events was 7.1% for patients receiving CELEBREX and 6.1% for patients taking NSAIDs, and notable elevations of ALT or AST (approximately three or more times the upper receiving placebo. Among the most common reasons for discontinuation due to adverse events in limit of normal) have been reported in approximately 1% of patients in clinical trials with NSAIDs. the Celebrex treatment groups were dyspepsia and abdominal pain (cited as reasons for discontin- These laboratory abnormalities may progress, may remain unchanged, or may be transient with con- uation in 0,8% and 0,7% of CELEBREX patients, respectively). Among patients receiving placebo, 0.6%

Jing t ; of s ling I fatal ) discontinued due to dyspepsia and 0.6% withdrew due to abdominal pain. The following adverse eported with NSAIDs, events occurred in 0.1-1.9% of patients regardless of causality. including CELEBREX. (See ADVERSE REACTIONS - post-marketing e Celebrex (100-200 BID or QD): Gl: Constipation, diverticulitis, dysphagia, eructation, trials of CELEBREX, the incidence of borderline elevations of liver tests was 6% for CELEBREX and 5% mg 200 mg esophagitis, gastritis, gastroenteritis, reflux, hiatal hernia, for placebo, and approximately 0.2% of patients taking CELEBREX and 0.3% of patients taking placebo gastroesophageal hemorrhoids, melena, had notable elevations of ALT and AST. A patient with symptoms and/or signs suggesting liver dys- dry mouth, stomatitis, tenesmus, tooth disorder, vomiting; Cardiovascular: Aggravated hypertension, angina pectoris, coronary artery disorder, myocardial infarction; General: Allergy aggravated, allergic function, or in whom an abnormal liver test has occurred, should be monitored carefully for evidence of the development of a more severe hepatic reaction while on therapy with CELEBREX. If clinical influenza-like pain, peripheral pain; Resistance disorders: simplex, signs and symptoms consistent with liver disease develop, or if systemic manifestations occur (e.g., symptoms, mechanism Herpes eosinophilia, rash, etc.), CELEBREX should be discontinued. herpes zoster, infection bacterial, infection fungal, infection soft tissue, infection viral, moniliasis, moni- liasis genital, otitis media, Central, peripheral nervous system: Leg cramps, hypertonia, hypoesthe- Renal Effects: Long-term administration of NSAIDs has resulted in renal papillary necrosis and other sia, migraine, neuralgia, neuropathy, paresthesia, vertigo; Female reproductive: Breast fibroadeno- renal injury. Renal toxicity has also been seen in patients in whom renal prostaglandins have a com- sis, breast neoplasm, breast pain, dysmenorrhea, menstrual disorder, vaginal hemorrhage, vagini- tis; reproductive: Prostatic disorder; vestibular: Deafness, ear abnormality, earache, may cause a dose-dependent reduction in prostaglandin formation and, secondarily, in renal blood Male Hearing and Palpitation, tachycardia; biliary Hepatic function flow, which may precipitate overt renal decompensation. Patients at greatest risk of this reaction are tinnitus; Heart rate and rhythm: Liver and system: those with impaired renal function, heart failure, or liver dysfunction, those taking diuretics and ACE abnormal, SGOT increased, SGPT increased; Metabolic and nutritional: BUN increased, CPK inhibitors, and the elderly. Discontinuation of NSAID therapy is usually followed by recovery to the increased, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, NPN increase, cre- pretreatment state. Clinical trials with CELEBREX have shown renal effects similar to those observed atinine increased, alkaline phosphatase increased, weight increase; Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, with comparator NSAIDs, Caution should be used when initiating treatment with CELEBREX in patients arthrosis, bone disorder, fracture accidental, myalgia, neck stiffness, synovitis, tendinitis; Platelets Anorexia, with considerable dehydration. It is advisable to rehydrate patients first and then start therapy with (bleeding or clotting): Ecchymosis, epistaxis, thrombocythemia; Psychiatric: anxiety, ^ appetite increased, depression, nervousness, somnolence; Hemic: Anemia; Respiratory: Bronchitis, ^ ^ WARNINGS -Advanced^Renal^Disease^). ^ ^ bronchospasm, bronchospasm aggravated, coughing, dyspnea, lar/ngitis, pneumonia; Skin and dermatitis, nail disorder, photosensitivity reaction, pruritus, rash erythema- Hematological Effects: Anemia may occur. In controlled clinical trials the incidence of anemia was appendages: Alopecia, 0.6% with CELEBREX and 0.4% with placebo. Patients on long-term treatment with CELEBREX should tous, rash maculopapular, skin disorder, skin dry, sweating increased, urticaria; Application site Cellulitis, dermatitis injection site reaction, skin Special Taste per- have their hemoglobin or hematocrit checked if they exhibit any signs or symptoms of anemia or disorders: contact, nodule; senses: blood loss. CELEBREX does not generally affect platelet counts, prothrombin time (PT), or partial throm- version; Urinary system: Albuminuria, cystitis, dysuria, hematuria, micturition frequency, renal boplastin time (PTT), and does not appear to inhibit platelet aggregation at indicated dosages (See calculus, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection; Vision: Blurred vision, cataract, conjunctivitis, CLINICAL STUDIES — Special Studies - Platelets in the complete prescribing information). eye pain, glaucoma. Fluid Retention and Edema: Fluid retention and edema may occur (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). There- Other serious adverse reactions which occur rarely (estimated <0.1%|, regardless of causality: The fore, CELEBREX should be used with caution in patients with fluid retention, hypertension, or heart following serious adverse events have occurred rarely in patients taking CELEBREX. Cases reported only in the post-marketing experience are indicated in italics. Cardiovascular: Syncope, congestive

Preexisting Asthma: Do not use in patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma because of the risk of severe gastrointes- bronchospasm. Use with caution in patients with preexisting asthma- gangn sculitis; Gl: Intestinal obstruction, intestinal perforation, ding, esophageal perforation, pancreatitis, ileus; Liver and biliary Laboratory Tests: Because serious Gl tract ulcerations and bleeding can occur without warning

Cholelithiasis, ;, jaundice, liver failure: Hemic and lymphatic: Thrombocytopenia, symptoms, physicians should monitor for signs or symptoms of Gl bleeding. During the controlled system: agranulocytosis, aplasi ia. pancytopenia, leukopenia; Metabolic: Hypoglycemia: Nervous clinical trials, there was an increased incidence of hyperchloremia in patients receiving celecoxib interstitial Erythema multiforme, compared with patients on placebo. Other laboratory abnormalities that occurred more frequently system: Ataxia, suicide \cute renal failure, nephritis; Skin: toxic epidermal necrolysis; General: Sepsis, in the patients receiving celecoxib included hypophosphatemia, and elevated BUN. These laboratory exfoliative dermatitis. Johnson syndrome, abnormalities were also seen in patients who received comparator NSAIDs in these studies. The sudden death, anaphylactoid reactio angioedema. clinical significance of these abnormalities has not been established. OVERDOSAGE

Drug Interactions: General: Celecoxib metabolism is predominantly mediated via cytochrome P450 Symptoms following acute NSAID ( erdoses are usually limited to lethargy, drowsi

2C9 i celeco : 2C9 ; vomiting, and epigastric pain, which pportive care. Gl occur Hypertension, acute renal fai re, respiratory depression and coma may occui of cytochrome P450 2D6. Therefore, there is a potential for an in vivo drug interaction with drugs Anaphylactoid reactions have been ported with therapeutic ingestiion of NSAIDs, a that are metabolized by P450 2D6. ACE-inhibitors: Reports suggest that NSAIDs may diminish the following an overdose. Patients shoi d be managed by symptomatic antihypertensive effect of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. This interaction should an NSAID overdose. There are no specific a be given consideration in patients taking CELEBREX concomitantly with ACE-inhibitors. Furosemide: of celecoxib by hemodialysis, but based or ; high degree of plasma proteir >97%

Clinical studies, as well as post marketing observations, have shown that NSAIDs can reduce the is unlikely to be useful in overdose, Emes and/or activated charcoal (60 t 15,^10 2 natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazides in some patients. This response has been attributed to g/kg in children) and/or osmotic cathartic 1 y be indicated in patients seen inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Aspirin: CELEBREX can be used with low dose aspirin. tion with symptoms or following a large erdose. Forced diuresis, alkalii However, concomitant administration of aspirin with CELEBREX may result in an increased rate of Gl ^ ulceration or other complications, compared to use of CELEBREX alone (see CLINICAL STUDIES- ^ -1/7/00 [CE18813V] CE18927V Special Studies — Gastrointestinal in the complete prescribing information). Because of its lack of platelet effects, CELEBREX is not a substitute for aspirin for cardiovascular prophylaxis. Fluconazole: a, by Searle Ltd. 00725 Concomitant administration of fluconazole at 200 mg QD resulted in a two-fold increase in celecoxib SEARLE guas PR irketed by: G.D. Searl plasma concentration. This increase is due to the inhibition of celecoxib metabolism via P450 2C9 by fluconazole (see Pharmacokinetics — Metabolism). CELEBREX should be introduced at the lowest recommended dose in patients receiving fluconazole. Lithium: In a study conducted in healthy subjects, mean steady-state lithium plasma levels increased approximately 17% in subjects receiv- , G.D. Searle & Co. mm ,

didn't read it word for word should do House spin machine immediately real- so, then write to their elected represen- Death count mystifying ized the damage. A sycophantic press, tatives in Washington, D.C., and de- I am afraid Rear Adm. Craig failing to make appropriate use of the mand that our armed forces be main- Quigley's clarification of the Korean story, ignored Chinese plans for the tained at a level that will permit them to War casualties leaves me mystified Panama Canal. fight two wars at the same time. ("Battle-Death Differences Clarified," - Jim Ware, Baton Rouge, La. -John McLauchlin, Sequim, Wash. October). How in the world did those 17,730 deaths unrelated to the Korean War occur? Losing more than 5,000 China trade had move Defense policies futile men a year from noncombat-related ac- The Congress and the White House It's good to see someone like Cas- tion is quite staggering to me. have sold out the United States ("Chi- par Weinberger questioning our de- - Retired Col. John Covach, na: The Prowling Dragon," October). fense policies U.S. Army, Fairfax, Va. Our annual trade deficit as of July 2000 and use of our was $353.7 billion. Much of that is military. The with China. Millions of Chinese people most gracious POWs spntted in Siberia? live in poverty and cannot afford to buy thing one can I found the story about Ann our better-made and costly products. say about any of Bakkensen interesting ("Searching for The trade imbalance will not improve. these policies is Dad," September) because my wife's As a result of the new trade power giv- that they are half-brother claims to have seen Ameri- en to China, many more Americans pure madness. can prisoners in a Siberian prison during will be laid off and unemployed. When Fifty-five the Korean War. After serving in the the next war comes, who will be skilled

I years of unde- Finnish army from 1939 to 1945, he was enough in the United States to make clared wars arrested by the Soviets for allegedly the durable goods needed to fight?

"police actions" and peacekeeping ex- crossing the unmarked border. He spent Without factories and equipment, it peditions have taught our government three years in a prison in Leningrad and will take a long time to tool up. This is nothing. In an effort to regain control then was sent to a place called Magadan a disaster in the making. over the military in peacetime, Con- Kolymon in Siberia, where he claims to - Willie Lowe Jr., Callahan, Fla. gress passed the War Powers Act in have come across American prisoners. 1973 and since then has allowed one He wasn't released until 1992 - after the president after another to put our peo- breakup of the Soviet Union. Dest feeling ever ple in harm's way. If we are to be a - Al Cinquepalma. Ruckersville , Va. Regarding your article about the government of the people. Congress - Marines ("Tempered by Fire," August), not our president - should decide when there's an old saying, "Once a Marine, al- and how to use our forces. ways a Marine." One has to wonder what - Clayton L. Hansen, kind of indoctrination the Marine Corps Grand Island, Neb. does in boot camp that creates an attitude for the rest of one's hfe.

I agree with Pvt. Glowacki's state- Els' sacrifice Dverlooked ment, "This is the best feeling I've ever I am deeply grieved that 17,730 had in my life." One morning we re- military personnel who died in service cruits were given our emblems before to their country between 1950 and marching in review. We marched to 1953 are no longer honored as fatali- commands in the cadence call. It was a ties of the Korean War ("Battle-Death Keep close eye on China magnificent sight. When we passed the Differences Clarified," October). Our I think it's about time our country stands and received the command to government has forgotten that 5.7 mil- wakes up and faces the fact that com- "present arms, eyes right," you could lion Americans served during that time munist China is bad news ("China: The almost hear 60 eyeballs click. I was so because of the invasion of South Ko- Prowling Dragon," October). Keeping proud that day that even now I get rea and the possibility of further com- in mind the details of Hitler's incre- choked up thinking about it. munist aggression. The dead didn't mental aggression may help us recog- When the march was over, I elected choose where they served and died, nize a pattern in China today. Not to walk around the base, something I'd but they did answer the call because of many people seem to know of an ad- never been able to do before. At the a war in Korea. mission by President Clinton along that gate a bunch of "boots" were unloading Those who died in World War II, no line late last year. A reporter asked a boxcar. As a boot, we were taught to matter where or what the cause, were Clinton if he worried about Chinese salute anyone with a Marine emblem. I fatalities of that war. After 50 years, I control of the Panama Canal. He an- got saluted. I wasn't an officer and fail to see the purpose in taking the swered, "I think the Chinese will, in didn't deserve that salute, but like same honor from those who died dur- fact, be bending over backward to Glowacki says, "That's the best feeling ing the Korean War. make sure they run it in a competent I've ever had in my life." - Harry G. Burt, Geneva, N.Y. and able and fair manner." The White -John Waugen, Anaheim, Calif.

• MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 THE AMERICAN LEGION J eiHHmiK'$ MlSSUl

Jim tttr B Cmmahsense Jraile PoliBjf

've heard it said that common sense also guaranteed new protections for isn't all that common. We saw an American exporters. example of this Sept. 19, when the But there are some disturbing facts be- U.S. Senate ignored China's long hind these promises: record of misbehavior and approved We already have a $69 billion trade

permanent normal trade relations, deficit with China, and it will explode in or PNTR, with Beijing. the years ahead because we play by the

While the passage of PNTR was WTO's rules and China won't. Just as it ig- expected, what wasn't expected was nores widely accepted conventions on hu- how easily the bill would move through man rights, nuclear testing and arms sales, Congress. The Senate tally was 83-15; the China will ignore WTO rules requiring House vote was 237-197. Along the way, lower tariffs. Like so many of America's the Senate shot down an amendment call- other trade competitors, Beijing wiU pro- ing on China to take small steps toward tect key segments of its economy and keep religious freedom and another empower- many of its trade barriers up, while our markets are flooded with Chinese exports.

Membership in the WTO is supposed "China brutalizes its to give us relief from this kind of imbal- anced trade, but as Sen. Ernest Rollings, own people, sends D-S.C, observed, Japan has been a WTO member for years and we've yet to pry to our weapons open its economy to U.S. imports. form in the Chinese government. But China's leaders didn't much care enemies and bullies Lost jobs. It's estimated that America for America's yearly review of their be- our friends. And how will lose some 870,000 jobs in the next havior. It embarrassed them and humiliat- decade as Chinese producers nudge their ed them. Sympathetic American business do we punish them? more-expensive American competitors leaders and political officials even apolo- out of business. The Chinese will be able gized for the annual airing of Beijing's With a lucrative trade to do this not because their products or dirty laundry. Well, Americans have " production methods are superior to ours, nothing to apologize for when it comes to agreement. but because they control a labor force of shining a light on Beijing's dungeons. As 20 million slave workers! the saying back goes, when you look in

Perhaps most disturbing is that it ap- the mirror and don't like what you see, ing the president to sanction Chinese pears principle has taken a back seat to don't blame the mirror. firms that sell sensitive technology to profits. China brutalizes its own Thanks to PNTR, Beijing will no rogue nations. President Clinton signed people, sends weapons to our longer have to look itself in the

China PNTR into law Oct. 10. enemies and bullies our mirror. And its people will no But given the promises made by friends. And how do we ^ 5^ longer have a voice in the proponents of PNTR - promises which punish them? With a lucra- 4« halls of Congress. offered something to virtually every- live trade agreement. It z _ Even so, PNTR support- body - I guess we shouldn't be sur- was just a decade ago, as ers stubbornly contend that prised by the Senate's and the adminis- the winds of freedom blew >• free trade with China will tration's near-lockstep unanimity on open the Iron Curtain in Eu- somehow lead to freedom this issue. rope and stoked the flames of a |%*^^ within China. But that flies in the PNTR's supporters waged a brilliant peaceful revolution in Beijing, that face of reality. We've traded with Chi- battle, hitting nearly every regional and China's masters used tanks and bullets to na for 20 years, and yet its people remain political pressure point represented by clear out Tiananmen Square and murder shackled. As one human-rights observer Congress: Western software fimis were thousands of students. said the other day, "Beijing is closing promised the elimination of tariffs on Episodes like that made the annual down all channels of political dissent high-tech goods and copyright protection; debate over China's trade status neces- even while it's opening its economy." Midwestern farmers were promised an sary. The Legion always contended that We should not be cozying up to a explosion in exports; automakers expect it was America's only leverage with Bei- country that brandishes weapons and the same. jing. It drew attention to China's behav- brazenly makes threats like a drunken Since passage of PNTR clears the ior - from its bloody human-rights gunfighter in a bar room. I suppose that way for China's entry into the World record to its belligerent treatment of Tai- saying "No" to tyrannical regimes just

Trade Organization, the bill's supporters wan - and it provided an incentive for re- makes too much sense.

\ • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 Important news about digital hearing aids.

Seems like every company that makes hearing And that's not all. Claro offers a third break- aids is talking about digital these days. But through technology-the Fine-Scale Noise Canceler". none of them offer AudioZoom™, our patented This circuit further separates important sounds-like technology proven in clinical tests to help hearing- speech—from unwanted, repetitive sounds—like aid wearers better understand speech in motors, fans, printers and the like. background noise. And background noise is the major complaint among hearing-aid wearers. A new level of digital performance

By combining all these new digital technologies, Every AudioZoom hearing aid contains two Claro has set a new standard for high-quality microphones. One picks up sound in front of the hearing instruments. And despite its outstanding wearer and the other picks up sounds from behind. performance, Claro is competitively priced with A microcomputer inside the hearing aid suppresses other high-performance hearing aids. interfering background noise and enhances conversation. Value and performance. Two reasons why Claro is your best choice in hearing instruments. Now AudioZoom is even more advanced. We call it Adaptive digital AudioZoom . Not only does it To learn more about Claro write to us or call our reduce noise from behind the wearer but also noise toll-free number, (888) 566-6473. from the sides. It's like radar. . . constantly scanning around you and reducing unwanted noise wherever it's coming from.

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Cammniler takes veterans issues to Hill

By John Raughter One such issue is The American Editor Legion's GI Bill of Health. Smith explained the importance of the plan. NATIONAL COMMANDER Ray "The American Legion continues to Smith called on Congress to urge the Department of Veterans Affairs boost military spending and and Congress to make the VA health- increase access to VA health care care system accessible to all veterans during testimony before a joint and their dependents. This organization session of the House and Senate VA strongly believes lifetime access to VA Committees Sept. 27. health care can - and must - become a "The United States in this year's truly meaningful and lasting benefit of defense budget is spending as much on military service. Our proposed GI Bill of defense, as a percentage of Gross Health goes a long way in making this

Domestic Product, as it was spending on possible." defense prior to the attack on Pearl Smith said Medicare-eligible veterans Harbor," Smith said in a committee and their spouses should be able to use room packed with Legionnaires, VA as the provider of their choice. He including several Past National Com- said VA should be able to bill Medicare manders. "This is not a partisan issue - and private health plans for services that it's an American issue. The importance VA provides to covered veterans. of protecting and strengthening the "The plan we conceived takes care of national security of this country older veterans, middle-aged veterans, transcends all political boundaries." young veterans and future veterans," Smith said. "It will improve, strengthen National Commander Ray Smith testifies before a joint session of tlie Senate and and preserve a health-care system that House VA committees. "The American Legion meets the current and future medical needs of veterans, especially those with Committee Chairman Bob Stump, R- continues to urge ttie service-connected conditions." Ariz., shared his concern about One committee member. Rep. Bob National Security. "The number-one Department of Veterans Filner, D-Calif., said he supports the reason people are getting out of the plan. "I think we ought to finish the job military is quality-of-life. They are Affairs and Congress to of helping veterans by adopting the GI deployed to too many countries that we Bill of Health." have no business being in." mai

with us here in Congress to ensure that war, yet we still do not have the cause four priorities next year will be educa- those who have sacrificed so much for or treatment for Gulf War illness. In tion. Social Security, Medicare and our country receive the benefits they my opinion, DoD has stonewalled this. defense. "The Army and Air Force need have earned," Etheridge said. "As a I thank you and your organization for more personnel. We cut the military too veteran of the United States Army keeping our feet to the fire on this much and our people are strung out myself, I look forward to working with important issue." across the world," Lott said. "If we don't

Ray and The American Legion on issues In a private meeting with Smith address our defense needs, it will be our that are important to veterans." following the testimony. House VA number-one (problem)."

10 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 The Bose* Wave'^ radio/CD is an ideal gift for completely satisfied, return it for a full refund, no questions

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©2000 Bose Corpora e Thompson, Oregoniai, 3/5/99, Korean vets recall how war's cold reality couldn't stifle holiday spirit

Tidings from Beijing cU^^Oz^t^ -Co ricu^ ayo !$ -efui, cUt^ c^oti noA/c

Korean War was not only fought with The weapons - it was fought with the mind. A Christmas card was given to me and other U.S. "^^^ '^'^ POWs in 1951 during our captivity in a camp on the Manchurian border. I was in the POW camp for about six months. The Chinese used propaganda like the Christmas uyLo stMt ifoU' ib card to try to break our will. Receiving that on UM^d: to ^uM t^OVLy Q^duft-^^^ Christmas, 5,000 miles away from home, was yi do Kof tough. The Chinese hoped it would be a morale- breaker, but it didn't work. Nineteen of us escaped when we were ordered ' A-hi^A^i-a^ uj-gUf,»um^t^s • i<€^ Sti^ Sai^ to pick up new Allied prisoners. A surprise artillery barrage disrupted their arrival and gave us an opportunity to flee. A few miles away, we met up with three U.S. tanks and rode out on them.

I went home after the escape and Left: Calvin Williams was given this innocuous-look- then to Washington, D.C., where 1 in- ing Christmas card during his captivity. formed officials about POW locations Above: The card's reverse side reveals its real THE CB1.«IESE PEOPLE S \ and conditions. P purpose.

- Calvin Williams, Houston Article design and illustration: Holly K. Soria

12 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 Christmas 1951, 1 was serving with the 7th Division, 31st OnInfantry Regiment, Fox Company. My buddies and I went to Home tor Christmas Christmas Mass and were thrilled to find it being served by Cardinal Francis Spellman of New York. He was a wonderful priest. He took time to shake hands with as many of us as . on Anned Forces Radio possible. A few days later, on New all have our special Christmas song that Year's Eve, my mother was Wewe enjoy during the holidays. Mine is "I'll watching television and sud- Be Home for Christmas." denly realized she was seeing Being away from home at Christmas is diffi- me and the cardinal. Scream- cult for anyone, but for a service member over- Cardinal Francis Spellman, left, ing, she yelled to my father _ seas in a war zone, 1 greets Philip Kinsella Jr. and other so he could see this wonder- k it can traumatic. [ be U.S. troops. ful gift. Seeing her son so — -^*B^^.^ I Christmas was only many miles away when she was missing him so much was the best a few days away, Christmas present my mother could get - or I could ever give. and I was in a far- - Philip Kinsella Jr., Barnegat, N.J. off, hostile land called Korea. I was cold, frightened and

lonely. I longed to be home with my Mat Pay Makes tan Bright loving family to share the warmth December 1952, the holiday season ahead looked bleak. and security of their In Dot and I had married the previous January, not long after I love. returned from Korea, and I was now a freshman at the University While shivering of Maine. We were both working to keep our heads above water - in my foxhole, I she in the daytime and me in the dreamt of being at evenings - to supplement the GI midnight Mass and Bill stipend, which just about opening the pres- covered out-of-state tuition, Martin F. Farricker Sr. in ents under the tree books and supplies. Korea, 1 953. ^ith my family. I After reviewing our finances, could taste the delicious turkey dinner with all even counting deposits on the the trimmings that my dear mother cooked for soda bottles we had ready to turn me. While standing under the mistletoe, singing in, we didn't have enough left carols with family and friends and drinking hot over to buy presents for our fami- chocolate, I could feel the tender kiss of my lies. We couldn't even afford the sweetheart on my cheek and the loving embrace postage to send the presents. of my kid brother. Then one day I received an All was wonderful when suddenly I was official government envelope. shocked back to reality. "Hey, soldier, we're Did the Marine Corps want me from Armed Forces Radio. Would you like to back? After all, the Korean War send a message home?" One guy shoved a mi- was still going on. crophone in my face while the other operated the Imagine our delight when we recorder. "Say anything you like," he said. With opened the envelope to find a Unexpected funds made the a cracking voice and tears in my eyes, I spoke to check for $495. For what, we Valkenburg Christmas brighter. my mother and family. wondered? AFR notified my family that I would be talk- It was combat pay at the rate of $45 a month from September

ing to them on the radio on Christmas. All my 1950 through July 1951. Those 1 1 months tracked me from Inchon family, friends and neighbors crowded around to Seoul, to Wonsan and the Chosin Reservoir, and back south to the radio to listen to me. It was the best present battle the Chinese in the spring and summer of 1951. they had that Christmas. We bought some presents and mailed them home first-class. By the way, the last verse "I'll Be Home for Dot bought a maternity dress, and we went for Christmas dinner at Christmas" is "If only in my dreams." And it the fanciest restaurant in town. The first was a necessity, but the was. Thanks, Armed Forces Radio. last was pure extravagance. - Martin Francis Farricker Sr., Woodbridge, N.J. - Norman J. Van Valkenburg, Saugerties, N.Y.

• • DECEMBER 2000 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE jj 21'* CENTURY

Despite human rights efforts, human enslavement remains a global problem affecting millions.

By Georgie Anne Geyer ca, where hundreds of thousands more tion, made an astonishing report in June were bom into slavery. (Earlier figures 2000. Reliable estimates indicate, he AND magazine of 15 milHon, largely Africans, have in said, that 200 million people may now be NEWSPAPERstories nearly every day call our the last two years been changed to the in some way under the sway or in the attention to 18th and 19th centta- lower number.) hands of human traffickers - in effect, ry sagas of slaves torn from their And this year, in this century, in this modem slave traders - worldwide! homelands in Africa and trans- new millennium? Pino Arlacchi, the In the last decade, in one specific area ported to America. highly respected Italian sociologist who alone, more than 30 million women and Other articles outline how worked for years with rare effecdveness children may have been trafficked within survivors of the Nazi slave-labor fighting the Italian Mafia before being and from Southeast Asia for sexual pur- camps of World War II are demanding named director general of the U.N. Of- poses and sweatshop labor alone. An reparations from countries, or now even fice for Drug Control and Crime Preven- estimated 250,000 women and children corporations, that aided and abetted in from Russia and Eastern Europe are Q-af- their cruel subjugation. Museums are ficked into Western Europe, the Middle being built from Washington, D.C., to East, Japan and North America each Germany's new capital of Berlin to mark year, with more than 50,000 ti-afficked the suffering of countless hundreds of into the United States. thousands, and the ringing words "Never "This is the fastest-growing criminal again!" are heard across the land. market in the world because of the num- But these very public acknowledge- ber of people involved, the scale of prof- ments of slavery in the past hide the even its being generated for criminal organiza- more compelling one in the present that, tions - and because of its multifold na- despite the vaunted revolutionary spread ttire," Arlacchi told the New York Times. of information and of Internet connec- But then he outlined the changes in to- tions around the globe, the enslavement day's new forms of slavery. "We don't of human beings is growing everywhere. have just sexual exploitation," he went In sheer numbers, the enslavement of on. "We don't have just economic slav- human beings is about to burst upon the ery, which includes two things: forced world as one of the ugliest unaddressed labor and debt enslavement. We have problems of the 21st centtary! also a lot of exploitation of migrants. Think only of the figures: According And we have classic slavery. If you put to the definitive Historical Guide to all this together under the same concept, World Slavery, approximately 12 million you get the biggest violation of human people were forcibly removed from rights in the world." Africa during the transatlantic slave In many countries, such as Pakistan, trade from the 1 6th century until 1867, The Meaning of Slavery'. Slavery is children are subjected to hard labor to when the trade was effectively abolished defined by common characteristics, satisfy the debts of their parents. This almost everywhere. Of those 12 milHon, which distinguish it from other human boy's frail body illustrates the horror of about 596,000 were imported to Ameri- sustained suffering. rights violations. Today, in terms much

14 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 John Eibner of Christian Solidarity International, left, pays a man 132 slaves, background, brought back from northern Sudan to the equivalent of $13,200 in Sudanese money for reportedly freeing Madhol, Sudan, in 1997. The man denied rescuing them for money. more like yesterday than most people abihty to buy and sell him. But the fact is with such woe. would like to think, a slave is a person that today we're dealing with something In India or Pakistan, a 12-year-old girl who is: 1) forced to work through mental that is far more than that old type of slav- is either thrown or "persuaded" into a or physical threat; 2) owned or controlled ery. We still have that 'chattel slavery,' marriage. "There is no use telUng a 12- by an "employer," usually through men- but the actual 19th century form of slav- year-old that she has the right to not get tal or physical abuse or threatened abuse; ery really doesn't happen anymore. We married when you have nothing else to 3) dehumanized, treated as a commodity also have bonded labor, various forms of offer her," Ould comments sadly. or bought and sold as property; and/or 4) forced marriage, child labor and the traf- In Mali or Niger in Africa, among the physically constrained or has restrictions ficking of women into prostitution. With nomads, a child is taken by a modem placed on movement. bonded labor alone, for instance, we're "feudal type" to work to fulfill the debt Those classic definitions of slavery talking about quite large numbers - 10 of a father. More likely than not, the come today from the respected Anti- million-plus across South Asia alone." child will never be let go and will end up Slavery International, which is the mod- a pitiful, skeletal creature working in em-day descendant of the courageous A Glimpse of Despair. The examples of servitude for his or her entire Ufe. British societies sponsored by the Christ- human suffering are horrendous. One In Brazil, young men and women are ian churches that worked so effectively can only be fiUed with admiration for offered "jobs and pay" to work at sup- during the 18th and 19th centuries to moral men and women who can grapple posedly regular jobs in the remote forests abolish the abhorred trade. of Rondonia. Suddenly they find them- While in London recenriy, I traveled selves being transported 2,000 miles and to Stockwell, a well-known immigrant "This heinous trade in debt to pay for their transportation; neighborhood, to visit Anti-Slavery the many are never able to pay their way out. International, whose predecessors be- has become Naive young Slavic women from gan in 1839. 1 found attrac- a large and fastest-growing 'busi- Russia and the former republics are tak- tive brick building, with quietly dedi- en by traffickers to Israel, Turkey and cated people and commodious libraries ness' of international many other countries, supposedly to on the subject that engrosses them so - work as dancers or waitresses at Western and the visit was an eye-opener on new organized crime, and wages. Instead, they find themselves worlds without pity. forced, through beatings and through "Slavery has been known since the it is being run by new having their new pimps confiscate their Greeks and Romans," David Ould, the passports, to "service" 10 or more men a deputy director of the organization, be- and particularly day in their little hovels. gan. "Slavery meant the complete own- Reports show that almost 200,000 ership of another human being and the vicious networks..," Nepali girls, many of them under the age

DECEMBER 2000 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • ||j _ 1-K Children are often trafficked across borders for use as camel Children are sold to agents by impoverished adults who agree to jockeys in the Middle East, where camel racing is a popular sport, pose as parents of the children in return for employment. of 14, are virtual sex slaves in India fickers by prohibiting the procurement many of them formed by the new Russ- alone; and in Milan a week before of women and children for the purposes ian mafias in the chaos of that country's Christmas 1999, police discovered a ring of prostitution or forced labor. But post-Communist breakdown. This holding auctions in which former Soviet most of the legislation was drafted be- heinous trade has become the fastest- women, standing naked on blocks, were tween 1912 and 1960 when the threat growing "business" of international or- sold at an average price of $1,000. was totally different, and the laws are ganized crime, and it is being run by new

And the world pays little attention. too rarely enforced. and particularly vicious networks, which How can that be? There are several rea- One sfill finds very litde law enforce- have effectively sidelined traditional sons for the virtual silence on these mod- ment cross-border cooperation on a criminal syndicates. em forms of slavery, but it is a silence world scale. And even the most For example, in Ukraine, gangsters that may be finding its voices. concerned law enforcement organization make more from the women they ex- is up against huge criminal enterprises. ploit in a week than the country has in

Legislation and Cooperation. First of its entire law enforcement budget for all, under international law, slavery is the whole year! indeed illegal, but such U.N. convenfions as would be applicable - like the Slavery Reversing the Trend. There are some Convention, the Convention on the attempts at change. One international Rights of the Child, the Convention on Christian group, Christian Solidarity the Elimination on All Forms of International, has for the last few years Discrimination against Women, and the pursued a policy, backed by charities in Supplementary Convention on the Abo- Europe and North America, of buying lition of the Slave Trade and Institutions back slaves in Sudan, where slavery and Practices Similar to Slavery - have takes almost 18th and 19th century no enforcement capabilities in and of form. These are called "redeemed themselves. As reported by the Kennedy slaves," and CSI claims that it has School of Government, in order to make helped liberate more than 25,000 peo- them effecdve, "Countries must draft ple since 1995. Yet 100,000 people, al- and pass penal code statutes that specifi- most all of them Christians from the cally address each of these commercial South, are still slaves in government- sexual-exploitafion issues if they wish run camps in northern Sudan. law enforcement to have the tools to ar- But many distrust this kind of action rest, charge and prosecute traffickers." since such "ransoms" can only act as an A bonded child works in the scorching More than 150 countries currently incentive for future abductions. sun, making bricks in Pakistan. In some legislation that at least min- What the most serious mainstream of have would countries, children are destined to spend imally target the prosecution of traf- their entire lives in servitude. the anti-slavery movement today is try-

• • j(j THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2000 Suddenly, lowering my high cholesterol became even more important than football

Head Coach Dan Reeves

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ZOCOR . NO ADVERTISEMENT CAN PROVIDE ALL THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO Some patients taking lipid-lowering agents similar lo ZOCOR and anticoagulants PRESCRIBE A DRUG. THIS ADVERTISEMENT DOES NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF CARE- coumarin (a type of FUL DISCUSSIONS WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ONLY YOUR DOCTOR HAS THE TRAINING blood thinner) have experienced bleeding and/or increased blood clotting time. Patients taking these medicines should have their blood tested before starting therapy with ZOCOR and should continue to TO WEIGH THE RISKS AND BENEFITS OF A PRESCRIPTION DRUG FOR YOU. be monitored.

USES OF ZOCOR Central Nervous System Toxicity: Cancer, Mutations, Impairment of Fertility: Like most

prescription drugs, ZOCOR was required to be tested on animals before it was marketed for human use. ZOCOR is a prescription drug that is indicated as an addition to diet lor many patients with high cho- Often these tests were designed to achieve higher drug concentrations than humans achieve lesterol when diet and exercise are inadequate. For patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and at recommended dosing. In some tests, the animals had damage to the nerves in the central nervous high cholesterol, ZOCOR is indicated as an addition to diet to reduce the risk of death by reducing coro- system. In studies of mice with high doses of ZOCOR, the likelihood of certain types of cancerous tumors nary death; to reduce the risk of heart attack; to reduce the risk tor undergoing cardiac procedures increased. No evidence of mutations of or damage to genetic material has been seen. In one study with (coronary artery bypass grafling and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty); and to reduce ZOCOR, there was decreased fertility in male rats. the risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) WHEN ZOCOR SHOULD NOT BE USED Pregnancy: Pregnant women should not take ZOCOR because it may harm the fetus.

Some people should not take ZOCOR. Discuss this with vour doctor ,

Safety in oreonancv has not been established . In studies with lipid-lowering agents similar to ZOCOR, ZOCOR should not be used by patients who are allergic lo any of its ingredients. In addition to the active there have been rare reports of birth defects of the skeleton and digestive system. Therefore, women of ingredient simvastatin, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: cellulose, lactose, mag-

chlldbearing age should not take ZOCOR unless it is highly unlikely they will become pregnant. If a nesium stearate, iron oxides, laic, titanium dioxide, and starch. Butylated hydroxyanisole is added as a woman does become pregnant while taking ZOCOR, she should stop taking the drug and talk to her doc- preservative. tor at once. The active ingredient of ZOCOR did not cause birth defects in rats at 3 times the human dose Patients with liver problems: ZOCOR should not be used by patients with active liver disease or or in rabbits at 3 times the human dose. repeated blood test results indicating possible liver problems (See WARNINGS

Women who are or may become pregnant: Pregnant women should not lake ZOCOR because it Nursing Mothers: Drugs taken by nursing mothers may be present in their breast milk. Because of may harm the fetus Women of chlldbearing age should not take ZOCOR unless It is highly the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a woman taking ZOCOR should not breast- unlikely that they will become pregnant. If a woman does become pregnant while on ZOCOR, she feed (See WHEN ZOCOR SHOULD NOT BE USED ) should stop taking the drug and talk to her doctor at once

Pediatric Use: ZOCOR is not recommended for children or patients under 20 years of age, Women who are breast-feeding should not take ZOCOR

WARNINGS SIDE EFFECTS

Muscle: Tell your doctor right away if you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness at any time during treatment with ZOCOR so your doctor can Most patients tolerate treatment wilh ZOCOR well; however, like all prescription dmgs, ZOCOR can cause side of serious effects that are usually mild short- decide if ZOCOR should be stopped. Some patients may have muscle pain or weakness effects, and some them can be Side do occur and while taking ZOCOR. Rarely, this can include muscle breakdown resulting in kidney lived. Only vour doctor can weigh the risks versus the benefits of anv prescription drug . In clinical stud- damage. The risk of muscle breakdown is greater in patients taking certain other drugs ies with ZOCOR, less lhan 1 ,5% ol patients dropped out of the studies because of side effects. In a large, along with ZOCOR, such as the lipid-lowering drug Lopid (gemfibrozil), and other fibrates; long-term study patients taking ZOCOR experienced similar side effects to those patients taking placebo lipid-lowering doses of niacin (nicotinic acid): Sandimmune (cyclosporine); (sugar pills). Some of the side effects that have been reported wilh ZOCOR or related drugs are listed itraconazole, ketoconazole, and other azole antifungal drugs: the antibiotics erythromycin below This list is not complete. Be sure to ask vour doctor about side effects before taking ZOCOR and and clarithromycin: HIV protease inhibitors: and the antidepressant nefazodone. to discuss any side effects that occur .

Interruption of therapy with ZOCOR should be considered if you are going to take an azole heartburn, stomach pain/cramps, antifungal medication, such as itraconazole, or macrolide antibiotics, such as ery- Digestive System: Constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, gas, anorexia, loss of appetite, nausea, inflammation of the pancreas, hepatitis, jaundice, fatty changes in the thromycin. Avoid drinking large quantities of grapefruit juice (more than one quart daily) liver, and, rarely severe liver damage and failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. while on ZOCOR. The risk of muscle breakdown is greater in patients with kidney prob- lems or diabetes. Muscle, Skeletal: Muscle cramps, aches, pain, and weakness; joint pain; muscle breakdown. Because there are risks in combining therapy with ZOCOR with the products listed above, carefully potential benefits risks. or she should also your doctor should weigh the and He Nervous System: Dizziness, headache, insomnia, tingling, memory loss, damage to nerves causing for tenderness, or weakness, particularly carefully monitor patients any muscle pain, weakness and/or loss ol sensation and/or abnormal sensations, anxiety, depression, tremor, loss of during the initial months of therapy and if the dose of either drug is increased. Your balance, psychic disturbances. doctor also may monitor the level ol certain muscle enzymes in your body, but there is no assurance that such monitoring will prevent the occurrence ol severe muscle disease. Skin: Rash, itching, hair loss, dryness, nodules, discoloration,

If you have conditions that can increase your risk of muscle breakdown, which in turn Eye/Senses: Blurred vision, altered taste sensation, progression of cataracts, eye muscle weakness. can cause kidney damage, your doctor should temporarily withhold or stop ZOCOR. Also, since there are no known adverse consequences of briefly stopping therapy with ZOCOR, Hypersensitivity (Allergic) Reactions: On rare occasions, a wide variety of symptoms have been treatment should be stopped a few days before elective major surgery and when any reported to occur either alone or together in groups (referred to as a syndrome) that appeared to be based major acute medical or surgical condition occurs. Discuss this with your doctor, who can on allergic-type reactions, which may rarely be fatal These have included one or more of the following: a explain these conditions to you. severe generalized reaction that may include shortness of breath, wheezing, digestive symptoms, and low Liver: About 1% of patients who took ZOCOR in clinical trials developed elevated levels blood pressure and even shock; an allergic reaction with swelling ol the face, lips, tongue and/or throat with of some liver enzymes. Patients who had these increases usually had no symptoms Elevated liver difficulty swallowing or breathing; symptoms mimicking lupus (a disorder in which a person's immune enzymes usually returned to normal levels when therapy with ZOCOR was stopped. system may attack parts of his or her own body); severe muscle and blood vessel inflammation; bruises;

In the ZOCOR Survival Study, the number ol patients with more lhan one liver enzyme level elevation to various disorders of blood cells (that could result in anemia, infection, or blood clotting problems) or greater than 3 times the normal upper limit was no different between the ZOCOR and placebo groups. Only abnormal blood tests; inflamed or painful joints; hives; fatigue and weakness; sensitivity to sunlight; lever,

8 patients on ZOCOR and 5 on placebo discontinued therapy due to elevated liver enzyme levels. Patients chills; flushing; difficulty breathing; and severe skin disorders that vary from rash to a serious burn-like were started on 20 mg of ZOCOR, and one third had their dose raised to 40 mg. shedding of skin all over the body, including mucous membranes such as the lining of the mouth.

Your doctor should perform routine blood tests to check these enzymes before you start

Other: ; of sexual t enlargement, impotence. treatment with ZOCOR and periodically thereafter (for example, semiannually) for your first year of treatment or until 1 year after your last elevation In dose. Patients titrated to Laboratory Tests: Liver function test abnormalities including elevated alkaline phosphatase and biliru- the 80-mg dose should receive an additional test at 3 months. If your enzyme levels increase bin; thyroid function abnormalities, your doctor should order more frequent tests, II your liver enzyme levels remain unusually high, your doctor should discontinue your medication. NOTE: This summary provides important information about ZOCOR. If you would like Tell your doctor about any liver disease you may have had in the past and about how much alcohol you more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist to let you read the complete prescribing should used with caution in patients large amounts ol alcohol, consume ZOCOR be who consume information and then discuss it with them. PRECAUTIONS ZOCOR is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc. Before starting treatment with ZOCOR, try to lower your cholesterol by other methods such as diet, The other brands listed are trademarks ol their MERCK exercise, and weight loss. Ask your doctor about how best to do Ibis, Any other medical problems that can

Wiiitetiouse Station, NJ ( cause high cholesterol should also be treated. respective owners and not of Merck & Co., Inc.

006727(1 )(438C)-Z0C-C0N © 2000 Merck & Co.. Inc. All rights reserved. (438)C "This is the fastest- growing criminal mar- l(et in the world because of the num- ber ofpeople involved, the scale of profits being generated for criminal organizations

- and because of its " multifold nature

- Pino Arlacchi Subjecting children to hard labor is a global problem, as with this young Nepalese girl breaking rocks. ing to do was again captured in Quid's words. "It really eventually comes down 3244, called the "Trafficking Victims indirect and imprecise solution, but one to a change in attitudes in local societies Protection Act," which, as of this writ- that has worked in the world before and and to getting local governments to ing, has passed Congress. could at least be a place to start. move. In general, it's not the laws but the "What the bUI does is to set up a se- In the 18th century, when the slave enforcement that's important." ries of minimum standards for the traf- trade was beginning to be undercut by A new coalition of unlikely but po- ficking of young girls by abduction and the predecessor organizations of Anti- tentially potent groups is, in fact, com- deceit," explained Michael Horowitz, Slavery Intemational, British abolition- ing together in Washington to affect fellow at the Hudson Institute, which is ists resolutely forced their government to changes in attitudes and build a struc- coordinating the project. "Any country super-human efforts in order to end the ture of enforcement agencies across the must punish the crime at the level of slave trade. After ParUament voted to world. It includes such disparate groups first-degree rape, instead of little fines. ban the trafficking of humans in Britain and individuals as the Rev. Charles It also sets tests for serious enforce- in 1807, the Royal Navy began landing Colson, feminist Gloria Steinem, a ment and would ensure serious pun- forces in Africa to destroy slave stations; large group of evangelical churches, ishment. We've adapted American law it pursued slave ships to Cuba and to the Salvation Army, the National to meet such standards, but what about Brazil. Catholic Bishops Association, and Jew- other countries?" Historians record that in those 60 ish orthodox churches. The "enforcement mechanism" years between 1807 and 1867, the Royal The effort is now codified in a bill would consist of a country potentially Navy captured 1,500 ships, freed 160,000 before the House of Representatives, HR losing non-humanitarian foreign aid slaves and lost more than 1,300 seamen from the United in the crusade, most from disease. By the States. The Ameri- end of the 19th century, the United States can president would and most of the nations of the world had then be held account- aboUshed slavery, thanks in great part to able to broach the those valiant men and women.

subject with foreign Now, another fight is looming and it leaders whenever he could be an even more dangerous contin-

meets with them. It uation of that earlier fight. Surely it again would thus be a behooves men and women of morality means of doing what and good wiU everywhere to act. Ould suggests: Use backup power, such Georgie Anne Geyer as the American in- is a columnist with

1 1 fluence for intema- Universal Press Syn- tional loans, to pres- dicate. She is a fre- sure other countries quent contributor to to begin to obey their this magazine. The trauma of working in India's salt flats manifests itself in the - cmhands of a bonded laborer. Chemicals in the natural salt cause own and interna- severe skin infections. tional - laws. It is an Article design: Doug Rollison

DECEMBER 2000 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • jfl

Legionnaires figiit l\/latciibox West bl^^

By Peter B. Rose

DIDN'T SEEM like the wild fires of 2000 would ever be put out. Nearly 7 million acres, an ITarea larger than Maryland, were burned to charcoal. And they'll be back next summer, like they always are in the Matchbox West - with everyone in these wide- open, forested spaces hoping they will not be so devastating. Yellow- shirted firefighters from throughout the country, including Leg- ionnaires and military service mem- bers, did their best to douse the infer- no. To them, it seemed like the end had come to the high country of Idaho and Montana, where villainous winds Legionnaire "Smut" Warren, left, advises Garry Gottfried about financial relief at the and the driest of timber turned beauty Laird Creek, Mont., area where Gottfried's house and shop burned to the ground. into beast. Warren, now a county commissioner, fought in Korea, Is a former boxer and outfitter, trips to "We fought the fire because the and was Marilyn Monroe's bodyguard on her USO Japan and Korea. Tom economy depends on the salmon," says Strickland photo Frank Richardson, a husky, bespecta- cled man with a deep voice that has son guided his big one-ton Chevy 4X4 Picture Richardson at Echo Fire traces of his Atlanta roots. Richardson, "dually" truck with the USAF 1 Camp, in the Burgdorf area, where 64, was a military and civilian police- license plates over the same rough and dust rises over his shoes, and his man before retiring in Boise, Idaho, fearsome roads where he had carried gauze-and-cotton surgical mask pro- where he has been commander for sev- food, clothing, bunks, pumps, hose, tects against the thick and penetrating en years of John Regan Post 2. fuel and water to sustain the fire-fight- smoke. He's taking Vitamin C pills to The salmon, he explains, swim 900 ing crews. He hauled "the fallers" and prevent colds and sucking throat miles from the Pacific Ocean, braving other critical personnel. lozenges to salve his raw throat. He dams in the Columbia Gorge and "They'd figure out where they sleeps on hard, rocky ground in a swimming upstream through the Snake wanted to make a stand, and we'd get compressing pup tent that aches his River to reach their spawning areas in 500-gallon collapsible water tanks bones. Overhead, the eggbeater cho- the Salmon River, which flows through strung out on the closest road," rus - the thump and whine of chop-

central Idaho. Too much of this territo- Richardson relates. "They'd fight it for pers - rushes to drop loads of fire re- ry has gone through a terrible transfor- a hundred or two hundred yards, and tardant. mation from green to orange to black, we'd set up another tank, and they'd "For 39 years my family and I have

dismally affecting everything within it. be up on a ridge with a 2-inch hose been coming into these forests for "Black soot in the streams and coming all the time." camping, hunting and fishing," rivers suffocates salmon, which need Richardson says ruefully. "It becomes crystal-clear water to spawn," Richard- a personal thing. That's why I am son declares. "The salmon are a priori- fighting the fire." ty, as are the historic mining towns. We fought the fires to keep them up on Eagle Eyes. Sixty-five miles south of the mountain." Burgdorf, from No Business Lookout west of Donnelly, Idaho, Al and Marita Making a Stand. The immense Noyes are watching. Their tower is a Burgdorf Junction blaze, where 360-degree, eagle-eye perch that takes 64,348 acres toasted like marshmal- in a kaleidoscope pattern of mountain lows, blazed out of control for six ranges, lakes and valleys. This is the summer weeks until rain and snow 10th straight summer that the Noyeses finally helped put it out. This was have made lookout towers their way of Richardson's "theater of operations," fife. They sleep under Hudson Bay located in the picturesque uplands 30 Point blankets, listen to the BBC at miles northeast of McCall, Idaho. In night and earn $9 an hour for their long early September, several weeks after stretches of surveillance. Al Noyes re- the blazes were snuffed out, Richard- tired from the Forest Service and is the

• • DECEMBER 2000 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE 21 "

"Way bales looked like birthday cakes with

candles. The air was filled with missiles. Every- thing was breaking loose and burning up. -Jim Kluesner

For most of the summer, the town the oncoming enemy. Johnson, who of Salmon in central Idaho was under fought with a ski troop in the heralded siege from the massive Clear Creek 10th Mountain Division in Italy during Fire that threatened to jump the World War II, remains devoted to

Salmon River and erase it. Jim Klues- country and community, even at 82.

Jim Kluesner, of American Legion Post ner, a member of American Legion Over the Montana line, just south 67 in Salmon, hired on as a driver to Post 67 in Salmon, hired on to drive of Darby, Legionnaire and county figlit fires, but found himself pushing hot for the Fenster and Twin Fires that be- commissioner "Smut" Warren helped boulders off the road and desperately sieged the town. On Sunday, Aug. 6, those stricken by fire put the pieces of battling a blaze that overran his camp. 1 1 small fires fueled by 40 mph winds their lives back together. Among his joined into one tremendous force that measures were taking food and cloth- service officer at the Cascade, Idaho, "blew up" and swept through the base ing to people who had been burned American Legion Post. camp at Sula, Mont., that Kluesner and out, meeting with state officials and In August the Noyeses spotted a others frantically defended. the public to implement fire recovery dozen fires eating up the far-flung sur- "Hay bales looked like birthday programs, and advising individuals on rounding territory. When lightning cakes with candles," Kluesner recalls. how best to use the law and insurance zeros in, it curls their toes. They un- "The air was filled with missiles. policies in recovering fire losses. plug the electricity, close the windows Everything was breaking loose and In the Laird Creek area, Garry and and pray not to get fried. Lightning burning up. We lost sleeping bags, bolts singe the air, flashing into the tents and vehicles. Twenty-two homes copper cable that surrounds the tower, burned up, although we saved acting as a ground that blinds them. hundreds. I now have a different out- When they detect a fire, they chart look on fires. Whatever your role in it and report the azimuth, township, fighting them, it's dangerous." range, section, quarter section and landmark to the Southern Idaho Tim- Fire Warnings. While Kluesner had ber Protective Association (SITPA) his hands full driving, pushing hot office in McCall. When another tower boulders off the road and hosing makes its report, the crossing lines flames, Orlo Johnson, also of Post 67, from the two perspectives pinpoint the as part of the fire-prevention crew, fire location. was driving up canyons and draws like Paul Revere spreading the word about Initial Task Force. American Legion trooper Alan Wright, 57, a retired For- est Service employee and member of

Post 1 19 in McCall, is liable to respond to their fire call. Employing binoculars, weather kit and maps, Wright's principal fire action has been that of a field observer. He also reacts to fire calls as part of a two-man en- gine crew and "initial task force" that attempts - with shovels, axes and wa- ter from a 300-gallon tank - to put out blazes before they spread. Although it's hard and dangerous work, Wright enjoys it. "It's what I do. I like being out and part of it," he reflects. The big roaring sounds of a fire that crackles like bacon in a frying pan do not faze Wright, nor do the Frank Richardson, of John Regan Post 2 in flames that lick out with wicked aban- Boise, Idaho, views the blackened Payette don as far as 200 feet. He fought the National Forest. He transported food, cloth- Yellowstone fire of '98 and has been ing, water, firefighting equipment and other all over the map this summer. necessities to sustain crews.

22 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 Nancy Gottfried's house and antique since 1961, touches upon the difficul- shop have become a surrealistic junk- ties of pulling this off. "Fires are nat- yard. Black, spooky hills glance down ural, and fuel is unlimited. We have to on the spread of twisted rubble that figure out how to get rid of some of they had so carefully built and fash- the fuel while maintaining our ioned. After consulting with Warren, wildlife, air and water." Garry Gottfried remarks, "I get the idea that 'Smut' is one of the few peo- Peter Rose is a freelance writer ple who cares around here." who lives in Boise, Idaho.

Reducing the Threat. Because there Article design: Holly K. Soria are hundreds or even thousands of trees packed into every acre, the threat of fires will remain high, according to fire-management special- ists at the University of Idaho. The best way to improve the situation would be thinning forests by cutting and prescribed bums. Alan Wright, the Mc- Call Legionnaire who has been fighting fires

Above, left: From left, Staff Sgt. Jason Hill and Lance Cpl. Tyler Micke, of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C.; Orlo Johnson, of American Legion Post 67 in Salmon, Idaho, and a member of the 10th Mountain Division

ski troops in World War II; and Tony Diffenbaugh, of the Kern County Fire Department in California, survey damage caused by the Clear Creek fire out- side Salmon. Above: Al Noyes stands beside his wife, Marita, and Alan Wright at the No Business Lookout west of Donnelly, Idaho. The Noyeses, of Post 60 in Cascade, and Wright, of Post 119 in McCall, have fought fires in many differ- ent capacities for decades. Last summer Noyes and his wife served as fire lookouts while Wright drove a two-man crew in the red truck seen behind them. Tom Strick- land photo

Left: Fires are fought from the flanks, where they are turned away from the direction they want to take.

DECEMBER 2000 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • 23 mtmm

UUGIMIC By John Fonte oath and water down both the legal Activists seek and symbolic significance of Ameri- THE FIRST DAYS can citizenship. to weal(en of our republic, immigrants SINCEhave taken a solemn oath Decades of Assault. Unfortunately, upon becoming American throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. citizensliip citizens, binding them to leading scholars and activists who two basic principles: alle- spend most of their waking hours standards; Tlie giance to the Constitution of thinking about immigration and natu- the United States and ralization have worked to weaken renouncement of any alle- American citizenship. Among their American Legion, giance to foreign princes, attacks on the citizenship process are: states or sovereignties. Ending the requirement that new Hudson Institute For more than 200 years the Oath citizens renounce all prior national of Citizenship has been essential to allegiances. naturalizing immigrants. Today, Ending the English language re- figlitbacl(. however, an influential network of quirement for citizenship because it is attorneys, academicians and activists "discriminatory." is working to weaken this patriotic Making citizenship tests easier or

2I| • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 eliminating them altogether. Is it in tlie best interests ofAmencan democracy Changing laws to encourage non- citizen voting. for new citizens to retain their old citizenship, Promoting more dual citizenship. Creating new legal categories of including political allegiance, voting rights, military "discrimination" that would consider non-citizens members of "victim" service and emotional commitment to another groups and, thus, deserving of prefer- ential treatment. nation? Is it possible to be an active, informed and Using recent international law on immigration to override traditional loyal citizen in two countries at the same time?" principles in U.S. constitutional law. Writing in the Wall Street Journal in March 1998, Peter Schuck and Pe- scholar of international and immigra- tion? Is it possible to be an active, ter Spiro, two leading immigration law tion law, attacks "archaic notions of informed and loyal citizen in two professors, complained that since 1795 sovereignty" and calls for largely countries at the same time? immigrants seeking American citizen- eliminating "the difference between a At the core of American self-gov- ship have been required "to renounce citizen and a non-citizen permanent ernment is the concept of "We the 'all allegiance and fidelity' to their old resident" in all federal laws. People" - the American people. In nations." They advocate dropping this Washington University law profes- taking the oath, the immigrant is join- renunciation clause from the oath. sor Stephen Legomsky argues that nat- ing the American people and transfer- Moreover, they suggest modifying uralized American citizens in influen- ring full political allegiance (but ob- the traditional idea of the hyphenated tial positions should not be required to viously not all ties and affection) American. Instead of Dominican- give greater weight to U.S. interests in from his or her birth nation to the Americans or Mexican-Americans, the event of a conflict between the United States. loyal citizens who are proud of their United States and the country in which Do we wish to abandon the idea of ethnic roots, they prefer "dual nation- they are also dual nationals. an American people - "one people," als" - people who are both "Domini- as expressed in the Declaration of In-

can and American" or "Mexican and Becoming American. Is it in the best dependence and the Constitution? American" who retain loyalties to interests of American democracy for There can be no single American peo- their original homelands and vote in new citizens to retain their old citizen- ple if its members are at the same both countries. ship, including political allegiance, time legally and morally part of other Sadly, those professors aren't voting rights, military service and nation-states. alone. Louis Henkin, a prominent emotional commitment to another na- To retain allegiance to another

DECEMBER 2000 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • 25 constitution other than the U.S. Con- American people has been with us that 79 percent of parents of all races stitution, and thus continue to belong since the early days of our republic. and ethnicities favored emphasis on to another people besides the Ameri- It is clear from the writings of Ameri- "pride in and learning about America" can people, is inconsistent with the ca's founders that they welcomed the over "focusing on pride in their own moral foundations of American contributions of immigrants and, at ethnic group's identity and heritage." democracy. Self-government means the same time, supported "patriotic The study also revealed that 73 per- that we have the right to determine assimilation." In a letter to John cent of foreign-bom parents empha- the rules of admission to citizenship, Adams, Washington wrote that he en- sized American pride and 65 percent and there is no evidence that the visioned immigrants becoming "as- believed that schools should "help American people favor dropping the similated to our customs, measures new immigrants absorb America's principle of "transferring allegiance" and laws," ensuring that native-bom language and culture as quickly as that has been part of our law since citizens and immigrants would "soon possible, even if their native language George Washington's presidency. become one people." and culture are neglected." In a recent address to citizenship More than 100 years later, Presi- candidates in Baltimore, the keynote dent Theodore Roosevelt echoed the What is to be done? We are clearly speaker declared: "You entered this sentiments of the founders when he engaged in a great stmggle that will building as Poles, Mexicans, Filipinos, declared, "In the first place we should determine if the American people will and Dominicans but you will leave as insist that if the immigrant who comes continue to be a self-goveming, free Americans. Few countries in the world here in good faith becomes an Ameri- people. Major trends of the past few allow such a thing. An Irishman, after can and assimilates himself to us, he decades, including the rise of multi- all, cannot become Chinese, nor can a shall be treated on an exact equality culturalism, bilingualism, dual nation-

Salvadoran become a Nigerian. And with everyone else, for it is an outrage ality, group rights and group con- yet each of you, from whatever coun- to discriminate against any man be- sciousness, along with the erosion of try, will soon become an American. cause of creed, or birthplace, or origin. long-standing laws and traditions, Taking American citizenship, becom- But this is predicated upon the man's have contributed to the weakening of ing part of the American people, is not becoming in very fact an American." American citizenship and, thus, to our like getting a new job or changing Americans today, from all races self-govemment. apartments. It is a very serious thing and ethnic groups, think very much There are many fronts in this stmg- you are doing - more like getting like Washington and Roosevelt and gle. In education, we must transmit to married or adopting a new religion." support "patriotic assimilation." Pub- all American students the heritage of The tradition of immigrants leav- lic Agenda, the respected social sci- the American, people, not the separate ing a previous people and joining the ence research firm, recently reported histories of the different "peoples" of

• • 2|j THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2000 "

America, as the discredited National ditional oath, appears in the box be- process is absolutely necessary for

History Standards put it. low. We urge you to sign it, clip it and the type of active, informed and loyal In policy and law, we should sup- mail it to your member of Congress. citizenry that our constitutional port traditional congressional authority To send it to your senator, address the democracy requires. and prevent activist judges from un- correspondence to: The Honorable At the end of the day what is at dermining our citizenship laws. (full name), U.S. Senate, Washington, stake in this struggle over the mean- To meet this challenge, two organi- D.C. 20510. For your representative, ing of citizenship is the survival of zations from America's heartland mail it to: The Honorable (full name), America as a constitutional democra- -The American Legion and the Hud- U.S. House of Representatives, Wash- cy, as opposed to a "nation" that is a son Institute - have formed an ington, D.C. 20515. mere geographic unit in which "citi- alliance, the nonpartisan Citizenship During the coming year, the Citi- zenship" and self-government become Roundtable. Our first order of business zenship Roundtable will monitor the meaningless, ij is to preserve and protect the tradition- current INS effort to "re-engineer" al Oath of Citizenship for new the citizenship test for new citizens. Dr. John Fonte is director of the citizens. We will send a statement of We will work to ensure that the new Hudson Institute' s Center for principles affirming the traditional citizenship test is not watered down. American Common Culture. oath to every member of Congress. We believe that a substantially and This statement, which affirms the tra- ceremonially rich naturalization Article design: Holly K. Soria

We Reaffirm the Oath of Citizenship A STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and

fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore

been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United

States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance

to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by law; that

I will perform work of national in[)portance under civilian direction when required by law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

We are concerned that there is a movement in legal cir- We affirm the essential truth of the following statement cles working to change the substance of the above Citizen- in a recent address to citizenship candidates: "You entered ship Oath. Therefore we raise this issue forthrightly and call this room as Poles, Mexicans, Filipinos and Dominicans - for the reaffirmation of the Oath of Citizenship. but you will leave as Americans. Taking American citizen-

Immigrants have strengthened America and we wel- ship, becoming part of the American people, Is not like getting a job or changing apartments or putting on come them. We are "a nation of immigrants" descended new a suit of clothes. It Is very serious thing from every corner of the earth. Precisely because our new a you are do- ing - more like getting married or adopting a new reli- democracy is based upon political allegiance and our com- gion." mon civic culture - not as in many other countries, on race, ethnicity or religion - we believe that the meaning This statement of principles has nothing to do with the of this allegiance should be affirmed for millions of new food one eats, the music one listens to, the religion one Americans. Thus, its significance should be part of the practices, the affection one feels for the land of one's birth

citizenship test. or the languages one speaks. It concerns only our desire to preserve our nation's political cohesion by affirming As the Oath now stands, an immigrant is joining the the new citizen's of allegiance to American consti- American people and transferring full political allegiance sense tutional democracy. (though not necessarily all ties and affection) from his or her birth nation to the United States of America. We reaf- We should reaffirm the Oath's unbroken line of tradi- firm this truth. tion from the American founding to the present made

clear in its renunciation of all prior political allegiances. This Oath - this transfer of political loyalty and allegiance - is the heart of naturalization. To retain George Washington once wrote to John Adams, envision- allegiance to a foreign state is to continue membership in ing immigrants "assimilated to our customs, measures and another people and is inconsistent with the moral and laws." Native-born citizens and Immigrants would therefore philosophical foundations of American democracy. "soon become one people." We should keep faith with this heritage and reaffirm Washington's wisdom.

• DECEMBER 2000 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE 27 Immigrant-activist devoted to uncovering our nation's roots.

staff to focus on the production of a VAZSONYI, Q: Could you discuss your progress BALINT documentary on the same topic. Do director of the Center for the the you have any thoughts or reflections on documentary? American Founding and au- DR. on the tour? thor of "America's 30 Years A: It's absolutely elating to sit here and War," is a throwback to an- produce this documentary. We are try- other era. He's a man who DR. BALINT VAZSONYI: You re asking ing to put together a one-hour documen- could easily have lived during the Re- me at an excellent moment. We are just tary, but we have material for a 10-hour naissance or Enlightenment. An about halfway through editing our docu- documentary. accomplished concert pianist, historian, mentary about the bus tour. And it's If all goes well, it will be broadcast author, professor and entrepreneur. absolutely amazing to see how much of on WETA, one of the three flagship sta- Vazsonyi seems to possess boundless America we came in contact with. tions of PBS. They have given us a let- reserves of energy and curiosity. "I'm We wanted to start a national con- ter of intent to schedule and broadcast still trying to figure out what to be versation about the principles upon the documentary. when I grow up," he quips, now pro- which America was founded. What is Our working title is "Talking with ducing a documentary film while run- interesting is that every time we had a America: A Conversation Across Party ning a think tank based in suburban forum, the fundamental issues that unite Lines." If it's successful, we will be Washington, D.C. us came into sharper focus - the rule of happy to produce another with addition- Yet he's not your typical Renaissance law, individual rights, security of prop- al footage. Man. Vazsonyi has run for mayor of a erty and our common American identi- Midwestem college town. He can quote ty. It's misleading to read the newspa- Q: During the tour, you often spoke Jerry Seinfeld and James Madison with pers and watch television, because about the American Flag. Could you equal ease. And his message resonates when you go out there to America, peo- comment on the Supreme Court deci- not just with intellectuals, historians and ple are very interested. policymakers, but with high school stu- Governors, mayors, high dents, homemakers and civic leaders. schools, colleges, public-

When it became apparent that the policy institutions, the Soviets had crushed the 1956 revolution Legion, the people on the in his native Hungary, Vazsonyi fled on street - all of them joined foot across the border into Austria. There the conversation. he waited until Congress lifted its ban on Even though our Hungarian immigration. He arrived in friends at the Legion and Florida in 1958. other supporters were

Vazsonyi has spent most of his life in disappointed when the America. He gained national prominence tour was suspended - as as he led the "Re-elect America" bus tour we were - remember that across the country promoting a national we crossed the continent discussion on the principles that have two times. And there is made America free and prosperous - the such a thing as diminish- rule of law, individual rights, security of ing returns. And I think property and a common national identity. there was some kind of According to Vazsonyi, those four providence at work in principles "are stronger than the issues what we have done, and I which divide us." The tour was suspend- really mean this: the way ed in May to allow Vazsonyi to devote it worked out, we came more time to a documentary covering home, sifted through those same issues. everything and now will

Associate Editor Alan W. Dowd in- report it to the nation, terviewed Vazsonyi as work on his docu- having taken our mes- mentary film moved into the final phase. sage to half the country. Actually, if you add up THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE: the population of the

The Re-elect America Tour traveled states we visited, it's a pr. Balint Vazsonyi offers a civics lesson during a town to half of the state capitals before it little bit more than half the meeting in Indianapolis. The American Legion was a spon- was suspended to allow you and your country. sor of his tour of America in the winter and spring of 2000.

28 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 .

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Please allow 2 to 6 weeks after payment for shipment. MAL26214 62 Freedom-minded rebels cheer the capture of a Soviet tank during the failed Hungarian In his 1998 book, Vaz- Revolution of 1956. sonyi claims America is experiencing its greatest sion that struck down the flag-protec- record - the founding documents are a national divide since the tion laws and the constitutional source of continuing fascination and a Civil War. amendment that failed to get the nec- pleasure to read. Every time I open them, essary number of votes this spring in I find something new and interesting. the Senate? And that is true of all great works. BALINTVAZSONYI I think George Washington's farewell Freedom's Messenger A: All things being equal, we shouldn't address is one of the finest things for need a constitutional amendment to pro- Americans to read to remind themselves 1936: Born in Budapest, Hungary. tect the flag. It should be in people's of the greatness of the man and the beauty hearts. of the thoughts he had. Much of what we 1956: Achieved Artist's Diploma from

I find it an unwelcome development have from Benjamin Franklin is worth tlie Liszt IVIusic Academy of Budapest. that the need has even arisen for an reading and rereading. The correspon- 1959: Emigrated to the United States. amendment. Until only very recently, it dence between Thomas Jefferson and 1960: Earned a IVIaster of Music would not have occurred to anyone to John Adams is something I would men- degree from Florida State University desecrate the flag. I can see no reason to tion. All of this would help us keep in in Tallahassee, Fla. desecrate the flag. A person who does touch with America the way it should be. 1964: Granted U.S. citizenship. that should simply be expelled from As far as literature is concerned, I've whatever community he lives in. It has always been a great fan of Mark Twain. 1 1977: Became the first person to nothing to do with the free expression of started reading him in Hungarian at perform all 32 of Beethoven's opinion. People can say whatever they about the age of 10. Reading him is an- sonatas in concert in order of com- want in America. That is a right guaran- other way of keeping in touch with position. teed by the Constitution. If they hate this America's foundation. Of course, I'm 1978: Appointed Professor of IVIusic at country enough to desecrate the flag, tempted to say that since there is so little Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. they ought not live in this country. reading going on nowadays, reading any- 1982: Awarded a Ph.D. in IVIusic by I think the Supreme Court should not thing is important. the University of Budapest. take it upon itself to treat something that is an act as if it were speech. The Q: Do you have any thoughts on the 1991: Ran for Mayor of Blooming- Supreme Court really has no mandate to greatest challenge facing America ton, Ind. change words in the dictionary. What the today? 1993: Named Dean of Music at the Constitution protects in the First Amend- New World School of the Arts in ment is the freedom of speech. To bum A: The greatest challenge facing Ameri- Miami, Fla.; accepted position as a the flag is not speech. I don't think the ca is to realize in this fast-paced life and senior fellow at the Potomac Founda- Supreme Court or any other authority tremendous noise of the beginning of tion in McLean, Va. can look at these words and conclude this new century that the original ideas 1995: Became director of the Center that when the founders said speech they upon which America was founded are for the American Founding at the meant something else. The framers still the only game in town. Not only has Foundation. spoke English exceedingly well, and if no one come up with anything better, but Potomac

they had meant other things, they would it was a true miracle that the founding of 1998: Wrote "America's 30 Years have put them in there. America happened. War." Everything need for this country to we 2000: Launched a tour of the 50 Q: What do you recommend con- be a better place is right there in the Con- state capitals to promote the princi- cerned Americans read to make them stitution. If Americans hear this message, ples that make America distinct and better citizens m this republic? America will survive all challenges in the great; producing a documentary on future as it has in the past. these principles. A: That's a very interesting question.

First of all - and I sound like a broken Article design: Doug Rollison

30 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000

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f\ f ij Jjj JJ n 1 Ten percent of veterans may be infected.

By Phyllis Zauner mates that 10 percent of veterans are now infected with HCV. Vets who con- HE HEPATITIS C VIRUS is tracted the disease in Vietnam 25 to 30 I I an insidious intruder. HCV years ago may only now be showing settles into your bloodstream signs of severe liver disease. ""i^^l mm with few warning signals and The reason the virus remained unde-

leaves no visible calling card tected for so long is that until 1989 it had

for future reference. In fact, it's never been identified. Another year unlikely that even at the time passed before a test became available to of infection you will feel any identify individuals who had been ex- symptoms. posed to this mystery virus. The big surprise may come "Veterans may be five to 10 times mH to you 20 or 30 years down the more likely to have hepatitis C than the line when you learn that while average American," said Dr. Teresa you weren't paying attention, the virus Wright of the San Francisco VA Medical had been busy laying claim to your liver. Center. "This is a blood-bome disease,

Unless some intervening routine physical and its most common cause has been examination reveals liver antibodies, this blood transfusions. Until 1992 no accu- Blood transfusions were a common ticking time bomb could lead to cirrhosis rate method of screening the blood exist- cause of the spread of hepatitis C (scarring of liver), liver with the cancer or ed. Being transfused infected blood among wounded U.S. soldiers during the even death. represented a major risk factor." Vietnam War. Statistics are alarming. Whereas the rate of hepatitis C infection among the The Battle for Prevention. Fortunately, hepatitis C from 10 percent to less than general public mns less than 2 percent, efficient blood screening has since re- 0.5 percent. StUl, the burden of those the Department of Veterans Affairs esti- duced the frequency of post-transfusion who were infected in earlier transfusions

remains. Currently there is no vaccine Epidemiology available to immunize against this virus, and one is not likely to appear soon. Military Service of HCV Seropositive Veterans On the brighter side, Wright said, "If we can identify and test people at risk before the virus has settled in irreversibly,

we may be able to eradicate it. Even where some mild liver damage has oc- curred, we may be able to reverse the disease." This optimistic possibility prompted Wright to propose a national VA pro-

gram that would evaluate 1 1,500 veter- ans infected with hepatitis C for possible treatment. Dr. Lennox Jeffers, Wright's colleague at the Miami VA Medical Center, have been named the lead inves- tigators for the study. Together they have set up a program to make the newest drugs available to any veterans who

Veterans who served in Vietnam far outpaced those who served in other conflicts qualify for treatment. since World War II in contracting hepatitis C. "We decided that Dr. Stephen Rossi,

32 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 who heads up viral cUnical research here "Veterans may be five als," she said. The virus invades the en- at the San Francisco Medical Center, was tire body, not just the liver, often leaving the one who would work with us, coordi- a feeling of general malaise. Many pa- to 10 times more lil

Every vet has the right to refuse participa- ed to military service. The Executive VA Treatment for Hepatitis C tion in clinical trials. Committee of The American Legion has The American Legion Director of Healtfi Establishing entitlement to service-connect- taken a strong stand on this, encouraging Care, Veterans Affairs and Reliabilitation ed hepatitis C disability is not easy. Claims are VA to stiidy the issue of presumptive Commission is working witli VA to provide routinely denied on grounds they are not "well- service connection for hepatitis C. veterans with information to file on how a grounded." However, Congress is considering With optimistic efforts working in claim for diagnosis and treatment of hepati- legislation to change this. several directions, it seems possible that tis C incurred during a tour of duty. If help is needed, an American Legion vet- the road is being cleared for a better fu- erans' service officer will help prepare a well- ture for hepatitis C sufferers. All veterans have the right to receive hepatitis grounded claim. A photocopy of the VA C vims testing and counseling. If no appointment claims will be required, plus an opinion letter is to has been made (they are difficult to get), it is still from a doctor. The claim should include a Your Health a column written possible to walk into an HCV or liver clinic and statement of risk factors to which veterans provide general information to our request a time slot to speak with a counselor were exposed during service. readers. It is not intended to be nor is (two slots are held open each day for walk-ins). When scheduled for a VA Compensation it medical advice. Readers must con- Veterans using alcohol or dmgs are not eligi- Exam, the examiner should be required to sult with their personal physicians ble for therapy and may not be recommended write an opinion letter regarding the link bet- when they have health problems. for treatment if under psychiatric care. ween the veteran's current infection and in- A liver biopsy may be required, but can be service events. Without this opinion, the PhyUis Zauner, a California author, is a refused. claim will be denied. fi-equent contributor to this magazine. Veterans have the right to first-line hepati- If the claim is denied, the next step is the

tis C therapy, which is a combination of in- Board of Veterans' Appeals. It's a complicated Article design and illustration: terferon and ribovirin. process and may require the help of an attorney. Doug Rollison

DECEMBER 2000 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • ^^^^Of

Mountain Landing Garnered MOH

Wingman assistedpilot at greatpersonal risk.

By Edward F. Murphy

DEC. 4, 1950, engine trouble forced Ensign Jesse ONBrown, the Navy's first African-American aviator, to crash-land his F4U-4 Corsair in the rugged mountains north of Korea's Chosin Reservoir. The impact twisted the plane's fuselage, trapping Brown. As seven remaining Corsairs circled protectively overhead, the flight leader radioed for a rescue helicopter. However, when Lt. j.g. Thomas J. Hudner Jr., Brown's wingman, noticed smoke drifting from Brown's damaged cowling, he decided to land his fighter despite the damage that terrain had inflicted upon Brown's plane. "It wasn't a hard decision to make," Hudner recalled. "We were a team. One President Truman presents Lt. j.g. Hudner with the IVIedal of Honor in 1951. of us was in trouble. Somebody had to help. I decided to be that one." knew I didn't have much time if I was to off the metal pieces that had trapped He chopped power and banked sharply save him." Brown's legs. earthward. His plane hit hard during a Hudner ran back to his plane where he wheels-up landing, but remained intact as grabbed a wool scarf and hat. Tough Decision. "The heficopter pilot it ground to a halt less than a hundred "I put the hat on Jesse's head and pulled me aside. He said his aircraft wasn't yards from Brown's wreckage. wrapped the scarf around his hands. Then equipped to fly at night. It would be too

Hudner ran to his friend. The heavy, I jumped down and started packing snow dangerous to navigate the mountains at wet snow clung to around the cowling, night. He suggested we come back in the his boots, making it hoping to slow the moming with more men and equipment. difficult to climb up spread of any fire." "He was right, but I knew Jesse wouldn't the side of Brown's Climbing back up survive. He was growing weaker by the plane. Finally, Hud- the side of the plane, minute. I told him we were going for help. ner hoisted himself Hudner resumed his He gave me a last message for his wife. upward to hang pre- efforts to free Brown. Then he fell unconscious. I think knowing cariously over the But it was no use. we were there at the end helped him." edge of the cockpit. Brown was too badly Unfortunately, Brown's body was nev- What he saw con- trapped. er recovered. For Hudner's heroic efforts, firmed his worst "Through all this he received the Medal of Honor from Despite a daring rescue attempt, fears. Ensign Jesse L. Brown couldn't be Jesse never com- President Truman April 13, 1951. Jesse saved. plained," Hudner said. Brown's widow, Daisy, attended the Trapped. "Jesse's "He remained calm. White House ceremony. legs were trapped under the instrument He was conscious but groggy. We talked a Hudner retired from the Navy as a panel, and he'd dropped his gloves. He bit, but there wasn't much to say. He must captain in 1973. Today he serves as the hadn't been on the ground 20 minutes and have been in a lot of pain, and it was bit- Massachusetts chairman for DoD's Em- already his hands were stiff." terly cold, but he never uttered one word ployers Support for Guard and Reserve Hudner struggled to free Brown, acute- of complaint." Commission. ^ ly aware of the acrid smoke wafting past Finally, Hudner heard the staccato beat the cockpit. While he worked, Hudner of a helicopter's rotor. The little craft put Edward F. Murphy sen'ed in the Army offered Brown encouragement. down near the wreckage. The pilot carried from 1965 to 1968. He has written several "I could tell Jesse had severe internal a fire extinguisher and an ax to Hudner. hooks, including "Korean War Heroes," injuries," Hudner said. "He responded to Together, the pair worked to free Brown. "Heroes of World War 11" and "Vietnam me very slowly, as if he were very tired. I But they couldn't. The ax simply bounced Medal ofHonor Heroes."

• • 3/| THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2000 If you have contracted MESOTHELIOMA or LUNG CANCER due to exposure to

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The Internet is creating new ef- A fair and equitable sales tax ficiencies, opening new markets system wiU ensure the main- and raising the productivity of tenance of important services workers. And because the Inter- m for all Americans as we begin net is a global medium, the wonderful a new century rich with opportunity. opportunity now exists to enhance the Intemet shopping accounts for a dra- liberty, knowledge and economic stand- matically increasing share of retail busi- ing of everyone on earth. ness in this country. But e-commerce But here's the challenge. We live in a companies are not required to collect

world divided into nation-states which set their own national sales taxes. I believe we must have a fair and equitable tax sys- policies. Yet the Intemet, a borderless, seamless medium, does tem that ensures all traditional, local Main Street retail stores and

not fit neatly into this global structure. Thus, a global Intemet e-commerce companies can compete on a level playing field. policy might be difficult and perhaps impossible for any nation In 1992, the U.S. Supreme Court mled that retailers are not to control or regulate - even within its own borders. required to collect sales taxes when they ship goods into states The Intemet changes everything including govemment. In where they have no physical presence, such as a retail store. So the 20th century, the power to tax and enforce those taxes has a catalog company, like J.C. Penney, that has a warehouse or a been the special preserve of govemment. The old rules of gov- catalog store, can be required to collect local sales taxes. But a eming - like the old rules of business - may not work well in company, like L.L. Bean, that does only mail-order business the emerging Intemet age. cannot be required to collect taxes. The Internet cannot be a To date, Intemet retailers

medium for the privileged. It have been viewed in the same "The old rules of govern- "We must have a fair and must be a universal medium category as strictiy mail-order ing - like the old rules of for all people. The power of businesses. According to a equitable tax system that business - may not work the Internet does its most University of Texas study, In- ensures all ... companies well in the emerging good when it is available to ternet sites generated $300 can compete on a level the disempowered and those billion in sales in 1998. That Internet age." playing field." lacking in knowledge, edu- figure is expected to grow cation and wealth. We rapidly in the next five to 10 should focus our energies not only on providing access to the years. More and more, consumers are making purchases via Intemet, but also on empowering people with the knowledge the Intemet instead of buying products and goods in their own of how to use the Intemet to advance their lives. We should hometown stores. seek an international order that frees individuals from un- As a result, schools, police departments, hospitals and other necessary taxes and tariffs that detract from the quality of public service providers that dep)end on sales taxes are seeing a

life of the people of the world. This is, in my view, a major decrease in revenues. Ultimately, these public services will be collision point between the new information age and the old reduced, or property and income taxes will be increased to off- thinking of the past. set the decline. Either way, this is not a choice that citizens want.

Many today believe that sales taxes should be universally In April, I was one of 35 govemors who sent a letter from the imposed on e-commerce over the Intemet. As chairman of the National Govemors' Association to House and Senate leaders Congressional Advisory Commission on Electronic Com- urging them to reject a report by the Advisory Commission on

merce, I have proposed that sales taxes on electronic com- Electronic Commerce on the future of Intemet taxes. The merce NOT be imposed on remote transactions between busi- ACEC's report recommended special tax breaks for e-com- nesses and consumers. We should recognize the wonderful merce companies at the expense of local, hometown businesses. new opportunity for working men and women to be able to en- If our federal tax system creates a loophole for retailers hance the quality of their lives and that of their children as they that use the Internet, our hometown stores will pay the use the Intemet for buying and selling. price. We must not adopt policies that financially hinder Tlie path that we walk today the entrepreneurial spirit this

is a path to tomorrow. Govern- great country was founded ment can put stumbling blocks Your Dpinions GdudUbo upon. We must have a tax on that path in the form of taxes Senators and representatives are imeresteci in con- system that creates a fair stituent viewpoints. You may express your views by writ- and regulations, or it can keep it playing field for all business ing The Honorable (name), U.S. Senate, Washington, DC clear of those encumbrances of owners and customers, and 20510, or The Honorable (name). House of Representa- that ensures our children the old ways of government. tives, Washington, DC 20515. You may call the Senate at one Govemment must view the In- (202) 224-3121; the House at (202) 225-3121. are educated and our families temet as an opportunity. are protected.

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Suing for PDW answers They have sued the U.S. intelligence community for documents on the death of Princess Diana. Now they are after the CIA for documents on missing or aban- doned Vietnam POWs. Attorneys Mark Zaid and Jim Lazar have been retained by researcher Roger Hall in a legal effort to pry POW/MIA documents out of the CIA's hands. In Au- gust, a federal judge rejected the agency's motion for dismissal of the case, and Hall says he wants to proceed with depositions of current and former agency officials.

Hall is convinced that hundreds of POWs were left behind. In the POW/MIA case, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman confirmed that both the CIA and the DIA (Defense In- Nigerian soldiers are serving as part of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone and receive training from U.S. telligence Agency) had properly with- Special Forces. held information on the locations of indi- vidual POW/MIAs because of family United States entering Africa's quagmire privacy concerns. Hall says that, with the In yet another deployment, U.S. attend C-130 maintenance courses at consent of family members, he can go Army Special Forces teams are train- Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. back to court and force the release of the ing Nigerian soldiers for regional Nigeria, a country with a foreign information. peacekeeping missions. But Human debt of $30 billion, is supplementing Rights Watch warns that the Nigerians the package with a little more than $3

have committed serious human rights million of its own money. Rainfnrest iiysteria? Where wiU abuses against civilians in Sierra Leone it come from? Nigeria's main source After the New York Times claimed that and should be monitored closely. of revenue is oil, which has been open water at the North Pole was caused The training is part of a $10 million steadily rising in price. by global warming, it had to run an em- U.S. program to "reprofessionalize" the The Nigerians could next be de- barrassing correction. It turns out that Nigerian military that also includes ployed to the Congo, where foreign summer North Pole temperatures have $600,000 to bring Nigerian officers to armies from Zimbabwe, Angola and been above freezing for decades. But one U.S. military schools. The program will Namibia are supporting the govern- investigator says that gaffe pales in com- provide $4 million to rehabilitate its ment of President Laurent Kabila, parison to the myth that the Amazon rain- fleet of eight C-130 cargo aircraft, while Rwanda- and Uganda-backed forest is dwindling at an alarming rate and which transports Nigerian peacekeep- rebel groups are fighting him. will be gone in 10 years. ers. In addition, Nigerian soldiers will -C.K. Journalist Marc Morano says, "This is one of the biggest environmental cons of the last two decades." Morano, who works Secret and Top Secret classified-matter for American Investigator television, visit- Lee's Los Aiamos faliout protection and control have been discon- ed the Amazon, talking to natives and After being charged with 59 felony tinued," says a General Accounting Of- government officials, only to discover counts last December, Los Alamos scien- fice report. A GAO chart of 10 mini- that, "The Amazon rainforest is the most tist Wen Ho Lee pleaded guilty to only mum requirements for controlling secret intact, least-endangered forest on the plan- one: improperly downloading classified documents showed that six had been et. Of the original forest area, only 12.5 information. After serving a mere 278 days discontinued. percent has been deforested. Of that, 6 or 7 in prison, Lee was released. He also re- Meanwhile, Edward T. Pound of USA percent has regenerated. So up to 94 per- ceived an apology from U.S. District Judge Today revealed that Air Force Chief of cent of the Amazon is left to nature." James Parker, who already had doubts Staff Gen. Michael Ryan told Congress The myth has persisted because few about whether the sensitive material Lee that delays in security clearance investiga- people have actually surveyed the area, downloaded was tmly vital to national se- tions have "put at risk" critical programs

Morano says. He says the rainforest is so curity. Opinion is divided over whether the providing personnel for nuclear weapons exotic and far away that it lends itself to government had a strong case but failed to and the president's plane. Air Force One. misinformation by environmental groups make it, or that Lee was unfairly targeted. Although several congressional hearings and Hollywood celebrities. However, there is no question that the have already been held on the problem, a Morano's documentary, "Amazon security program at the Department of backlog of more than 500,000 security in- Rainforest - Clear-Cutting the Myths," is Energy is a shambles. "In general, over vestigations still exists. airing around the country. the past 12 years, many requirements for - CliffKincaid

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/|Q • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 TRAVEL SERVICES HEALTH SERVICES MAGAZINE & INTERNET SERVIC

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42 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 , , UTHENTIC AVIATO^E EStiPRICE^Ifl

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Agent Oraoge bill The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences

released a report Oct. 1 1 regarding

its investigation into the available evidence on diabetes and Agent Orange. The report concludes there is suggested evidence of a link between exposure to herbi- cides used in Vietnam (the conta- minant dioxin) and Type 2 (adult- National Commander Ray Smith tallts with Rep. Bob Stump, R-Ariz., sponsor of the onset) diabetes. Veterans Claims Assistance Act (HR 4864). Considered a victory for thousands of The same day of the report's vets seeking disability compensation, the bill now awaits the president's signature. release, Rep. Lane Evans, D-Ill., the Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, in- Vet claims bill goes to presideot troduced legislation (HR 5438) that would compensate diabetic Army veteran Jack Morton died be- "Federal law should not force VA to Vietnam veterans if passed. In a fore his lawsuit against the Department of disregard claims that might later be letter to Acting VA Secretary Her- Veterans Affairs could be resolved. But proved valid," National Commander shel Gober, Evans called on VA to The American Legion has carried his Ray Smith said. "The VA should be al- issue interim final regulations to fight to a likely favorable ending for thou- lowed to help claimants gather all the

compensate affected Vietnam sands of veterans seeking disability com- facts, as it did prior to the Morton case -

War veterans as soon as possible. pensation from VA. even if it means giving the veteran a The Veterans Claims Assistance Act physical, free of charge." (HR 4864) that Congress sent to President Morton, who served on active duty Veterans bill would Clinton Oct. 1 7 would require VA to assist during World War H, died in May while all claimants for veterans benefits at the his case was on appeal to the U.S. Court raise MGIB benefits onset of the claims process. If signed by of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Congress recently passed the the president, the measure would correct a The American Legion has requested Veterans Benefits and Health Care July 1999 mling by the U.S. Court of Ap- that Congress provide funding to hire ad- Improvement Act and forwarded it peals for Veterans Claims that required the ditional VA staff to keep pace with new to the White House for the presi- VA to assist only those claimants whose claims. An estimated 80,000 claims de- dent's signature. The bUl contains a cases have been predetermined by VA to nied since the Morton mling would be el- number of changes to veterans pro- be "well-grounded." igible for resubmission. grams, including one that would in- crease the monthly benefit for Montgomery GI Bill participants. The bill (S 1402) would permit Abosed POWs eligible for medal service members to "buy up" their MGIB basic benefit by making an Thanks to a little-publicized elude copies of repatriation med- j SHHM after-tax contribution of up to four-year-old change in criteria, ical exams or witness statements ; ^HHBB $600. That would provide up to former American POWs may be ^^|^hB frorn a fellow soldier or cellmate, benefits over $5,400 in additional eligible to receive the Purple ^^^|B ^ recent example is a group of 36 months of entitlement, or an ad- Heart medal. ^l^^^B troops who earned the Purple ditional $150 per month. The bill The 1996 National Defense Au- ^PHjr Heart following their captivity also would increase the basic edu- thorization Act stated that POWs more than a year ago in the Balkans, cational allowance for survivors wounded or injured during capfiv- ^ Three U.S. soldiers who endured and dependents to $588 per month, ity before April 25, 1962, are eh- /^^-^^ frequent beatings while impris- with annual cost-of-living adjust- gible for the award. Since then, a Wa oned received medals, [ ^ ments. number of World Warn and Ko- W Officials at the Military Order The bill also would mandate a rean War vets have applied for V^^^ of the Purple Heart headquarters in new study on post traumatic stress Purple Hearts on the basis of Springfield, Va., said veterans ap- ^^^^^""^ disorder and an increase in cover- wounds and injuries received while plying for the medal should use Stan- age of Servicemembers' Group they were POWs, officials of the Army's dard Form 180, "Request Pertaining to Life Insurance and other changes. Military Awards branch said. Supporting Military Records," which is available at documentation is required and may in- VA service and medical centers.

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Legion champ wins Oiympic Gold TALM reaps awards An American Legion Baseball The American Legion Magazine star is now an Olympic hero. Ben won 12 Mature Media National Sheets led Team USA to an upset Awards in 2000, in the categories of 4-0 victory over Cuba, winning Color Photograph, Magazine Arti- the Gold Medal after pitching cle, Graphic Design and Magazine nine innings against Cuba with Article Series. Mature Media is a no walks. He was in complete national awards program recogniz- command throughout the game, ing the best advertising, marketing coaxing one ground ball after an- and educational materials produced other. for adults age 50 and older. Back in 1996, Sheets hurled for Gonzales, La., Post 81, help- ing his team place second in The American Legion World Series. J In that series, he won the Bob II Feller Pitching Award for most it it strikeouts. - Sheets will be elevated from Hi m . k the Indianapolis Indians minor m II league team to the Milwaukee Former American Legion World Series star Ben Legion lias joined The American Brewers, where he is projected as Sheets celebrates after defeating Cuba for with French veterans' groups in a starting pitcher for 2001 Olympic Gold Sept. 27 in Sydney, Australia. financially supporting repair of the La Fayette Escadrille Memorial Monument in Paris, where 52 World

War I American pilots are burled. lillicliigan stalls op 33 new Posts

Legion aids memoriai Michigan has gone into previously gress with Indian tribes and union locals. The American Legion is chip- overlooked territories in establishing 33 "A lot of Indian tribes have gambling ping in to help restore a French new Posts and revitalizing seven others these days," Ford said. "In some places

memorial honoring World War I in the past three years. where it got a little bit lucrative, all trib- American volunteer pilots. The state's new Post and revitaliza- al members shared in income. But the The Overseas Graves Decora- tion leader Al Ford listened well when U.S. government responded by elimi- tion Trust met recently to consider a Past National Commander Daniel Lud- nating pensions to vets on those reserva- request for funds from the La wig declared at a national membership tions. It didn't make sense. A lot of Fayette Escadrille Memorial Foun- conference, "Wherever there's a high these people find themselves in meager dation in France, which is spear- school. The American Legion should circumstances." heading an effort to repair the mon- have a Post to serve the community." In helping tribes reactivate pension ument where 52 American pilots Of 660 Michigan communities with claims. Ford came to reahze that tribes and two of their commanding high schools, only 435 had American have large veteran populations. As a French officers are buried. The trust Legion Posts. Ford investigated school result of Ford's enterprise and tribe in- resolved to send a contribution of districts without Posts and made con- terest, three new American Legion $25,000, or about 195,000 francs. tacts, and new Posts emerged. Posts were activated by the Potawaton The Legion's donation will be The Department also has made pro- Indian Reservation in the Upper Penin- added to $70,000 in gifts and sula, the Isabella Indian Reservation at pledges already received by French Mount Pleasant and The Grand Tra- veterans groups. The French gov- verse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa ernment will assume 75 percent of Indians at Suttons Bay. the repair costs, estimated to be Noting that "Michigan is blessed about $770,000. with the automobile industry," Ford The La Fayette Escadrille was a went a few steps further, contacting lo- group of American volunteer pilots cals of the United Automobile Workers. who started out in the French For- "Typically they have their own veterans eign Legion and transferred to the commissions," Ford said, "and we offer Frank James, left, oldest and most-deco- French Air Force in December a service officer for assistance." rated veteran of The Grand Traverse 1914. In spring 1916, an all-Ameri- That also led to new Posts, and Ford Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, can pilot unit was authorized. shares a moment with Al Ford of the recommends other Departments explore Michigan Department. these same areas for expansion.

40 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 Daniel Crews and Kate Benjamin take aim alongside other competitors at the Junior Rifle Precision Championships. Sharpshooters snag scholarships COLLECTOR'S ITEM - Susan The 2000 American Legion Junior attained the Sporter championship title. Campbell of Edenton, N.C., pre- sents National Commander Ray Rifle National Precision Championship, Peters, who was sponsored by Ameri- Smith witli a 1919 lapel pin at a held Aug. 7 to 1 1 at the Olympic Train- can Legion South Richmond Post 137, reception following his inaugura- ing Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., scored 2272.9 out of 2509. tion Sept. 7 at the 82nd National recognized the national champions at an All competitors fired from prone, pin, Convention in Milwaukee. The awards banquet recently. standing and kneeling positions in ei- made in Paris the year The Ameri- Daniel Crews of Winston, Ga., a ther of two air-rifle categories: Preci- can Legion was founded, was sion or Sporter. Precision air rifles are secured by Campbell and her hus- member of the Douglas County Youth band, Richard, over the Internet. Shooting Sports Club "Hawkeyes" spon- exactly like those used in the Olympic The Campbells belong to Edward sored by American Legion Frank Burris games, while Sporters are geared to- G. Bond Post 40 in Edenton. Post 145, won the Precision champi- ward entry-level participants.

onship title, scoring 2449.0 out of 2509. For their titles. Crews and Peters Joshua Peters, who hails from Rich- each earned a trophy and a $1,000 mond, Va., and is a member of Turkey scholarship from the Sons of The Creek 4-H Shooting Education Club, American Legion.

Legionoairejoioed ID years ago

Urban Schick is the oldest known - memories includes j

person with a continuous membership » playing baseball with

in The American Legion, and he has \ the St. Louis Cardinals; lived a full and colorful life. / attending law school Schick celebrated his 104th birthday I f I with Harry S. Truman Oct. 6. joined American Legion future He s 4 I and Supreme Post 224 in Kansas City in 1921. In Fp"'-"f § i Court Justice Charles July, the Post honored Schick with an Urban Schick Evans Whittaker; liv- 80-year American Legion membership ing next door, in peace, to the notorious certificate. hoodlum Machine Gun Kelly; and play- TAIM now 17th largest According to Schick's nephew, ing jazz with the legendary Coon- The American Legion Maga- Bruce O'Neal, his uncle's parade of Sanders Nighthawk Orchestra. zine was rated as the 17th largest consumer magazine in the United MEMORIAL TO States, according to an Advertis- ALL - Members of ing Age magazine report. Post 375 in Muk- With an average circulation of wonago, Wis., recently dedicated 2.6 million for the first half of a memorial to 2000, The American Legion Mag- honor veterans azine is larger than such well- from all branches known pubhcations as U.S. News of the military. In and World Report (2.1 million), the background is Rolling Stone (1.3 million) and a World War II howitzer. Post 375 The New Yorker (843,000). is led by Comman- der Ron Flury.

DECEMBER 2000 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • /|J iisin nm

House exonerates USS Miattafolis captain In 1996, The American Legion The actual language of the legisla- been a hot issue for a long, long Naval Affairs Committee passed a tion states "Capt. McVay's record time," Klipstine said. "A lot about the resolution calling for an investigation should now reflect that he is exonerat- situation really wasn't known, and into the events surrounding the sink- ed for the loss of the Indianapolis and some of his relatives approached the ing of the USS Indianapolis and sub- so many of her crew." Supporters say Legion wanting to get his name sequent court martial of Charles But- no problems are foreseen in the legisla- cleared. That's why we had the stand ler McVay III, its captain. The ship tion being signed by President Clinton. that we did. was sunk by two Japanese torpedoes Robert Klipstine, a member of Post "(McVay) was doing what he four days after delivering the 487 in West Milton, Ohio, a Past thought was right. He was out there Hiroshima atomic bomb to the island Department Commander and National by himself." of Tinian. Commander's Aide The committee saw its goal met and current National Oct. 11, when the U.S. House of Rep- Vice Chairman of the resentatives passed legislation that Naval Affairs Com- included the exoneration of McVay in mittee, said there had one of the worst naval disasters in been discussion sur- U.S. history and awarded a Navy Unit rounding McVay's Commendation to the USS Indi- court martial for years. anapolis and its final crew. One day "There were so later, the Senate approved the confer- many questions about New legislation in Congress awards a Navy Unit ence report of the legislation by a it, and it created a lot Commen- dation to the USS Indianapolis and its final crew. resounding margin. of controversy. It had

i^i^ynS®i^i^ The Veterans' Connection

AIR FORCE in New Guinea and Luzon in the Philippines, Melvin H. Heckman, Dept of Indiana. Natl Sec. contact Michael J, Frost, 221 S. 6th St., Train. Cmte. Memb. 1958-1960, Natl Law & 68th FIS #19398 Eldridge, lA 52748, call (319)285-7466 or Order Cmte. Memb, 1960-1965, Alt Nat'l NAVY e-mail [email protected]. Exec. Cmte, Memb, 1965-1969, Natl Exec. TAPS Cmte. Memb. 1969-1977, Natl Internal USS Sturtevant De/DER-239 #22593 Affairs Cmsn. Liaison Memb, 1969-1973, Henry S. Bialoglowy, Dept. of Connecticut. Nat'l Natl Economic Cmsn, Liaison Memb. 1973- IN OF SEARCH Military Affairs Cmte, Memb. 1963-1981, Nat'l 1977, Natl M&PA Cmte. Memb. 1977-1983 Affairs 1982- Anyone who served in the 6th Special NCB Veterans Preference Cmte. Memb. 1963-1964, and Natl Naval Cmte. Memb. (Naval Construction Battalion), Seabees, and Nat'l Alt. Exec. Cmte. Memb, 1977-1979, Nat'l 1987. 1980- Dr, L, Patterson, of was stationed in the South Pacific from 1942 American Legion Magazine Liaison Gordon Dept Nebraska. to 1945, contact Eugene Speicher, P.O. Box 1982, Nat'l Children & Youth Liaison 1984- Natl Americanism Cncl, Vice Chmn. 1989- 1985-1986. 43, Mt. Pocono, PA 18344 or call (570)839- 1985, Nat'l Exec. Cmte. Memb. 1979-1985, 1990 and Natl Chaplain Paul B, Phifer Jr,, of Virginia. Natl Vice 7855, or contact John F. Fioran, 28 Cornell Nat'l Law & Order Cmte. Memb. 1987-1996, Dept 1982- Drive, Hazlet, N.J. 07730 or call (732)264- Nat'l Public Relations Cmte. Memb. Cmdr. 1987-1988, Natl Aerospace Cmte. 9338. 1984 and Dept Cmdr. 1966-1967. Memb. 1978-1981, Nat'l Americanism Cmsn. Blake, Nat'l Anyone who served with the 506th Airborne Inf. Clarence E. Dept. of Kansas. Nat'l Sec. Memb. 1980-1995, Americanism Vice 1976-1977 Reg. (Airmobile/Air Assault) in Vietnam, con- Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1972-1975 and 1980-1981, Chmn. 1995-2000, Dept Cmdr. tact Mike Krawczyk, 2405 Thomas Road, Val- Nat'l Mbrshp. & Post Activ. Cmte. Memb. and numerous Dept positions 1974-2000. H. of Florida. paraiso, IN 46383, call (219)464-3051 or 1974-1976, Nat'l Naval Affairs Cmte. Consul- Robert Wheeler, Dept. Natl e-mail [email protected]. tant 1976-1977, Nat'l Military Affairs Cmte. Counter-Subversive Activ. Cmte. Memb. Anyone who served with the 465th Bomb Wing Memb. 1977-1983, Nat'l Military Affairs Cmte. 1970-1972, Nat'l Foreign Relations Cncl. Legis. (SAC) from Oct. 1965 to Aug. 1967 at Vice Chmn. 1978-1979 and Dept. Cmdr. Memb. 1972-1975, Natl Cncl. Memb. 1982- 1983. 1975-1980, Natl M&PA Cmte. Memb. 1983- Robins AFB, Ga., or with the 1 961 st Com. Cncl. Gp. from Oct. 1967 to April 1969 at Clark Anthony L. Buras Sr., Dept of Louisiana. Nat'l 1984, Natl Americanism Vice Chmn. AB, Philippines, contact Don Phillips at 600 Mbrshp. & Post Activ. Cmte. Memb. 1969- 1986-1989 and Natl American Legion Life Trust 1989-1991. Twin Court, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379, call 1973, Nat'l Counter Subversive Activ. Cmte. Insurance & Cmte. Memb. (320)252-4794 or e-mail drpcloud® Memb. 1978-1980, Nat'l Distinguished Harold J. Witchen, Dept of Pennsylvania. Nat'l Vice Chmn. 1987-2000 Dept Cmdr. Pilgrimage Cmte. Memb. 1958-1960, Nat'l earthlink.net. Guests , Any former members of the Army Graves Regis- 1983- 1984 and numerous Dept positions M&PA Cmte. Memb. 1960-1972, Natl Distin- 1974-1975, tration Service who served with the 27th Army from 1979 to 1983. guished Guests Cmte. Memb. Legis. Nat'l Foreign Relations Cncl. Vice Chmn. Div. during the Makin Island invasion in WWII William C. Farmer, Dept of Texas. Natl. Preference Cmte. contact Jerome P. Steigmann, 15422 N. 2nd Cncl. Memb. 1987-1990, Dept Cmdr. 1994- 1975-1978, Natl Veterans 1975- 1975-1984, Natl Legis. Cncl. Memb. Way, Phoenix, AZ 85022 or call (602)993- 1995 and numerous Dept. positions Memb. 1994. 1975-1976, Natl Sec. Cncl. Memb. 1980- 1 824, fax to (602)993-2933 or e-mail [email protected]. Philip L. Hall, Dept of Iowa. Nat'l Sec. Cncl. 1981, Natl Counter-Subversive Activ. Cmte. Nat'l Resolution Memb. 1982-1983 and Natl Americanism Anyone who served in the 6th Army Inf. Div., Vice Chmn. 1976-1977 and 3rd Bn., 20th Reg., Co. L from 1943 to 1945 Assignment Cmte. Memb. 1980-1999. Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1991-2000.

im • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2000 . .

ElASSIflfD

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STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, 13. Publication Title: The American Legion MANAGEMENT 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Septem- AND CIRCULATION ber 2000 Special Offer 15. Extent and nature of circulation: Send A ONE-YEAR GIFT (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685) L Title of Publication: THE AMERICAN LEGION Actual Number SUBSCRIPTION OF IVIAGAZINE. Average No. of Copies of Copies Each Single Issue 2. Publication Number 0886-1234 Issue During Published 4. filing: Date of September 27, 2000. Preceding Nearest to 4. Frequency of issue: Monthly. 12 Months Filing Date 5. No. of issues published annually: 12. a. Total No. of Copies 6. Annual subscription price: $3.00. Printed 2,639,373 2,608,105 7. Complete mailing address of known office of pub- b. Paid and/or Requested Circulation lication: 5745 Lee Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46216

1 . Paid/Requested Outside- (Manon County). 8. Complete mailing address of headquarters of gen- County Subscriptions Stated eral business offices of the publisher: 700 North Penn- on Form 3541 2,628,545 2,597,370 sylvania St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. 2. Paid In-County Subscriptions 0 0 9. Names and addresses of publisher, editor and 3. Sales Through Dealers and managing editor: Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Publisher: Dick McNally, 700 N. Pennsylvania St., Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Distribution 5,613 5,531 Editor: John Raughter, 700 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 4. Other Classes Mailed Through Managing Editor: Ron Hyink, 700 N. Pennsylvania the USPS 0 0 St.. Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 c. Total Paid and/or Requested 10. (Do not leave blank. If the publication is Owner Circulation (Sum of 15b (1),(2), owned by a corporation, give the name and address of (3), and (4)) 2,634,158 2,602,901 the corporation immediately followed by the names d. Free distribution by mail and addresses of all stockholders owning or holding 1

1 . Outside-County as Stated percent or more of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, give the names and addresses on Form 3541 4,217 4,166

of the individual owners. If owned by a partnership or 2. In-County as Stated on Form 354 1 0 0 other unincorporated firm, give its name and address 3. Other Classes Mailed Through as well as those of each individual owner. If the publi- the USPS 0 0 cation is published by a nonprofit organization, give e. Free distribution outside the mail . . .0 0 Its name and address.) f. Total Free distribution The American Legion Headquarters, 700 N. Penn- (Sum of 15d and 15e) 4,217 4.166 I've enclosed a check for $9.95. sylvania St., P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Indiana (Normally $15) 46206. g. Total distribution

U Bill me $9.95 1 1 . Known bondholders, mortgages, and other secu- (Sum of 15c and 15f) 2,638,375 2,607,067 nty holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the h. Copies not distributed 998 1,038 Send to: Gift Subscription, total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: i. Total (Sum of 15g and h.) ..2,639,373 2,608.105 Legion None. The American Magazine, j. Percent Paid and/or 12. Tax Status: For completion by nonprofit organi- P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Requested Circulation 99.80 99.84 zations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates. The pur- 17. I certify that all information furnished on this Offer ends January 15, 2001 pose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for Federal income tax purposes form is true and complete. i have not changed during the preceding 12 months. (Signed) Dick McNally, Publisher

DECEMBER 2000 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • LEEIBH SHOPPER

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DECEIUBER 2000 - THE All^ERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • |j| PmiHE SHOTS

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