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Vol. 151, No. 1 The Magazine for a Strong America ARTICLES

COUItAGE V. CIVILITY By Clarence Thomas In their efforts to be seen as tolerant and nonjudgmental, active citizens can become cowards.

THE FIGHT FOR MORAL RIGHTS By Edwin Meese III Undaunted by gay-rights groups and other critics, tfie Boy Scouts stand their ground.

THE CHILDREN'S STORY By James Clavell

When we fail to explain the gift of freedom to the next generation, it can be lost in 25 minutes.

NEW RANK PARTNER HELPS VETS, KIDS By George A. BuskirkJr. First National Bank Omaha benefits Legion youth programs while offering smart investments.

PREVENTING ARMAGEDDON By Philip c. Clarke With nuclear and biological threats waiting in the wings, the time for missile defense has come.

SEARCHING FOR DAD By IVIatt Grills

The American World War II Orphans' Network comforts those whose fathers didn't come home.

SAVING SOCIAL SECURITY By Dan Mitchell For workers and retired seniors alike, privatization promises to be the best . "DEAN" OF NEC PASSES AWAY AT 88 E. Roy Stone leaves behind a remarkable legacy of serving The American Legion. EPA Y"m~e~W"TT

BIG ISSUES Do you support more base closures now?

VETVOICE LEGION NEWS COMRADES

COMMANDER'S MESSAGE I WASHINGTON WATCH PARTING SHOTS

VETERANS HEALTH 1 VETERANS UPDATE 1

COVER With reverence and respect, a Boy Scout folds a flag. Under fire M for a policy that prevents homosexuals from serving as Scoutmasters, the Boy Scouts are weathering vicious propaganda and a loss of financial 34 support. See Page 14. Tony Stone photo

The American Legion Magazine, a leader among national general-interest publications, is publistied monthly by Ttie American Legion for its 2.7 million members. Ttiese wartime veterans, working ttirougti 15,000 community-level Posts, dedicate ttiemselves to God and Country and traditional American values; strong national security; adequate and compassionate care for vet- erans, ttieir widows and orphans; community service; and the wholesome development of our nation's youth.

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Postmark still the law Peck needs perspective Prison no place for Post Alan W. Dowd thoroughly covered Fred Peck should check facts before I couldn't pass up the article "Blue the Florida election fiasco and nearly suc- he quotes statistics. He says two-thirds Caps Behind Bars" (April), which con- ceeded in his attempt to justify the theft of those who served in World War II cerns an American Legion Post made of the White House, with the exception were drafted. Actually, a good percent- up of prison inmates. What's wrong of two points ("No Ordinary Election," age of us were "selected volunteers." We with this picture? What kind of a mes- May). First, Dowd accuses the Democ- went to our local draft board and asked sage are we sending the veterans' com- rats of being anti-military because of to go first, myself included. munity and the world? I would think

. their attempt to exclude Peck also quotes a low number of that after being convicted of a felony, ^ li the military absentee high school and college graduates. He membership would be terminated. ^^^^^\ vote in Florida by forgets that at that time, the country was This is beyond my comprehension. ^^H(B^ ^B^^^ trying to enforce struggling out of a deep depression and - Robert Canright, Mesa, Ariz. ^^^m current election many young people had to quit school to laws regarding how help their families survive. College in an absentee ballot must be those days was a rarity. Peck should A Simple snintion received. I suppose he would rather any have put things in better perspective. The article "Eyes on the IRS"

ballot, regardless of how it entered the - Mark Scherer, Westfield, NJ. (April) had a segment about the tax mail stream, be counted? The law requir- code's complexity titled

ing a postmark may be petty, but until the 'Keep It Simple." I

law is changed, it is the law. NAFTA far from success have a suggestion: Second, Dowd fails to mention that Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., claims require all mem- regardless of all the court battles over the NAFTA has been a success because he bers of Con- popular vote in Florida, the election was saw people in Mexico riding Huffy bicy- gress and their decided at the last minute by the Repub- cles (Big Issues, April). He obviously staffs to prepare lican majority of the Florida Legislature, doesn't know the facts: Huffy bicycles their own in- which hand-picked the 25 members of are no longer made in America. Huffy come-tax forms the Electoral College from a list of right- abandoned my hometown of Celina, and documentation wing activists. He also failed to mention Ohio, for communist China. Kolbe also with no help from ac- that Florida's governor, who happened jokes that he has "traveled the world countants or tax lawyers. to be George W. Bush's brother, ap- hunting for losers of the North American - James R. Carr, Grand Rapids, Mich. proved the last-minute replacement of Free Trade Agreement. They are an en- the Electoral College members, thus en- dangered species, if not extinct." His suring Bush's election. travels certainly haven't taken him to Eorrectlons - Howell W. Scott, Jacksonville, Fla. Celina, where he'd find that 1,500 jobs The Editor's Note following the let- Huffy represented are extinct, killed off ter "Is Bush Truly a Veteran?" by so-called "free trade." (VetVoice, May) incorrectly stated that Ballot soafo oo sorprise - Steve Fought, Celina, Ohio VA benefits require 180 days of service In response to the article "No Ordi- for National Guard and Reserves per- nary Election," the Florida election con- sonnel. Since Sept. 7, 1980, the mini- troversy was no surprise to those of us mimmmmm mum service requirement is 24 months. who spent more than 20 years in the ser- National Guard and Reserves personnel

vice. I was stationed in the Mediter- The American Legion Magazine must complete the periodfor which they ranean during Nixon's election and re- welcomes letters concerning articles were called or ordered to active duty. ceived my ballot on the day of his inau- that appear in the publication. Letter There is no minimum service require- writers are also encouraged to submit guration. When I said something to the ment for service-connected disability photographs of themselves for political powers in Arizona, I was basi- and educational benefits. possible publication with their letters. cally told, "Oh, well." In the article "The 'Survivor Seal Be sure to include your hometown - Gregory R. Kozakiewicz, (April), Master Chief Rudy Boesch's and a daytime phone number for Ariz. 1945 biography item should have said Show Low, verification. All letters are subject to editing. Send your opinions to: Amphibious Scouts and Raiders. The article "Education Boondog- The American Legion IVIagazlne wrong gle" (Washington Watch, May) incor- Vjetoamstereolirpe P.O. Box 1055 Thanks for the article ": rectly said, "In addition to financial mis- Indianapolis, IN 46206 Spinning the Legacy" (May) by Fred management, cases offraud included . . You can also contact us via e- Peck. The facts need to be stated and the diversion of $1.9 million in agency mail directly or through the World restated until those who chose not to funds to the CEO's personal bank ac- Wide Web: serve their country acknowledge that count to buy a house and two expensive those who did aren't the stereotype e-mail: magazinec^iegion.org cars." The article should have said, "... they created. Internet: http://www.legion.org funds were diverted by a grantee into a - Tom Austin, Canistota. S.D. personal bank account."

• • /| THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE JULY 2001 - .

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AnntheF victary far WWII Veteraas

THE STEPS of the U.S. will of the American people. Capitol in April, I received a As Tom Hanks says, "It's time to say $1,000 donation to the World thank you." The honorees were, are and nNWar II Memorial from 100 of will be remembered always as Ameri- the 350 visiting eighth-graders ca's "greatest generation." They are the from Gates-Chili Middle 16 million men and women who fought School in Gates, N.Y. Stand- battles or who served in combat-support ing next to their congressman. roles. They are the liberators of Nazi Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y., a death camps wherein the living envied

Legionnaire in his own right, I received a the executed. They are the 78,000 check from student Arikka Brinson. A POW/MIAs and 400,000 honored dead. British tourist passed by. He was sur- They are the Gold Star mothers and prised that the students would care about wives. They are the orphans and other the World War II Memorial, considering surviving loved ones. They are the sur- "they are so far removed from war." vivors of the Bataan Death March, who

On the other hand, I marveled at how are still fighting the U.S. government for these young people could be so civic- the right to sue for reparations and a for- minded, yet a small group of adults re- mal apology from . They are Rosie mained so hell-bent on stopping the the Riveter and every family who ra- memorial from being built at its ap- tioned supplies to support the war effort.

proved, dedicated and ground-broken Frankly, were it not for the sacrifice of Rainbow Pool site at the National Mall. the World War II generation, the democ- veterans. The D.C. Preservation League, The National Coalition to Save Our ratic process - through which the memo- a citizens group dedicated to the conser- Mall filed suit in federal court to stop the rial's site and design were determined - vation of historic structures and locales, memorial from being built. At the same would have become a casualty of war. amazingly backed memorial opponents. time, the National Capital Planning Com- Opponents believed their fight These very small groups are composed mission decided that yet another public against the World War II Memorial of lawyers, historians, planners, archi- hearing was necessary to "reconsider" its would save the mall's "open spaces tects, veterans and other citizens - the previous approvals of the memorial. and sweeping vistas." But they fought same cross-section represented by the But none of that matters now, thanks a phony war, for the memorial beauti- hundreds of thousands among the to the good sense of Congress and Presi- fully preserves the openness of the mall memorial's supporters. dent Bush. and its grand vistas. Opponents knew The NCPC's 7-5 vote in favor of the

A bill sponsored by Rep. Bob Stump, it. The World War II Memorial is a project Sept. 21 should have ended this R-Ariz., expediting the construction of magnificent and long-overdue gesture issue. The will of the people, represented

the World War II Memorial on its pro- of thanksgiving, a righteous yet by their senators and representa- posed site moved quickly through both historically tardy cause. \\\ tives, was made loud and clear. the House and Senate. Partisan politics Surely, opponents of the Thanks to Congress and the were put aside because Congress knew memorial had a right to ex- president, America's man- this was the right thing to do. It passed by press their opinion. But the ^^^s^MB^ii?^** date will now be carried out. overwhelming margins and was signed coalition's aesthetic passion 5Bp|MtlKBi^^Mr President Clinton autho- by President Bush on Memorial Day. conveyed an astounding dis- ti^i^W^^^Wm^ "^^^ ^^e memorial on May The 2.8-million member American regard for those whose sacri- ^^j^^^^^^P^ 25, 1993, when he signed Legion and the other major veterans or- fice already saved the mall - ^ys^Sfl^^^ P-L- 103-32, spearheaded by ganizations support construction of the and saved from tyranny every Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio. As

World War II Memorial. The American square inch where democracy has more than 1,100 Worid War II veter-

Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary flourished. I wonder what the coalition ans die daily, there is no reason to toler- and the Sons of The American Legion would say if someone were to bum the ate further delays on an approved pro-

have donated more than $4 million for it. U.S. Flag at the Rainbow Pool, rather ject for which the people have donated

Twenty-two public hearings on the than attempt to build a memorial there. $170 million. And already it will have World War II Memorial were conduct- The coalition had some highly edu- taken longer to build the memorial than ed during the last five years, during cated people, educated beyond the to fight the war!

which a variety of perspectives on the bounds of common sense. It blossomed It's time to honor the historic sacri- memorial were weighed by the appro- from the Committee of 100 on the Fed- fice that underlies every institution of priate decision-making bodies. The eral City, a citizens group that deals with our republic. It's time to build the NCPC's September decision to build planning issues, into a number of small, World War II Memorial. "It's time to this memorial was just and reflected the elitist groups and a handful of token say thank you."

• • D THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE JULY 2001 You and your family deserve more than a memory. RECAPTURE THE GWRr

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M m mm] nii mum ml Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Rep. Joel Hefley, R-Colo.

With 1 1 co-sponsors, I have Base closures are a matter of in- introduced legislation that tense speculation and concern would authorize two rounds to members of Congress and m of base realignment and clo- the communities they repre- sures to occur in 2003 and 2005. sent. Any effort to engage in a new Although I would prefer to say this is round of base realignment and closures a new idea, it isn't. In 1970, the (BRAC) should follow guidelines that Fitzhugh Commission reported that consider existing and future needs.

"consolidation of military activities at In 1990, 1 supported legislation that

fewer installations would contribute to more efficient opera- established the base closure process. I did so because I be-

tions and would produce substantial savings." In 1983, the lieved, as I do now, that the disposal of unneeded military in- Grace Commission made strong recommendations for base frastructure saves scarce resources. While this process was closures. In 1997, the Quadrennial Defense Review recom- largely successful, improvements should be implemented be- mended that, even after four recent base-closure rounds, the fore Congress considers a new BRAC round. armed "must shed excess infrastructure." Likewise, the First, ihe hst of facilities under consideration should include 1997 Defense Reform Initiative and the National Defense only those that are legitimately subject to closure. Now all fa-

Panel "strongly urged ... to restore the base reahgnment and cilities, including those that are clearly mission-critical, are closure (BRAC) process." subject to closure. Total BRAC savings realized from the four previous clo- For instance. Congress must consider all seaports, the U.S. sure rounds exceed total costs to date. Department of Defense Military Academy at West Point and the North American figures suggest previous base closures will save, after closing Aerospace Defense Command. These and other similar facih-

costs, $15 billion through fis- ties should not be subject to cal 2001, $25 billion through BRAC. "Every dollar we spend fiscal 2003 and $6.1 billion We will save time and ag- "A precipitous rush to on unneeded bases is a per year thereafter. Additional gravation by identifying facil- cut base support is not dollar we cannot spend closures can save $20 billion ities that are needed, remov- warranted or wise." on training troops." by 2015 and $3 billion per ing them from a potential clo- year thereafter. Only 30 per- sure list and focusing on sites cent of the defense budget that are reasonable targets. funds combat forces, while 70 percent is devoted to support BRAC discussions focus almost entirely on fiscal aspects. I functions such as bases. Sooner or later surplus bases will be acknowledge that financial considerations and budgetary

closed anyway. The sooner the issue is addressed, the greater tradeoffs are critically important. There are, however, signifi- will be the savings that will ultimately go to defense modem- cant questions about the adequacy of cost and savings esti- ization and better pay for service members. mates. Under no circumstances, given the experience we have Previous base-closure rounds have had many success sto- with BRAC implementation, would the purported savings ries. After England Air Base closed in 1992, Alexandria, from another round of base closures be available in the near

La., benefited from the creation of more than 1 ,400 jobs - near- term for equipment modernization or any other purpose. ly double the jobs lost. Across the United States, about 60,000 Further, I am opposed to rushing into another round of clo- new jobs have been created by closing military bases. At bases sures in an attempt to use funds for cash-strapped programs closed for more than two years, nearly 75 percent of the civil- without a thorough understanding of the implications from the ian jobs have been replaced. last round. Given the installation support we have already ced- We can continue to maintain a military infrastructure that ed, we must exercise caution before shuttering more facilities. we do not need, or we can provide the necessary funds to en- A precipitous rush to cut base support is not warranted or wise. sure our military can fight and win future wars. Every dollar Finally, the politicization of base closures must not be we spend on unneeded bases is a dollar we cannot spend on tolerated. The commission process was established to take training troops, keeping per- politics out of base-closure

sonnel quality of life at an ap- decisions, and it has succeed- propriate level, maintaining ed. Individual members of force structure, replacing old Congress may not agree with weapons systems, advancing stituent viewpoints. You may express your views by writ- the decisions, but they must ing The Honorable (name), U.S. Senate, Washington, DC military technology, and pro- have confidence in the 20510, or The Honorable (name), House of Representa- Efforts to politicize viding a high level of much-de- tives, Washington, DC 20515. You may call the Senate at process. served military retiree and vet- (202) 224-3121; the House at (202) 225-3121. BRAC rounds will erode that erans' benefits. confidence.

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Those who censor themselves put fear ahead of freedom. By Clarence Thomas country, to candidly and passionately wanted to solve the same problems, to debate the policies that had been imple- have a point of view and to be heard? U.S. Supreme Court Justice mented and suggest new ones. Sadly, in most forums of pubUc dialogue

MB y beliefs about person- 1 was disabused of this heretical no- in this country, the answer is no. al fortitude and the tion in December 1980, when I was un- It became clear in rather short order importance of defend- wittingly candid with a young Washing- that on very difficult issues, such as race, ^Hntt||||| ing timeless principles ton Post reporter. He fairly and thorough- there was no real debate or honest discus- H|H|H| of justice grew out of ly displayed my naive openness in his sion. Those who raised questions that sug-

p^^^PWpWPU the wonderful years I op-ed about our discussion, in which I gested doubt about popular policies were

I spent with my grand- had raised what I thought were legitimate subjected to intimidation. Debate was not I j u J parents, the years I objections to a number of sacred policies, permitted. Orthodoxy was enforced. mil IP mm ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^ Wash- such as affirmative action, welfare, Today, no one can honestiy claim sur- ington and my interest school busing - policies I felt were not prise at the venomous attacks against in world history - especially the history well serving their intended beneficiaries. those who take positions that are contrary of countries in which the rule of law was In my innocence, I was shocked at the to the canon laid down by those who surrendered to the rule of fear, such as public reaction. I had never been called claim to shape opinions. Such attacks during the rise of Nazism in what was such names in my entire life. have been standard fare for some time. then one of the most educated and cul- Why were these policies beyond ques- If you trim your sails, you appease tured countries in . tion? What or who placed them off lim- those who lack the honesty and decency

I have now been in Washington, its? Would it not be useful for those who to disagree on the merits but prefer to

D.C., for more than two decades. When I felt strongly about these matters, and who engage in personal attacks. A good argu- first arrived here in 1979, 1 thought there would be great debates about principles The above is an excerpt from the Francis Boyer Lecture delivered by U.S. and policies in this city. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Feb. 13, 2001, in Washington, D.C. I expected citizens to feel passionate- Reprinted with permission from the American Enterprise Institute for Public ly about what was happening in our Policy Research.

10 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY 2001 "

ment diluted to avoid criticism set aside for these. The plow is not nearly as good as the was left idle, the hearth with- undiluted argument, because out fire, the homestead aban- we best anive at truth through doned. a process of honest and vigor- To enter pubUc life is to ous debate. Arguments should step outside our more not sneak around in disguise, confined, comfortable sphere, as if dissent were somehow and to face the broader, na- sinister. One should not be tional sphere of citizenship. cowed by criticism. What makes it aU worthwhile In my humble opinion, is to devote ourselves to the those who come to engage in common good. debates of consequence, and It goes without saying that who challenge accepted wis- we must participate in the af- dom, should expect to be treat- fairs of our country if we think ed badly. Nonetheless, they they are important and have an must stand undaunted. That is impact on our lives. But how required. And that should be are we to do that? In what expected, for it is bravery that manner should we participate? I is required to secure freedom. I do not believe that one

. . . For brutes, the most effec- should fight over things that tive tactic is to intimidate an don't reaUy matter. But what opponent into the silence of about things that do matter? It self-censorship. is not comforting to think that hiSeptemberl975,r/ze the natural tendency inside us Wall Street Journal pubhshed is to settle for the bottom, or a book review by Michael No- even the middle of the stream. vak of Thomas Sowell's book, This tendency, in large part, "Race and Economics." The results from an overemphasis opening paragraph changed on civility. None of us should my hfe. It reads: be uncivU in our manner as we "Honesty on questions of debate issues of consequence. race is rare in the United No matter how difficult it is, States. So many and unrecog- good manners should be rou- enter public life is to step outside nized have been the injustices "7o tine. However, in the effort to committed against blacks that be civil in conduct, many who confined, comfortable no one wishes to be unkind, or our more know better actually dilute subject himself to intimidating firmly held views to avoid ap- charges. Hence, even simple sphere, and to face the broader, pearing "judgmental." They truths are commonly evaded." " curb their tongues not only in citizenship. This insight appUes with national sphere of form but also in substance. The equal force to very many insistence on civility in the conversations of consequence today. just wants to muddle through, it is not form of our debates has the perverse ef-

Who wants to be denounced as a heart- worth it. In my office, a little sign fect of cannibalizing our principles, the less monster? On important matters, cru- reads: "To avoid criticism, say noth- very essence of a civil society. That is cial matters, silence is enforced. ing, do nothing, be nothing." why civility cannot be the governing

Even if one has a valid position, and is None of us really beUeves that the principle of citizenship or leadership. intellectually honest, he has to anticipate things we fear discussing honestly these By yielding to a false form of civility, nasty responses aimed at the messenger days are really trivial - and the reaction we sometimes allow our critics to intimi- rather than the argument. The objective is of our critics shows that we are right. If date us. As I have said, active citizens are to limit the range of the debate, the num- our dissents are so trivial, why are their often subjected to truly vile attacks; they ber of messengers and the size of the au- reactions so intense? If our ideas are triv- are branded as mean-spirited, racist, Un- dience. The aim is to dissenters ial, why the headhunting? Like you, I do cle Tom, homophobic, sexist, etc. To this to sanitize their message, so as to avoid not want to waste my time on the trivial. I we often respond (if not succumb), so as being subjected to hurtful ad hominem certainly have no desire to be browbeaten not to be constantly fighting, by trying to criticism. Who wants to be calumniated? and intimidated for the trivial. be tolerant and nonjudgmental - i.e., we

It's not worth the trouble. WTiat makes it aU worthwhile? What censor ourselves. This is not civihty. It is

But is it worth it? Just what is worth makes it worthwhile is something greater cowardice, or well-intentioned self-de- it, and what is not? If one wants to be than all of us. There are those things that ception at best. popular, it is counterproductive to dis- at one time we aU accepted as more im- The little-known story of Dimitar Pe- agree with the majority. If one just portant than our comfort or discomfort - shev shows both the power of self-decep- wants to tread water until the next va- if not our very lives: Duty, honor, coun- tion and the explosive effect of telling the cation, it isn't worth the agony. If one try! There was a time when aU was to be truth and the dangers inherent in allowing

2001 • AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY THE \\ the rule of law and the truth to succumb "Arguments should not tion with the Third Reich. to political movements of the moment. After the war, when the communists Peshev was the vice president of the took over Bulgaria, they rewrote the sneak around in Bulgarian Parliament during World War wartime history to give the Communist

II. He was a man like many - simple and Party credit for saving the Jews. Peshev disguise, as if dissent straightforward, not a great intellectual, was sent to the Gulag, and his story was not a military hero - just a civil servant only rediscovered after the collapse of were sinister" doing his job as best he could, raising his sometiow the . family, struggling through a terrible mo- Pope John Paul n has traveled tiie ment in European history. didn't believe him. He demanded that the entire world challenging tyrants and

Bulgaria was pretty lucky because it minister place a telephone call to the local murderers of all sorts, speaking to mil- managed to stay out of the fighting, even authorities and remind them of their legal lions of people, bringing them a single, though the Nazis had placed the Bulgari- obhgations. This brave act saved the fives simple message: "Be not afraid." an government - and the king - under of the Bulgarian Jews. Peshev then circu- He preached this message to people enormous pressure to enter the war on lated a letter to members of Parfiament, living under communist tyranny in the side of the Axis, or at a minimum to condemning the violation of the law and Poland, in Czechoslovakia, in Nicaragua permit the destruction of the Bulgarian demanding that the government ensure and in China: "Be not afraid." He

Jews. Bulgaria had no tradition of wide- that no such thing take place. preached it to Africans facing death spread anti-semitism, and the leaders of According to his biographer, Peshev's from marauding tribes and murderous the country were generally unwilling to words moved all those "who until that disease: "Be not afraid." And he turn over their own citizens to certain moment had not imagined what could preached it to us, warning us how easy death. But like all the other European happen but who now could not accept it is to be trapped in a "culture of countries, Bulgaria moved toward the what they had discovered." He had bro- death" even in our comfortable and Holocaust in small steps. ken through the wall of self-deception and luxurious country; "Be not afraid." Peshev was one of many Bulgarian forced his colleagues to face the tmth. Those three Utile words hold the pow- officials who heard rumors of the new There is no monument to this brave er to transform individuals and change policy and constantly queried his minis- man. Quite the contrary, the ministers the world. They can supply the quiet re- ters. They lied to him, and for a time he were embarrassed and made him pay the solve and unvoiced courage necessary to believed their lies. Perhaps the ministers price of their wickedness. He was re- endure the inevitable intimidation. somehow believed the lies themselves. moved from the position of vice presi- Today we are not called upon to risk But in the final hours, a handful of citizens dent, publicly chastised for breaking our lives against some monstrous tyran- from Peshev 's hometown raced to Sofia ranks and politically isolated. ny. America is not a barbarous country. to teU him the truth: that Jews were being But he had won nonetheless: The Our people are not oppressed, and we rounded up, that the trains were waiting. king henceforth found ways to stall the face no pressing intemational threat to According to the law, such actions Nazis; the leader of the Bulgarian Ortho- our way of life, such as the Soviet were illegal. So Peshev forced his way dox Church publicly defended the coun- Union once posed. into the office of the interior minister, tiy's Jews; and even the most convinced Though the war in which we are en- demanding to know the truth. The minis- anti-Semites in the Bulgarian govern- gaged is cultural, not civU, it tests ter repeated the official line, but Peshev ment dared not advocate active coopera- whether this "nation: conceived in liberty

. . . can long endure." President Lincoln's

words do endure: "It is ... for us [the liv- ing] to be here dedicated to the great task

remaining before us . . . that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause for which they gave the last

full measure of devotion . . . that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not

have died in vain ... that this nation, un- der God, shall have a new birth of free-

dom ... and that government of the peo-

ple .. . by the people ... for the people ... shall not perish from the earth." The founders warned us that freedom requires constant vigilance and repeated

action. It is said that, when asked what sort of government the founders had created, Benjamin Franklin replied that they had given us "a republic, if you can

keep it." Today, as in the past, we need a brave civic virtue, not a timid civUity, to keep our repubMc. Be not afraid.

Article design: Doug Rollison

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decision was eminently sensible to fective in training young men and By Edwin Meese III most Americans, particularly to the women in good citizenship and commu- June 28, 2000, the parents of young boys. nity service, and lack of sponsorship Supreme Court of the Unit- Nevertheless, since that decision, the would be a serious detriment both to the ed States upheld the consti- Boy Scouts of America have been sub- young people involved and to the com- tutional right of the Boy jected to a relentless series of attacks by munities they serve. DnScouts of America to pre- gay-rights organizations and their allies, vent openly homosexual including some politicians and members Who Loses? Another tactic of the ho- men from serving as of the news media. mosexual movement has been to orga- Scoutmasters. In an opin- Homosexual groups nationwide have nize protests around the country against ion written by Chief Justice been in the forefront of an effort to the Boy Scouts. In rallies and public William H. Rehnquist, the pressure city and county governments statements, churches, civic associations Court held that the First Amendment's and school districts to drop support of and corporations have been encouraged protection for freedom of association Scouting in their communities. Sadly, to withdraw their support for the Scouts. meant that the government could not some of these local government agen- As a result, some businesses, philan- compel the Boy Scout organization to cies have caved to the pressure and thropic organizations and community accept such leaders when that acceptance abandoned their support of the Scouts, groups - including some local United would be at odds with their moral code. even to the point of evicting Boy Scout Way agencies - have ended their contri- The opinion went on to say that the troops and Cub Scout packs meeting in butions to the Scouts. presence of an openly gay leader in school buildings. Unfortunately, the victims of this the Boy Scouts would, "at the very In several cities, gay advocates have campaign are most likely to be poor mi- least, force the organization to send a sought to end police department and nority children. That's because charitable message, both to the youth members sheriff's office sponsorship of the Law dollars donated to the Scouts go mostly and the world, that the Boy Scouts Enforcement Explorer program, a branch to troops and Cub packs in the inner city. accept homosexual conduct as a legiti- of Scouting for teen-age boys and girls. While Scout troops in more affluent sub- mate form of behavior." The Court's This program has been particularly ef- urban neighborhoods can finance their

14 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY 2001 own activities, either through local fund- ment in the Scout Oath that a Scout be raising activities or through their parents' zmmmm morally straight, and in the Scout Law contributions for Scout uniforms, equip- that a Scout be clean in word and deed, ment and camping expenses, inner-city gious values held by others to be "so- and that homosexuals do not provide a families - often with only a single parent cially unacceptable" and seek to impose desirable role model for Scouts." Cer- - have a much harder time. their ideas of morality on the rest of tainly most parents would overwhelm- As Heather McDonald of the Man- society, denying the rights of those who ingly agree. Indeed, for the Scouts to hattan Institute has written, "If financial have a different moral code. take a different position could doom and institutional support for the Scouts the entire movement. dries up, what will urban children lose? Scouts' Position Not New, It is a sad But the constitutional issue involved Perhaps their best hope for conquering commentary on modem culture that here is even more fundamental. It isn't their circumstances. Scouting teaches a organizations like the Boy Scouts, with just the rights of the Boy Scouts at issue set of values rare anywhere today, but a long record of exceptional service to in this conflict. The same constitutional especially in troubled inner city neigh- the young people of our nation, come safeguards that allow the Scouts to borhoods - perseverance, personal re- under attack when they stand up for choose their own leaders protect thou- sponsibUity and self-discipline." Scout- traditional values. As Rep. Dana sands of other groups and organizations ing also provides boys in disadvantaged Rohrabacher, R-Calif., has said, "For in setting their own standards and communities with perhaps the only male 90 years the Boy Scouts of America membership policies. As attomey Stef- role models in their lives. To deny sup- have been training America's youth in fen N. Johnson wrote in The New York port to the Scout movement is to con- moral leadership, ethical decision- Times, "Indispensable to our liberty are tribute to conditions that foster delin- making and traditional values. They the people's rights to hold moral posi- quency and anti-social conduct. continue to play an important role in tions, to associate with others who Along with these attempts to hurt the the cultural and social life of tens of share the same views and to instill those Scouts by depriving them of financial millions of Americans. As America's views in their children without threat of support, facilities and other resources, a No. 1 values program for youth. Scout- outside interference." constant barrage of propaganda has ing helps strengthen character, devel- Most Americans agree with the been unleashed to demonize the Boy ops good citizenship, and enhances Scouts' position. A recent national poll Scouts and to disparage their value to both mental and physical fitness found that 75 percent of the people the nation. A particularly despicable among its participants. Scouting has have a favorable opinion of the Boy incident occurred at the 2000 Democra- helped countless youths from broken Scouts, compared to 11 percent unfa- tic National Convention, where some families by providing them with the vorable and 14 percent who were " not delegates actually booed a group of Ea- moral discipline and leadership they sure." Likewise, 70 percent of the re- gle Scouts who participated in an open- would have otherwise lacked." spondents said their opinion of the ing ceremony at the invitation of con- It is not as though the Scouts' posi- Scouts had either become more positive vention officials. Likewise, some ultra- tion is unusual or foreign to the Ameri- or had not changed since learning that liberal members of Congress attempted can way of life. Indeed, their moral the Scouts did not permit avowed ho- to revoke the Boy Scouts' federal char- code and their position against allowing mosexual men from serving as Scout- ter during the 106th Congress. avowed homosexuals to lead young masters. Only 28 percent said they had The vicious attacks on the Boy people follows mainstream moral and a more unfavorable opinion. Scouts by gay-rights groups have not religious doctrines going back been limited to financial and political thousands of years. The Boy Scouts of Standing Up for Scouts. Fortunately, campaigns. Unfortunately, some orga- America have made clear their posi- many leaders, organizations and citi- nizations that claim to protect civil tion: "We believe that homosexual con- zens have risen to the Scouts' defense. rights, such as the American Civil Lib- duct is inconsistent with the require- The American Legion should be com- erties Union - an organization mended for its strong statement that in the past has defended in this regard. At the Legion's aU kinds of perverse behavior 82nd National Convention in by such groups as Nazi sym- 7776 opponents of Scouting Milwaukee, delegates passed a pathizers, pomographers and resolution titled "Support of the Ku Klux Klan - have actu- have demonstrated that they Boy Scouts of America." As ally filed suit against the Joseph E. Caouette, National Scouts, seeking to evict them are unwilling to tolerate the Americanism Commission from camps and facilities on Chairman, stated, "This resolu- public property. views and values of others. tion pledged the Legion's sup- The opponents of Scouting port for the Boy Scouts in its have demonstrated that they They often advocate efforts to maintain and practice are unwilling to tolerate the traditional family values with views and values of others. diversity but tolerate only regard to membership and They often advocate diversity leadership standards." ^ but tolerate only the lock-step the lock-step cadence of He continued, "We beUeve cadence of political correct- " as the Scouts do that an avowed ness. They effectively declare political correctness. homosexual is not a role mod- the traditional moral and reU- el for the values espoused in

JULY 2001 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • ]|j HTSnnSIIHEIKLEBirSSIPNn Veterans urged to step up as role models for America's youth.

By Joseph E. Caouette parks, public schools, and municipal As long as the Scouts' aims and sites because they "discriminate" in purposes remain intact. The American n communities across the nation, their membership and leadership stan- Legion will continue supporting them. young men stand at attention - right dards. Dozens of United Ways, from Those who would deny access to hand raised, eyes straight ahead - Massachusetts to San Francisco, have Scouts ignore the reality that Scouting I and in unison say these words: cut off money amounting to miUions is an American institution, a mainstay of dollars each year. This is in nearly every communi- On my honor I will do my best particularly ironic since the ty. Scouting always has, To do my duty to God and Country Boy Scouts of America was currently does and always and to obey the Scout Law; a founding agency of the wiU reflect the values held To help other people at all times; United Way. by nearly all Americans. To keep myselfphysically strong, If you are a regular United And just as other student or mentally awake and morally straight. Way ccHitributor, you should community groups are per- be aware that United Way or- mitted to have access to Anyone who's been there would ganizations operate as indepen public school facilities, the recognize these words. They reflect a dent charities. As such, they Boy Scouts of America commitment to American values. They have the authority to direct must have the same access. are words to grow by and to live by. monies received. You can, Quite honestly, the

These words are the Boy Scout Oath. and you should, specify that Joseph E,. Caouette Scouts' opponents are So important is the oath in the de- your contribution - or any those folks who are un-

velopment of character in young men, part of it - go to the Boy Scouts of Amer- willing to tolerate or respect the views

it is a pledge made not just on entry to ica. If you get no satisfaction, you may and values of others. They speak of the organization, but time and again at want to consider a direct contribution to diversity but tolerate only the lock-step every Scout meeting and event. your local Boy Scout Council. cadence of political correctness. For 90 years the oath has echoed At the 82nd National Convention in With the Boy Scouts, as with the across the nation and around the globe Milwaukee, delegates passed Resolu- American Legion's efforts to protect as people of the world learned to recog- tion 334, titled "Support of Boy Scouts the U.S. Flag, the values of main- nize, respect, and honor the high ideals of America." It stated the Legion's stream America once again are be- that characterize the Boy Scouts of position of support for the Boy Scouts ing challenged. Once again, we are America (BSA). of America in its efforts to maintain being told we rnust tolerate and ac- For more than 20 years the BSA has and practice traditional family values cept a perverse vision of right and been forced to defend its membership with regard to membership and leader- wrong. And once again, the values standards. And last year the U.S. ship standards. We believe as the we deem important and live by are Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Scouts do, that an avowed homosexual being twisted, torn and thrown in Boy Scouts. The Court reaffirmed the is not a role model for the values es- our face by the American Civil Lib- Scouts' standing as a private organiza- poused in the Scout Oath and Law. erties Union, weak-kneed corporate

tion with the right to set its own mem- giants and a handful of individuals bership and leadership standards. The Community Support. We must also who have a very different vision for Court also said the Scouts have a con- do all we can to make our support for America than you and me. stitutional right to exclude gays because the Boy Scouts of America vocal as The BSA makes no effort to dis- opposition to homosexuality is part of well as financial. If organizations in cover the sexual orientation of any the Boy Scouts' "expressive message." your communities have relinquished person. But Scouting 's message is To no one's surprise, the Court's their support of a Boy Scout unit, compromised when prospective lead- decision raised the hackles on the open your arms to those Scouts. Tell ers present themselves as role mod- necks of some corporate giants, entire them "Come on over. The American els who are inconsistent with Boy city councils and groups whose efforts Legion family will take you." The Scouting 's understanding of the at social engineering and political cor- Legion has demonstrated its support Scout Oath and Law. Certainly, such rectness have overridden their sense of for Scouting from the organization's "role models" clash with the individ- good judgment and their perspective of earUest days - support such as what ual Scout's pledge to keep himself right and wrong. the Scouts in Pompano Beach, Fla., "physically strong, mentally awake, In the name of tolerance, political received last Veterans Day, when and morally straight." correctness and anti-discrimination American Legion Post 142 honored laws. Boy Scout troops are being told the Scouts with a special tribute at a Joseph E. Caouette is the National that they may no longer use public community ceremony. Americanism Commission Chairman.

• LEGION • j(j THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE JULY 2001 the Scout Oath and Law." since 1920. The fund also has Caouette also called upon Le- established a watch list to gion members and Posts to do "Scouting teaches a set of alert the public to charities, everything they can to provide such as local United Way vocal and financial support for values rare anywhere today, groups, that have denied the Scouting movement, in- Scouts funding. cluding honoring Scouts with but especially in troubled Because of this kind of community ceremonies and - support, and despite the viru- taking over the support of Boy inner city neighborhoods lent attacks on their organiza- Scout units that have been tion, the Boy Scouts of Amer- cast out by those craven orga- perseverance, personal ica continue to thrive. Today, nizations that have given in to their membership stands at pressure by gay-rights groups. responsibility and self- more than 6.2 million and Throughout the country, growing. courageous leaders and gov- discipline/' All Americans can join in ernmental units have followed this defense of Scouting and the Legion's example. The - Heather McDonald, Manhattan Institute their constitutional rights by head of the largest sheriff's doing the following: department in the country has refused to abandon his agency's spon- federal charter. • Leam the facts about the assault on sorship of the Scouts Law Enforce- In a number of cities, public sup- Scouting and traditional values ment Explorers. In many cities, public port for Scouting has forced some through the Internet and other sources. support has convinced school districts United Way chapters to back down The Scouting Legal Defense Fund to continue sponsoring Scout troops from their attempts to axe funds for Web site is www.defendscouting.com. and Cub packs and allowing them to Scouting Councils, actions that would • Speak up for the Scouts in personal use school facilities for their meetings. violate the intent of their donors. conversations with friends, co-workers Legislators have organized the Con- As individual citizens and commu- and neighbors, as well as in church gressional Scouting Caucus. Led by nity groups have become alarmed at groups and community associations. co-chairman Rohrabacher, this group the attacks on Scouting, they have re- mobilized members of Congress, many sponded with numerous unsolicited • Make your views known to city coun- of whom were Boy Scouts in their donations. In Pittsburgh, an anony- cils, county supervisors or commis- youth, to successfully oppose left- mous donor gave $ 1 .5 million to two sioners, school boards and other local wing efforts to revoke the Boy Scouts' area Scout Councils, saying it was a officials, urging them to resist poUti- reaction to recent protests. cal attacks on the Boy Scouts. Likewise, a church in Florida • Donors to charities should check to conducted a special collection be sure their local United Way chap- for the Boy Scouts and raised ter or other charitable organization more than $10,000. Another has not succumbed to pressure and church provided $50,000 to abandoned the Boy Scouts. If they several troops, and a Florida have, contributors can refuse to do- philanthropist donated $40,000 nate and send their contributions di- because he admires the Scouts' rectly to the local Boy Scout Council. "dedication to values."

On the legal front, some At no time has Scouting 's positive _ civil-rights groups that are influence been more essential to our na- ^ truly dedicated to preserving tion's future than it is today. Defending I constitutional liberties have the Scouts against unwarranted attacks, I

J! joined in defense of the Boy and insuring that they have continued J* Scouts. The American Civil financial and moral support, wiU not only Rights Union created the preserve an invaluable character-building

Scouting Legal Defense Fund, organization, but it wUl help preserve the which is dedicated to educat- constitutional rights and traditional val- ing the public on the charges ues of all Americans. against the Boy Scouts' and defending them against litiga- Edwin Meese III is tion in the courts. Currently, chairman of the Scout- the Scouting Legal Defense ing Legal Defense Fund is preparing an amicus Fund and is aformer brief in a suit filed by the attorney general of the ACLU against the city of San United States. Values and skills have gone together for nearly a Diego, which attempts to century in the Boy Scouts. Lately, the organiza- evict Scouts from a camp in a Article design and illustration: tion's moral code has been put to the test. public park they have used Doug Rollison

JULY 2001 • LEGION THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE' ]J

On July 4, we celebrate the birth ofAmerica and thank Godfor the freedoms we enjoy. Ifs a time to count our blessings and reflect on just

howfragilefreedom can be, especially if we fail to explain to our children the meaning of what we revere and the price patriots paid to se- cure it James Clavell, the late author of^^Shogun," '^KingRat,'' ^^Noble House'' and many other best-selling novels, explains in this short story how easily what we labored to secure can be lost to an entire genera-

tion - in as little as 25 minutes.

By James Clavell the lights are out and Momma and Daddy have kissed you good night and you're frightened and TEACHER was afraid. And the you put your head under the cover and all at children were afraid. All except John- once you're awake and it's time for school. But THE beautiful girl ny. He watched the classroom door instead of a monster, a young stood with hate. He felt the hatred within in the doorway. Her clothes were neat and clean, his stomach. It gave him strength. all olive green - even her shoes. But most im-

It was two minutes to nine. portant, she wore a lovely smile, and when she The teacher glanced numbly from the door spoke, she spoke without the trace of an accent. and stared at the flag which stood in a comer The children found this very strange, for they of the room. But she couldn't see the flag to- were foreigners from a strange country far across day. She was blinded by her terror, not only for the sea. They had all been told about them. herself but mostly for them, her children. She "Good morning, children, I'm your new had never had children of her own. She had teacher," the New Teacher said. Then she closed never married. the door softly and walked to the teacher's desk, In the mists of her mind she saw the rows and the children in the front row felt and smelled upon rows of children she had taught through her the perfume of her - clean and fresh and young - years. Their faces were legion. But she could dis- and as she passed Sandra who sat at the end of tinguish no one particular face. Only the same the first row she said, "Good morning, Sandra," face which varied but slightly. Always the same and Sandra flushed deeply and wondered, age or thereabouts. Seven. Perhaps a boy, per- aghast, with all the other children. How did she haps a girl. And the face always open and ready know my name? And her heart raced in her chest

for the knowledge that she was to give. The same and made it feel tight and very heavy.

face staring at her, open, waiting and full of trust. The teacher got up shakily, "I, er, 1 - good The children rusfled. Watching her, wonder- moming." Her words were faltering. She, too, ing what possessed her. They saw not the gray was trying to get over the shock. And nausea. hair and the well-worn clothes. They saw only "Hello, Miss Worden," the New Teacher their teacher and the twisting of her hands. John- said. "I'm taking over your class now. You are ny looked away from the door and watched with to go to the principal's office." the other children. He did not understand any- "Why? What's going to happen to me? thing except that the teacher was afraid, and be- What's going to happen to my children?" The cause she was afraid she was making them all words gushed from Miss Worden, and a lank worse and he wanted to shout that there was no piece of hair fell into her eyes. The children were need to fear. "Just because they've conquered us agonized by the cut to her voice, and one or two there's no need for -fear," Dad had said. of them felt on the edge of tears. "Don't be afraid, Johnny. If you fear too much, "He just wants to talk to you, Miss Wor- you'll be dead even though you're alive." den," the New Teacher said gently. "You real- The sounds of footsteps approached and then ly must take better care of yourself. You stopped. The door opened. shouldn't be so upset." The children gasped. They had expected an Miss Worden saw the New Teacher's smile

ogre or giant or beast or witch or monster - like but she wasn't touched by its compassion. She the outer-space monsters you think about when tried to stop her knees from shaking. "Good- bye, children," she said. The children made no reply. terrified the of From: "The Children' s Story" by James Clavell, They were too by sound ©1963, 1981 by James Clavell. her voice and the tears that wet her face. And Used by permission ofDell Publishing, a division of because she was crying, some of the children Random House Inc. cried, and Sandra fled to her.

JULY 2001 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • jjj The children thought

The New Teacher shut the door roll call about this and it need while I'm your teacher. behind Miss Worden and turned back So we should pledge, isn't that next?" into the room, cradling Sandra in her seemed very sensible. Obediently all the children got up arms. "Children, children, there's no and put their hands on their hearts and need to cry!" she said. "I know. I'll The New Teacher the New Teacher did the same, and sing you a song! Listen!" they began in unison, "I pledge alle- And she sat down on the floor as sang the song again, giance to the flag of-" gracefully as an angel, Sandra in her "Just a moment," the New Teacher arms, and she began to sing and the and soon all the chil- said, "What does pledge mean?" children stopped crying because Miss The children stood openmouthed; Worden never, never sang to them and dren were happy and Miss Worden had never interrupted certainly never sat on the floor, which is them before. They stood and stared at the best place to sit, as everyone in the calm once more. the New Teacher. Wordless. And silent. class knew. They hstened spellbound to "What does allegiance mean?" the the happy lilt of the New Teacher's Except Johnny He New Teacher asked, her hand over her voice and to the strange words of a heart. strange tongue which soared and dipped hated her even though The children stood in silence. Then like the sea of grass that was the birth- Mary put up her hand. "Well, pledge - place of the song. It was a child's song he knew she was right is, ah, well, something like sort of and it soothed them, and after she had when you want to do something very sung the first chorus the New Teacher about fear good. You sort of pledge you're going told them the story of the song. to do something like not suck your It was about two children who had Johnny put up his hand. "How'd thumb 'cause that makes your teeth lost their way and were all alone in the you know our names? I mean, well, we bend and you'll have to wear a brace great grass prairies and were afraid, haven't had a roll call or anything, so and go to the dentist, which hurts." but they met a fine man riding a fine how'd you know our names?" "That's very good, Mary. Very, horse and the man told them that there "That's easy, Johnny," the New very good. And allegiance?" was never a need to be afraid, for all Teacher said. "You all sit in the same Mary shrugged helplessly and they had to do was to watch the stars places every day. Each desk has one looked at her best friend, Hilda, who and the stars would tell them where pupil. So I learned your names from a looked back at her and then at the their home was. list. I had to work for three whole days teacher and shrugged helplessly, too. "For once you know the right direc- to remember your names. A teacher The New Teacher waited, and the tion, then there's never a need to be must work very hard to be a good silence hung in the room, hurting. afraid. Fear is something that comes teacher, and so I worked for three days Then she said, "I think it's quite wrong from inside, from inside your tummies," so that I could know each of you the for you to have to say something with the New Teacher said radiantly, "and first day. That's very important, don't long words in it if you don't good strong children like you have to you think, for a teacher to work hard?" understand what you're saying." put food in your tummies. Not fear." Johnny frowned and half-nodded So the children sat down and waited The children thought about this and and sat down and wondered why he expectantly. it seemed very sensible. The New hadn't figured that out for himself be- "What did your other teacher tell

Teacher sang the song again, and soon fore asking, astonished that she had you that it meant?" all the children were happy and calm worked three days just to know every- After a long silence Danny put up once more. Except Johnny. He hated one the first day. But still he hated her. his hand. "She never said nothing, her even though he knew she was right "Johnny. Would you tell me some- miss." about fear. thing, please? How do you start "One of my teachers at the other

"Now," said the New Teacher, school? I mean what do you do to be- school I went to before this one," Joan "what shall we do? I know, we'll play a gin with?" said in a rush, "weU, she sort of said game. I'll try and guess your names!" Johnny stood reluctantly. "We first what it all meant, at least she said

The children, wide-eyed, shifted in pledge allegiance and then we sing the something about it just before recess " their seats. Miss Worden never did this, song - one day and then the bell went and and often she called a child by anoth- "Yes, but that's all after roll call," afterwards we had speUin'." er's name. The New Teacher'll never Sandra said. "You forgot roll call." Danny said, "Miss Worden - well, know all our names! Never! They "Yes, you forgot roll call, Johnny," she never told us. We just hadta learn it thought. So they waited excitedly while Mary said. and then say it, that's all. Our real the New Teacher turned her attention to "First we have roll call," Johnny teacher didn't say anything at all." Sandra. Oh, yes, somehow she already said. Then he sat down. All the children nodded. Then they knew Sandra's name, but how could The New Teacher smiled. "All waited again. she possibly know everyone's? They right. But we really don't need roll "Your teacher never explained to waited, glad that they were going to call. I know all your names and I know you?" All the children shook their catch out the New Teacher. everyone's here. It's very lazy for a heads. But they were not to catch her teacher not to know who's here and "I don't think that was very good. out. The New Teacher remembered who isn't, don't you think? After aU, a Not to explain. You can always ask me every name! teacher should know. So we don't anything. That's what a real teacher

• • 2(1 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE JULY 2001 So the flag was cut up

should do." Then the New Teacher by the children and before we start our lessons, perhaps said, "But didn't you ask your daddies there are some questions you want and mommies?" they were very proud me to answer. Ask me anything you "Not about T pledge.' We just had- like. That's only fair, isn't it, if I ask ta learn it," Mary said. "Once I could that they each had a you questions?" say it, Daddy gave me a nickel for say- Mary said, after a silence, "We never to ask our real teacher any ing it good." piece. But now the got "That's right," Danny said. "So questions." long as you could say it all, it was very flagpole was bare "You can always ask me anything. good. But I never got no nickel." That's the fair way. The new way. "Did you ask each other what it and strange. Try me." meant?" "What's your name?" Danny asked. "I askt Danny once and he didn't And useless. She told them her name, and it know and none of us knowed really. sounded pretty. It's grown-up talk, and grown-ups talk Mary put up her hand. "Why do The children pondered that sort of words. We just havta learn you wear those clothes? Well, it's like it." a sort of uniform nurses wear." what to do with it, and "The other schools I went to," Hilda "We think that teachers should be said, "they never said anything about dressed the same. Then you always the idea that pleased it. They just wanted us to learn it. They know a teacher. It's nice and light and didn't ask us what it meant. We just easy to iron. Do you like the color?" them nriost was to push hadta say it every day before we start- "Oh, yes." Mary said. "You've got ed school." green eyes too." it out of the window. "It took me weeks and weeks and "If you like, children, as a very weeks to say it right," Mary said. "Thank you, Mary dear, but I just special surprise, you can all have this So the New Teacher explained what wanted a little piece of this one because sort of uniform. Then you won't have allegiance meant. "... so you are it's our own special classroom one." to worry about what you have to wear promising or pledging support to the Then Danny said, "If we had some to school every day. And you'll all be flag and saying it is much more impor- scissors we could cut a little piece off." the same." tant than you are. How can a flag be "I've some scissors at home," Mary The children twisted excitedly in more important than a real live said. their seats. Mary said, "But it'll cost a person?" "There's some in Miss Worden's lot, and my momma won't want to Johnny broke the silence. "But the desk," Brian said. spend the money 'cause we have to next thing is - well, where it says 'and The New Teacher found the scis- buy food and food is expen - WeU, it to the republic for which it stands.' sors and then they had to decide who sort of costs a lot of money." That means it's like a, like a ..." He would be allowed to cut a little piece "They will be given to you. As a searched for the word and could not off, and the New Teacher said that be- present. There's no need to worry find it. "Like a well, sort of sign, isn't cause today was Mary's birthday about money." it?" (How did you know that? Mary asked Johnny said, "I don't want to be "Yes. The real word is a symbol." herself, awed) Mary should be allowed dressed like that." The New Teacher frowned. "But we to cut the piece off. And then they de- "You don't have to accept a pre- don't need a sign to remind us that we cided it would be very nice if they all sent, Johnny. Just because the other love our country, do we? You're all had a piece. The flag is special, they children want to wear new clothes, you good boys and girls. Do you need a thought, so if you have a piece, that's don't have to," the New Teacher said. sign to remind you?" better than having just to look at it, Johnny slunk back in his chair. I'm

"What does remind mean?" Mary 'cause you can keep it in your pocket. never going to wear their clothes, he asked. So the flag was cut up by the chil- said to himself. I don't care if I'm go- "It means to make you remember. dren and they were very proud that ing to look different from Danny and To make you remember that you're all they each had a piece. But now the Tom and Fred. good boys and girls." flagpole was bare and strange. Then Mary asked, "Why was our The children thought about this and And useless. teacher crying?" shook their heads. The children pondered what to do "I suppose she was just tired and

Johimy put up his hand. "It's our with it, and the idea that pleased them needed a rest. She's going to have a flag," he said fiercely. "We always most was to push it out of the window. long rest." She smiled at them. "We pledge." They watched excitedly as the New think teachers should be young. I'm "Yes," the New Teacher said. "It is Teacher opened the window and al- nineteen."

a very pretty one." She looked at it a lowed them to throw it into the play- "Is the war over now?" Danny moment and then said, "I wish I could ground. They shrieked with excitement asked. have a piece of it. If it's so important, I as they saw it bounce on the ground "Yes, Danny, isn't that wonder-

think we should all have a piece of it. and lie there. They began to love this ful! Now all your daddies will be Don't you?" strange New Teacher. home soon." "I've a little one at home," Mary When they were all back in their "Did we win or did we lose?" said. "I could bring it tomorrow." seats the New Teacher said, "Well, Mary asked.

JULY 2001 • THE LEGION MAGAZINE • AMERICAN 21 .

Because the New - "We that's you and I and all of us Teacher was disap- were very happy. Jenny said, "But first - we won." we got to say our prayers. Before we "Oh!" pointed, the children go to sleep." The children sat back happily. The New Teacher smiled at her. "Of Then Johnny's hatred burst. were very disappoint- course. Perhaps we should say a prayer "Where's my dad? What've you done now. In some schools that's a custom to my dad? Where's my dad?" ed. Then she said, too." She thought a moment, and the The New Teacher got up from her faces watched her. Then she said, "Let's seat and walked the length of the room "Perhaps we're using pray. But let's pray for something very and the children's eyes followed her, good. What should we pray for?" and Johnny stood, knees of jelly. She the wrong name. " She "Bless Momma and Daddy," Danny sat down on his seat and put her hands said immediately. on his shoulders, and his shoulders thought a moment and "That's a good idea, Danny. I have were shaking like his knees. one. Let's pray for candy. That's a "He's going to a school. Some then said, Instead of good idea, isn't it?" grown-ups have to go to school as They all nodded happily. well as children." saying 'God,' lets say So, following their New Teacher, "But they took him away and he they all closed their eyes and steepled didn't want to go," Johnny felt the tears Vur Leader' Let's pray their hands together, and they prayed close and he fought them back. with her for candy. The New Teacher touched him gen- to Our Leader for The New Teacher opened her eyes tly, and he smelled the youth and and looked around disappointedly. cleanness of her, and it was not the candy Let's pray very "But where is our candy? God is all- smell of home which was sour and just seeing and is everywhere, and if we a Httle dirty. "He's no different from hard and don't open pray. He answers our prayers. Isn't all of you. You sometimes don't want that true?" to go to school. With grown-ups it's "I prayed for a puppy of my own your eyes till I say" the same - just the same as children. lots of times, but I never got one,"

Would you like to visit him? He has a wrong thoughts. He just couldn't . . Danny said. holiday in a few days." Could he?" "Maybe we didn't pray hard "Momma said that Dad's gone away "Well, perhaps sometime when you enough. Perhaps we should kneel down forever!" Johnny stared at her incredu- wanted to talk about something very like it's done in church." lously. "He has a holiday?" important to your dad, perhaps he said, So the New Teacher knelt and all The New Teacher laughed. "She's 'Not now, Johnny, I'm busy,' or ' the children knelt and they prayed very, wrong, Johnny. After all, everyone We'll talk about it tomorrow.' That's a very hard. But there was still no candy. who goes to school has holidays. bad thought - not to give you time Because the New Teacher was dis- That's fair, isn't it?" when it's important. Isn't it?" appointed, the children were very dis- The children shifted and rustled "Sure. But that's what all grown- appointed. Then she said, "Perhaps and watched. And Johnny said, "I can ups do." we're using the wrong name." She see him?" "My momma says that all the time," thought a moment and then said, "In- "Of course. Your daddy just has to Mary said. stead of saying 'God,' let's say 'Our go back to school a little. He had some And the other children nodded, Leader.' Let's pray to Our Leader for strange thoughts, and he wanted other and they wondered if all their parents candy. Let's pray very hard and don't grown-ups to believe them. It's not should go back to school and unlearn open your eyes till I say." right to want others to believe wrong bad thoughts. So the children shut their eyes tight- thoughts, is it?" "Sit down, Johnny, and we'll start ly and prayed very hard, and as they

"Well, no, I suppose not. But my learning good things and not worry prayed, the New Teacher took out dad never thought nothing bad." about grown-up bad thoughts. Oh, some candy from her pocket and quiet-

"Of course, Johnny. I said wrong yes," she said when she sat down at her ly put a piece on each child's desk. She thoughts - not bad thoughts. There's seat again, brimming with happiness. "I did not notice Johnny - alone of all the nothing wrong with that. But it's right have a lovely surprise for you. You're children - watching her through half- to show grown-ups right thoughts when all going to stay overnight with us. We closed eyes. they're wrong, isn't it?" have a lovely room and beds and lots of She went softly back to her desk and "Well, yes," Johnny said. "But what food, and we'll all tell stories and have the prayer ended, and the children wrong thoughts did he have?" such a lovely time." opened their eyes and they stared at the "Just some grown-up thoughts that "Oh, good," the children said. candy and they were overjoyed. are old-fashioned. We're going to "Can I stay up till eight o'clock?" "I'm going to pray to Our Leader learn all about them in class. Then we Mary asked breathlessly. every time," Mary said excitedly. can share knowledge, and I can learn "Well, as it's our first new day, "Me too," Hilda said. "Could we eat from you as you will learn from me. we'll all stay up to eight-thirty. But Our Leader's candy now, teacher? Shall we?" only if you promise to go right to "Oh, let's, please, please, please." "All right." Johnny stared at her, sleep afterward." "So Our Leader answered your perplexed. "My dad couldn't have The children all promised. They prayers, didn't he?"

22 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY 2001 . .

Johnny was very proud

"I saw you put the candy on our "The plege illegience. Didn't I say it as he chewed his 1?" desks!" Johnny burst out. "I saw you ... right? Oh, Tm sure I did. Didn't "I didn't close my eyes, and I saw "Oh. Oh yes, yes, I think you did." candy; he decided that you. You had 'em in your pocket. We At that time I was not a citizen. "But didn't get them from praying. You put why a dime?" he lilted his teacher very them there." "The teacher said every one has to learn it and say it and then your dad or All the children, appalled, stared at much. Because she told him, and then at their New Teacher. mum gives you a dime. That' s what the She stood at the front of the class and teacher said." the truth. Because she looked back at Johnny and then at all I paid her. "Thank you," she said, very satis- of them. "Yes, Johnny, you're quite was right about God right. You're a very, very wise boy. fied. "How about another dime if I say Children, I put the candy on your He y prayed many times it again?" desks. So you know that it doesn't "One dime at a time. By the way, matter whom you ask, whom you shut what's pledge mean?" for many things and your eyes and 'pray' to - to God or "Huh?" - Allegiance?" anyone, even Our Leader no one never got them... "Pledge? will give you anything. Only another She was perplexed. "Plege illegien- human being." She looked at Danny. ce is plege illegience!" I always wondered why "God didn't give you the puppy you "Didn't your teacher explain what wanted. But if you work hard, I will. you were learning? Any of those long He didn't listen, and all Only I or someone like me can give words?" you things. Praying to God or Herfrown deepened. "We're to the time He wasn't anything or anyone for something is a learn it and say it and then we get a waste of time." dime. That's what our teacher said." there, he thought. "Then we don't say prayers? We're Then she added happily, "I know I said not supposed to say prayers?" didn't listen, and all the time He it right. I was better than Johnny ..." The puzzled children watched her. wasn't there, he thought. During that day I asked all kinds of "You can if you want to, children. If Johnny sat back contentedly, people of every age, "You know the I "' your daddies and mommies want you resolved to work hard and listen and pledge allegiance ... but before I to. But we know, you and I, that it not to have wrong thoughts like Dad. could finish, at once they would all means nothing. That's our secret." The teacher waited for them to fin- parrot it, the words almost always "My dad says it's wrong to have ish their candy. This was what she had equally blurred. In every case I dis- secrets from him." been trained for, and she knew that she covered that not one teacher, ever - or "But he has secrets that he shares would teach her children well and that anyone - had ever explained the with your mommy and not with you, they would grow up to be good citi- words to any of them. Everyone just doesn't he?" zens. She looked out of the window, at had to learn it to say it. All the children nodded. the sun over the land. It was a good "The Children's Story" came "Then it's not wrong for us to have land, and vast. A land to breathe in. into being that day. It was then that I a few secrets from them. Is it?" But she was warmed not by the sun but realized how completely vulnerable "I like having secrets. Hilda and me by the thought that throughout the my child' s mind was - any mind for have lots of secrets," Mary said. school and throughout the land all chil- that matter - under controlled cir- The New Teacher said, "We're go- dren, all men and all women were be- cumstances. ing to have lots of wonderful secrets ing taught with the same faith, with Normally I write and rewrite and re- together. You can eat your candy if variations of the same procedures. rewrite, but this story came quickly - you want to. And because Johnny was Each according to his age group. Each almost by itself. Barely three words

especially clever, I think we should according to his need. were changed. It pleases me greatly

make him monitor for the whole week, She glanced at her watch. . . because it keeps asking me questions. . don't you?" It was 9:23. Questions like what's the use of "I They all nodded happily and pledge allegiance" without under- popped the candy into their mouths Author's note: Thatfall she was standing? Like why is it so easy to and chewed gloriously. Johnny was almost 6 and she came homefrom first divert thoughts and implant others? very proud as he chewed his candy; school - almost first day - and said in a Like what is freedom and why is it so he decided that he liked his teacher proud rush: "Daddy, Daddy, listen: "I hard to explain? very much. Because she told the truth. plege illiegence to the flag ..." "The Children's Story" keeps ask- Because she was right about God. Her tiny hand was over her heart ing me all sorts of questions I cannot He'd prayed many times for many and when she had finished the blur of answer. things and never got them, and even words she peered up at me. "There," Perhaps you can - then your child the one time he did get the skates, he she said breathlessly and held out will... -J.C. knew his dad had heard him and had her hand. put them under his bed for his birth- "There what, my darling?" Illustration by Reed Sprunger day and pretended he hadn't heard "You owe me a dime!" him. I always wondered why He "Oh? Whatfor?" Article design: Holly K. Soria

JULY 2001 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • 23 i mmis! Jim 111! iimmiiii

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*Fixed 3.9% Annual Peicentage Rate (APR! on purchases for 6 billing cycles after the account is openetJ. After ttiat, your APR for purchases may vary and will be equal to 14.99% or 9% ouer the highest one-month London Intsrbanli Offered Rate (LIBOR) as quoted in The Wall Street Journal each morrth Ondex Rate!, whichever ts greater (14.99% as of May 1, 2001). Your APR on cash advances may vary (20.08% as of May 1, 2001). Accounts that are repeatedly or seriously delinquent (full details provided with card) have a Default Rate which will be a variable APR equal to 23.99% or 18% over LIBOR, v\'tiichever is greater (23,99% as of May 1, 2(X)1). fylinlmum finance charge; S.50 (any month a finance charge is imposed). Transaction Fee for Cash Advances and Special Check Transactions: The greater of SIO or 3% of the transaction (the greater of SIO or 5% of ttie transaction for certain 'Cash Equivalent Transactions'), Cards are issued by First National Bank of Omaha. Time is running out America needs a missile defense system.

the Arctic. The alert was canceled. A But major changes are under way in By Philip C. Clarice potential nuclear exchange with the Washington. Back at the Pentagon, Sec-

TOO LONG the world United States was averted. retary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is has lived on the edge of self- Unaware, ordinary Russians and conducting one of the most intensive destruction. In countless Americans went on with their lives as top-to-bottom reviews in military histo- FORclose encounters, many now usual. Not until three years later, in a ry. Sweeping reforms are being drafted forgotten or still shrouded in segment of CBS' "60 Minutes," was the to rebuild, restructure and reinvigorate

secrecy, the outbreak of war story made public. It met with little reac- the armed forces. Rumsfeld, Secretary of has just barely been averted. tion. In the late '90s, most Americans State Colin Powell and Vice President We've been lucky thus far. wanted only to keep the good times Dick Cheney are joining President Bush In January 1995, nearly 33 rolling, not to worry about "Star Wars." in pushing for deployment of an effec- years after the eyeball-to-eye- tive system of defense against ballistic baU Cuban missile crisis, Russia again A Nation Off Guard. Most Americans missiles "at the earliest possible date." came close to launching nuclear missiles are bhssfuUy ignorant that the most However compelling the case and at the United States. The cause of this powerful nation on earth is utterly de- urgent the need, missile defense stiQ near attack was human error, an optical fenseless against enemy missile attack, won't come easy. Formidable opposi-

illusion and a mislaid message; the stuff accidental or deliberate. Despite its tion remains, primarily from diehard of a science-fiction thriller, only real. strength, the United States has put itself critics - foreign and domestic - who Some weeks before the would-be dis- in a position of vulnerability with Russia continue to insist, and even demand, that aster, the Norwegian government and China, rogue regimes like North the United States adhere to the no-de-

informed Moscow that it planned to con- , Iran and Iraq, and fanatical inter- fense terms of the Anti-Ballistic Missile

duct an unmanned space mission to study national terrorists. Treaty, which it signed with the former the aurora boreahs, or northem lights, a In April 1996, the Pentagon issued a Soviet Union in 1972. natural phenomenon that has intrigued 63-page report warning of the rapidly mankind for centuries. Somehow, Oslo's spreading proliferation of weapons of Recent History. The initial concept of a routine communication got lost in the mass destruction - nuclear, chemical missile-defense system was advanced by Kremlin's bureaucracy and the informa- and biological. President Ronald Reagan. In an address tion never reached Russia's Defense This represents a threat nearly as great from the White House on March 23, Ministry and Early Warning Command. as that posed by the half-century-old Cold 1983, the President

When Norway's American-built War between the two superpowers, it launch vehicle suddenly appeared on said. The report was largely ignored, Russian radar screens, all hell broke as was a follow-up survey by loose. Alarms sounded all over the the Heritage Foundation, a Kremlin. Racing through military head- Washington-based quarters was the fateful question: Had a think tank, listing U.S. Trident fired the first the 25 member- shot of a nuclear war? nations of the Instantly, a signal activated President "Ballistic Boris Yeltsin's ever-present briefcase Missile containing top-secret codes for a nuclear Club." response. By estabhshed rules, the Russ- ian president would have just 10 min- utes to decide on ordering a "Go" or a

"No-Go." Not enough time, it was thought, to try to ring up President Clin- ton on the hotline. With barely three minutes remaining

before the deadline, officers sweating it out at radar screens determined that the suspicious rocket was not heading for Moscow but going noith toward called on America's incomparable sci- it seemed unconscionable that our own entific community to develop a protec- caMMmm government had agreed to such a pre- tive space shield capable of intercepting carious situation. enemy ballistic missiles before their that it might take until the end of the Thus was bom the Strategic Defense warheads could strike the United States. century to fully develop and deploy Initiative. Critics quickly pounced on

He said that such a "vision of the future" such an effective defense. Reagan's re- SDI, mislabeling it "Star Wars" even offered hope that the United States could marks came as a surprise, even to his though it proposed the opposite of war. counter any threat of a Soviet nuclear own advisers. They were added to the Not surprisingly, the Soviet Union soon attack without relying on a massive re- end of his prepared text as a kind of af- took the lead in opposing SDI; it pre- taliation resulting in millions of deaths. terthought. Clearly, he had become in- ferred a defenseless adversary. Liberals

"Wouldn't it be better," he asked, "to creasingly concerned over the vulnera- in our own country joined in the attack, save lives than to avenge them?" bility of our country left deliberately mostly because missile defense was a At the same time, Reagan conceded undefended against nuclear attack. And conservative idea. The battle, pro and

Basic Missile Defense Elements

Terminal Phase Mid-Course Pliase Boost Pliase

Atmosphere Slows Decoys Above Earth's Atmosphere Threat Most Vulnerable Warheads Can Maneuver Must Discriminate Between Weapons Get Many RVs With One Shot Hard to Avoid Lethal Effects and Decoys

Source: Defending America: A Near- and Long-Term Plan to Deploy Missile Defenses, The Heritage Foundation, 1995.

• • JULY 2001 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE I] con, rages on to this day, both on the ICBMs are dispelled by progress already just how soon a missile attack might diplomatic and propaganda fronts. being made, despite the past administra- come. In other words, how much time In historical hindsight, the ABM tion's efforts to slash spending and con- do we have to deploy a defense. Natu- treaty was a colossal blunder. In May fine the program to research. rally, no one can say for certain. But in 1972, President Nixon, striving for Consider this: starting from scratch in July 1998, the bipartisan Rumsfeld peace in Vietnam, an end to the Cold the '60s, it took our incomparable scien- Commission of top defense and intelli- War and facing re-election, flew to tists and engineers only seven years to gence experts reported that North Korea Moscow, where he signed several send the first dozen astronauts to the and Iran will have the capability to treaties aimed at mutual reductions in moon and back. Skeptics had called the launch weapons of mass destruction at the number of strategic weapons. As- Apollo mission impossible. U.S. targets by the year 2003 and Iraq suming comphance by the Soviets - a Complaints that missile defense by 2008. Also, the attacks could come dubious prospect at best - the goal was would usher in a new arms race defy with "httle or no warning." commendable, since both sides already logic. A near bankrupt Russia can The nine-member commission head- had more than enough intercontinental scarcely maintain its dangerously deteri- ed by now-Defense Secretary Donald ballistic missiles to blow up the world. orating arsenal of more than 2,000 Rumsfeld, based its report to Congress By contrast, however, the ABM treaty ICBMs and is seeking mutual missile on a six-month study of current trends. later served to undercut the effectiveness reductions with the United States. In a Its unanimous conclusions: of Reagan's strategic defense proposal war, additional offensive weapons by prohibiting or sharply limiting the would only make the rubble bounce. • Concerted efforts by a number of deployment of defensive weapons. What nations are leading the charge overtly or potentially hostile nations For example, one major sticking to keep America undefended - and why? to acquire ballistic missiles with bio- point involves the re-entry speed of an Certainly not Great Britain or other logical or nuclear payloads pose a incoming missile. By the ABM treaty's NATO allies. And why, it must be growing threat to tiie United States, definition, it's OK to intercept one of asked, do some of our own citizens con- its deployed forces and its friends Saddam Hussein's SCUDS, such as was tinue to insist that we are better off under and allies. These newer, developing employed during the Gulf War, but the an obsolete ABM treaty that offers only threats in North Korea, Iran and Iraq United States is banned from shooting the threat of Mutual Assured Destruction are in addition to those stiU posed by down an incoming missile moving faster to keep the peace? And what about the the existing ballistic missile arsenals than three kilometers per second. This likes of Hussein and other megalomaniac of Russia and China, nations with would give a Russian, Chinese or North mass murderers who have nothing but which we are not now in conflict but Korean ICBM a free ride to hit any tar- scom for treaties of any kind? which remain in uncertain get it wants in the United States. Finally, when critics complain of transitions. The newer ballistic mis- Nor is this all. ABM supporters are "wasting" billions of dollars on useless sUe-equipped nations' capabilities now trying to block the planned upgrad- "Star Wars" defenses, SDI's defenders will not match those of U.S. systems ing of America's limited-range Patriot may respond: How much would it cost for accuracy or reliabihty. However, defense system, deployed primarily to to rebuild Manhattan, Chicago, Los An- they would be able to inflict major protect U.S. forces overseas. Disarma- geles or Washington, D.C.? destruction on the United States ment zealots complain that the upgraded within about five years of a decision Patriot also violates ABM restrictions. The Rumsfeld Commission. The ques- to acquire such a capability (10 years

While it can be argued that the ABM tion that concems everyone, of course, is in the case of fraq). During several of treaty became void with the demise of the Soviet Union more than a decade ago, it's still a big talking point for op- ponents of missile defense. Their major arguments are that it won't work, it's too expensive and it can only precipitate a new all-out arms race as Russia, China, and numerous nuclear wannabes rush to develop additional means of overwhelming any U.S. space shield. SDI's proponents insist that the con- cept of missile defense was validated during the Gulf War when batteries of U.S. Patriots intercepted and shot down many of Saddam Hussein's SCUDs aimed at Coalition forces and targets in Israel. This, they contend, kept the Is- raelis from actively intervening against Hussein, a move that almost surely would have undermined if not broken up Arab support for the war effort.

Doubts about America's ability to A payload-launch vehicle carrying a prototype interceptor lifts off from Kwajalein Missile develop effective defenses against Range in an early-2000 test.

28 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY 2001 . . . .

Missile-defense system can malce tlie world safer

By President missile defenses to strengthen global security and stability. W. Bush George I've made it clear from the very

Below is an excerpt ofremarks de- beginning that I would consult closely livered May 1 by President Bush to stu- on the important subject with our dents andfaculty at the National De- friends and allies who are also threat- fense University in Washington, D.C. ened by missiles and weapons of mass

To maintain peace, to protect our destruction . . own citizens and our own allies and . . . We will seek their input on all the friends, we must seek security based on issues surrounding the new strategic more than the grim premise that we can environment. We'll also need to reach destroy those who seek to destroy us. out to other interested states, including

This is an important opportunity for the China and Russia. Russia and the Unit- world to re-think the unthinkable, and ed States should work together to devel- to find new ways to keep the peace. op a new foundation for world peace Today's world requires a new poli- and security in the 21st century. We cy, a broad strategy of active nonproUf- should leave behind the constraints of eration, counter-proUferation and de- an ABM Treaty that perpetuates a rela- fenses. We must work together with President Bush spells out his vision for tionship based on distmst and mutual other Like-minded nations to deny security in a speech at the National vulnerability. This treaty ignores the University. weapons of terror from those seeking Defense fundamental breakthroughs in technolo- to acquire them. We must work with with our national-security needs, in- gy during the last 30 years. It prohibits allies and friends who wish to join with cluding our obUgations to our allies . . us from exploring all options for us to defend against the harm tiiey can Several months ago, 1 asked Secre- defending against the threats that face inflict. And together we must deter any- tary of Defense (Donald) Rumsfeld to us, our aUies and other countries. one who would contemplate thek use. examine aU available technologies and That's why we should work togeth- We need new concepts of deter- basing modes for effective missile de- er to replace this treaty with a new rence that rely on both offensive and fenses that could protect the United framework that reflects a clear and defensive forces. Deterrence can no States, our deployed forces, our friends clean break from the past, and espe- longer be based solely on the threat of andour aUies... ciaUy from the adversarial legacy of nuclear retaliation. Defenses can The secretary has identified near- the . This new cooperative strengthen deterrence by reducing the term options that could allow us to relationship should look to the future, incentive for proliferation. deploy an initial capabiUty against lim- not to the past ... It should be premised We need a new framework that ited threats. In some cases, we can on openness, mutual confidence and allows us to build missile defenses to draw on already-estabhshed technolo- real opportunities for cooperation, in- counter the different threats of today's gies that might involve land-based and cluding the area of missile defense. It world. To do so, we must move be- sea-based capabilities to intercept mis- should allow us to share information yond the constraints of the 30-year-oId siles in mid-course or after they re- so that each nation can improve its ABM Treaty. This treaty does not rec- enter the atmosphere. We also recog- early-warning capability, and its capa- ognize the present, or point us to the nize the substantial advantages of in- bility to defend its people and territory. future. It enshrines the past. No treaty tercepting missiles early in their flight, And perhaps one day, we can even that prevents us from addressing to- especiaUy in the boost phase. cooperate in a joint defense. day's threats, that prohibits us from The preliminary work has produced I want to complete the work of pursuing promising technology to de- some promising options for advanced changing our relationship from one fend ourselves, our friends and our sensors and interceptors that may pro- based on a nuclear balance of terror, to allies is in our interests or in the inter- vide this capabihty. If based at sea or one based on common responsibilities ests of world peace. on aircraft, such approaches could pro- and common interests. We may have

This new framework must encour- vide limited, but effective, defenses. . areas of difference with Russia, but we age still further cuts in nuclear weapons. We recognize the technological are not and must not be strategic ad- Nuclear weapons still have a vital role difficulties we face and we look for- versaries. Russia and America both to play in our security and that of our ward to the chaUenge. Our nation will face new threats to security. Together, allies. We can, and will, change the assign the best people to this critical we can address today's threats and size, the composition, the character of task. We wiQ evaluate what works and pursue today's opportunities . . our nuclear forces in a way that reflects what does not. We know that some This is a time for vision; a time for the reality that the Cold War is over. approaches will not work. We also a new way of thinking; a time for bold

I am committed to achieving a cred- know that we will be able to buUd on leadership . . . We must all look at the ible deterrent with the lowest possible our successes. When ready, and work- world in a new, realistic way, to pre- number of nuclear weapons consistent ing with Congress, we will deploy serve peace for generations to come.

JULY 2001 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • 23 "

\

with offense only. Not the New York "The United States might have no warning time Giants and not America." at all before it's under attack. Getting the Message Across. With the ABM treaty apparently on the way out - - Rumsfeld Commission Report, 1998 either the United States or Russia can for-

mally withdraw on six months notice - at-

those years, the United States might threat, warning that the United States tention is now focused more than ever on not be aware that such a decision had would never come to the defense of missile defense and the sooner the better.

been made. , because we Americans 'care In this context, support is growing for more about Los Angeles then we do a hurry-up, sea-based system of missile • The threat to the United States posed about Taipei.' defense as a start to an eventual three- by these emerging capabilities is "Saddam Hussein is doggedly pursu- tiered SDI system - ground, sea, and broader, more mature and evolving ing nuclear, chemical and biological space. Of the three, the U.S. Navy's more rapidly than has been reported weapons and the long-range missiles to missUe-equipped Aegis cruisers offer an in estimates and reports by the Intel- deliver them, and the will of the intema- almost immediate option. ligence Community. tional community to confront and dis- Twenty-two of the cruisers, built at a arm him is crumbling," added Helms. cost of some $50 billion, already are on • The Intelligence Community's ability "Iran, which is also developing a nuclear duty in various oceans of the world. All to provide timely and accurate esti- capabihty, just tested a new missile - they need to provide are a sea-based de- mates of ballistic missile threats to built with Russian, Chinese and North fense system and the installation of the United States is eroding. This Korean technology - that can strike Is- longer-range interceptor missiles capa-

erosion has roots both within and rael and Turkey, a NATO aUy. And, ble of knocking out ICBMs during tihieir beyond the intelligence process itself. according to the Rumsfeld Commission, most vulnerable post-launch ascents. The community's capabilities in this Iran has acquired and is seeking Ambassador Henry Cooper, chair- area need to be strengthened in terms advanced missile components that can man of "High Frontier," the Washing- of both resources and methodology. be combined to produce ballistic mis- ton-based think tank that pioneered the siles with sufficient range to strike the early concept of strategic missile de- • The United States can expect less United States." fense, explains how the Aegis system warning time from new ballistic mis- If Iran succeeds, the commission would work. sile deployments. Under some sce- warns, "it will be capable of striking aU "While the layered defense we ulti- narios - including sea and air-launch the way to St. Paul, Minn." mately need - ground, sea, and space - options and quick-development pro- Helms continued, "North Korea's wUl cost more than $30 billion and take grams that might involve a third na- unstable communist regime is forging at least a decade to buUd, we can end

tion as a testing ground - the United ahead with its nuclear-weapons America's total vulnerability within four States might have no warning time at program, and test fired a missile over years for less than $3 billion. This is be-

all before it's under attack. Japan last August - a missile capable of cause the U.S. Navy has already invest- striking both and Hawaii. And ed more than $50 billion in its Aegis The Rumsfeld Commission's report Pyongyang is close to testing a new mis- cruisers deployed around the world.

received scant attention in the sile, the TD-2, which could allow it to With freedom from the ABM treaty, the

mainstream media. But it was a shot in strike the continental United States. Navy can adapt this existing infrastruc- the arm for the backers of missile de- "America is today vulnerable to bal- ture to begin defending America and our fense. Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C, served listic missile attack by unstable outlaw overseas troops, friends and allies in a notice on the Senate floor that he would regimes, and that missile threat will in- very short time. This we should do block any attempt by the lame-duck crease dramatically in the early years of while debating what comes next." Clinton White House to negotiate an the 21st century. What are we doing to- The clock is ticking. extension of the ABM treaty with Rus- day to defend ourselves against these Whatever finally emerges as a viable sia. "Not on my watch, Mr. President," emerging threats? Practically nothing." anti-missile defense system, the mes- thundered Helms, veteran chairman of Former British Prime Minister Mar- sage is getting through. Even Vladimir the Senate Foreign Relations Commit- garet Thatcher also weighed in on be- Putin, who has been huffing and puffing tee. "Any such proposals negotiated by half of missile defense: "The ABM against America's SDI, is now running this (Clinton) administration will be Treaty, which rules out effective mis- around Europe trying to sell Russia's DOA - dead on arrival." sile defense systems, is a Cold War rel- version of a mobile ground-defense sys- In an earlier statement. Helms said: ic... It is not, as its defenders contend- tem against ballistic missiles. After all, "The world has changed a great deal ed, the 'cornerstone of strategic stabili- Moscow has enemies too. D since 1972 when the ABM Treaty was ty.' It is a worthless document that first ratified. We face new and very dif- deserves to be consigned to one of his- Philip C. Clarke, formerly ferent threats today - threats which are tory's many shredders." o/ Newsweek magazine, growing daily. China has 19 interconti- And in his Jan. 17 Senate confirma- is a retired reporter and nental ballistic missiles, 13 of which are tion hearing, Secretary of State Colin newscaster. aimed at the United States." Helms re- Powell brought laughter when he called that as early as 1997 "a senior remarked: "No one thinking soundly, Article design: Chinese official issued a veiled nuclear logically, would construct a framework Doug Rollison

• • 311 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE JULY 2001 .

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DAD By Grills Matt Assistant Editor THEY ARE THE children who go without mention in the thousands of books and arti- cles and documentaries about World War n, orphans who paid an un- usually painful price for freedom: grow- ing up without a dad. Cradled in their mother's arms or clutching the hem of her skirt, they heard the sobs at the mailbox when the letter arrived saying a husband and father wouldn't be coming home. They saw the flag-draped casket and bravely accepted hugs and handshakes as they Ustened to

perfect strangers tell them their daddy was "a good man." Sometimes they got even less than that.

After all, the men who fought and survived the world's deadUest war weren't greeted with fanfare and cheers when they returned to their hometowns. Why then would the offspring of those men unfortunate enough to die in battle be coddled by a nation obviously ready to move forward? "We were lost in the victory," says Ann O'Connor, who was only a year old when her father, 1st Lt. Peter L. Whelan, was killed Sept. 11, 1944, while flying aboard a B-25 liaison plane 35 rrdles east of Lyons, France. Growing up, O'Connor didn't need to be comforted with the fact that she was one of 183,000 children left fatherless by

the war; in a little girl's mind, that didn't

really bring him back now, did it? But as an adult, she has found help and healing through the American World War n Or- phans Network, an organization that as- I sists members in putting a face on the ^ fathers they never knew.

Sgt. Walter John Linne and his wife, Ruth, enjoy time together with their baby son, Walter Paul, in 1943. Linne would be killed in action on the Rhine No Longer Alone. Founded in 1991 by in Germany, where he crawled out of his tank to help wounded comrades. American Legion AuxiUary member

32 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY 2001 Ann Bennett Mix, AWON has been a godsend to thousands of sons and daughters left behind by some of the 406,000 Americans killed in World War n. In what is often a first step in pene- trating the wall of silence surrounding their fathers' deaths, orphans use AWON to voice their feelings of grief and abandonment among others who have felt the same way. But to the person working to get past the hurt to a place where he can actually celebrate his father's life, AWON is even more valuable. The network directs or- phans to mihtary and government records about their fathers' service, offer- ing tips on where to find and how to re- quest information. AWON also has suc- 1st Lt. Peter L. Whelan died Sept. 11, 1944, in a plane crash east of Lyons, France. He left behind a wife, ceeded in putting hundreds in touch with and their baby daughter, Ann. their fathers' war buddies for a more complete picture of the men who were rarely talked about after their deaths, let In addition, AWON distributes a was about; he regards his dad as a hero alone honored. quarterly newsletter, The Star, which who gave his Ufe for freedom. Mix was 4 when her own father. Pvt. features research tips and writings of With the help of AWON, O'Connor Sydney Worthington Bennett, was killed World War n orphans. The group also also has laid some questions to rest. Act- April 19, 1945. The 10th Mountain Divi- conducts local, regional and national ing on advice in "Touchstones," she con- sion had just begun an offensive to drive gatherings, with its next convention tacted Maxwell Air Force Base in Alaba- the Germans out of the mountains north of scheduled for May 2002 in either New ma, where she obtained a pivotal piece of Florence, Italy, when a sniper shot him in Orleans or San Antonio. information about her father's crash - the the neck. Bennett died instantly, leaving official report. AH O'Connor knew was behind a wife and three children. Thousands Left to Find. Despite all its that the crash had involved bad weather.

Like many World War n orphans, it efforts to locate and register World War n The report explains that her father's plane, was only after her mother died that Mix orphans, AWON has a database of only piloted by Capt. Glen T. Maltby of Texas, felt free to act on her curiosity about her 4,000, O'Connor says. That means tens of had been trying to land. It lost an engine father's life and the circumstances sur- thousands of orphans are still out there, before clipping a chapel and crashing into rounding his death. Along the way, she facing the grim prospect that they might a mountain, killing all 15 men aboard. realized the need for a war orphans' net- never learn more about their fathers. With that report, a collection of letters work, one where people like herself Walt Linne remembers how that to her mother, a hodge-podge of service could share their experiences and learn - feels. A Vietnam War veteran whose records and conversations with veterans as she had done, on her own - how to father was killed on the Rhine in Ger- of the 27th Fighter Bomber Group, research their fathers' Uves before and many in 1945, Linne serves with O'Con- O'Connor has, in a way, "rehumanized" during the war. nor on AWON's board of directors. Be- the father who much of her life seemed "Perhaps it is because we are turning fore AWON entered the picture, all he only a myth. And now, having learned 50 and facing our own mortality. Sud- knew of his father was contained in two from the experience, she stands ready denly, as if awakening from a dream, we letters to Linne 's aunt and what Linne 's with AWON to help any war orphan have a keen desire to know more and mother told him as a child when he who wants to take that first step. more," Mix writes in her 1996 book would ask. All the letters Linne 's father "I'm at the end of my joumey," "Touchstones: A Guide to Records, wrote to his mother were thrown out O'Connor says, "but so many others are Rights and Resources for Famihes of when she remarried. just getting started." American World War n Casualties." In recent years, Linne has had the op- More than just a Ust of addresses and portunity to walk the battleground where For more information on the Ameri-

phone numbers, "Touchstones" is a mul- his father died. He's also talked with some can World War II Orphans Network, tipurpose handbook that explains how of the men who served with Sgt. Walter write to AWON, 910 Princess Anne St., orphans can apply for medals for their John Linne and saw the man crawl out of Fredericksburg, VA 22401, call (540) fathers and benefits to which they are his tank to help wounded infantrymen 310-0750 or e-mail [email protected]. Vis-

entitled. It also summarizes cemeteries, before being shot by the enemy. Learning it AWON online at www.awon.org. museums, organizations and pubUcations of his father's actions in combat, Linne to assist in one's search. says, gave him a sense of what his father Article design: Holly K. Soria

JULY 2001 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • Privatization would give worlcers a better return on payroll tax dollars.

By Dan Mitchell

MERICA'S Social Security system desperately needs These two problems - a huge, fixing. Its long-run finances unfunded liability and a substan- are in horrible shape. The dard rate of return - pose a sig- program does have a short- nificant challenge for policy mak-

r~ \ term surplus, but the red ink ers. Indeed, solving these two prob-

—I —1 will begin to flow at an lems is likely to be the defining issue alanning rate when the baby-boom of the Bush administration. Whether generation retires. Between 2015 and these problems are solved, and how 2075, the gap between revenues and they are solved will shape fiscal, social spending is projected to reach a stag- and economic policies for decades to gering $21 trillion - and that is in to- come. come-producing assets, day's dollars. and the money could not be But that is just half the problem. The Opposing Views. The battle lines are withdrawn until retirement. At that program also is plagued by poor perfor- already drawn. On one side are reform- point, the worker would have a substan- mance. Comparing the amount of taxes ers. Led by the President, they want to tial nest egg that would be used to pro- they will pay with the benefits they are modernize Social Security by creating a vide a safe and secure retirement income. promised, younger workers will get a system of personal accounts that will al- Depending on the size of the nest egg, the horrible deal from Social Security. The low workers to benefit from private long- worker no longer would need to rely on

"rate-of-retum" on their taxes is scan- term savings. Current retirees and older Social Security, so the long-term bud- dalously low, especially when compared workers would get every penny they have getary savings would be significant. to the amount of wealth they could gen- been promised, but younger workers The other side of the debate is repre- erate if allowed to privately invest the would be able to shift some portion of sented by those who argue that the same amount of money. And some de- their Social Security payroll tax burden (a President is dramatically - and need- mographic groups with shorter life ex- 12.4-percent levy imposed on roughly the lessly - reshaping a good program. pectancies, such as blacks and American first $80,000 of income) into a private They instead claim that Social Security Indians, actually lose money by partici- retirement account. This money would be can be preserved for years to come if pating in the program. invested in a diversified portfolio of in- lawmakers simply tinker around the

34 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY 2001 "

Going Broke. Perhaps the least contro- The payroU tax would need to climb to versial aspect of the Social Security de- more than 18 percent of taxable wages to

bate is that the program faces a financial cover all future benefits. crisis. Both Republicans and Democrats In the language of poUtics, this is a agree that the program has a huge un- "non-starter." Republicans do not want

funded UabUity. Perhaps more important, higher payroU tax rates because it will the Social Security Administration ac- hurt the economy and discourage job cre- knowledges the program is in dire straits. ation. Democrats do not want higher pay- Indeed, the Social roll tax rates because Security Administra- "The payroll tax they would impose a tion estimates the pro- heavy burden on gram will dip into the low-wage workers. would to climb red around 2015. need Another problem Within 60 years, with higher taxes is to more than 18 deficits will explode, that poUticians have and cumulative short- percent of taxable tried that route in the fall - even after ad- past. Over and over, justing for inflation - the payroU tax has wages to cover all will be a staggering been increased in the triUion. hopes of making $21 future benefits. The source of all Social Security fi-

this red ink is not a nanciaUy sustain- mystery. Social Security's financial crisis able. In the past 50 years, for instance, is driven by demographics. Part of the the Social Security payroU tax rate has

problem is the number of workers per climbed from 2 percent to 12.4 percent. each beneficiary. In 1950, 16 workers The politicians also have been imposing supported each Social Security recipient. the tax on more and more income. As

Now there are barely three workers per recently as 197 1 , the tax appUed only to recipient, and by 2030 the ratio wiU fall the first $7,800 of income. Now workers to two workers per beneficiary. must pay the fiiU 12.4 percent on aU in- Another part of the problem, at least come up to $80,000.

from a budget perspective, is that people By taxing more of a worker's in- are hving too long. When Social Security come and at a higher rate, the payroU was created in the 1930s, the average life tax has become a bigger burden than the expectancy was less than 65 years. Now income tax for about 75 percent of U.S. the average person Uves until about 75. workers. Yet all these tax increases

This increase in life expectancy is, of have faUed to rescue Social Security course, a good thing. But if there are from financial crisis. fewer and fewer workers, and more and more elderly, the inevitable consequence Bad Deal for Workers. Another prob- in a pay-as-you-go program like Social lem with higher taxes and/or benefits

Security is big deficits. cuts is that they would make Social Se- Some defenders of the status quo ad- curity an even worse investment for mit that Social Security faces a huge workers. Comparing the taxes workers deficit, but they claim that the Social Se- pay into the system to the benefits they curity Trust Fund can be used to cover are projected to receive. Social Security this shortfall. This is good in theory, but is like a poorly performing mutual fund. edges. Opponents of this plan assert the sad reality is that poUticians have Social Security is an especiaUy bad that personal accounts are too risky and spent all the Social Security surpluses. deal for certain demographic groups. that a combination of tax increases and All that is left in the Trust Fund are lOUs Working women are hit particularly benefits cuts would solve Social Securi- - money the government owes itself. hard. Black males, because of their short- ty's budgetary problems. Needless to say, future benefits cannot be er life expectancy, also are big losers. A detailed review of the evidence, paid with lOUs. The only way to redeem But just imagine if aU workers had to pay however, indicates that the President has that debt and pay benefits is to either even more in taxes and were promised the right idea. Social Security needs fun- raise taxes or cut benefits. even less in benefits. It would be like damental reform. The tax increases and forcing people to pay steakhouse prices benefit cuts that would be required to bal- Taxes Too High. No one wants to cut for eating at a fast-food restaurant, and ance the program would be too steep and benefits, but raising taxes is not an attrac- then raising the prices and offering too harsh for workers and retirees. About tive option either, especially if the tax smaUer portions. two dozen nations around the world have increase would be far larger than any- This is not to say Social Security is a shifted to personal retirement accounts, thing the economy has ever experienced. bad program. Many workers, particularly and the evidence from these countries Yet this is what would be needed to those who already are retired, got their indicates that "privatization" works. eliminate Social Security's giant deficit. "money's worth" from the program. The

JULY 2001 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • 3|j "

tax burden was relatively low during 9 percent of their income to private re- much of their working lives, and they tirement accounts. The Australian gov- have been receiving decent retirement ernment estimates that these accounts benefits in exchange. will generate two to three times as But Social Security reform much retirement income as they does not affect these people. -.-^ ; would have received from the old Everyone agrees - Democrats % government-run system. and Republicans - that Social The United Kingdom has a two- Security reform should not tiered retirement system. All workers touch benefits for current re- must participate in a traditional gov- tirees and older workers. The ernment Social Security program that government made a contract provides a minimum income upon re- with these people and should honor tirement. The second tier, however, al- that contract. Older Americans who lows workers to choose a private sys- paid into the system should receive the tem as long as it is guaranteed that benefits they have been promised, I benefits wiU match what would have and President Bush has pledged been provided if they had chosen to this will happen. remain completely in the govem- ment system. The fiscal benefits to the A Retirement Option. Critics may government have been enormous. Sig- admit Social Security is going V nificant unfunded fiability no longer broke. They also may admit higher exists for future taxpayers. taxes are not a good idea and that the Even Sweden, a nation known for the program is a bad deal for younger cradle-to-grave welfare state, has partially workers. But they still argue against re- "About two dozen privatized. Workers are allowed to set form. In part, this knee-jerk opposition aside a portion of their payroll tax in a pri- may be a lack of understanding. nations around vate retirement account. Indeed, Swedish Upon closer examination, privatiza- lawmakers also reformed the government tion is not a radical idea. It simply means the world have portion of the system so that it will be easy that younger workers would be allowed to privatize a larger portion of their Social to shift a portion of their current payroll shifted to personal Security system in the future. tax burden into private retirement accounts. This money then would be retirement accounts, Privatization the Answer. Social Secu- invested in stocks, bonds and other in- rity is facing two crises. Its finances are come-producing assets. Workers would and the evidence in shambles, and younger workers are not be allowed to touch the money, and trapped in a system that promises too all annual eamings automatically would from these countries little while costing too much. The only be reinvested. As a result, each worker option that would solve both problems is would have a substantial nest egg for indicates that privatization. The natural instinct among retirement. This pile of money then lawmakers wiU be to delay reform; do- would be used to generate a safe, com- 'privatization' works. ing nothing guarantees the United States fortable annual retirement income. will face a crisis of incredible propor- The government, of course, would to the national economy. Consider the tions once members of the baby-boom continue to operate a safety net to ensure following examples: generation reach retirement age. that all retirees - particularly those In 1981, the Chilean government de- Privatization would prevent this whose private accounts were too small - cided that the only way to fix its Social tragedy by dealing with the current receive an adequate annual income. The Security system was to phase out the system's huge unfunded liability while good news is that the safety net would government-run program and replace it allowing workers to escape a govern- not have to be used veiy often. Over a with mandatory private savings. Under ment-run program that forces them to 45-year working lifetime, even the poor- Chile's private system, new workers are accept miserable returns on their pay- est of workers is likely to build a big nest required to deposit 10 percent of their roll tax dollars. If lawmakers truly egg, particularly since the private pen- income in pension funds of their choice. want to improve living standards for sion-fund managers would be legally More than 90 percent of Chile's older tomorrow's workers and retirees, the obligated to make safe, profitable long- workers who were given the choice of choice is clear: It is time to privatize term investments. staying with the government-run Social Social Security. Security scheme chose the private op-

Sweeping the Globe. Privatization is tions. After just 14 years of operation, Dan Mitchell is a neither risky nor untested. Countries benefits already are 40 to 50 percent McKenna Senior fel- ai'ound the globe have been replacing higher than under the government's plan. low in Political Econ- government-run schemes with retirement The Australian government created omy at the Heritage systems based on private savings. In a system of mandatory private pensions Foundation. every case, personal retirement accounts for all workers between 1985 and 1992. have been good for workers and a boost Under this system, workers contribute Article design: Holly K. Soria

• • SB THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE JULY 2001 If you have contracted MESOTHELIOMA or LUNG CANCER due to exposure to

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IS a growing national IIABETESconcern, with estimates of the 1 number of afflicted Americans running as high as 16 million. The

disease and its complications lead to 190,000 deaths each year, mak- ing it the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly 800,000 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed each year in this country. The numbers are even more com- pelling in the Veterans Health Adminis- tration, the largest health-care system in the nation, where approximately one in six patients have diabetes. Nearly all have type-2 or "adult-onset" diabetes, which accounts for 75,000 VA hospital 'J Countless Americans inject insulin daily to maintain proper levels of the hormone that admissions each year. The majority of helps convert sugar into energy. hospitalizations and deaths related to diabetes are caused by cardiovascular • Establishment of performance mea- development of diabetes. complications such as heart attack, con- sures and a national diabetes registry to Several VA research projects focus on gestive heart failure or stroke. Diabetes benchmark diabetes outcomes among VA possible genetic links to diabetes. For also is a leading cause of blindness, kid- medical faciMties. The measures focus on example, investigators are examining ney disease and amputation. administration of tests for blood-sugar genetic factors in insulin malfunction and Symptoms of diabetes occur when levels, cholesterol, hypertension, kidney for diabetes and related compUcations in blood-sugar regulation becomes imbal- damage, vision and vascular problems. Hispanics and Native Americans. anced. They may include thirst, hunger, • Formation of a partnership with the A new VA Cooperative Study, the itching, weakness and loss of weight. In American Diabetes Association, the largest clinical trial of its type ever un- type-1 diabetes, the body produces insuf- Centers for Disease Control and Preven- dertaken in the United States, is testing ficient insulin, the hormone that helps tion, the National Institute of Diabetes whether intensified treatment to control convert sugar into energy. In type-2 dia- and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the blood-sugar levels is effective in prevent- betes, which accounts for 85 percent to Health Care Financing Administration ing major macro-vascular complications

95 percent of all cases, the body cannot and the Department of Defense to im- for type-2 diabetes, including heart at- properly use insulin. prove the quality of care and reduce the tack, stroke, congestive heart failure, am-

Diabetes is more common in Ameri- burden of diabetes in the United States. putation for gangrene, coronary artery or cans who are older, overweight and The VHA Office of Research and peripheral vascular disease and cardio- physically inactive. It also occurs at Development strengthens the clinical vascular death. higher rates among African-Americans, care effort with a comprehensive Finally, Health Services Research and Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian- research portfolio. Medical Research Development Service is leading the Americans, Pacific Islanders and people Service supports numerous studies relat- Quality Enhancement Research Initiative with a family history of the disease. ed to diabetes and its complications. for diabetes. This innovative program is In response to the increasing impact MRS and the Juvenile Diabetes Founda- designed to translate research results into of the disease, VA has made diabetes tion jointly support Diabetes Research clinical practice. It is examining the ef- care a priority. Recent initiatives and Centers in Nashville, Tenn., and Iowa fectiveness of patient education, data accomplishments include: City, la., with emphasis on intensive feedback to chriicians and case manage- • Recognition of VA patient educa- treatment and vascular problems, respec- ment in improving diabetes care. tion programs by the American Diabetes tively. A VA-funded center in San Diego Association, the nation's largest profes- concentrates on insulin actions and dia- John R. Feussner, MD., sional society for diabetes care. betes-related complications. A multidis- M.P.H., is the chiefre- • Development of guiding principles ciplinary research team in Detroit is ex- search and development for diabetes care in collaboration with the amining how insulin and glucose regu- officer of the Veterans National Diabetes Education Program. late the genes of cells important in the Health Administi-ation.

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Commanders eligible for Ray's Aces honor A second part of National Com- mander Ray G. Smith's "Ray's Aces" program consists of a spe- cially designed certificate awarded to each post commander achieving the department-assigned 100-per- cent membership goal for 2001. To receive this award, the de- partment must submit the post commander's name, the post's le- gal name and the post number to national headquarters. Once na- tional headquarters receives the in- formation, the turnaround time to process and mail certificates to the departments is approximately three to seven working days, unless specified sooner. Achievement of the 100-per- cent membership goals and the is- suance of certificates will be hon- Past National Commander William R. Burke addresses a joint session of the ored until the 2001 Delegate Legislature In 1961, the only lobbyist ever invited to do so. Burke passed away May 6. Strength Target Date arrives. Last year more than 3,600 posts were identified for the achieve- PNC Burke passes away ment. Posts that qualify for this honor should contact their depart- Past National Commander William R. ment headquarters. Burke of Palos Verdes Peninsula, Calif., passed away May 6 at the age of 87. A member of Los Angeles Post 8, he was a World War U Navy veteran with 54 con- BE A PART OF tinuous years of Legion membership. THE NATION'S LARGEST hi addifion to serving as national com- VETERANS ORGANIZATION mander from 1960 to 1961, Burke served as California's department commander

The American Legion is an organi- from 1953 to 1954. Burke was a member zation of veterans serving other veter- of the National Executive Committee Past National Commander William R. ans, their families and communities. The from 1954 to 1956 and also served on var- Burke with Richard Nixon In the early Legion serves as the veteran's voice ia ious national commissions, including the 1960s. Washington, D.C., fighting for the bene- National Advisory Committee to the Na- German submarine. A hos- fits and rights of those who served our tional Commander, the National Intemal pitalized Burke, so he spent the remainder country in the armed forces. Affairs Commission and the National of his time in the Navy teaching naval law Membership eligibility is based upon dates set forth by Congress. Eligibility POW/MIA Committee. He also held sev- at Princeton and Notre Dame. dates are from 4/6/l7toll/l 1/18; 12/7/41 eral departmental positions. Burke spent a lifetime serving his fel- to 12/31/46; 6/25/50 to 1/31/55; 2/28/61 "He had the respect of everyone on low man, working closely with civic, reh- to 5/7/75; 8/24/82 to 7/31/84; 12/20/89 to the NEC," Past National Commander gious, educational, industrial, labor and 1/31/90; and from 8/2/90 to present. Daniel F. Foley said. "He always main- veterans groups on programs in areas of For information concerning mem- tained great dignity, and he was a very importance to the public interest. His work bership, write The American Legion, strong American." led to him crossing paths with former Attn. Membership Division, P.O. Burke received a bachelor's degree in Presidents Reagan, Nixon and Kennedy, Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206- history in 1939 from UCLA. During Pope John XXm as well as heads of state 1055; call (800) 433-3318; e-mail World War H, he was an officer in the U.S. from 1 1 countries. [email protected]; or visit the Web site at www.legion.org/membership.htm. Navy, serving on board the USS Pills- Burke is survived by his wife, Jeane, bury, a that helped capture a two sons and two daughters.

• THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY 2001 students support memorial fund Auxiliary conducts After learning about the sacrifices of veterans, a group of New York middle- $1,000 drawing school students raised $ 1 ,000 for The American Legion World War II Wherever National Com- Memorial Fund. mander Ray G. Smith travels, One hundred eighth-graders from he emphasizes The American Gates-Chili Middle School in Gates, Legion Family, citing the im- N.Y., presented their donation to Na- portance of the Legion, Auxil- tional Commander Ray G. Smith April iary and Sons of The American 24 on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol. Legion working together. Last fall, after viewing the award- Now Legionnaires can make winning American Legion video their recruiting prowess pay off "America's Veterans" in Wesley in "grand" style. Geer's social studies class, the students Any member of The Ameri- Arikka Brinson, center, an eighth-grader at decided to raise funds for the memorial can Legion Family who signs Gates-Chili Middle School, Gates, N.Y., pre- by selling compact disc racks mass- sented National Commander Ray G. Smith, 10 new produced by students in Christine Bai- right, with a $1,000 check for the Legion's senior ley-Clar's technology class. National World War II Memorial Fund. Auxiliary members

If (mini- mum 18 Boxcars symbolize friendship years of When Legionnaires in Cheyenne, France's way of saying thank you to the age) qual- Wyo., restored a dilapidated old boxcar, people of the United States. Gifts bound ifies for they were actually restoring a forgotten for America, more than 52,000 in all, the "Re- piece of wartime history. were donated by orphanages, schools, cruit Ten" For years after World War 11 ended, chambers of commerce, veterans American Legion $1,000 Auxiliary President much of Europe remained in ruins. In groups, professional institutes, civic drawing to Kristine S. West. 1947, American newspaper columnist clubs, museums, military organizations be held at Drew Pearson began asking Americans to and French officials. the Auxiliary's 81st National donate food and clothing to help the peo- The gifts, ranging from wom wooden Convention in San Antonio. All ple of France and Italy. Public response shoes to a jeweled Legion of Honor medal unit, post and squadron mem- was overwhelming - more than $40 mil- that belonged to Napoleon, were loaded in bers are eligible for the grand lion in food and clothing was collected Forty-and-Eight-type boxcars, so-named prize. and shipped to Europe aboard the 700-car after signs painted on them, stating that 40 New members enrolled must Friendship Train, which arrived in France men or eight horses could be loaded in- be certified by the unit secretary Dec. 18, 1947. side. The boxcars themselves were an- and president and then forward- A little more than a year after Ameri- tiques by 1949, having been built between ed to the department's head- ca's Friendship Train arrived in France, 1872 and 1885. During both world wars, quarters by the first Wednesday the French people expressed their grati- the French had used the Forty and Eights in July. To assure qualification tude with a train of their own called the to haul rmhtary supplies, and many Amer- in the drawing, names should be Merci Train. The Merci Train was ican soldiers saw the inside of the rough- submitted no later than July 3. riding cars on their way to the front. Forms are due at national Today, 39 Merci Train boxcars are on headquarters from departments

display nationwide, but sadly, the train's no later than Aug. 1. mission is now largely forgotten. Some Department and national train cars have been restored, as was headquarters staffs are not eligi- Wyoming's Forty and Eight boxcar. Af- ble for the drawing. ter being ignored for many years and al- "We simply cannot keep up

lowed to deteriorate, it was restored in with the needs of those we were 1989 by Cheyenne American Legion founded to assist with fewer Post 6 with the help of the Navy and fewer members," says Seabees, many volunteers and donations Auxiliary President Kristine S. from local businesses. The car is now on West. She encourages the Le- urn -n display in the post's parking lot in gion family to join forces in Cheyenne, a curious relic of two incred- supporting the Auxiliary's ex- The Merci Train boxcars came as a gift from France for America's support both ible displays of good will that followed cellent tradition. during and after World War II. the horrors of World War H.

JULY 2001 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • i|j HI mwimi

'Bean' at HIE passes away at 88

cated the E. Roy Stone Jr. Building in his f. Roy Stone was honor in 1977. Stone made his state a leader in voca- Legionnaire' tional rehabilitation efforts; Republican and Democrat governors alike recognized By Matt Grills his vision for helping disabled people achieve and maintain employment, ap- J OR MORE THAN half a century, pointing him to the agency board year af- p E. Roy Stone Jr. worked day and ter year since 1960. For 33 of those years. night for the betterment of veterans Stone served as chairman.

] and his hometown of Greenville, P. Charles La Rosa Jr., South Caroli- S.C. And had he not died April 29 at na Vocational Rehabilitation Depart- age 88, Stone without a doubt ment commissioner, said Stone guided would have kept on going. the agency from its simple start to to-

I "I think he had a Legion emblem day's 22 work-training centers and a where his heart was," said Richard M. Pe- $100 million budget. dro, New York Department Adjutant and "He loved this program with a pas- a friend of Stone. "He was somebody to sion," La Rosa said. "We'll miss him emulate, a true southern gentleman." dearly." A World War n Navy veteran. Stone Stone will be most remembered for became active in the Legion following his the South Carolina Agency lor Vocational his work on behalf of veterans. In his honorable discharge in 1946. He was a Rehabilitation and the Goodfellows Club, 1994 essay "This We Believe," pub- life member of The American Legion which since 1951 has provided food to lished in The American Legion Maga- James F. Daniel Jr. Post 3 in Greenville. Greenville's needy families at Christmas. zine, Stone described why his life took

He quickly rose to the national level, Each endeavor brought Stone praise, the path it did: "When I returned . . . after from Post Commander in 1949 to District which he accepted humbly. The National World War n, I went to our state's only Commander in 1950 to Department Com- Organization of Boy Scouts presented veterans' hospital and saw men being put mander in 1952. Since 1953, Stone served him with the Distinguished Eagle Award in the hallways - the VA had a waiting as a National Executive Committeeman in 1978, and the South Carolina State Vo- list of over 800 GIs. Later, I went to the and since 1957 as Chairman of the Reso- cational Rehabilitation Association dedi- funerals of some of the men who were lutions Subcommittee. He also was a member of the National Commander's Advisory Committee, among others. NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE "I don't know of anybody who made OF THE AMERICAN LEGION a greater contribution to The American INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

Legion. I really don't," said Stone's close MAY 9-10, 2001 friend. Dr. J. Sebastianelli of the Almo Resolution No. 1: E. Roy Stone Jr. Room as Chairman, helping to ensure that only Department of Pennsylvania. Origin: Resolutions Subcommittee v\/ell-drafted resolutions were sent to the In short, it was Stone's counsel and Submitted By: Resolutions Subcommittee members of the National Executive Com- commitment to Legion purposes that WHEREAS, E. Roy Stone Jr. became a mittee for deliberation; and earned him a reputation as "dean" of the member of The American Legion in 1946; WHEREAS, Under his dedicated leader- NEC. In the eyes of many, he was the soul and ship and tenure as Chairman of the Sub- of the Legion itself. At the 1987 National WHEREAS, He became involved in a lead- committee, he had review/ed over 4,000 Convention in San Antonio, Legionnaires ership role early by being elected in 1953 resolutions for subsequent action of the honored his years of devotion to veterans to the National Executive Committee and National Executive Committee; now, and their families by conferring on him then promptly appointed to the Subcom- therefore, be it mittee on Resolutions; and RESOLVED, By the National Executive the title of Past National Commander. WHEREAS, The Subcommittee on Reso- Committee of The American Legion in "No other leader in The American Le- lutions has the profound duty as designat- regular meeting assembled in Indianapo- gion had anywhere near the experience

ed in Rule 1 1 of the Rules of the NEC to lis, Indiana, on May 9-10, 2001 , that the level of E. Roy Stone," National Com- "have the authority to alter, amend, redraft office on the fourth floor in the library area mander Ray G. Smith said. "His death or substitute for any resolution submitted at 700 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, creates a void that will not soon be filled." to it for presentation to the National Exec- Ind., in which E. Roy Stone Jr. held Chair- That void extends to the many other utive Committee"; and manship of the Subcommittee on Resolu- service organizations in which Stone in- WHEREAS, For more than 44 years he tions be designated the E. Roy Stone Jr. vested much of his life. them were Among guided the Subcommittee on Resolutions Room. the Lions Club, Boy Scouts of America,

i|2 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY 2001 —

NAZI SILVER AT HALF PRICE!

stored in the halls because VA didn't "That's an art in itself," Geiger said. have the space to treat them. "He became a watchdog of its integrity." "After seeing all this, I became an ac- In Stone's later years, others read the tive Legionnaire - determined that I resolutions before the NEC when declin- would try to alleviate crowded conditions ing health prevented him from doing so in our VA hospitals; give sympathy to the himself. However, Stone insisted on

suffering; give strength to the weak; and reading memorial resolutions honoring This "Swastika" silver 2 Mark coin

to keep faith with my fallen comrades. I Legionnaires who died that year. Be- was hoarded during World War II. was determined that their supreme sacri- forehand, he would sit down in the Le- Most were later destroyed. fice would not be in vain." gion library with a small booklet of Was 19.- Stone was a veteran's veteran, con- hymns and poems, as he did every spring When World War H erupted in 1939, cerned for the welfare of America's and fall meeting, to find an appropriate the German government suspended the fighting men and women no matter their verse for each person. minting of this hard-asset silver coin. era. "In a sense, he could have been a The page of one of his favorites, "A Most were later melted as emblems of veteran or a World War I Plan Far Greater," still bears Stone's the infamous Nazi regime. The 1936-1939 veteran," National Adjutant Robert W. scribbles beside these words: silver 2 mark portrayed the late President Spanogle said. "We're different genera- You call it death - this seeming Hindenburg, who outpolled Hitler in the in tions the Legion, but he was never endless sleep, 1932 national election. Very Fine quahty. stuck in those generations." We call it birth - the soul at last $9.95. 3 for $28.50. 10 for $89 (order That quality gained Stone profound setfree. #14340X). Add total of $2 postage. 30-day respect in the NEC, where his seeming- 'Tis hampered not by time or home examination: money-back guarantee. ly limitless knowledge of Legion poli- space -you weep. To order by credit card call toil-free. cies and programs inspired others to get Why weep at death? 'Tis Or send check or money order to: more involved. immortality. International Coins & Currency "He was always surprising us with 62 Ridge St., Dept. 4134 Montpelier, Vermont 05602 his insight to the Legion's future," said Matt Grills is an assistant editor at Arkansas National Executive Commit- The American Legion Magazine. 1-800-451-4463

For other offers visit wHw.iccoin .com I 413' teeman Claude Carpenter. "I never failed to learn something every time I was with him." One thing is certain: the NEC room the without $359^ won't be same Stone, whose FACTOR deep love of Civil War history - and the South - made for a few humorous ex- DIRECT! changes over the years. The New-for-2001 DR^ TRIMMER/ "He had color," said Past National Commander Daniel F. Foley. "He had MOWER ls the easiest-to-use, best wit. He enjoyed the banter." performing trimmer-on-wheels ever! SebastianeUi says Stone founded "the • NEW MODELS from the easy Southern caucus," which banded Depart- handling SPRINT®...to the lowest- ments such as South Carolina, Tennessee priced-ever 6.0 HP PRO...to the powerful and Virginia together to tackle emer- 6.75 HP COMMERCIAL! gency reUef and membership goals. After • NEW FEATURES— instant that. Stone jokingly took credit for any- cord attachment/height adjustment, thing good that happened south of the anti-wrap, edging and optional Mason-Dixon line, he said. brush cutting and bulb planting When it came to Stone's baby, the Res- attachments for aU DR® Models! olutions Subcommittee, dozens of Leg- ionnaires passed through what Past Na- • FACTORY-DIRECT, tional Commander John H. Geiger calls TO-YOUR-DOOR SERVICE — "Roy Stone University." His greatest ac- no hassling complishment, Geiger says, was coaching with traffic, parking, Legionnaires in the resolution format and Now there are DR" hSA^WSS pick-up, or hauhng! models tor every helping them cut through words to deter- property! Takes the place both mine whether the resolution in question of For your FREE, 24-page DR' TRIMMER/MOWER'" your rotary mower and your CATALOG, including liow you can try out a DR" RISK- was germane to the Legion's mission. hand-held trimmer! FREE on your property for 30 days, mail this coupon today! Stone would pour over resolutions for Name ^ hours, concentrating on making the SO, before you buy any trimmer or Address phrasing just right, refusing to rest it until mower ttiis season, send for your had a clear sentence explaining why the FREE CATALOG on the ALL-NEW COUNTRY HOME PRODUCTS', Dept. 40495X Meigs Road, P.O. Box 25, Vergennes, VT 05491 Legion should care. |[J[p| DPFTRIMMER/MOWER^! www.drtrirnmers.com

JULY 2001 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • i}3 wnsiiHsm wmn

Consumers boycott Ciiiea "It's real simple. Stop the flow of U.S. dollars to Red China." So says the Web site www.madeinchinaboycott.com in response to the communist seizure of a U.S. Navy plane and crew. Thousands of Americans have protested, some saying they will check all merchandise labels before buying clothes, and others claiming they will pay higher prices for goods not made in China. Some even endorse a "China Tea Party" to dump communist goods over- board.

An Air Force missile officer who ar- gued religious grounds to avoid duty with female officers is fighting to clear his military record. Rescue workers sift through the rubble of the U.S. Marine compound in Beirut Capt. Ryan C. Berry, a West Point Oct. 23, 1983, following a massive bomb blast that destroyed the barracks and killed 241 Americans. Washington attorney Stephen Perles has stated that law- graduate trained as a Minuteman II mis- suits aimed at Iran may deter future terrorism. sileer, asked for reassignment when in- formed he might be paired with a female officer for extended periods of time in LawsuRs aimed at making terrorists pay very close quarters. Berry, who is mar- Fresh from a federal-court victory group was behind the barracks bomb- ried, said his Catholic faith required him over Iran, Washington attorney ing, which killed 241 U.S. military to avoid "an occasion of sin" that could Stephen Perles is mounting another le- personnel. amount to temptation. gal assault over the regime's alleged "This isn't about restitution," Perles Berry's request was met, in accor- involvement in the 1983 bombing of said. "There isn't enough money in the dance with Air Force regulations, for a the U.S. Marine Barracks in Beirut, world to compensate the families of the period of a year and a half until a com- Lebanon. victims. It's about deterrence. We want mander decided Berry's personnel file Perles won a multimillion-dollar to make their acts of terrorism expen- should reflect that he had failed to be pro- judgment against Iran for American sive." The lawsuits seek financial dam- fessional in his conduct. With the help of famDies who lost loved ones in a ter- ages from Iranian assets akeady seized the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, ror bombing in Israel blamed on the by the U.S. government. Berry has appealed to the Air Force Iranian-backed Hezbollah. The same -C.K. Board for Correction of Military Records to remove the negative information. sion of anthrax. Since the anthrax vac- tested for safety and effectiveness cine has been used by the Pentagon for a against strains of HIV in Africa and, if Antlirax lawsuit filed purpose "for which the product was successful, will be licensed and used

A federal lawsuit filed by a former Air never approved," it is "investigational" to protect U.S. military personnel," Force major and an Air Force physician and should be used in rare and isolated the office announced. who refused to take the anthrax vaccine cases and only with informed consent. As part of its own anti-AIDS initia- claims that the Food and Drug Adminis- Young said. tive, the U.S. Navy has been sending tration illegally approved the Pentagon's medical teams to Africa since October. anthrax vaccination program. DoD said the teams assist with HIV pre- The charge, rejected by the FDA, is AIDS vaccine is next vention programs in African militaries buttressed by former FDA inspector As if the controversy over the an- with ties to DoD, including South Sammie Young, who said the agency thrax program isn't serious enough, Africa, Botswana, Angola, , "dropped the ball" by not demanding the Pentagon has said U.S. troops will Benin, Zambia, Lesotho, Ghana, thorough testing before use. be given a vaccine for HIV/AIDS Ethiopia and Nigeria. The General Ac-

While the anthrax vaccine had been once it is approved. The U.S. Military counting Office has reported that approved for veterinarians and others HIV Research Program is already in- African militaries have rates of HIV in- coming into direct contact with animals, volved in an aggressive program to fection between 10 percent and 60 per-

a source of the disease, it was never develop vaccines to combat various cent, compared with 8 percent in the specifically approved as a defense strains of HIV throughout Africa. general population. against an aerosol or weaponized ver- "These vaccine candidates will be -ClijfKincaid

• 41) THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY 2001 Revolutionary Hearing Aid— Free Information Soft Hearing Aid with Remarkable Sound! Hear and Understand 45 day risk-free home trial Less than $300 with introductory offer

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VA develops state benefits link

Veterans interested ir learning To learn about state benefits, veterans about benefits provided by their state should contact the nearest VA regional governments office. „, Access to can turn to the the computerized Department of information soon Veterans Af- will be provided to fairs. VA's State the national head- ^^THow Maij We Serve You? 1 Benefits Refer- quarters of major ence System en- veterans' organiza- ables front-line tions such as The VA employees American Legion, DoD launches new to link veterans Thompson said. TodaViV* senior drug prugram to state services VA hopes to offer that range from the information to An estimated 1.4 million mili- special vehicle • the public through tary retirees 65 and older are po- license plates to 1^* m.. VA's Internet site tentially eligible for the new TRI- personal proper- (www.va.gov) later CARE Senior Pharmacy Pro- ty tax exemp- this year, he said. gram that began operation in tions. Some of the April. The program offers a com- The automat- most popular state prehensive drug benefit not pro- ed files are designed in such a way that a benefits are civil-service preferences in vided under traditional Medicare. VA employee need not become an ex- hiring and care of veterans in nursing The new pharmacy benefit pert on benefits of various states. The homes. Several dozen states offer edu- standardizes copayments and system is an ambitious combination of cation assistance for dependents of vet- lowers the cost of generic med- advanced technical writing and rich erans or real-estate tax exemptions for ications, according to the Depart- electronic interactivity where the veter- them. A handful of states give modest ment of Defense. Beneficiaries an's responses guide a search to get a pensions to veterans. Other state bene- can access medications with low- fast answer, said Joseph Thompson, VA fits include free or discount hunting li- er out-of-pocket expenses. undersecretary for benefits. Where a lo- censes, special license plates, burial By law, to use the TRICARE cal VA office is already working with payments and even discounts at gaso- retail and mail-order benefits, veterans on their federal benefits, VA line stations where veterans can receive beneficiaries 65 and older must be can be an additional resource linking full service from the attendant but are eligible for Medicare Part A and them with state partners or answering charged only the self-service gasoline enrolled in Medicare Part B. An questions, he said. price, Thompson said. exception would be those benefi- ciaries who turned 65 before

April 1, 2001. They are eligible for the benefit, even if they are not VA creates claims task force enrolled in Medicare Part B. Beneficiaries must also be Department of Veterans Affairs lengthening the delay are new legisla- registered in the Defense Enroll- Secretary Anthony J. Principi recently tion strengthening VA's "duty to as- ment Eligibility Reporting Sys- signed a charter establishing a special sist" veterans when they file for a ben- tem (DEERS). Claims Processing Task Force for VA. efit and a decision earlier this year For more information on en-

The 10-person task force, headed by making it easier for Vietnam War vet- rollment requirements for Medi- retired Vice Adm. Daniel L. Cooper, erans with adult-onset diabetes to re- care Part B, the toll-free number will examine a wide range of issues af- ceive disability compensation! is (800) 633-4227. fecting speedy processing of claims. Is- Longer delays are unacceptable, Beneficiaries unsure about sues range from medical examinations Principi said. their DEERS enrollment status and information technology to efforts to "The president promised a top-to- or eligibility for this program shrink the backlog and increase the accu- bottom review of our claims process- may contact the toll-free defense racy of VA decisions. The panel's final ing, and I have made it one of my top Manpower Data Center Support report to the secretary is due in October. priorities," Principi said. "The benefits Office Beneficiary Line at (800) The average time to process a claim that veterans seek from VA are earned 538-9552. for disability compensation or a VA by their sacrifice and sometimes their The hours of operation for the pension is expected to increase from suffering. When we handle their call center are Monday-Friday 202 days this year to 273 days next claims, we should use the best process- from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., ¥1. year, according to VA. Among factors es available."

• THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY 2001 Professional Power,.. DR® CHIPPER Makes Brush Piles DISAPPEAR!

' Devours branches up to 4-1/2" thick! Agent Orange linked to leukemia • Turns fallen limbs, storm damage, tops from felled trees into useful wood chip mulch in MINUTES! A federal panel of scientists has The White House has already in- •3 to 4 times FASTER than ordinary linked Agent Orange to a rare form of structed VA Secretary Anthony J. Prin- owner chipper/shredders which were leukemia in the children of Vietnam cipi to ask Congress for legislation autho- originally designed torjrinding up garden wastes War veterans. During the war, U.S. rizing payments to affected families, ac- as opposed to fc^ troops sprayed the chemical herbicide cording to the White House Press Office. heavy Chipping. . I^I^'f:^' defoliant, which contains cancer-caus- Payments may come too late for •Sold fl^BBR^Hi^n''"'"^'"^- TowaUe ing dioxin. many families. AML is fatal in at least FACTORY- . ^^PTS' DIRECT "Limited suggestive" evidence sup- 60 percent of the cases, and few chil- at great ports a connection between Vietnam dren affected by the disease are still savings! War veterans' exposure to Agent Or- alive to receive benefits, according to Made in ange and acute myelogenous leukemia lOM. VA is likely to pay only for AML (AML) in some veterans' children, ac- cases occurring after a decision to com- cording to the Institute of Medicine of pensate for the illness is made, accord- the National Academy of Sciences. ing to Mark Brown, director of VA's The finding clears the way for the Environmental Agents Service. Please mail coupon today for FREE DETAILS government to begin the process re- While pleased by quick action to about the Revolutionary DR^ CHIPPER including prices of models from 10 to 18 HP quired to start paying for the care of implement benefits. The American Le- and Factory-Direct Savings now in effect. children of veterans with the disease. gion supports VA compensation for the AML is rare, according to lOM, ac- cost of care from onset of the disease to counting for 8 percent of all childhood the death of veterans' children, said cancers and striking one child in Steven Smithson, the Legion's assis- 100,000. The disease affects 600 to 700 tant director of Veterans Affairs and children per year in the United States. Rehabilitation. Meigs Road, P.O. Box 25, Vergennes, VT 05491 WWW. drchipper. com

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• JULY 2001 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE i|J organization and HOW TO USE NATIONAL REUNION REGISTRY" branch of service with your request. The request should also include the reunion dates and city, along with a contact name and The National Reunion Registry handles all reunion information telephone number. Please also include a size estimate of the group. services for The American Legion Magazine. NRR, a division of Mili- Using the Internet is the quickest, most accurate way to access the tary Information Enterprises, is Inc., a private organization that provides reunion registry. You may check to see if your buddies are planning a information about reunions, helps veterans locate old buddies and offers reunion by visiting NRR's Web site at www.MilitaryUSA.com. To pro- other special benefits to veterans their families. and mote the best accuracy and fastest process when listing your reunion, NRR maintains contact information on thousands of reunions and complete the Reunion Registration Form available on the Web site. provides this information free of charge to veterans. There are several ways to register reunions or check reunion listings LOCATING A BUDDY with the National Reunion Registry. Please contact the organization MilitaryUSA.com oifers many services for veterans, including tips directly by writing to NRR/Reunions, PO Box 17118, Spartanburg, and techniques for locating current or former military members. How To SC 29301, by faxing (864) 595-0813 or via e-mail at inforniation@mil- Locate Anyone Who Is or Has Been in the Military: Aimed Forces Loca- itaryUSA.com. Due to the large number of reunions, NRR cannot tor Guide is a practical guide to help people locate service members. The accept phone requests for reunion information. publication can be purchased by contacting MIE Publishing, P.O. Box To register a reunion, you should include the complete name of the 171 18, Spartanburg, SC 29301 or by faxing (864) 595-0813.

AIR [email protected]; 8lh AF 20th Fir Grp, Colorado Maint Sqdn Enroute Maint Personnel, Myrtle Beach, SC, FORCE Springs, CO, 9/26-29, George Grill, (970) 453-7462, 10/12-14, Stanley Miller, (910) 867-6508, flymiller® 64th TCG, Branson, MO, September, Vem Montgomery, [email protected]; Pilot Class 41 G, Colorado Springs, CO, mindspring.com; 5th AF 80th Serv Grp 66th Serv Sqdn, 9/26-30, Bob Behling, 520-3213. behlincolo® (317) 241-5264; 168th Bomb Sqdn, 126th Bomb Wing, (719) Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/12-15, John Sainola, (813) 689-1549; iuno.com; 13th Nashville, TN, 9/26-30, Chicago, 9/4-6, Gene Westennan, (8471 742-8711, Bomb Sqdn, C. Isl Weather Grp Offutt AFB, Council Bluffs, lA, 10/14-16, Hinton, (407) 773-6665, [email protected]; 62nd TCG, Ed Rehberg, 393-9339, [email protected]; Caribou C-7A, Las Vegas, 9/4-7, Bill (319) [email protected]; 44th Avon, 878-7451 [email protected]; Colorado Springs, CO, 9/26-30, A. Hoffacker, (215) 646- Bomb Grp Assn, Shreveport, LA, 10/15-18, Jeny Folsom, (330) , 433rd TCG, 0196, [email protected]; 74th FIS, Branson, MO, 9/27-29, 65th-70th TCS, Seattle, 9/4-9, Geny Randa, (330) 345- (801) 942-9988, [email protected]; 5th AF 5th Hariey 6615, [email protected]; 4604th Support Sqdn Otis Renyer, (785) 582-4457, hnA/r51 [email protected]; Pilot Comm Grp, SL Louis, 10/17-20, Billie Ogden Jr., (636) 946- Class 53C, Washington, 9/27-29, Ken Ewing, 797- AFB, Idaho Falls, ID, 9/4-9, Robert Walker, (330) 658-3689, (303) 7665, [email protected]; 318th Air Serv Grp Assn 0420, [email protected]; 19th Log Support Sqdn, San Cincinnati, 1 8-21 rwail

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Evans, (31 7) 247-7507; 1 503rd ATW, Military Air Trans (562) 431-2901, [email protected]; 8th AF 359th Ftr 9/9-15, Joseph Barto, (770) 418-1421. ibarto1354@ Serv, Pacihc Div, Moline, IL, 9/21-23, Bill Teichman, (309) (Srp, Branson, MO, 10/11-14, Charies Staley, (608) 362- aol.com; 191st Sig Repair Co, Newport, Rl, 9/10-12, John 796-2084, [email protected]; 37th Ftr Sqdn, Columbus, 5513; AF Postal Courier, Pleasanton, CA, 10/12-15, Jim Thomas, (51 7) 894-0592, [email protected]; Ft. 9/26-28, 0-1 MS, Leslie Knap, (210) 655-0908, Foshee, (254) 774-7303, [email protected]; 435th Org I Alaska Vets, New Orieans. 9/1 4, Alex

• • 4(1 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE JULY 2001 1

Franchuk, (701) 282-4276, [email protected]; 51st Sig 2165; 7th Base Army Postal, Branson. MO, 9/27- (302) 947-9645, castlri<[email protected]; USCGC Bn, Utica, NY, 9/11-13, Glenn Carpenter, (419) 738-3369, 30, Donald Bahr. (262) 552-8545; 35th Inf Div 134th Inf Chincoteague, WAVP 375, Norfolk, VA, October, John [email protected]; 233rd AAA Searchlight Bn HQ A/B, Rgt, Oriando, FL. 9/27-30. James Graff. (217) 445-2570; Peters, (757) 479-0000. [email protected]; USCGC Louisville, KY, 9/11-13, Robert Tribble, (502) 255-7409, ASA Chitose, San Antonio, 9/27-30, Gerald Koula, (210) Absecon, Norfolk, VA, October, John Peters. (757) 479- [email protected]; 787th MP Bn, Bellevue, OH, 9/11-13, 650-4573, [email protected]; 38th, 89th, 260th Ord Cos 0000. [email protected]; Lightship Sailors, Port Huron, Harry Rinehart, (215) 855-2928, [email protected]; 21st 42nd Bn, Winchester, VA, 9/27-30, Derio Dalasta, (208) 695- Ml, 10/4-6, Jeny Radloff, (313) 884-3071, gsradloff@ AAA AW Bn Korea, Branson, MO, 9/12-14, Bill Brewer, 8338, [email protected]; 278th Eng C Bn Co B, Myrtle yahoo.com; USS Peoria, PF 67, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 10/4-7, (918) 333-4180, [email protected]; 4th, 152nd Trans Beach. SC. 9/27-30. Hosie Morgan. (770) 358-0486; 33rd Kenneth Slifka, (922) 382-3160; USS LST 767, St. Co, Ft. Benning, GA, 9/12-15, Jimmy Huntington, Inf Div Assn, Albuquerque, NM, 9/27-10/1. Bill Endicott, Petersburg, FL, 10/9-12, Dave Ramsay, (352) 527-2869, [email protected]; 2nd Armd Div Assn, Buffalo, NY, (425) 741-3549, [email protected]; 47th Inf Div 135th Inf [email protected]; USS Leonard Wood, APA 12, San 9/12-15, Roy Ruffner, (610) 678-7251, info@2ndannored- Rgt Serv Co, New Ulm, MN, 9/28, Herti Schaper, (507) 359- Diego, 10/15-18, Joseph Raguckas, (734) 254-0844; USCGC hellonwheels.com; 5th Armd Div, Saginaw, Ml, 9/12-16, Will 9009, [email protected]; 277th FA Bn, Somerset, Rockaway, WAVP 377, Phoenix, 10/20-22, Chuck Hants, Cook, (419) 628-4032, wc5adww2@wesnetcom; 16th KY, 9/28-29, John Edwards, (606) 678-8897; 7th Sig Bn, (602) 274-8980, [email protected] Armd Div, Cedar Rapids, lA, 9/13-15, Edward Koishesri, Nashville, TN, 9/28-30, Buck Sen/ice, (517) 823-3447, (609) 978-0490; 568th Ord Heavy Maint Co, Charieston, [email protected]; 804th EAB, New Orleans, 9/30-10/2, JOINT SC, 9/13-15, Hertjert Peppers, (615) 883-1417; 73rd AAA Frank Ceriani. (724) 843-2123. [email protected]; 1st AW Bn (SP), El Paso, TX, 9/13-15, Raymond Webb, (540) Inf Div, 1st Eng CM Bn, Asheville. NC, 9/30-10/3, Robert War Brides of WWII, Denver, 9/6-8. Josie Dodge. (303) 775-0452; ASA Korea, Camp Hill, PA, 9/13-16, Andrew Ayrton, (860) 442-9782, [email protected]; 56th Amph 366-8962; USS Antietam, CV/CVA/CVS 36/CG 54, Norfolk. Kavalecs, (717) 838-5546, [email protected]; 7th Inf Tank and Tract Bn, Ft. Worth, TX, October, Jack Budler, VA. 9/12-16. Bill Hiebert, (703) 768-6419, william.hiebert@ Div Assn, Milwaukee, Wl, 9/13-16, Doug Halbert, (808) 268- (308) 532-6402, ben-bart)@webtv.net woridnet.att.nt; USS Glacier, AGB 4, Charieston, SC, 9/12- 9172, [email protected] 16, Richard Fox, (800) 861-8626, [email protected]; AGC 931st Sig Bn Avn, Rapid City. SD. October. Troy Marshall, Flagship Alliance, AGC 1-18/WAGC/LCC, Cheny Hill, NJ, 9/13-17, 9/1 3-1 Frank Reda, 672-5481 [email protected]; 444th Eng Base Depot Co, Gouldsboro, PA, (407) 277-1864, [email protected]; 44th, 281st Eng, 6, (904) , Charies Hoye, 392-781 [email protected]; Cline, Moroccan Reunion, Cleanwater Beach, FL. 9/20-23, H. (505) 1 , Gettysburg, PA, October, Albert (864) 489-6528; 776th 3rd Inf Div Society, Phoenix, 9/13-19, Lawrence Driscoll, Tank Dest Bn, Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/1-5, Arthur Pelkey, Saden, (931) 456-6076, [email protected]; Berlin (630) 964-0634, [email protected]; 41st Inf Div 163rd Inf 843) 272-5378, [email protected]; 27th Inf Div Airlift Veterans Assn, Pari(sville, NY, 9/26-10/1, J. Studak, Rgt, Helena, MT, 9/14-16, Leroy Michalson, (406) 442-1147, 02nd QM Rgt, Ellenville, NY, 10/2-5, Mike Zuckemian. (512) 452-0903; USS Wilkes-Barre, CL 103, Louisville, KY, [email protected]; 77th Evac Hosp, Columbus, OH, (954) 742-6728; 12th Armd Div, Abilene, TX, 10/3-7, John 10/1-4, Alvin Clark, (502) 458-7790. [email protected]; 9/14-16, Thomas Geriach, (937) 836-2045, mocpgc© Critzas, (344) 773-8610, [email protected]; 25th Inf Div USS Minneapolis, CA 36, Oriando, FL, 10/2-7, Robert juno.com; 558th AAA AW Bn, Bedford, PA, 9/14-16, William Assn, Honolulu/Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, 10/3-7, Murphy, (516) 770-3037, [email protected]; Greenland Drobnich, (814) 766-2674; 472nd MP Co, San Diego, 9/14- Reunion Planner, [email protected]; 243rd Port Co, Myrtle Patrol WWII, Savannah, GA, 10/7-11, Richard Bissette, 17, Roger Bassetti, (480) 895-7985, [email protected]; Beach, SC, 10/4-6, Melvin Jacobson, (814) 723-6278; 51st (941) 426-4806, [email protected]; Natl Chief Petty 421st Eng Truck Co, Emporia, KS, 9/15-16, Kenneth Eng CM Bn, Part

17th Trans Det, Alton, IL. 10/6-8. David Albers, (203) 929- 3077, Chicago, 9/7-9, Al Joyner, (319) 827-2148, abba® 838th AAA AW Bn, Two Rivers, Wl, 9/19-22, Al Malley, 5764, [email protected]; 61st Arty 3rd Bn 24th Grp, itt.net; 5th Mar 3rd Bn Korea, St Louis, 9/11-15, Al Bettiga, (920) 793-1456, [email protected]; 148th Ord Motor Colorado Springs. CO, 10/7-9, Joe Corie, (801) 681-3567, Vehicle Assembly Co, Davenport, lA, 9/19-23, Jerome [email protected]; 517th FA Bn, Oriando, FL, 1 0/7-1 1 , Chuck Paulson, (712) 867-4432, [email protected]; 65th Armd Undenwood, (515) 987-5576, [email protected]; 40th Field Bn, Elko, NV, 9/19-23, Wallace Eckdahl, (612) 929- Inf Div 115th Med Bn, Independence, MO, 10/7-11, Robert Introducing the Revolutionary 4078, [email protected]; 509th Eng Co (P-B), Dallas, 9/20- Stiens, (816) 928-3637; 440th, 465th, 467th, 472nd Sig 22, Richard Trapp, (402) 759-3659; 390th AAA AW Bn Bns, Asheville, NC, 10/9-11, Richard Huke, (814) 928-5041, (SP), Buena Pari<, CA, 9/20-22, Cari Mun-ay, (714) 521- [email protected]; 793rd MP Bn, Niagara Falls, NY, DR® POWER 2995; 45th Inf Div Assn Thunderbirds, Oklahoma Cily, 10/10-13, Frank De Rosa, (847) 255-3977; 551st AAA Bn 9/20-22, Raul Trevino, (210) 681-9134; 792nd AAA AW Bn, WWII, Williamsburg, VA, 10/12-14, Benhamin Knauf, (716) New Castle, IN, 9/20-22, Homer Yeakle, (765) 662-7716, 334-5050; 199th CM Eng, Shakopee, MN, 10/12-14, Ray WAGON" [email protected]; 45th Inf Div 80th Inf Rgt Assn, Sanders, (507) 334-4445; 672nd Amph Tract Bn, ^ Oklahoma City, 9/20-23, Lany Traw, (580) 924-6693, Springfield, IL, 10/12-14, Norm McDonald, (217) 483-5646, •HAULS NEARLY 1/2 TON [email protected]; 3rd Inf Rgt, "The Old Guard," [email protected]; Eng OCS Commemoration with never-before-ease! • BIG Ariington, VA, 9/20-23, Brett Reistad, (703) 361-1730, Reunion, 1941-2001. Ariington and Ft Belvoir, VA, 10/12-15, POWER DRIVEN WHEELS ? [email protected]; 17th Air Cav 7th Sqdn, St. Louis, 9/20- Thorpe Mealing. (404) 231-3402, [email protected]; _ 23, Jose Martinez, (314) 423-7910, jimartinez69@ 17th, 75th, 204th, 176th, 159th, 96th, 145th, 623rd FA & 4-specd transaxle let you home.com; 474th Sig Avn Const Co, Columbus, GA, 9/20- Bns Korea, Albuquerque, NM, 10/13-17, N. Vandertiave. move even loose soil up to i 23, Richard Wakefield, (641) 856-8730, richiewake@ (973) 538-7189 jetnetinc.com uphill or down. POWER 138th Eng CM Bn, Savannah, GA, 10/16-19, Robert Atkins, REVERSE gets you ^ 705th AAA Gun Bn Btry B, Owensboro, KY, 9/20-23, Jim 772-8176, [email protected]; 15th Major Port (913) out of dght Stuerzenberger, (270) 926-2885, [email protected]; Trans Corps, Seekonk, MA. 10/18-20, Roland Schaeffer, 796th MP Bn, Charieston, SC, 9/20-24, William Meek Jr., (314) 544-2262; 68th AAA Gun Bn Korea, Branson, MO, (301) 868-5604, [email protected]; 10/18-21, Bobby Burks, (573) 636-2030. bobbyburi

JULY 2001 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • l|g ; . COMMBIS

(520) 229-0657, [email protected]; 10th AAA Del Bn (618) 475-3248, [email protected]; USS Hamlin, AV 15, msn.com; USS Kitty Hawk CV/CVA-63, Pensacola. FL, WWII, San Diego, 9/12-15, Bnjce De Marce, (760) 631- Bridgeton, MO, 9/6-8, Lawrence Godwin, (724) 652-4880; 9/12-16, Phil Miller, (619) 460-0786, [email protected]; 6912, [email protected]; USS Charleston Mar Del, PG 51, USS Elden, DE 264, Albany, NY, 9/6-9, William Mailers, USS Randall, APA 224, San Antonio, 9/12-16, John Walsh, Kansas City, IVIO, 9/13-16, Raymond Sears, (816) 331-0681 (219) 772-0841, [email protected]; USS , BB 46, (732) 367-6472, [email protected]; USS Tang, SS 4th Mar Div 1st Bn, San Diego, CA, 9/13-17, Lonnie Young, Asheville, NC, 9/6-9, Dick Beaman, (831) 722-4966; USS 563, Peoria, IL, 9/12-16, Rick Rowe, (208) 734-6540, (501) 751-1084, [email protected]; 9th SBC Quantico, Rupertus, DD 851, Colorado Springs, CO, 9/6-9, Ron [email protected]; USS Odax, SS 484, Peoria, IL. 9/13, Arlington, VA, 9/17-21, Herb Hart, (703) 912-6124, Bradrick, [email protected]; 17th Seabees, Ron Gibson, (415) 239-5490, [email protected]; [email protected]; VMF (A) 531 Gray Ghost, San Minneapolis, 9/6-9. William Memll, (219) 762-2048; VP 11 USS Ringgold, DD 500, La Crosse, Wl. 9/13-15, Ray Diego, 9/20-23, Dave Kassebaum, (858) 459-6088, (F), VP-54, VP-51, VB 101, PATSU 1-2, CASU (F) 56, Luehne. (608) 782-6156, [email protected]; USS I

Bill 23, Bates, (703) 897-0283, [email protected] ; VMF (N) Robinson, DD 562, Peoria, IL, 9/6-9, Rick Tinker. (440) 871- (510) 782-5444. [email protected]; USS Calvert, 541, Rosemont, IL, 9/20-24, John Devine, (570) 875-0898; 1946. [email protected]; USS Fort Marion, LSD 22, Denver, APA 32, Oriando. FL, 9/13-15, John Cole, (507) 789-6344; Naval Ammo Depot Mar Barracks, Hawthorne, NV, 9/21- 9/7-9, John Hardy, (303) 674-6705; USS Pasadena, CL 65, USS Jacob Jones, DE 130, Albany, NY. 9/13-15, Arthur 23, Edward Engei, (775) 945-3563; 3rd Mar Div 1st Bn, Niagara Falls, NY, 9/7-9, Joseph Calvino. (856) 697-9521 Filete, (516) 541-1846; MCB 2 CBMU 1/101 & 577, San In/ing, TX, 9/26-30, Kenneth Martin, (800) 328-8439, [email protected]; USS Vincennes, CL 64, Nashua, NH, Antonio. 9/13-15. Scott Williams, (702) 254-1929, [email protected]; 3rtl Mar Div, Irving, TX, 9/26-30, Bill 9/7-10, Guy Jacobs, (410) 665-8710, [email protected]; [email protected]; USS Howard W. Gilmore, AS 16, St. Kmeger, (703) 451-3844; 3rtl Mar Div 3rd JASCO, USS Capps, DD 550, Des Moines, lA, 9/9-12, Eari Beadle, Louis, 9/13-16, Roscoe Wise, (740) 992-2675, rossw® Chicago, 9/27-30, Donald Famham, (708) 447-5403, (870) 247-3702, [email protected]; 6th Naval Beach Bn, fragnet.net; USS Henderson, DD 785, Charieston, SC, 9/13- [email protected]; VMSB 333, Newport Beach, CA, 9/30- Covington. KY, 9/9-13, Ed Marriott, (520) 825-0586, 16, Richard Sien-a, (650) 952-7440, [email protected] 10/4, Robert Ramsay, (949) 675-1693 [email protected] USS Norfolk DL 1, USS Mitscher, DL 2, USS John S. USS Philippine Sea Mar Det, CV/CVA/CVE 47, Myrtle USS Richmond, CL 9, New Orieans, 9/9-13, Jim Miles, McCain, DL 3, USS Willis A. Lee, DL 4, USS Wilkinson, Beach, SC, 10/2-6, Ralph Lund, (215) 345-6430, (719) 384-7873, [email protected]; USS Helena, CL 50/CA DL 5, Buffalo, NY, 9/13-16, Walter Alexander, (540) 345- [email protected]; VMTB 131, Portland, OR, 10/2-7, Menill 75/SSN 725, Las Vegas, 9/9-13, Bill Bunker, (626) 446- 2826, [email protected]; VC 33, Titusville, FL, 9/13-16,

Hughes, (765) 675-2259; Mar Air Grps 11, 12, 14, 7361 ; USS Coolbaugh, DE 217, Omaha, NE, 9/9-13, Milton Ray Dunkman. (954) 437-8364, [email protected]; USS Branson, MO, 10/3-6, L. Twomey, (903) 675-1218, Kochert, (330) 533-5753, [email protected]; Dest Escort Thetis Bay, CVE 90/CVHA 1/LPH 6, Minneapolis, 9/13-16, [email protected]; Mar Photo Sqdn 354, Branson, MO, Sailors Assn, Omaha, NE, 9/9-13, Dori Glaser, (904) 738- Frank Balthazor, (608) 249-9961, [email protected]; 10/4-7, Earl Vaughn, (918) 335-3390, [email protected]; 6900, [email protected]; USS Coffman, DE 191, USS Crater, AK 70, Omaha, NE, 9/13-16, Mick Sawalich, 22nd Mar Assn, Lancaster, PA, 10/8-12, Harold Walters, Omaha, NE, 9/9-13, John Naylor, (405) 789-4507, (618) 932-6946; USS Portland, CA 33, Colorado Springs, 264-5451 [email protected]; 3-1 (330) , [email protected]; USS Whitman, DE 24, Omaha, NE, CO, 9/1 7, Ted Waller, (214) 341 -71 52, tw320@ Recon IVlarines, San Antonio, 10/10-13, Moms Estess, 9/9-13, Tony Polozzolo, (703) 451-1874, desatonyp@ juno.com; USS Great Sitkin, AE 17, Mobile, AL. 9/13-16, (210) 494-7870; 9th Del 9th AAA Bn, New London, CT, aol.com; NCB 5, Kalamazoo, Ml, 9/10-12, Laurence Teny, Dough Hauser, (334) 277-2151, [email protected]; USS

10/10-14, Bill Sorenson, 378-0350; 937-8921 [email protected]; (203) USS Kitty Hawk (502) , USS Pima Hampton, APA 115, Seattle, 9/13-16, William Daubenmire, Mar Det, Myrtle Beach, SC, 1 0/1 1 -1 3, Sideny McLaughlin, County, LST 1081, Mobile, AL, 9/10-13, Raymond Studer, (740) 687-1061; USS Tinsman, DE 589, Branson, MO. (423) 246-5276, [email protected]; VMB 423 (309) 647-4465; USS Catamount, LSD 17, Portland, OR, 9/13-18. Michael Langone. (781) 944-5877, bookmaker@ Seahorse Mar, Branson, MO, 10/11-14, Bill Woolman, (417) 9/10-13, Don Steinbach, (414) 453-8930, pepi@ mediaone.net; USS Medregal, SS 480, Peoria, IL, 9/15, 858-6256, [email protected]; MAWS 7/MGCIS 7/MACS 7, execpc.com; USS Tigrone, SS 419, Peoria, IL, 9/10-14, Mike Buricholder. (336) 854-3730, [email protected]; San Antonio, 10/11-14, Don De Chambeau, (320) 252-91 80; Frank Hill, (812) 936-2892, [email protected]; USS USS Wyandot, AKA 92, New Orieans, 9/15-19, William 8th Del AAA Bn, St. Louis, 10/11-15, James Powers, (781) Chevalier, DD/DDR 805, San Diego, 9/10-15, Jim Hillard, Tribble, (817) 572-0804, [email protected]; NCB 1009, 449-4035; USMC Ret Postal Personnel MOS 0160/0161, (765) 962-4870, [email protected]; USS Amsterdam, CL Cincinnati. OH, 9/16-18, Edward Lang, (513) 374-2338 Robinsonville, MS, 10/14-19, Harold Wilson, (740) 385-6204, 101, Myrtle Beach, SC, 9/10-15, Leon Stewart Sr., (610) [email protected] 363-7977 USS Stribling, DD 867, Branson, MO, 9/16-19, Pete Grare, (252) 637-0545, [email protected]; USS Salt Lake VMF/VMA-211 Reunion Assn, Alcoa, TN, 10/16-20, Ray USS Gherardi, DD 737/DMS 30, Savannah, GA, 9/10-15, City, CA 25/SSN 716, Reno, NV, 9/16-20, Myran Vartand, 395-4901 [email protected]; Div James Storey, 456-9436, [email protected]; 777-1850; Basilan, Branson, 9/16- Foust (270) , 3rd Mar 3rd (850) (760) USS AG 68, MO, Rgt 3rd Bn OI(ina»/a, San Diego, 10/17-21, Roger USS Delta, AR 9/AK 29, Seattle, 9/10-16, Eugene 20, James Scotten, (916) 791-7383, basilanag68scotty@ Holtzapple, (570) 524-7424, [email protected]; Mar Sec Sonnleitner. (920) 235-1866, [email protected]; USS gvn.net; Naval Air Trans Serv, San Diego, 9/16-22, Conine Guards Saigon, San Diego, 10/17-21, Mike Bertini, (910) Essex, CV/CVA/CVS 9/LHD 2, Atlanta, 9/10-16, Frank Mathison, (816) 690-8307, [email protected]; USS 353-7377; Kilo Co 3/7 Vietnam Assn, Tucson, AZ, 10/18- O'Connor, (812) 476-5645, [email protected]; USS Saugus, Chepachet, AO 78, Wheeling, WV, 9/17-19, Russell Darting, 21, Harry Smith, (870) 247-1146, [email protected] LSV 4, Panama City, FL, 9/11-13, George Hasten, (21 7) 826- (903) 892-1924, [email protected]; USS English,

2784; USS Samuel S. Miles, DE 1 83, Amana, lA, 9/11-1 3, DD 696, Las Vegas, 9/17-19, Ray Ross, (760) 347-2825; Junior Fartier, 472-7550; Osage, LSV 3, Panama Fessenden, DE/DER142, Portsmouth, VA, 9/17-19, NAVY (641 ) USS USS City, FL, 9/11-13, George Hasten, (217) 826-2784; USS Mike Kirsch, (757) 487-6122. [email protected]; USS USS Waldron, DD 699, Pittsburgh, September, Walter Bridge, AF 1/AOE 10, Wisconsin Dells, Wl, 9/11-13, Albert Callaway, APA 35, SL Louis. 9/17-21. Wallace Shipp, (202) Haidet, (412) 366-0137, [email protected]; USS Worden, 426-6168, [email protected]; USS 363-3663; NCB 143, Hawley, PA, 9/1 7-21 Joseph (847) , Detroit, CL 8, Jackson Hole, WY, September, Barbara Fisher, Monitor, LSV 5, Panama City, FL, 9/11-13. George Hasten, Campanella. (610) 353-8558, [email protected]; USS (801) 521-6888, [email protected]; USS LSI 980, (217) 826-2784; USS Montauk, LSV 6, Panama City, FL, Saratoga, CV 3/CVA 60/CV 60, Long Beach, CA, 10/17-21, Savannah, GA, September, Thomas Langevin, (863) 859- 9/11-13, George Hasten. (217) 826-2784; USS Solace, AH John Brandman, (877) 360-7272, [email protected]; USS 5046, [email protected]; USS O'Bannon, DD/ODE 450, 5, Bettendorf, lA. 9/11-13, James Underwood, (262) 473- Butternut, YN 4/AN 9, Jackson, CA, 9/18-21, Eari Gamer. Corpus Christi, TX, September, Robert Martin, (623) 546- 541 6; USS LST 702, Branson, MO, 9/1 1 -1 4, James (209) 296-5998. [email protected]; USS Rawlins, APA 1748; USS Eichenberger, DE 202, Indianapolis, September, Mattchen, (217) 428-3004. [email protected]; USS 226, Neenah. Wl, 9/18-21, John Kuebler, (920) 739-1972, Edward Wilson, (317) 546-3954; USS New, DD/DDE/DDR Spokane, CLAA 120, Biloxi, MS, 9/11-15, Gene Williams, [email protected] 818, Newport, Rl, September, Dennis Butler, (810) 743-9094, (219) 665-9886 [email protected]; USS Kula Gulf, CVE 108/AKG 10, Coming, USS LST Assn, Mobile, AL, 9/18-24, Reunion Planner, (419)

NY, September, Andrew Warade, (727) 862-3058; USS USS Wilson, DD 408, Ft. Mitchell, KY, 9/11-15, Eugene 693-0725, [email protected]; USS Altamaha, CVE 18, President Jackson, SSBN 619, Peoria, IL, September, Bill Houck, (845) 647-7147, [email protected]; USS San Diego. 9/18-24, Don Dolan, (619) 469-5850, doln3@ Vomnbrock, (860) 376-5557, [email protected]; USS Davison, DD 618/DMS 37, Branson, MO, 9/11-16, Eari Lee, aol.com; USS Markab, AD21 AR23 AK31, San Antonio, Waddell, DDG 24, , September, Bill Brewer, (410) (619) 444-5384, [email protected]; USS Diodon, SS 9/19-22, William Campbell, (941) 575-6829, wjcampbell@ 531-1250, [email protected]; USS Herbert J. Thomas, 349, Peoria, IL, 9/11-16, Glenn Boothe, (559) 291-5330, isni net; USS Griswold, DE7, Springfield, MO, 9/19-22. DD 833, Annapolis, MD, 9/2-5, John Wenderoth, (703) 256- [email protected]; USS Seadragon, SSN 584, Bmno Mancinelli, (724) 258-5379; USS Murphy, DD 603, 5426, [email protected]; 2nd Spec Seabees, Branson, MO, Peoria, IL, 9/11-16, Phil Philipps, (309) 358-1307. seafox@ Baltimore. 9/19-22, Talbert Shepke, (410) 255-2997; VPB 9/4-6, Douglas Splady, (218) 829-8417, [email protected]; elmnet.net; USS Hollandia, CVE 97, Kansas City. MO, 9/12- 117, Branson, MO, 9/19-23, William Swink, (228) 255-3738; USS Pierce, APA 50, Rapid City, SD, 9/4-7, Donald Hind, 14, Paul Tumer, (636) 458-6851, [email protected]; USS USS Kermit Roosevelt, ARG 16, Charieston, SC, 9/19-23, [email protected] Nassau, CVE 16, Gig Hartjor, WA, 9/12-15, Sam Moore, Robert Simpson, (_952) 881-2436, rms9@qwesLnet; USS (909) 795-6070; USS James C. Owens, DD 776, Niagara Conway, DD/DDE 507, Gettysburg, PA. 9/19-23, Charies USS Weiss, APD 135, Buffalo, NY, 9/4-8, Jim Stott, (865) Falls, NY, 9/12-15, W. Nelson, (719) 635-7667, w.nelson@ Coale Jr., (703) 552-7904, [email protected]; USS 458-9006, [email protected]; USS Curtiss, AV 4, woridneLatt.net; USS Trenton, CL 11, Portland, OR, 9/12- Sproston, DD/DDE 577, Nashville, TN, 9/19-23, Jim Mariatt, Portland, OR, 9/5-8, John Ekstadt, (952) 891-5954, av- 15, Jay Balfour, (360) 254-4439, [email protected]; USS (626) 351-0362, [email protected]; USS Robert H. [email protected]; USS Cowell, DD 547, Peoria, IL, 9/5-9, L. Taluga, AO 62, Detrait, 9/12-15, James Young, (610) 644- McCard, DD-822, Savannah, GA, 9/19-23, Tom Burnett, Salley, (864) 268-3365, [email protected]; USS Mt 3847; USS Klondike, AD AR22, San Diego, 9/12-15, Don (334) 567-3573, [email protected]; USS Pursuit, AM McKinley, AGC 7/LCC 7, Cleveland, 9/5-9, Dwight Janzen, Fartienkamp, (612) 447-6060, [email protected]; USS Mt. 108/aGS 17, Las Vegas, NV, 9/20-22. Artie Woofers, (302)

(509) 534-3649 ; USS Intrepid, CV/CVA/CVS 11, Nashville, Olympus, ACG-8, Charieston, SC, 9/12-15, Joan McGrath, 875-0136, [email protected]; USS President Polk AP TN, 9/5-9, Lawrence Blackbum Jr., (215) 345-5690, ra04) 788-6451; USS Gyatt, DD 712/DDG 1, San Antonio, 103, Tulsa, OK, 9/20-22, James Montgomery, (316) 733- [email protected]; NCB 66 Det 1022, Gulfport, MS, 9/5-9, 9/12-15, J. Johnson, (504) 737-9657, jcpocketknite@ 5113, [email protected] Charies Mullinnix, (662) 842-4450; USS Everett F. Larson, yahoo.com DD/DDR 830, Louisville, KY, 9/5-9, Tom Nordquist, (937) USS Carter Hall, LSD 3, Las Vegas, 9/20-22, Roy Cogdill, 667-9208, [email protected]; USS Virgo, AKA 20/AE USS Reid DD 369, Buffalo, NY, 9/12-16, Walter Fox, (716) (254) 248-0928; USS Cimarron, AO 22, Salt Lake City, 30, Denver, 9/5-9, Don Pegg, (303) 659-4599; USS Claxton, 627-6718, [email protected]; USS Higbee, DD/DDR 9/20-22, Siegfried Weiss, (801) 255-5567, rasebudd@ DD 571, Ariington, VA, 9/5-9, Bessie Monfort, (813) 286- 806, Minneapolis, 9/12-16, Gil Rodelio. (541) 747-1408, aras.net; USS Gen A.E. Anderson, AP/TAP 111, Norfolk, 1599, [email protected]; USS Enterprise Natl Assn, CV [email protected]; USS Flusser, DD 368, Branson, VA, 9/20-23, William Hamelman, (214) 341-4196, 6, St. Louis, 9/5-9, Nomn Zafft, (605) 873-2237, zafftncj@ MO, 9/12-16, E. Dennis, (601) 992-3766; USS Columbia, [email protected]; USS Fechteler, DD/DDR 870, itctel.com; USS John R. Craig, DD 885, Travis City, Ml, 9/5- CL 56, Tucson, AZ, 9/12-16, Bill Bohne, (610) 543-9073, Branson, MO, 9/20-23, Dan-ell Penberthy, (573) 496-3686. 9, James Banett, (609) 698-2109, [email protected]; [email protected]; USS Kalk DD 611, Mobile, AL, 9/12-16, [email protected]; USS Kretchmer, DE DER 329, Baltimore, USS Juneau, CL 52/CLAA 119/LPD 1, Philadelphia, 9/5-9. W. Willeford. (402) 483-2059, [email protected]; USS MD, 9/20-23, Can-oil Pin-era, (410) 661-0530; USS Charles Edwin Cox, 537-781 [email protected]; Turner, Savannah. GA, 9/12-16, R. Ware, DD 865, St. Louis, 9/2(5-23. William Chitwood, (843) 1 , USS DD/DDR 834/DD 648, Shelton, DD 790, Great Falls, MT, 9/6-8, Richard Petrowich, Richard Shanaberger, (717) 764-3834. dick_shan@ (636) 464-4601, [email protected]; USS Telfair, APA

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210, San Diego, CA, 9/20-23, Ralph Limon, (909) 658-7426, Trathen, DO 530, Washington, 9/27-29, Ron Keeler, (540) DD447/0D415, Williamsburg, VA, 9/30-10/2, Charies Cook, [email protected]; USS Guadalupe, AO 32, Grand 459-7272, [email protected]; USS Snowden, DE 246, (918) 749-8434, [email protected]; USS Knapp, DD 653,

Junction, CO, 9/20-23, Bill Brooks, (334) 675-6535, Albany, NY, 9/27-29, Jack Coyle, (732) 257-8031 ; USS Las Vegas, 9/30-1 0/2, Frank Ragusa, (702) 897-0771 ; USS [email protected]; USS Eugene A. Greene, Corregidor, CVE 58, San Antonio, 9/27-29, Harold Oriskany, CV/CVA 34, Bremerton, WA, 9/30-10/2, Lee DD/DDR 711, San Diego, 9/20-23, Glenn Herman, (559) Amistrong, (903) 812-3641, [email protected]; USS Puglia, (603) 626-4823, [email protected]; NCB 117, Branson, 732-1766, [email protected]; USS Manlove, DE 36, Fanshavi/ Bay AGS, CVE 70, Branson, MO, 9/27-29, Duane MO, 9/30-10/3, Louis Tippit, (314) 521-7527; USS Bache, Albany, NY, 9/20-23, Neil Winbeny, (718) 263-9672, lossi, (970) 482-6237; USS Howorth, DO 592, Branson, DO/DOE 470, MyrUe Beach, SC, 9/30-10/3, Krt Hall, (314) [email protected]; USS Oberon, AKA 14, Albuquerque, MO, 9/27-29, Lany Nelson, (815) 251-4416, lynelson® 521-9414; USS Enoree, AO 69, Oriando, FL, 9/30-10/4, NM, 9/20-23, Gene Oberle, (631) 421-1067, deegene® essexl .com; USS Albuquerque, PF 7, Buriington, VT, 9/27- David Neuenschwander, (760) 746-4075, daneu@ webtv.net; USS Honolulu, CL 48/SSN 718, Branson, MO, 29, Robert Kaigle, (802) 864-7669, [email protected]; nctimes.net; USS Alfred A. Cunningham, 00 752, San 9/20-23, Glenn Willmann, (618) 654-9767, sailor1ou@ USS Point Defiance, LSD 31, Gatlinburg, TN, 9/27-29, Diego, CA, 9/30-10/4, Ray Hawley, (619) 440-3888, aol.com; Fleet Air Wing 7, Branson, MO, 9/20-24, Dan John Nicolosi, (978) 283-9024, [email protected]; USS [email protected]; NCB 9, Branson, MO, 9/30-10/5, Shore, (931) 788-3673, [email protected]; Scouting Sqdn Gen. S.D. Sturgis, AP 137, Manchester, NH, 9/27-29, John Amott, (941) 255-5427, [email protected]; USS WWII, Mesa, AZ, 9/20-24, Alton Klinger, (480) 649-9240, Williard Ritchie, (661) 946-1935; USS Bristol, DO 857, Craven, 00 382, San Antonio, 9/30-10/6, Can-ey Nelson, [email protected]; USS Quick, DD 490/DIVlS 32, Buffalo, NY, 9/27-30, John Watt. (760) 353-1408, (714) 529-8397; USS John Rodgers, 00 574, Buffalo, NY, Branson, MO, 9/20-25, George Jordan, (949) 859-4345, [email protected]; USS Severn, AO 61, Newport, Rl, 9/30-10/7, Jack Mindock, (815) 883-8443; All Enlisted 9/21-23, Phil [email protected]; NMCB 3, St. Louis, 9/27-30, David Bartier, (614) 837-1268, bart)[email protected]; Bombardier Navigators, October, Sanford, FL, Don Pierce, Weatherwax, (626) 969-1841, [email protected]; USS USS Fiske, DO/DOR 842, Jacksonville, FL, 9/27-30, John (813) 250-6289, [email protected]; NCB 145, Laughlin, Buffalo, NY, 9/21-23, Donald Deymour, Kaskaskia, AO 27, Greeley, (732) 469-2868; USS Hugh Purvis, DO 709, NV, 10/1-4, Edward Webber, (407) 254-4074; USS Castor, 693-5018, [email protected] (716) Lancaster, PA, 9/27-30, Dennis Dow, (727) 771-7248, AKS 1, Las Vegas, 10/1-4, Walt Whittemore, (702) 431- [email protected] 1290, [email protected] USS Requin, SS/SSR 481, Pittsburgh, 9/21-24, Robert Gariock, 485-3451 [email protected]; USS Davis, DO (717) , USS LSI 510, Muskegon, Ml, 9/27-30, Emie Williams, (816) USS Koiner, DE/DER 331/WDE 431, Branson, MO, 10/1-4, Temps, AZ, 9/22-24, William Crewe, 629-8668, 395, (302) 455-7074, [email protected]; USS Oklahoma City, Gus Dermand, (515) 832-1137; USS Blue, DD 387, Reno, [email protected]; USS Sibley, APA 206, Pueblo, CO, CL91/CLG5/CG5, Mobile, AL, 9/27-30, Frank Zaccaro, (620) NV, 10/1-4, DelbertMcWhinney, (530) 347-0373; USS

9/23-25, Robert Collyer, (71 9) 543-721 1 ; USS Lindenwald, 221-0343, [email protected]; USS Towers, DOG 9, Bremerton, Edison, DO 439, Kissimmee, FL, 10/1-4, Jean Whetstine, LSD 6, Mt. Pleasant, SC, 9/23-26, Richard De Lottinville, (410) WA, 9/27-30, Thomas Schmidt, (360) 373-0579, (810) 266-6821; USS Bagley, 00386, Penysburg, OH, 592-8234, [email protected]; USS Guadalcanal, LPH 7, [email protected]; USS Genesee, AOG 8, 10/1-4, Charies Schneider, (419) 862-2978; USS Hammer, Las Vegas, 9/23-26, Joseph Conjura, (570) 648-41 69, Washington, 9/27-30, Ed Mari

Louis, 9/26-30, Dick Englander, (941 ) 349-1 1 34, [email protected]; USS Belleau Wood, CVL 24, drfieldbrush. Meigs Road, P.O. Box 25, Vergennes, VT 05491 Reno, NV, 9/26-10/1, Robert Ross, (727) 848-5409; USS www. com [

JULY 2001 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • |jl cmms

Dayton, OH, 10/4-6, Boyd Dixon, (573) 365-6603, Orieans, 10/11-14, Oscar Lax, (973) 762-4560; USS Post 85, VA: Buck EmestJr.

[email protected]; USS Sigourney, DD 643, Myrtle Rhodes, DD/DDR 384, Nashville, TN, 10/11-14, Lynne Post 37, VT: Richard A. Boucher, James Eno, Ten-ence J. Beach, SC, 10/4-6, Canoll Caverly, (843) 651-2225; USS Mannino, (718) 833-3779, [email protected]; Griffin, Kenneth Kinson, John M. Prendergast. Stanley Rumrill, Murray, DD/DDE 576, Philadelphia, 10/4-6, Vince USS George Bancroft, SSBN 643, Mystic, CT, 10/11-14, Carol Spaulding, Linda Thayer Sponziello, (609) 894-9068, [email protected]; NAS Richard Elmore, (207) 247-3095, [email protected]; Trinidad, VPB 208, FASRON 105 & USIVIC Det Reunion USS Stoddard, DD 566, Pittsburgh, 10/11-14, Joseph COMRADES IN DISTRESS Grp, San Diego, 10/4-6, Franl

USS Pickaway, APA 222, Denver, 10/10-13, Will Green, Ninh Run between 1 967 and 1 968 or 2nd Admin Co, 2nd Inf 660-0575, [email protected] USS San Marcos, LSD 25, Asheville, NC. 10/25-28, Ray (303) Div at Camp Casey, Korea between 1969 and 1971 , contact Willis, (419) 331-4699; VC/VAH-1/RVAH-1, "Smokin' Charies "Mike" Freeman, P-20226 1B1-218, P.O. Box 3456, Tigers," Pensacola, FL, 10/25-28, James Mathews, (904) USS Morton, DD 948, San Diego, 10/10-13, John Kieft, Corcoran, CA 93212. 783-6943, [email protected]; USS Northampton, CA (541 ) 471 -2777, [email protected]; USS Valley Forge, CV Anyone who served with G Co, 1 6th Inf Rgt, 2nd Bn, Pinder 26/CLC 1, San Jose, CA, 10/25-29, Phillip Knights, phild38@ 45/LPH 8, Daytona Beach, FL, 10/10-14, Don Whitman, Ban-acks, at Furth, Gennany, between 1950 and 1953, hotmail.com; USS Manley, DD 940, Fairfax, VA, 10/25-29, 904) 761-0355; USS Bearss, DD 654, Alexandria, VA, contact Donald K. James, 18 County Road 329, Big Creek, Joe Dennlson, (904) 767-8068, [email protected]; 0/1 0-13, Jeny Walkins, (41 2) 487-6073, je(walk@earthlink. MS 3891 4 or call (662) 628-6450. USS Springfield CLG 7/CL66/SSN761, Philadelphia, net; USS Bairoko, CVE 115, Cincinnati, 10/10-14, Tom Anyone who served with the 879th HAM between 1942 and 10/26-28, John Adams, (603) 598-2806, johnmnA(illie@ Marcks, (513) 553-3586; Naval Base Hosp 12, SNAG 56, 1945, contact Ray Bandos, 1C Hawthorne Woods, Deptford, aol.com; USS Bang, SS 385, Mystic, CT, 10/28-31, Bob Branson, MO, 10/10-14, W. Huston, (616) 942-2503, NJ 08096. call (856) 853-2625 or e-mail [email protected]. Jutstrom, (508) 477-0436, [email protected]; USS [email protected]; USS Frank Knox, DDR 742, Anyone who served with C Co. 555th Sig Aircraft Warning Bn Crux, AK 115, Myrtle Beach, SC, 10/28-11/1, Wilton Pnce, Jacksonville, FL, 10/10-14, Bob O'Kon, (954) 717-9906, during WWII, contact Louis J. Mariey, 23 Pariwiew Drive, (919) 365-5926 [email protected]; USS Independence, CVA/CV 62, Palm Coast, FL 321 64 or call (904) 446-7596. Savannah, GA, 10/10-14, Denis Bagley, (732) 819-0359, Anyone who underwent basic training with A Co, 95th Heavy atlantismari

Post 14, CA: Nonrian Weibel, William E. Cozzo Ky., Japan or Ft. Bragg, N.C., in July 1955, contact Rodger 854- USS Mars, AFS 1, San Diego, 10/11-13, Everett Jones, Post 115, FL: Omer E.Smith Jacobson, Box 1 4, Hazel Green. Wl 5381 1 , call (608) (619) 421-3721, [email protected]; USS Delong, DE 684, Post 152, FL: George Pinner, Robert Lair 231 7 or e-mail [email protected]. Baltimore, 10/11-13, Billy Owen, (757) 583-4285; VF 54, Post 254, FL: Thomas Dole, Frank Sledjeski Anyone who served with the 6tti Mar Div in A Btry, 1 st Bn, Tucson, AZ, 10/11-14, Glenn Ward, (703) 527-7315, Post 87, MN: Lester R. Bartholomew, Raymond E. Kallstrom 1 5th Mar; K Btry, 4th Bn, 1 5th Mar; or H&S Btry, 4th Bn, [email protected]; USS Griggs, APA 110, New Orieans, Post 63, NC: George J. Amash 1 5th Mar in Guam, Okinawa or Tsingtao, China, between 10/11-14, John Mallon, (703) 524-4562; Navy Classifiers, Post 107, NC: OIlie Mae Canoll, Homer Robertson 1 943 and 1 945, contact Maggie Champion, P.O. Box 6. Pensacola, FL, 10/11-14, Fred Fontaine, (334) 263-5325, Post 328, NJ: Joseph Checorski Boone Grove, IN 46302 or call (219) 462-2295. [email protected]; LPD Assn, Memphis, TN, 10/11-14, Post 264, NY: Richard F. Erb, Cariton Meyers, Alex Samanka, Anyone who served in the personnel, administrative or Joe Havens, (501) 679-4980; CAG 14, San Antonio, 10/11- Jason C. Schad, Paul C. Tumer, Edward D. White morning report sections of the 380th Bomb Wing/Air Base 14, J. Oswald, (956) 423-0576; USS Aeolus, ARC 3, Post 1544, NY: Pasquale D. Capasso Grp at Plattsburgh AFB, N.Y., between August 1955 and Portsmouth, NFI, 10/11-14, Mart( Anthony, (603) 431-5034, Post 1688, NY: Burdette A. Evans January 1958, contact Bob Mihelic, 18 Glendora Ave., [email protected]; USS Renville, APA 227, New Post 242, PA: Eari B. Rinehold Stockton. CA 95207, call (209) 477-8705 or e-mail

52 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY 2001 , , , .

[email protected]. 1 31 1 4, call (31 5) 963-4520 or e-mail [email protected]. various Department positions.

Anyone who served with Med Co, 1 36th Inf Rgt at Camp nyone who served aboard ttie USS Schofield, DEG/FFG 3, Father William Doran Curtis, Dept of Minnesota. Nat I Rucker, Ala., between 1950 and 1953, contact Robert L. between 1967 and 1989, contact Rick Cohagan, 801 E. Chaplain 1969-1970.

Allen, 702 S. Meridian Sp. 32, Apache Junction, AZ 85220 Rittenhouse St, Lot 85, Houston TX 77076 or call (71 3) Vieland E. "Nick" Kenitz, Dept. of Minnesota. Nat1 Education or call (480) 984-8644. & Scholarships Cmte. Memb. 1958-1961, Natl Legis. Anyone who served aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard, inyone who served aboard the USS Agawam, AOG 6, during Cmsn. Memb. 1963-1969 and Natl Americanism Cncl. Ivy at In 1 CV-31 , between 1 942 and 1 946, contact Steven W. Smith at the Operation Atomic Test Eniwetok 952, contact Vice Chmn. 1979-1981. 252-6622 Nonnan Kolle, 625 Washington, Clay Center, KS 67432 or (800) [email protected]. Cameron L. King, Dept. of Kentucky. Nat1 Memb. & Post served with Basic Military Tng SchI at call 632-3397. Anyone who HQ (785) Activ. Cmte. Memb. 1959-1960, Natl Counter-Subversive Lackland AFB in San Antonio between December 1974 and Activ. Cmte. Memb. 1963-1964, Natl Child Welfare Cmsn. November 1 976, contact Joe Boward, 3 Starrford Road, "C" Memb. 1964-1969, Natl Child Welfare Cmsn. "C" Vice Hagerstown, MD, 21742, call (301) 797-9085 ore-mail Chmn. 1 968-1 969 and 1 980-1 981 , Nat1 Child Welfare [email protected]. Narciso Aguiar, Dept. of New Mexico. Natl Foreign Relations Cmsn. "C" Chmn. 1969-1970, Natl Cmsn. on Children & Anyone who served with Marine Sgt. Pete Trayner's Post Cncl. 1995-1998. Youth "C" Memb. 1970-1988, Dept. Cmdr. 1983-1984, Honor Pit 1 21 at Panis Island between March and June Cecil L. Bandy, Dept. of Califomia. Natl Memb. & Post Activ. Natl Sec Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1988-2001 and various 1953, contact Doug Sykes, 805 Lennie Ave., Momstown, Cmte. Memb. 1967-1968, Natl Memb. & Post Activ. Department positions. TN 3781 3 or call (423) 586-7870. Cmte. Consultant 1969-1971, Dept Cmdr. 1971-1972, Charles Lynn Steward, Dept of Texas. Natl Memb. & Post Anyone who served with the 6th Med Depot 6th MEDSOM or Natl Veterans Affairs & Rehab. Cmsn. Exec. Section 1972- Activ. Cmte. Memb. 1966-1972, Natl Americanism Cncl. t)ie 1 6th Support Bn in Korea, contact Mack Mullins, P.O. 1974, Natl Exec. Cmte. 1974-1976, Nat1 Americanism Vice Chmn. 1969-1970, Natl Distinguished Guests Cmte. Box 25542, Fayetteville, NC 28314 or call (910) 867-4292. Cmsn. Liaison Cmte. Memb. 1974-1976, Natl tegis. Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1970-1972, Natl Sec. Cncl. Memb. 1971- Anyone who served with A Co, 84th Tank Bn, 3rd Amnd Div at Memb. 1975-1980 and 1983-1984, Natl Public Relatons 1972, Natl Intemal Affairs 1972-1993, Ft Knox, N.Y., between October and December 1 951 Cmsn. Consultant 1976-1980, Natl Veterans Affairs & Cmsn. Memb. contact Ray Lohr, 2 Clipstone Court Baltimore, MD 21236, Rehab. Cmsn. Region 7 Memb. 1980-1982 and Natl Dept Cmdr. 1973-1974, Natl Exec. Cmte. Alt. 1976-1980, call (410) 256-4228 ore-mail [email protected] Foreign Relations Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1991-1994. Nat1 Exec. Cmte. 1980-1984, Nat1 Subcmte. on Cmtes. Anyone who served with the 81 st Maint Sqdn at RAF William R. Burke, Dept. of Califomia. Nat1 Cmdr. 1960- Memb. 1981-1982 and various Department positions. Benterwaters, England, between 1953 and 1954, contact 1961, Natl Conv. Cmsn. Memb. 1949-1952, Dept Cmdr. E. Roy Stone Jr., Dept. of South Carolina. Natl Cmdr. Harold Appelgate, 504 Rush St, Radclitfe, lA 50230, call 1953-1954, Natl Exec. Cmte. Memb. 1954-1956, Natl Confen-ed 1 987-1 988, Nat1 Law and Order Cmte. 1 950- (51 5) 899-2266 or e-mail [email protected] Advisory Cmte. to the Natl Cmdr. Memb. 1954-1956 and 1951, Natl Distinguished Guests Cmte. Memb. 1951-

Anyone who competed with the USMC Camp Lejeune 1 970-1 971 , Nat1 Intemal Affairs Cmsn. Liaison Cmte. 1952, Dept Cmdr. 1952-1953, Natl Exec. Cmte. Memb. Wrestling Team between 1951 and 1952, contact Ned Chmn. 1954-1956, Natl Conv. Cmsn. Ex-Officio Memb. 1953-2001, Nat1 Public Relations Cmsn. Liaison Cmte. Hartman, 213 Hillside Condo, Dallas, PA 18612, call (570) 1956-1957, Natl Public Relations Cmsn. Chmn. 1956- Memb. 1953-1955 and 1964-1966, Natl Veterans Affairs 675-3330 or e-mail [email protected]. 1958, Natl Public Relations Cmsn. Vice Chmn. 1958- & Rehab. Liaison Cmte. 1955-1956 and 1958-1963, Natl Anyone who served with Mach Gun Pit G Trp, 14th Cav Rgt 1960, Natl Finance Cmsn. Ex-Officio Memb. 1960-1961, Rehab. Cmsn. Liaison Cmte. Memb. 1955-1956 and 2nd Cav Div at Camp Funston, Kan., between January 1941 Nat1 Overseas Graves Decoration Tmst Chmn. 1 960-1 961 1958-1963, Nat1 Intemal Affairs Cmsn. Liaison Cmte. 1962- and June 1942, contact Louis A. Butler, 271 E. Main St, Nat1 Overseas Graves Decoration Tmst Memb. Memb. 1956-1958, Natl Resolutions Subcmte. Chmn. Spartcman, AR 71 763 or call (870) 678-2974. 1963, Natl Advisory Cmte. to the Natl Cmdr. Chmn. 1961- 1957-2001 , Nat1 Advisory Cmte. to Vne I\lat1 Cmdr. Ex- Anyone who served on the USCGC Cuyahoga between August 1962, Natl Conv. Cmsn. Liaison Cmte. 1961-1962, Natl Officio Memb. 1961-1963, Natl Advisory Cmte. to the Natl 1 944 and June 1 945, contact Douglas M. Merrill, 1 1 27 Overseas Graves Decoration Trust Vice Chmn. 1961-1962, Cmdr. Memb. 1963-2001, Natl Finance Cmsn. Liaison Sandi Drive, Layton, UT 84041 or call (801) 593-9939. Nat1 POW/MIA Cmte. Chmn. 1970-1974 and various Cmte. Memb. 1 966-2001 Spirit of 76 Cmte. Memb. , Anyone who served with the 358th Ftr Grp, "Orange Tails," Department positions. 1970-1976, Dept Vice Cmdr. 1973-1974, Natl Select between 1 943 and 1 945, contact Lubbertus H. Lok Jr., Allen K. Buttke, Dept of New Mexico. Nat1 Distinguished Cmte. of Special Problems of the Veterans Affairs & Rehab. 19070 Maple Road, Effort PA 18330 or call (570) 629- Guests Cmte. Memb. 1971-1976, Dept Cmdr. 1974- Program Consultant 1977-1982, Natl Legis. Cncl. Memb. 3488. 1975, Natl Counter-Subversive Act. Cmte. Memb. 1976- 1979-1990, 1993-1994 and 1999-2000, Natl Veterans Anyone who served with Sqdn 1 during WWII, 1978, Natl Sec. Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1978-1979, Natl Legis. Planning and Coordinating Cmte. Memb. 1982-2000 and contact "Ziggy" Freels, 215 Seminole Drive, Paducah, KY Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1983-1989 and 1999-2000, Natl Natl Citizens Flag Alliance Advisory Cmte. Consultant 42001 , call (270) 554-8226 or e-mail bbrose8@ Veterans Affairs & Rehab. Region 7 Memb. 1988-2001 1994-1996. yahoo.com. Natl Veterans Affairs & Rehab. Regional Vice Chmn. 1992- Dept. of Yort<. 1 980- Anyone who served aboard the USS Thuban, AKA 19, between 1993, Natl Veterans Affairs & Rehab. Regional Chmn. George Szenina, New Nat1 Cmdr. Aide Cncl. 1984-1985 1 943 and decommissioning, contact Wayne Wellesley, RR 1 993-1 994 and various Department positions. 1981 and Natl Sec. Vice Chmn. and 2, Box 92, Noel, MO 64854 or call Ml 7) 226-4655. Bennie Casaus, Dept. of New Mexico. Nat1 Veterans 1987-1989. Anyone who served aboard the USS Gilligan, DE 508, during Preference Cmte. Memb. 1976-1981, Natl Americanism Thomas J. Woollen, Dept. of Delaware. Nat1 Rehab. Cmsn. WWII, contact Carnien Lunetta, 6 Terrace Place, Jamestown, Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1981-1982, Dept Cmdr. 1982-1983, Advisory Bd. Memb. 1966-1968 and 1983-1984, Natl NY 14701, call (716) 664-2673 ore-mail cami@ Nat1 Employment Cmte. Consultant 1982-1985, Natl Cmsn. on Children & Youtti Advisory Bd. Memb. 1986- madbbs.com. Military Affairs Cmte. Memb. 1986-1993, Natl Exec. Cmte. 1987, Natl Distinguished Guests Cmte. Vice Chmn. 1987- Anyone who served with the 4th Tmck Co between 1 950 and Alt. 1989-1993, Natl Exec. Cmte. Memb. 1993-1995, Natl 1988, Dept Cmdr. 1987-1988 and various Department 1953, contact Sam Burford, 91 Mason Road, Mexico, NY Children & Youth Liaison Cmte. Memb. 1993-1995 and ClASSmiB

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• THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • JULY 2001 Asbestos Cancer Hits Former Sailors

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