Gulag Nation n Military Tattoos n A Freedom Too Far

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HOME AWAY 30 The House That FROM HOME 30 Fisher Built A network of comfort homes keeps wounded soldiers and their families together during recovery. By Matt Grills 34 More Than Skin Deep The popularity of tattoos has moved 44 Legion’s Greetings beyond the military and into the Grow the American Legion family this mainstream. By Terisa Green holiday season by purchasing gift 38 A Freedom Too Far memberships for loved ones - American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Demonstrators who enjoy free speech A COMPLICATED Sons of The American Legion or all FREEDOM 38 must respect limits when seeking the three. Inexpensive to purchase, gift public’s attention. By Richard D. Parker memberships make perfect stocking stuffers for adults and children alike. By Jeff Stoffer

Cover photo: Alaska Stock departments 4 Vet Voice 46 Under the Radar 2 Legion News Job protection for Guard and Commander’s Message Online defense, terrorism at sea 8 Reserves, Wyoming Legion Measurements of strength and Russia’s westward tilt. 48 Living Well rodeo and a record donation 10 Big Issues to the American Legacy fund. Cap medical malpractice awards Anxiety treatment, value of exercise and a new Agent 60 Comrades Orange benefi t. 64 Parting Shots

The American Legion Magazine, a leader among national general-interest publications, is published monthly by The American Legion for its 2.7 million members. These wartime veterans, working through 15,000 community-level posts, dedicate themselves to God and Country and traditional American values; strong national security; adequate and compassionate care for veterans, their widows and orphans; community service; and the wholesome development of our nation’s youth. December 2003 1 The American Legion Magazine

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Printed in USA *Plus $ 4.50 shipping & handling and engraving **PA residents add 6% state sales tax. © ICM 2002- 2003 NMPWAT-ALM-12/03 Member Audit Bureau of Circulations VISIT VETERAN’S COMMEMORATIVES™ ONLINE AT WWW.VETCOM.COM vet voice Slush fund Congress doesn’t care Social Security Commissioner Jo Anne Barnhart blames One of the reasons members of Congress do nothing about Social everybody from baby boomers to those older than 70 for the Security is that it means nothing shortfall in the Social Security system to them. They do not participate in the program. They have their (“Stretched Thin,” October). First, consider own retirement plan. Ask any administration costs and bungling. Second, a senator or representative. It’s a golden parachute. lot of people have never paid a dime into it. – John Frew, Cartersville, Ga. In my opinion, the biggest culprit is Uncle Forced to pay Sam dipping into the kitty and borrowing I read with interest William W. funds. Social Security would be quite ad- Beach’s article “Social Security’s equate to meet all needs if it weren’t used as a slush fund for Salvation,” in which he writes that the Supreme Court says we the feds. Put the blame where it belongs. have “no right to benefi ts.” My – Robert E. Woodland, Festus, Mo. state claims a driver’s license is a “privilege,” not a “right.” I pay for Not a penny fund. When the Social Security this “privilege” yearly. If I don’t, I I was disappointed you let the system ceases to be a major buyer don’t enjoy the “privilege” of Social Security commissioner of Treasury notes and becomes a driving. Should I choose not to blow the myth of a $1.4 trillion major redeemer, we’ll have a big drive, I don’t buy the “privilege.” trust fund by you without a budget problem. Simple enough. challenge. The real “dirty little Barnhart scoffs at the idea of The Supreme Court says we secret” about Social Security is partially funding Social Security have no “right” to Social Security that the trust fund has not one out of general revenues by saying benefi ts. Are they then a “privi- penny in it. It is comprised solely that would make it an income- lege” for which I pay should I of bonds. The cash is spent transfer program. What is it now? choose to use them? Suppose I supporting the federal budget in By her own description, Social choose not to use them. If I decide the year it is collected. Security transfers income from not to use them, I should not be So what? Here’s what: when today’s workers to tomorrow’s forced to pay for them. So why payout benefi ts exceed income by retirees. She also says Social are deductions taken from my 2018, no cash will be available Security “is too much a part of ... paycheck to fund a “privilege” I from the trust fund to pay ben- American society to be political.” may choose not to use? efi ts. Sure, benefi ts will be paid, It’s the largest program run by the If I support a social program but where will the cash come federal government. How can it with mandatory payroll deduc- from? Unless the federal govern- not be political? tions, then give me my due when ment gets spending under control – J.E. James, Lake Placid, Fla. my turn comes. I ask no more. for more than a couple of consec- – Bob Beck, Toms River, N.J. utive years, benefi ts will have to be paid by additional government A better man bonds sold on the open market, WE WANT I fi rst met R. Lee Ermey (“Hol- which will increase both the YOUR OPINIONS lywood Gunny,” October) on Aug. annual federal defi cit and the The American Legion Magazine 10, 1966, at the Marine Corps national debt. welcomes letters concerning Recruit Depot in San Diego. I – Tony St. Amant, Chico, Calif. articles that appear in the spent approximately 13 weeks in publication. Be sure to include your his care as a member of Platoon Budget bust hometown and a daytime phone 3086. I recall being hit and sworn Your interview with Social number for verifi cation. at during this period, though I Security Commissioner Jo Anne All letters are subject to editing. believe I was a better man for it Barnhart was misleading in what Send your opinions to: then and today. With Ermey, what was not said and comical in what The American Legion Magazine you see is what you get. I wish was. Barnhart says, disingenu- P.O. Box 1055 him all the success in the world. ously, that all will be well for years Indianapolis, IN 46206 When I am watching TV and see because Social Security can dip the new Nissan commercial, in into the accumulated interest of its You also can contact us which he does a voice-over, I sit at trust fund until 2028 and then into directly via e-mail or through attention. Semper Fi, gunny. the World Wide Web: the fund balance until 2042. You – W. Chuck Irrgang, Stillwater, Minn. should have asked how the [email protected] Treasury Department plans to http://www.legion.org Roots of jihad redeem all those IOUs in the trust Although Tom Griggs says the

4 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine vet voice

Islamic jihad against America of my mother, a chain smoker, he down because America felt a began in 1983 (“They Came in has begun to whittle down his stronger obligation to World War Peace,” October), the problem weight and has even started a II ally France in allowing it to with the Islamic people actually regimen of stretching and walking. reestablish its colonial hold in Sai- began years before. That deadly The single greatest threat to gon and Indochina. episode in Marine Corps history veterans will not be fought in Nor is mention made that the was not the fi rst time since Congress or on the battlefi eld. If Vietnam War was lost not on the Lebanon gained its independence we want to improve the health battlefi eld but in the villages. The in 1943 that the United States got and welfare of millions of veter- United States failed to recognize involved in Lebanon. ans, we should promote weight early on the absolute necessity of As a Marine who served from reduction, moderate exercise and winning the hearts and minds of 1951 to 1959, I recall an incident improved personal habits. local villagers. The Viet Cong in Lebanon in 1958 involving – John Polagruto, Davis, Calif. recognized and seized that various Muslim groups that did strategic option well in advance. not like the way the government Don’t forget Grenada America needs to learn from our was operating. The United States We just received the October mistake in Vietnam and make an got involved through an agree- issue, and as usual all the issues effort to win the support of Iraq’s ment that provided American were covered well. However, I’m population at the grassroots level. military in any country experi- disappointed that this was the The Iraqi people want in 2003 that encing a communist-led rebellion 20th anniversary of the invasion which was not provided to Viet- that requested U.S. help. Suppos- of Grenada, and no mention was nam’s villages in 1963: security edly the Russians were providing made in the entire magazine. and safety. From my vantage point, arms and other aid to destabilize Only 19 servicemen were killed in the Iraqis seem like the Vietnam- the Lebanese government. The action at Grenada. My son, Lt. ese people of a war gone by. president requested U.S. help, and Jeffrey R. Scharver, was one of – Dennis Foggy, Tallahassee, Fla. in July 1958 American troops them. Please do not forget these were in Lebanon. Elements of the men or this tiny war. They did not Stop the myths 2nd Marine Division at Camp die in vain. Thank you for the excellent Lejeune were sent to that area of – Vivian Scharver, Wilmington, N.C. issue on the Vietnam War. It is the Middle East. My own unit was the best document I’ve seen sent, but we remained aboard a More than soldiers explaining why we went to war helicopter aircraft carrier and Seldom have I been gripped by and why we failed to achieve our returned to the United States articles in a magazine as I was objectives. Those of us who three weeks later. Other American with those in the September issue. volunteered to serve during that military units remained until As an Army chaplain, I had a tour period did so with honorable September. I do not know about of duty from June 1966 to July intentions. Too many myths and casualties. 1967 with the 41st Signal Battal- falsehoods circulate about the The fact is that the Middle East ion. Our troops were assigned war. You corrected them. has always been a hotbed of from Qui Nohn on the coast into – Vincent N. De Cerchio, Lewisburg, Pa. trouble. Whether a jihad or not, the highlands of central Vietnam. these wars are costly in loss of In addition to performing our NVA presence life, devastation and freedom. military duties, our men provided In George McGovern’s article – Lucian A. Mascarella, Mebane, N.C. a great service to the Vietnamese “Why I Opposed the Vietnam people. This included food, War” (September), he writes that No easy cure clothing, medical attention, shelter “during the early years of U.S. As a new member of The and education. Our servicemen fi ghting in South Vietnam, no American Legion, I very much and the Vietnamese people, North Vietnamese Army units enjoy the magazine. However, I especially their youth, enjoyed a were in the south. … It was only was dismayed to see a small item great rapport. People don’t often after years of escalating U.S. troop touting the benefi ts of Vitamin E hear about the many good activi- buildup in the south that units (Living Well, October). While I’m ties of American soldiers. from the north began to appear.” glad to see an effort made to – Paul N. Mitchell, Hewitt, Texas McGovern should get his facts educate veterans on health issues, straight. On Nov. 14 and 17, 1965, articles such as these provide Win hearts, minds the 7th Cavalry fought a major subtle credence to the use of In James Webb’s excellent battle with the NVA. In early dietary supplements to ward off article “Why We Fought,” he fails 1966, the 1st Cavalry fought NVA chronic diseases. Sure, I tell my to mention that the Vietnam War regiments in the An Lao Valley. father – also a veteran – to take his could have been avoided entirely. The Marines fought NVA at Khe daily multivitamin, but the Ho Chi Minh initially wanted to Sanh from 1967 to 1968, and the greatest single step he has taken to establish a free democratic Tet Offensive in 1968 was a major alter his risk factors for disease republic with the help of the NVA engagement. was to quit smoking. After the loss United States, but he was turned – Rich Brodala, Baldwin, N.Y.

6 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine ASK YOUR DOCTOR IF A FREE SAMPLE IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

PROUD SPONSOR © 2003 Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation All rights reserved. PD1002603 08/03 OF THE 1.866.LEVITRA Printed in the USA. LEV141R0 LEVITRA is a registered trademark of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft and is used under license by GlaxoSmithKline. www.LEVITRA.com commander’s message Measurements of strength “Never shall I fail my comrades.” “… and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be. One- hus begins the third stanza of the hundred percent and then some.” Ranger Creed, an oath etched into my Theart and soul about three decades We live in an impatient world of con- ago. This creed, understandably, marched tinuous change – of instant information, alongside my years of duty as a U.S. Army long-distance warfare and satellite feeds. It Ranger. It later inspired me as I helped raise is a time unfamiliar with wars measured a family that appreciates the price of in years. Yet, for all our technological freedom and the honor deserving of those advances, our nation keeps producing who fell fi ghting for it. The creed guided my veterans, 300,000 or more a year. They professional career, in a business built on return to civilian life changed in ways that fulfi lling obligations, maintaining integrity are apparent – a missing limb, a crushed and serving people in need. But that foot, a bullet wound – or unseen, like a particular sentence of the creed resonates latent psychological response to a war deeply at this pivotal moment in American memory that won’t go away. They may history, a time when veterans need their return fully intact, lead productive lives National fellow veterans more than ever before. and reach an age when they want or need Commander to take the government’s offer of VA health John Brieden “Never shall I fail my comrades. I will care. Either way, a veteran is a veteran. Chase Studios always keep myself mentally alert, physi- And The American Legion is fi ghting for a cally strong and morally straight …” VA system to care for them all. Veterans of When I tell Congress that our organiza- In San Antonio recently I met a 24-year- tion stands for some 2.8 million veterans all eras old soldier who stood proudly, quietly, and American Legion Auxiliary and Sons propped up on crutches, recovering from a of The American Legion raise the total to depend on shattered heelbone and the about 4 million proud, voting us now loss of two toes, a man who Legion’s Greetings patriots, we get their atten- narrowly escaped death but Legion family memberships make tion. It’s important to keep more than had just one wish: to get lasting holiday gifts. Page 44. growing because we have ever. back to his unit in Iraq. At Brieden’s Rangers many vital issues before us: Walter Reed Army Medical Renewal teams race to hit VA health-care access, Center in Washington I met 100-percent goals by Jan. 11. funding and facilities on the a man who, after 17 years See Legion News, Page 55. chopping block; the unfair in, had lost his leg in the disabled veterans tax; court- Middle East. He was excited, not about the protected desecration of the U.S. Flag; uncertainty of whether or not his military court-rejected recitation of the Pledge of retirement pay would be forfeited to cover Allegiance; support for our troops and the cost of his new service-connected their families amid gathering media disability, but about the prospect of a new dissent; peace and freedom in the Middle prosthetic limb. He couldn’t wait to get East; and security for our homeland. fi tted so he could return to duty. It dawns These are hefty issues, and The American on you at such times that it is up to those Legion addresses them on the front lines, a of us whose active-duty years have passed voice of millions. to fi ght for the fair treatment of soldiers Indeed, millions of our fellow veterans like him. His job is not to worry about the depend on us. They depend on us to be disabled veterans tax. That’s our job. there, to be a part of their future and to I was honored to meet a young Army fulfi ll the fi nal promise of the preamble to staff sergeant who lost his right arm at the The American Legion Constitution: “To elbow after his convoy fell under an RPG consecrate and sanctify our comradeship attack in Iraq. He watched his commanding by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.” offi cer die that day. The sergeant’s life was We must never fail our comrades. As this forever changed. But he was not bitter. He brave new generation of American service- told me a million before him had made members remains inextricably occupied greater sacrifi ces, and if he had to do it over with the shaping of global history, we again, he would. I think about his wife and must be there for their tomorrows. And we their little daughter, the future that awaits must be there in great numbers. America them. We will be part of that future. needs us today more than ever before.

8 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine big issues Cap medical malpractice awards Sen. John Ensign Sen. Dick Durbin SUPPORT R-Nev. D-Ill. OPPOSE The medical liability crisis is Medical malpractice is a generally analyzed using facts complex issue. Doctors’ and fi gures. Nevadans learned malpractice insurance premi- the personal, tragic nature of ums are skyrocketing, forcing the crisis when Las Vegas’ only some physicians out of busi- trauma center closed last ness. Simultaneously, with summer because doctors could HMOs pressuring doctors to no longer afford skyrocketing recommend the least expensive medical malpractice insurance treatments rather than the rates. The closure cost Jim best, the incidences of mal- Lawson lifesaving treatment after an auto accident. practice also are increasing. With the trauma center closed, he was taken to Unfortunately, the legislation before Congress another emergency room, where he died. His deals with malpractice from a narrow and ineffec- daughter has joined me in working to fi nd a tive perspective. It places a strict $250,000 limit on solution to this crisis. Her voice demands we what victims of malpractice could recover in court address this situation. for “non-economic” Placing a Every day, patients losses. The $250,000 sum To solve the across America are is substantial – until it’s reasonable limit on denied access to health put into perspective. malpractice crisis, non-economic care. This crisis is about Take the story of John we must address the affordability and McCormack’s family. damages restores availability of medical John, a former Army three elements: accountability to liability insurance for sergeant who served in doctors, insurers providers. In 2002, the Operation Desert Storm, our justice system. average national pre- was thrilled when his and lawyers. mium for medical wife gave birth to a liability insurance for general surgeons and ob- beautiful baby girl. A year later, 13-month-old gyns increased 25 percent and 20 percent respec- Taylor McCormack was in the hospital awaiting a tively, forcing physicians and health-care providers routine surgical procedure. to limit their practices or leave the profession. As her condition worsened, Taylor’s physician I have introduced the HEALTH Act, which slept through fi ve attempts to page him, leaving includes a $250,000 cap on non-economic damages, the child’s care entirely to hospital staff. Within reasonable limits on attorney fees, no limit on hours, Taylor was dead. economic damages and a provision to ensure that As an infant, Taylor’s death resulted in no lost relevant medical experts serve as trial witnesses income to the McCormack family – just “non- instead of so-called “professional witnesses” who economic” losses. Despite the gross malpractice further abuse the system. Punitive damages may that turned a routine operation into a tragedy, the be sought where providers are grossly negligent. total liability for the doctor whose conduct resulted This approach is modeled after the highly in the needless death of this child would be successful MICRA law in California, where the $250,000. No jury could change that. number of frivolous lawsuits has declined dramati- To solve the malpractice crisis, we must address cally. Injured patients receive a larger share of three elements: doctors, insurers and lawyers. I their awards, and disciplinary actions against have offered bipartisan legislation calling for the incompetent health-care providers have increased. medical profession to reduce and track medical Placing a reasonable limit on non-economic errors; involve the insurance industry to make damages restores ac- certain we have account- countability to our ability and fairness in justice system and allows YOUR OPINIONS COUNT rates; and involve the physicians to concentrate Senators and representatives are interested in constituent legal profession to ensure on providing superior viewpoints. You may express your views in writing at the that lawyers who repeat- care. After all, this is following addresses: edly fi le frivolous about patient care. We The Honorable (name) The Honorable (name) lawsuits are subject to a must provide patients the U.S. Senate House of Representatives fi ne and possibly banned opportunity to receive Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 from practicing law. This affordable, accessible Phone: (202) 224-3121 Phone: (202) 225-3121 is a better, more bal- and quality health care. anced approach.

10 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine NEW ® • • GS from Introducing the New Bose 3 2 1 Bose DVD Home Entertainment System

Much of the performance of a 5-speaker sur- Our new 3·2·1GS system produces an even better round sound system, without all the wires. surround sound experience from just two visible Surround sound has added a whole new dimen- speakers that are half the size of our original sion to home entertainment. Movies are more like WIRES 3·2·1 system’s speakers. A patented hideaway the theater. Music is more like the actual concert. Acoustimass® module (not shown) produces the Sports are closer to being at the game. But most deep, rich low tones that bring sound to life. home theater systems require five large speakers, Simplicity and performance. Popular Science a rack of equipment, and wires running from the SPEAKERS reports our original system “is as easy to set up front to the back of the room. as 1-2-3.” Everything connects with just three Bose brought a new level of simplicity to home wires and a power cord. Instead of a rack of bulky theater with our original 3·2·1 DVD home enter- EASY SYSTEM equipment, one sleek media center contains a tainment system, which delivers much of the DVD/CD player and AM/FM tuner. And thanks to performance of a surround sound system from just digital 5.1 decoding and patented Bose Videostage® 5 two visible speakers instead of five. Electronic circuitry, you’ll automatically experience surround sound House named it “Product of the Year.” And Sound & no matter what you’re listening to. Even old VHS tapes Vision said, “The system managed to place the action and mono TV programs that weren’t recorded in accurately in front, to the sides, and behind me – with surround sound will come to life. only two main speakers!” Try our NEW 3·2·1GS system or our original How do we do it? Innovative Bose® research in signal 3·2·1 system for 30 days risk free, satisfaction processing and psychoacoustics (the science of the guaranteed. Experience the new 3·2·1GS system for perception of sound) enables you yourself. When you call, ask about to perceive sound in places where financing options. If for any reason For Free Shipping order by no speakers actually exist. you’re not completely satisfied, January 31, 2004. return the system within 30 days The NEW 3·2·1GS – two even for a full refund of your purchase price. Discover just smaller speakers and an one of the reasons Bose has earned enhanced surround sound its reputation as the most experience. We’ve taken CALL respected name in sound. our award-winning 3·2·1 1-800-417-2073, ext. F1120 For information on all our products: www.bose.com/f1120 system and improved it. NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP DAY PHONE EVE. PHONE E-MAIL (OPTIONAL)

Mail to Bose Corporation, Dept. DMG-F1120, The Mountain, Framingham, MA 01701-9168.

©2003 Bose Corporation. Patent rights issued and/or pending. The 3·2·1 media center design is also a trademark of Bose Corporation. Financing and free shipping offer not to be combined with any other purchases, and subject to change without notice. Risk free refers to 30-day trial offer only. Delivery is subject to product availability. Quotes are reprinted with permission: Electronic House, 9/02, Teri Scaduto, Sound & Vision , 1/02; Popular Science , 11/01. North Korea’s political prisons commit inhuman atrocities, survivors say.

12 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine The horror of the North Korean gulag is compounded by the trivial offenses that can draw such punishment: listening to foreign radio, accidentally sitting on a newspaper photo of Kim Jong Il, or making a heedlessly candid remark. Most prisoners … ‘made one small mistake.’

Reprinted with permission from tion. The camps are nothing beings. Their grinding, daily U.S. News & World Report. short of human black holes, into routines reinforce the message. which purported enemies of the After laboring 14 hours a day, BY THOMAS OMESTAD regime disappear and rarely exit. exhausted prisoners return at “If they died, even their corpses night to dreary, unheated quar- SEOUL – The guards at North would be buried there,” says ters. A few die from illness, Korea’s No. 22 Hoeryong prison Ahn, now a 34-year-old bank hunger or injuries in a typical camp had a little competition worker in Seoul. week, say survivors. Executions going: catch one of the rare In the past three decades, by fi ring squad or hanging serve inmates who dare try to escape some 400,000 North Koreans are as warnings not to resist. Former and win a trip to college. And so believed to have perished in the guard Choi Dong Chul, 36, one day in 1991, recalls Ahn gulag. Yet relatively little is describes the fate of a family of Myong Chul, a former prison known about the camps, which fi ve political prisoners caught driver who later fl ed North are sealed off from international three days after making their Korea, an enterprising fellow scrutiny. U.S. News tracked escape: the grandmother and the guard coaxed fi ve prisoners into down fi ve former prisoners and father were hanged; his three climbing the camp’s barbed-wire guards who managed to defect boys were shot; their bodies were fence. He shot them dead – and to South Korea, and they de- strung up; and some 15,000 thereby earned an education at a scribe a world of routine horror: inmates fi led by, throwing state political college. beatings, crippling torture, stones, which tore apart the Such is the capriciousness of hunger, slave-style labor, execu- bodies. “Just make them obey” life in one corner of North tions. Fetuses are said to be was the standing order on Korea’s vast gulag, its chain of aborted by salt water injected handling inmates, says Choi, who political prison camps for those into women’s wombs; if that served at the now-defunct No. 11 who – often by chance – run fails, babies are strangled upon camp in North Hamgyong afoul of the world’s most viru- delivery. Guards practice tae province. lently Stalinist regime. Today, at kwon do on prisoners, who The survivors’ recollections least 200,000 political prisoners obediently line up to take their cannot be verifi ed fi rsthand, and are held in six giant camps, punches and kicks. These are the North Korean government according to South Korean and places, says Ahn, where the denies that it even maintains U.S. offi cials, and the number proverbial salt was actually political prisons. But U.S. and may be growing as North Korea’s rubbed into prisoners’ wounds. South Korean authorities, along leaders tighten their grip on a Inmates are told they are with some human-rights experts hungry and desperate popula- traitors – and no longer human in both countries, give the

December 2003 13 The American Legion Magazine accounts considerable to have escaped the credence since they No. 22 North and told their LOCATION OF POLITICAL Hoeryong track with what Camp stories. And human- intelligence shows PRISON CAMPS rights monitors, along about the North’s No. 25 with many South Chongjin repressive practices. A Prison Koreans, feel burned by “It’s arguably the worst the manipulation of I N human-rights situation H NORTH No. 16 past reports on North in the world,” asserts C Hwasong Korea by South Korean KOREA Camp Sen. Sam Brownback, a No. 14 intelligence. Kansas Republican. Gaechun The South Korean Camp* No. 15 n Life in North Korea’s Yodok Camp a government has also c e secret gulag is getting O turned the spotlight some overdue atten- No. 18 f i c away from the North Bukchang a c i tion, however. Last Camp P Korean gulag. The April, the U.N. Com- South’s “sunshine Pyongyang *Also No. 1 Gaechun mission on Human Camp (political and policy” of reaching out Rights for the fi rst time 050 other prisoners) to the North seeks to condemned Pyongyang MILES Sources: David Hawk, U.S. avoid confrontation Committee for Human Rights U T H for “systemic, wide- S O E A in North Korea; Human with Kim Jong Il in O R Rights Without Frontiers spread and grave” USN&WR K favor of encouraging rights violations. A Pyongyang to open up watchdog group, the to the world. When U.S. Committee for Human North Korea is,” the offi cial says, then-South Korean President Kim Rights in North Korea, highlight- predicting that “the horrors that Dae Jung fl ew to Pyongyang in ed the abuses in an extensive will come out” will rival those of 2000 for a groundbreaking report this fall, and the U.S. Cambodia in the 1970s. summit with Kim Jong Il, the Senate held hearings last sum- The camps have also grabbed onetime political prisoner and mer that touched on the gulag. the attention of President Bush later Nobel Peace Prize winner The Bush administration is also and seem to have buttressed his didn’t say a word to the North focusing on the camps – and instinct for a hard-line response Korean dictator about human uncovering new detail about to North Korea’s nuclear cheat- rights. South Korea’s new presi- their surprising scope. Despite ing. In an interview with Bob dent, former human-rights North Korea’s denials, says a Woodward for his book “Bush at lawyer Roh Moo Hyun, accepts senior State Department offi cial War,” the president vented an that logic. The thinking, say privy to intelligence, “there’s unusually visceral reaction aides, is that the North might lots of proof.” toward North Korea’s all-power- cancel talks on nuclear and other ful leader. “I loathe Kim Jong Il!” issues if challenged on its politi- Depraved. Early in the Bush he shouted, leaning forward in cal prisons. “This is not the right administration, a U.S. spy his chair. “I have seen intelli- time to press upon Kim Jong Il,” satellite was assigned to shoot gence of these prison camps – says Yoo Jay Kun, a legislator high-resolution pictures from they’re huge – that he uses to who has advised Roh. “The space of one camp in mountain- break up families, and to torture sunshine policy will provide a ous northeastern North Korea. people.” Bush’s moral revulsion harvest later on.” At fi rst, offi cials were mystifi ed: isn’t a passing mood. It has come That hope doesn’t impress where were the camp’s fences? up as well in private conversation many human-rights activists. They repeatedly ordered the with Brownback. “I think it’s “The defectors are politically satellite to expand the frame of why the president is after Kim inconvenient,” says Tim Peters, its pictures. Finally, a senior Jong Il: It’s how he (Kim) treats the founder of Helping Hands administration offi cial told U.S. his own people,” Brownback Korea, a Seoul-based group that News, the perimeter was locat- says. “It really galls him.” helps North Korean refugees ed, revealing a camp larger in And yet, stories from the North make their way to the south. size than the District of Colum- Korean gulag receive surprisingly “They’re not consonant with the bia, with clusters of buildings little attention in South Korea sunshine policy,” a tenet of that look like villages. “If you and elsewhere. Investigations by which, he argues, is “Don’t look at a map of North Korea, it human-rights groups have been offend the Kim Jong Il regime.” would not be just a dot on the hobbled by the relative lack of One result is public indifference. map. It’s a perceptible portion of witnesses and the barriers to Young South Koreans, Peters the map,” says the offi cial. corroborating reports of abuses. says, “are woefully ignorant of “There’s a general lack of Of all the people who have been the gulag in North Korea.” understanding of how depraved confi ned in or worked at the But those who endured the the human-rights situation in camps, only about 10 are known camps are anything but indiffer-

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*Clinical results available upon request. Individual results may vary. ent. They describe a level shortages. He began of savagery that satellite ‘It’s arguably the worst listening to South Korean photographs can never radio – a grave offense – convey. Nor does the human-rights situation in the world.’ and in 1994 decided to Orwellian terminology – U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan. defect. Lee made his way for the camps reveal into China but was much. Political prisons tricked by North Korean are called “management centers.” Young Bum, a 46-year-old agents, who smuggled him back Those centers, in turn, are fi shing boat captain from North over the border. He says that only divided into two categories: Korea who brought his family to an order from Kim Jong Il spared “complete control zones,” with freedom last August. Adds him from death. life imprisonment, and “revolu- Benjamin Yoon, a leader of the tionizing process zones,” from Citizens’ Alliance for North Lasting Scars. He was sent to where some inmates, principally Korean Human Rights, “We call the No. 15 prison camp at family members, might eventu- North Korea a prison state. It’s Yodok. A banner greeted un- ally return to society. The rule by terror.” lucky arrivals: “You shouldn’t prisoners are banally referred to The camps also generate funds negotiate with class enemies.” as “resettlers.” Other camps, for a cash-strapped regime whose Lee, like the other unfortunates, dubbed “re-education” places, economy has shrunk by about received a ration of 4.5 ounces of lump together common criminals half since 1990. Prisoners mine corn powder, a few cabbage and political prisoners. coal, harvest trees, and manufac- leaves and salt. His fellow The horror of the North Korean ture goods for export and domes- prisoners included ex-military gulag is compounded by the tic consumption – from snake offi cers, professors and others trivial offenses that can draw brandy to bicycles. They gather who fell under suspicion after such punishment: listening to the roots of plants used for living abroad. They toiled in foreign radio, accidentally sitting traditional medicines, some coal mines, forests and farm on a newspaper photo of Kim destined for sale in Japan. The fi elds. Beatings were routine: Jong Il or making a heedlessly hot pepper sauce from Ahn’s Lee rolls up his pants to show candid remark. Most prisoners, camp at Hoeryong sits on the the grayish-brown scars on his recalls Ahn, “made one small tables at Pyongyang’s Koryo right leg, reminders of blows mistake.” One was arrested after Hotel, where Westerners stay. from long wooden sticks. He lost singing a South Korean pop song Ahn likens the camps to Nazi-run most of the sight in his right titled “Don’t Cry for Me, Younger Auschwitz. The survivors agree. eye, his teeth were broken, and Sister.” The unlucky woman, says “It was,” concludes one, Lee blood still oozes out of his left David Hawk, a researcher for the Young Kook, “a system to kill us.” ear at times. Of the 1,000 people U.S. Committee for Human As he sits in a smoky Seoul cof- in his prison unit, he says, about Rights in North Korea, learned fee shop and recounts his past, 200 died every year. “It was the tune from watching a North Lee, 40, can hardly believe his beyond my imagination. The Korean propaganda fi lm but was good fortune. Lee once worked at offi cers treated prisoners not nonetheless accused of disturb- the heart of power in Pyongyang, even like animals but like bugs. ing the public socialist order. a trusted agent for Kim Jong Il in They stepped on them,” he says. Often, individuals and even the years before Kim succeeded But Lee was luckier than most. whole families are whisked away his father, Kim Il Sung. The He was released without expla- from their homes in the dead of names “Kim Jong Il” and “Kim Il nation in 1999 – his weight night and packed off to camps. Sung” were carved on Lee’s having fallen from 207 to 119 Says Hawk, a veteran of human- pistol; he considered it “the pounds – and returned to his rights probes in Cambodia and greatest honor” to serve in home village. But he became Rwanda, “I don’t know of a Pyongyang’s security elite. Lee frightened when rumors circu- country in the world today that’s was isolated from his family, but lated that he was a South Korean as repressive as North Korea. I he enjoyed the rare perks of good agent, and he decided to fl ee believe it’s the worst.” food and clothing. through China again – this time It was not to last. When successfully. Lee now runs an Rule by Terror. The camps serve offi cials discovered that one of organic food store. as a frightening, if mysterious, Lee’s cousins was a driver for Kang Chul Hwan is also a deterrent to anti-Communist Kim Jong Il, he was dismissed for veteran of the No. 15 camp at activity. North Koreans receive security reasons because of Yodok. Now 34, Kang had a few details about the gulag – but possible collusion. He returned to comparatively privileged start in enough is known that parents his hometown and became an life. He lived in a comfortable see fi t to warn their children to executive in the local branch of Pyongyang apartment assigned keep family opinions to them- the Communist Party. But he was to his grandparents, pro-regime selves. “There were rumors that shocked to see people eating communists of Korean descent nobody can get out,” says Soon grass because of crippling food who had returned from Japan. In

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But when his by pushing the spout of a grandfather came under Otherwise, the fetuses are killed – canister into her mouth. suspicion – for reasons They laid a wooden plank still unknown – Kang, sometimes by the camp doctors, across her abdomen – and along with his family, was pressed down, forcing packed off on a truck to themselves prisoners … water out through her Yodok at the age of 9. mouth, nose and bladder. From then on, he says, “I ‘The government’s policy was “It feels like your intes- can’t believe what hap- tines are exploding. pened to me.” to extinguish all the seeds of There’s no way even to The young Kang was describe the pain you ensnared in a signature all the political prisoners.’ feel,” she recalls, with no feature of North Korea’s trace of emotion. political prisons: guilt by Tears well up, however, family association. Kim Il Sung, borderlands of northeastern when she ponders why a true say human-rights monitors and China. Now, Kang is a reporter believer in the system like herself former prisoners, declared that for the Seoul newspaper Chosun was punished. “I believed that three generations of a political Ilbo. His life experience is now Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il were enemy’s family can be jailed – his professional beat: North basically gods,” she says quietly. without trial. Political rehabilita- Korean affairs. “I was so loyal to the party, and I tion is possible in principle, but Another graduate of the pris- don’t know why they put me apparently few endure the years ons, Lee Soon Ok, had a rougher through this.” of harsh treatment. Kang and time of it. She had handled Lee won release in 1993, other camp survivors say that accounting and managerial work apparently for her success in sexual intercourse is forbidden, at a party distribution center. But meeting production quotas, she though some women are forced when she rebuffed a security says. The earnings had gone into to have sex with camp guards. chief who demanded an extra a fund to celebrate Kim Il Sung’s Women who become pregnant jacket, Lee’s fate was sealed. She 80th birthday the previous year. would swallow poison or take was accused of embezzlement By then, though, Lee was in no falls in attempts to abort. Other- and disobeying party policy. The mood to celebrate. “As soon as I wise, the fetuses are killed – result: seven years at the No. 1 got out of prison, I decided I sometimes by the camp doctors, prison camp at Gaechun. “My didn’t want to live in that hell,” themselves prisoners. Asserts family was split apart in one she says. Lee fl ed with her son Kang, “The government’s policy day,” she says grimly. in 1995. She converted to Chris- was to extinguish all the seeds of At the camp, Lee was tapped to tianity, having marveled at all the political prisoners.” supervise production of exported jailed Christians who refused to Kang says he nearly died of goods: artifi cial silk fl owers renounce their faith in the face malnutrition. Survival depended bound for France, handmade of torture and execution. Lee on fi nding food beyond the wool sweaters for Japan, decora- moved to an apartment block on meager diet of corn and salt, so he tive needlework for Poland. Suits the outskirts of Seoul. Still, she and others laid traps for snakes, and dress shirts were sold is plagued by feelings of guilt rats and bugs – eaten cooked or through Hong Kong, getting their about those left behind. Her new raw, if need be. Hunger dictated. origin labels there, before life’s mission is to expose the “I wanted to eat anything,” he shipment to Europe. If quotas terrors of the camps. “I want the recounts matter-of-factly. were missed, Lee says, she faced world to know how evil Kim Ultimately, though, Kang was torture. Guards stepped on her Jong Il is,” she says. “The world also one of the lucky ones. He head, knocking out teeth and needs to put more pressure on says he wasn’t beaten severely, skewing the left side of her face. North Korea.” n and part of his sentence was During one beating, her left eye served on relatively light duty at started to pop out of its socket. Thomas Omestad is a senior a recycling center for shoes and She pushed it back in with her writer for U.S.News & World clothing. At age 19, he was fi ngers. Her arms were injured Report, based in Washington. He released on Kim Jong Il’s birth- after she was hung in chains principally covers international day. Five years later, in 1992, he from a ceiling. Even now, she has affairs. escaped the country, helped by diffi culty sitting or standing for ethnic Koreans living in the long periods. Article design: Holly K. Soria

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orbert Vollertsen is a self-professed him a “VIP passport” and driver’s Ntroublemaker. Expelled from one license. This trust allowed Vollertsen to Korea, the German physician’s activi- travel to areas normally inaccessible to ties are closely monitored by the other foreigners and ordinary citizens. He Korea. He has led protests outside the secretly photographed patients and Chinese embassy in South Korea, their horrifying surroundings. helped North Koreans escape from Vollertsen’s soon-to-be-released book their Stalinistic hell and has become is titled “Inside North Korea: Diary of a persona non grata Mad Place,” but it is by U.N. troops Vollersten who is guarding the demili- mad. Mad as in tarized zone. angry. Angry about Few outsiders have the brutal regime of had the kind of un- North Korean dicta- fettered access to tor Kim Jong Il. North Korea as Vol- Angry about the lertsen, 45, did from appeasement-at-any- July 1999 to Decem- cost policies of the ber 2000. As a volun- South Korean gov- teer for the nonprofi t ernment. Angry Dr. Norbert Vollertsen holds the picture of a malnourished German Emergency 18-month-old he treated in North Korea. The baby died the about the indiffer- Doctors, Vollertsen day after Vollertsen photographed him. John Raughter ence of his fellow treated privileged North Koreans in Europeans. Most of all, Vollertsen is Pyongyang and the starving indigent angry about the famine that is victim- living in squalid rural areas. After izing North Korea’s children. donating some of his skin to be grafted Vollertsen brandishes photographs of on a North Korean burn victim, Vol- the children – some of whom died in lertsen became only the second foreign- his arms – at every opportunity. He er to be awarded with a North Korean now lives in Seoul, where he recently “Friendship Medal,” an honor that led spoke with The American Legion the North Korean government to issue Magazine.

The American Legion Magazine: there are starving children, in and that is Kim Jong Il and his Many countries have starving North Korea there is no need for government. It is not a drought. It children. What makes North starving children because it is a is not a fl ood. It is a tyrant who is Korea different? man-made famine. It is not a systematically starving his own Dr. Norbert Vollertsen: In natural disaster. There is only one people to death. Food is used as a contrast to other countries where natural disaster in North Korea, weapon against his own people

20 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine in order to discourage them from North Korea and no need for with liberating them from the creating opposition. Whoever starving children. While there I Japanese. But they look at Kim would be in opposition would learned that Kim Jong Il has Jong Il as a spoiled rotten child simply fi nd that there is no more secret accounts in Switzerland abusing his own people. They food available in their region. We worth billions. I learned about hold him responsible for the got this information from several the excessive military spending, starving children because of his of my colleagues working in the lifestyle of their leader, and policy of using food as a weapon. foreign-aid organizations. When- the fashionable Pyongyang But they are afraid to speak out ever there was an uprising – and casino and nightclubs. Because because they know that not only there were some in the northeast- the government awarded me a would they be sent to concentra- ern regions – afterward the whole Friendship Medal, I was invited tion camps, but so would their region would be denied food. One to the fancy banquets and saw families. North Korean lady who defected the nice lifestyles of the elite. told me that the worst punish- TALM: Did President Bush make ment, even more than torture, TALM: Did you meet Kim Jong Il? the situation better or worse with was to witness your own children NV: I’ve seen him several times his “Axis of Evil” speech? starve and die. but never shook his hand and NV: I am not a politician. I’m just It’s very easy for Kim Jong Il to chatted. There were always an emergency doctor. But I keep his people on track. First, he festivities and parades honoring strongly believe in troublemak- brainwashes children from age 2 Kim Jong Il, his birthday and the ing. I believe in creating a into believing that he and his Communist Party. I attended the diplomatic mess by using differ- father, Kim Il Sung, are godfa- festivities when (former Secre- ent unconventional approaches at thers worthy of worship. Then tary of State) Madeline Albright the same time. there is the strict criminal law. and (former South Korean When I was in North Korea, I When people ask if the concentra- President) Kim Dae Jung visited wanted to show them that tion camps exist, I show them a Pyongyang. We were seated foreigners were not “evildoers.” I copy of the offi cial DPRK (Demo- maybe 10 or 15 meters from Kim learned that the North Koreans cratic Peoples Republic of Korea) Jong Il, but there was more were very nice human beings law, which includes Article 46. It security than what you would and not communist devils with states, “Whoever will attempt to fi nd at an American airport. red horns. But I did not like their overthrow the government or They want to eliminate the government. I think we should engage in any anti-State criminal possibility of a crazy act. complain about their government acts” – and that could simply and even bash Kim Jong Il as an mean reading a Bible or listening TALM: Is Kim Jong Il crazy? “evildoer.” to South Korean radio – “will be NV: He’s not crazy. I think he’s When I fi rst started to raise committed to a reform institution smart and sophisticated at using awareness about the issue, I up to seven years and be re- the people around him. visited the U.S. State Department formed through labor.” It also I remember at the May Day several times, visited a White states that whoever engages with Parade there were 150,000 House offi ce, think tanks and South Korean activists or at- people, many of them children, human-rights activists. There was tempts to go to a third country marching around like robots. no interest about North Korea will get the death penalty. This is Every day, including Sundays, until the president gave that written in the criminal code. As a they were working until late in speech. Now it has all changed. German, I have to wonder what the evening to be perfect, and these reform institutions and when they were not perfect, they TALM: Is war inevitable, or will labor camps mean. We failed to were severely punished. As a engagement work? act when there were rumors medical doctor, I cared for the NV: I am a doctor trying to save about Nazi concentration camps. children who were abused and lives, not a warrior. There is a I simply want to learn from beaten. After the peformance, I saying in Germany: “When you history and not make the same saw a couple of 8-year-old girls can’t convince them, try to mistake twice. present Kim a fl ower bouquet as confuse them.” The North When I learned about the a normal gesture in front of the Koreans like to see things in ghastly looking children in North North Korean TV cameras. He black and white. That’s why Korean hospitals, I wondered rejected the bouquet like it was hardliners like (Assistant Secre- how the children might look in garbage and pushed the children tary of State John) Bolton and those reform institutions. The away like they were insects, not soft-spoken people like (Secre- children in the hospitals look like even cracking a smile. That’s tary of State Colin) Powell are the ones from Dachau or Ausch- exactly how he treats his nation. both very effective. The North witz. When I was in North Korea Workers in the hospital told me Koreans aren’t used to dealing they were virtually dying in my in secret that they hated Kim with different approaches. The hands. Jong Il. They liked his father, good cop/bad cop approach There is a lot of money in Kim Il Sung, who they credit works with them. The North

December 2003 21 The American Legion Magazine Koreans don’t know how to There is also brainwashing in States are all getting frustrated respond to this. South Korea. There is anti- with North Korea, but the South Things started to change in Americanism and the younger Koreans seem to be the only ones East and West Germany when generation is more pro-North satisfi ed with the status quo. several refugees stormed the West Korean. Maybe the only explanation is Germany embassy in Prague. that the South Korean govern- Hungary then opened up its TALM: Who is brainwashing the ment is being undermined. borders. We are trying to encour- South Koreans? age China to become the Hungary NV: University professors. TALM: Do you think North Korea of the Far East. If China would Sources have told me that there will invade South Korea? open its border with North Korea are 3,000 to 5,000 North Korean NV: That’s why I’m in Seoul. I’ve and set up refugee camps, they agents acting in South Korea. been accused of causing trouble could prove in a face-saving way They infi ltrated the universities, here, and now that there is a risk that they are not only interested newspapers, think tanks and of war, I don’t want to fl ee the in economic issues but human even the government. peninsula. I think the North rights as well. There seems to be When you hear that the Koreans are paper tigers, exagger- an attitude change in China. The Hyundai leader Chung (Mong-hu) ating their capabilities. I learned Chinese are getting annoyed at commits suicide while being about their mishaps when I was this North Korean problem. We investigated for a bribe that went there. There are so many bad are trying to pressure them into to North Korea so they would technical devices in North Korea accepting a mass exodus of have a summit with Kim Dae that they sometimes can’t carry people. There would be such a Jung, it’s like Watergate. I call it one pound of sugar from one fl ood of refugees from North “Seoulgate.” town to the next. I doubt that Korea that the government would In Germany, the West German they can carry a nuclear weapon. fall peacefully like East Germany. chancellor’s chief adviser was an If they can, I’m sure that they But I also think the South Kore- East German spy. That explained will have a great mishap or ans are too concerned about the the conciliatory policy towards accident inside their own country. cost of reunifi cation. North Korea the East. Now I wonder who the There is a greater tension here. I was once an industrial nation spy is in the South Korean feel it. A crazy general can cause with great mineral resources. The government. The current admin- something to happen. Just a few combination of high tech in South istration of President No Hyun- weeks ago there was an exchange Korea and minerals in the North sen is systematically suppressing of fi re across the border. A major can create an economic boost information about human-rights confl ict could happen in 20 that the South Koreans are violations in North Korea. Russia, minutes. There are always unaware of. China, Japan and the United possibilities for stupid actions. The Perilous Exodus Koreans risk lives for freedom. later to go for broke and head north to Mongolia. “Even though he was in China for awhile, the BY JOHN RAUGHTER years of malnutrition he suffered in North Korea still affected him,” says Tim Peters, a Michigan- North Korean guards will not hesitate to shoot born missionary who befriended the boy during a anyone who dares to fl ee south, but there are visit to China. Chul Min’s dream fell short. The other ways out. The most common way is to young boy died from exhaustion and exposure in escape into China and the desert near the Mongo- hope to fi nd refuge in a lian border. Fellow refu- friendly embassy or cross gees carried him across the over again to Mongolia. border where he was at But sometimes this can least buried in freedom. also have disastrous “Mongolian offi cials results. wouldn’t wait for his father Yoo Chul Min was only to arrive, so he was 8 years old when he fl ed basically buried unattend- North Korea for China. ed,” Peters says. “But it Tired of hiding under the still shows what people protection of ethnic will risk for freedom.” Chinese-Korean missionar- Tim Peters, left, and Choi Jin I, center, discuss life in North Every Tuesday evening, ies, he decided two years Korea during a “Catacombs” session. John Raughter Peters s see exodus page 24

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The primary insurance provider is www.thescooterstore.com/pm Medicare Other______(please specify) Name ______YES! Address ______Please call me about my City______State___Zip______need for mobility. Phone (______) ______– ______I would like this helpful information for Mail Coupon to: Code: M2801 myself a loved one The SCOOTER Store, Attn: Customer Care 1650 Independence Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78132 M130 ©2003 The SCOOTER Store, Ltd. All rights reserved. TALM: If there is another war, South Korean government has TALM: Do you worry that talks would the United States have to interfered with your efforts. between the United States and go it alone? NV: The NIS (South Korea’s North Korea may enable Kim Jong NV: You did in Iraq. I always National Intelligence Service) Il to stay in power? wondered about the political hinders many of our activities. NV: That will make me nervous, correctness of the Germans. They I’ve had my phone tapped, e-mail and I will continue to raise my think because of their past that monitored and have been fol- voice beforehand. By raising our they must always be against war lowed. In March we managed to voices perhaps we can encourage and for “peace on earth.” It get North Korean defectors to the United States and North didn’t help when (Neville) secret harbors in China near the Korea to have something similar Chamberlain tried to appease open sea. This was sabotaged by to the Helsinki agreement with Hitler and cost the lives of a South Korean offi cial in China the Soviet Union. millions of additional Jews. who talked to the Chinese police Helsinki not only talked about Silence is killing, and when a and stopped it. nukes, but it addressed human dictator is not opposed, he will rights and opened up the Soviet continue his evildoing. TALM: What keeps the South Union. It promised the survival I try to encourage German Korean government from expel- of the Soviet Union, but it really politicians and the media to ling you? marked the end of the Soviet raise their voices about North NV: CNN and Time are my life Union. Korea. They all refuse. This left- insurance. They are why I can do To open up North Korea for wing attitude and political what I do. They will write that journalists, human-rights inspec- correctness may be well-intend- after I got expelled from North tors, weapons inspectors, food ed, but they forget why Hitler, Korea, I was expelled from South inspectors … if this happens, I Milosevic and others were able Korea and then ask, “What’s will be delighted. Then I will to do what they did. going on?” The South Korean know that if Kim Jong Il survives authorities know that I will go to six months or two years, it will TALM: You have said that the the foreign media. be the end of him. n

protesting outside the Chinese embassy or launching [exodus] welcomes a dozen or so Korean balloons carrying radios across the demilitarized activists into a small art gallery in the Samgak-ji zone, the activists are seen as a hindrance to South district of Seoul. They huddle closely in a room not Korean President Roh Moo Hyun’s conciliatory much bigger than an American walk-in closet. policies toward the North. Comparisons of Roh to Nobody is in this gallery to look at paintings. “I Hitler-appeaser Neville Chamberlain are frequent like to operate independently,” Peters says. “That’s among the activists. At least a half dozen of their why we don’t meet in a fancy church or bigger contemporaries are in Chinese prisons for assisting building.” North Koreans trying to escape. The group is called “Catacombs,” named for the “It’s a very dangerous situation,” Peters says. underground burial places used by persecuted “People are risking their lives just to get a little Christians in ancient Rome. Peters points out that peephole of freedom. The same goes for the people underground is the only way his fellow Christians who are helping them.” are able to worship in Kim Jong Il’s North Korea. Famine in North Korea, Choi says, has driven Although Peters refers to the weekly sessions as people to gruesome lengths. “One man was halluci- Bible studies, talk often turns to the horrifying nating and thought that a boy was a goat. He boiled conditions in the North. and ate him. The food problem is getting worse. “I will never go back there!” Choi Jin I snaps The government is always using food as a weapon. when asked if she would ever return to North In the village of Chung-jin a class of schoolgirls had Korea, even a democratic one. Few can blame the their soup poisoned. They were only about 15 or 16 39-year-old woman. In 1998 she made a decision years old.” Forty-six died, she said. that no mother should have to make. Do you watch Choi had a highly respected job as a writer your 2-year-old son starve to death or do you risk working for the government in Pyongyang. But your lives fl eeing, even if your relatives would even she went hungry. “The hunger is rampant likely pay the price for your defection in a brutal throughout the country. The military is even concentration camp? She chose the latter. hungry. All they do is mob, rape and steal. The fact It’s clear that Choi earned the respect of her fellow that a country like North Korea exists is a shame Catacombers, many of whom have never been to on humanity. A tragedy is happening, and the North Korea but nonetheless actively support those world should know.” n trapped there. They participate in a number of activities that could earn them some jail time, even John Raughter is editor of The American Legion in democratic South Korea. Whether they are Magazine.

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26 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine The recently bereaved do not have to sit out a season of joy.

BY VICTOR M. PARACHIN

“Martha and I go back to high school, where we n Tap into your faith. Seeking out a house of worship in which began dating. We married after graduation even to pray, meditate and refl ect can ease holiday loneliness and though we knew I had a tour of duty in Vietnam facilitate healing. Robert Meyer, whose wife committed suicide, awaiting me. Together we spent 24 years of married offers this advice in the article “When A Spouse Takes Her Life: life in the military before my retirement. We both Turn to a Faith Beyond”: “Prior to this time, I had been looked forward to a slower pace and more time spared any great tragedies in my life. And I had regarded religion together. That September, Martha died. Before I in the time of crisis as just another prescription for crutches. knew it, the holiday season came crashing upon me. I surprised myself at just how As December neared, I found myself experiencing comfortably I used those crutch- es. Surrounded by other worship- much dread and anxiety. Who would sit where pers at a service, reciting tradi- tional prayers or singing in Martha always sat for Christmas dinner? Who unison, it was comforting to fi nd that when my faith was running would organize the decorating of the tree, something low, I could turn to another Faith which had stood the test of Martha always did so effi ciently? I had only painful thousands of years. If that Faith and the people who trusted in it questions and no easy answers.” had survived, then so would I.” – Mark, grieving husband n Don’t judge your feelings. Although people usually are ronically, the joy and excite- During the conference, pay happy during the holidays, you ment of the holidays magnify special attention to the wishes of may not feel that way. If you do Ithe sense of pain and loss for survivors who are hurting the not feel joyful, accept those the recently bereaved. Yet, those most. Their wishes should carry feelings. Be tolerant of your who mourn the death of a family the most weight. moods and emotions. Allow member do not have to stoically yourself to experience them. If endure the season. Here are 10 n Talk about the pain of loss. you try to deny or block negative gentle steps to soften the blow Pretending that the holiday feelings, you simply force them and ease the pain: season will not be uniquely deeper into your psyche. Eventu- painful is counterproductive. ally they will fi nd other, possibly n Plan ahead for family gather- Acknowledge your grief even in unhealthy ways of expressing ings. Some families fi nd it the midst of holiday festivities themselves. If you allow yourself comforting to stick to tradition with family and friends. Do this to feel your emotions without for holiday celebrations. For by talking openly and candidly judging or suppressing them, others, however, planning a about your feelings and thoughts. they will naturally dissipate, and holiday meal exactly the way it Find caring friends and relatives your stress will be reduced. has been for years when a who will listen without judging precious family member is you. Expressing your feelings n Use the name of the person missing just invites a traumatic will help you to feel understood who has died. Sometimes family event. Call for a family confer- and, therefore, help you to feel and friends engage in a conspira- ence to plan ahead for the better. If your bereavement cy of silence. They believe that holiday. Allow family members embarrasses you, try to remem- mentioning the name of the to express how they feel. Then, ber that grief is real and justifi ed deceased will make the survivor together decide what family because someone you loved sadder. Break that conspiracy of traditions you want to continue. deeply has died. silence by including your loved

December 2003 27 The American Legion Magazine one’s name in your holiday a project dedicated to their son, so enriching as to defy descrip- conversations. As you speak Amy instantly recalled the girl in tion. This caring continues to about that person, others will the wheelchair. Thus, the idea of stand out in my mind as a bright recognize that you want to talk a playground at which disabled spot in an otherwise bleak about and remember someone and able-bodied children could scenario. Reach out! Martyrdom who was so important in your play together was born. is not a necessary part of the life. By mentioning the person Networking with others and mourning process.” Remember who has died, you will be giving gathering 1,200 volunteers, the that your family and friends are other people permission to talk Barzachs raised more than not mind-readers. Let them know about that person as well. $300,000. In October 1996, what you need to get through the “Jonathan’s Dream” opened. At holiday. Reach out to them and n Help others. Reaching out to the 25,000-square-feet space in they will respond with loving, another person is an effective West Hartford, kids in wheel- healing gestures. Use the support way of taking the focus off your chairs can build castles in waist- others wish to give you. own pain as well as feeling glad high sandboxes and climb a about helping someone else. ramp-accessible treehouse. n Tell yourself, “Nothing is Consider this advice from author Visually impaired children bang written in stone.” When it comes James W. Angell, whose daugh- on a music-chime wall. Nondis- to the holidays, take charge. Your ter, Susan – a college senior – abled kids swarm over slides and life has changed tremendously, died in an automobile accident: swings and share the playhouse, and that may mean changing the “I have discovered two effective which is wide enough for wheel- meal or the location and even kinds of therapy for a broken chairs. The playground proved to establishing new traditions. One heart. One is to bring yourself be such a hit with parents and woman, widowed at 47, saw into intimate touch with the children of all abilities that Amy facing the holidays as a major sufferings of other people. I found established Boundless Play- ordeal until she decided to take that out by my regular visits to grounds, a nonprofi t organiza- charge of it. “I realized that the hospitals. Nothing has helped tion providing technical assis- nothing was written in stone, so I in the relief of my own sorrow so tance to groups who wish to gave myself permission to change much as sitting at the bedside of build such playgrounds. Several whatever traditions needed someone else who is trying to have already been established, changing. Just because we did cope with pain or the prospect of and more than two dozen others something in a certain way for 10 his own death. The other is to are under development. “This years didn’t mean that was the look continually for ways to do just seemed the right thing to only way we had to do it. As a for others the things I would like do,” Barzach says. “If Jonathan family, we kept some traditions to do for Susan, but cannot.” had lived, he might have been and started new ones. It worked that little girl on the outside for us in that the holiday was not n Try to turn the pain of loss looking in. Children with dis- nearly as painful as I had antici- into a positive experience. abilities experience enough pated. So my advice to others Nothing can bring your loved one challenges without having to sit facing the fi rst holiday without a back, but you can keep that outside playgrounds with tears loved one is simple: change person’s memory alive by doing in their eyes.” things if you want to. The option something special in honor of We do not have the ability to of returning to old traditions will him or her. Consider the inspiring turn the clock back, but we do be there the following year and example of Amy and Peter have the ability to turn a painful the year after that.” Barzach. On a summer day in and negative experience into 1994, the Barzachs took their son something positive. Your act does n Face the future with hope. Daniel, 3, and his infant brother, not have to be as elaborate as Concerning any personal crisis, Jonathan, to a playground near that of the Barzachs. Perhaps you psychiatrist Rollo May says, their West Hartford, Conn., home. could plant a fl ower or tree in “The only way out is ahead, and While Daniel clambered on the your loved one’s name or make a our choice is whether we shall equipment, Amy noticed a girl fi nancial donation to a charity. cringe from it or affi rm it.” sitting at the playground’s edge. Ultimately, the one creative Because she was in a wheelchair, n Don’t retreat. Reach out. alternative bereavement leaves the girl could watch but not play. Consider this experience shared us is the future. We must honor The image haunted Amy by Robert Meyer: “In the midst of our loved ones by choosing to Barzach but soon receded as a my adversity, I noticed a tenden- seize it with hope and looking tragedy emerged in her life: cy to retreat, not to bother ahead in faith. n Jonathan was diagnosed with a anyone else with my misfortune. rare neuromuscular disease and What a mistake! The love and Victor M. Parachin is a writer died in January 1995 at 9 months. support of family and friends, in living in Tulsa, Okla. When a counselor suggested the letters, phone calls, visits and Barzachs channel their grief into invitations were so gratifying and Article design: King Doxsee

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BY MATT GRILLS t 22, Cpl. Robert Jackson is a husband, a father, a war Aveteran and a double amputee. Both of Jackson’s legs were surgically removed below the knee last August after a rocket- propelled grenade hit his Humvee in Baghdad. The fi rst Iowa ABOVE: Cpl. Robert Jackson of Iowa is National Guardsman wounded in welcomed “home” by his wife, Abby, and combat since Vietnam, Jackson their two daughters. They are staying at a faces a lengthy recovery at Fisher House in San Antonio during his Brooke Army Medical Center in recovery. LEFT: American Legion Auxiliary San Antonio. It will be months President Katherine Morris, Fisher House before he sees his Des Moines ambassador Audrey Fisher and National Commander John Brieden talk with Gisele home again. Thanks to Fisher Garriga of Illinois, whose son, Gabriel, is House, home has come to him. healing from combat wounds. Fernando Serna Jackson and his wife, Abby, are going through the diffi cult days homes,” said David Coker, the of therapy together, staying in a foundation’s executive director. suite just minutes from the “Beyond that, we assist in hospital. Their daughters, coordinating private support and Brilynn, 2, and Hailey, 1 – of the armed forces, retirees, encouraging public support for perhaps Daddy’s best medicine – veterans and their families, Fisher the network of existing homes.” are with them. Lodging is free, House provides a “home away In 2002, Fisher House served and the Jacksons share the house from home” to thousands of about 8,500 families, saving with other recuperating soldiers people per year. The cost aver- them more than $7 million in and their families. ages less than $10 a day, and lodging, food and transportation “You learn you’re not alone,” many of the houses offer free costs. Each house has eight to 11 said Abby, who arrived at Fort lodging. Families whose loved suites, all furnished and deco- Sam Houston without a clue ones are wounded in Operation rated in the style of the region. where she’d stay or how she’d Iraqi Freedom pay nothing. Houses accommodate up to 22 afford it. The Army referred her family members, who share a to one of the base’s two Fisher A Building Away. Since 1990, the common kitchen, laundry Houses, built specifi cally to help Fisher House Foundation has facilities, living room with families like the Jacksons. constructed more than 31 houses, library and dining area. Within those walls Abby has including two in Germany, at 17 As the war on terror continues, found support, encouragement military installations and six VA Fisher House’s mission to serve and fi nancial relief. medical centers. Each is gifted to military families is taking on a Fisher House recognizes the the U.S. government, and VA and new urgency. Wounded U.S. unique hardships of families military service secretaries are servicemembers return from Iraq facing medical crises; the addi- responsible for operation and and Afghanistan daily, their tional cost of lodging in an maintenance. loved ones wanting to be at their unfamiliar city is often more than “Donations to Fisher House go side during treatment. The need they can bear. Open to members fi rst to the construction of new is so great that Fort Sam Houston

30 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine AMERICA REMEMBERS HONORS A LEGENDARY AMERICAN MILITARY COMMANDER THE GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON, JR. TRIBUTE PISTOL

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On the right side of the slide is a scene from the Battle of the Bulge, featuring tanks and troops moving through the snow toward Bastogne. There is also a depiction of General Patton, standing in his Jeep,

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No. ______Exp.______To place your reservation toll-free call 1-800-682-2291 has requested a third Fisher House, and numerous others are being constructed or planned. American Legion National Commander John Brieden and Auxiliary President Katherine Morris visited San Antonio on Sept. 26, where they toured the Brooke Army Medical Center campus and saw fi rsthand the difference Fisher House is making. “If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know what I would have done,” said Gisele Garriga of Rochelle, Ill., who’s been staying at a BAMC Fisher House since July. Sitting beside her son’s bed as he slept, Garriga told Brieden about a rocket-propelled grenade attack that punctured Gabriel’s abdomi- nal cavity and burned his face and hands. “He hasn’t been able ABOVE: Jackson shows off his prosthetic to eat for months,” she said legs to Sgt. Jamuis Armour of Florida, center, softly, caressing his hand. “All he and Pfc. Justin Mooers of Massachusetts, wants is a bacon cheeseburger.” right. RIGHT: Staff Sgt. Rashaan Canaday of That, and to get back to his New York lost his right arm at the elbow in an attack outside Baghdad. “If I had it all to unit in Iraq, she said. do over again, I would,” he says. Fernando Serna Still, Gabriel’s prognosis is good, and Garriga is thankful to on, and you can’t feel sorry for be only a building away when yourself,” he said. her youngest son needs her. “I’m Pfc. Justin Mooers, 22, of a lucky mom,” she said. Swampscott, Mass., also chooses to look on the bright side. He young soldier’s mother said. Happy Homes. At a barbecue considers Jackson and other Fisher smiled, assuring her celebrating the birthday of fellow amputees his “projects.” that this was what her uncle had Fisher House founder Zachary Mooers lost his right leg below in mind when he donated Fisher, Brieden joined Fisher the knee and suffered burns to millions during the 1990s to the House offi cials in hearing the most of his body when his head construction of comfort homes stories of other injured soldiers hit a power line on the Germany- for families of hospitalized back from Iraq. Holland border. military personnel. “It’s been More information Resuscitated “We know our homes are doing touch and go,” To donate to the Fisher House Foundation four times in their job,” Fisher told Brieden. said Staff Sgt. or volunteer at a local home: route to Ameri- “But to actually visit and see it Rashaan Cana- (888) 294-8560 OR www.fi sherhouse.org ca, his body happening is humbling. I’m day, 26, of New barely survived overwhelmed.” York, who survived an attack on the 17,000 volts of electricity. Brieden said he encourages the his vehicle convoy outside “I’m alive, man,” said Mooers, American Legion family to Baghdad International Airport in who taught himself to walk again support Fisher House by direct April. His commanding offi cer and intends to be skiing in the monetary donations, volunteer- was killed, and Canaday lost his Alps next year. “I don’t even ing and sponsorship of fund- right arm at the elbow. He’s consider myself handicapped. raising activities. “For those staying at Fisher House during Nothing’s changed in me. It’s just posts, units and squadrons his rehabilitation, where he said a little bit of scar tissue.” wanting to reach out to our families sharing the house have Fisher House ambassador newest veterans and families,” he become one big family. Audrey Fisher thanked Mooers said, “this is the way to do it. “We dine together, we go out for his service to America. He Fisher House and The American together,” Canaday said. “It’s thanked her in return, explaining Legion have pledged to support home to a lot of us.” that his mother, Kathy, has been these men and women however His presence at Fisher House able to stay with him at Fisher possible. Let’s do it together.” n has made Canaday a counselor of House during his physical sorts to other wounded soldiers rehabilitation. “I can’t say Matt Grills is an assistant editor at fi guring out limb loss. “Life goes enough about Fisher House,” the The American Legion Magazine.

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BY TERISA GREEN the most famous of all ancient all the more horrifi c in battle.” tattooed people is Otzi, the “Ice Modern historians believe the wo million veterans cur- Man of the Alps” discovered in warriors who faced Caesar were rently carry with them one 1991. His mummy, covered with in fact tattooed. In these earliest Tof the most identifi able and glacial ice shortly after his death, of refer ences to tattoos and permanent symbols of military contains the oldest known human military action, the emphasis is service: the tattoo. Once solely skin ever discovered – 5,300 years on intimidation. the realm of barnacled sailors old – and it is tattooed. Otzi has Caesar reinforces that thought and outlaw bikers, tattoos are 59 separate tattoos, consisting of by describing them as “horrifi c,” now so mainstream that they small dark blue dots, signs and not simply blue. The purpose of have become almost a require- short parallel lines. Two of the the tattoos, from the viewpoint of ment for celebrities. most interesting interpretations the Britons themselves, is not The military are that his recorded. If their intent was to tattoo, however, Tattooing may go tattoos are daunt their foe, they were is a special case, therapeutic, successful. with feet in two located directly Tattoos have psychological and worlds. In one back as early as the over arthritic emotional byproducts. The sense, military areas of his process itself is painful. Tattoo- tattoos are much Paleolithic or Stone Age. body, or that ing involves inserting a pigment like any other they signaled through the epidermis into the type of tattoo, serving purposes membership in an ethnic or tribal dermis, where it remains perma- ranging from personal mementos, group. In this latter interpreta- nently beneath that fi rst layer of milestones, memorials to risk- tion, we begin to see some of the skin. Some blood is spilled, and taking behavior, sheer body earliest precursors to military infection is risked. People who adornment, even curiosity. In the tattoos, the projection of group endure the process – especially if other sense, though, these skin identity. that process is imbued with some symbols have managed to One of the most famous of ritualistic and symbolic meaning, capture not only personal history generals in history observed much as was often the case for early but military history as well. the same in one of his opponents. peoples – are transformed. They Tattooing may go back as early In 50 B.C., Julius Caesar wrote in bear the outward sign of having as the Paleolithic or Stone Age. his “Commentaries on the Gallic a shared experience and can Unfortunately, anthropologists Wars” that during campaigns in forever after be identifi ed with a will never know where or when Britain in 55 and 54 B.C., he certain group – be it a group of tattooing actually originated, as observed that “all Britons paint distinct social status, a certain human skin does not preserve themselves with woad, which ethnic unit or a class of warriors. well except in the most extraordi- turns the skin a bluish-green They essentially manufacture nary of circumstances. Perhaps color; hence their appearance is esprit de corps, if only as a side

Getty Images

34 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine Once frowned upon, tattoos have moved from the military to mainstream. effect in the attempt to awe wives and other family enemies. Military tattooing, members eager to commemo- rate their patriotism and pay Patriotic Tattoos. In 1778, in the more Western sense, tribute to their loved ones. Capt. James Cook, famed Of all the people who British naval explorer, landed gained popularity acquire patriotic tattoos, the in the Hawaiian Islands. The people of the military under- ship’s surgeon noted that the during the Civil War. stand best the risks associ- custom of tattooing “prevails ated with their profession. greatly among these people, but anchors. In the case of the Tattoos placed on the underside the men have a much larger Spanish-American War, tattoos of the arm – an area of the body share of it than the women; actually preceded formal hostili- which might escape damage from many, particularly some of the ties. In 1898, an explosion sank various types of assault – that natives of Mowwhee, have half the battleship USS Maine, taking record a serial number, blood their body, from head to foot, the lives of 260 sailors. Although type or religious preference are a marked in this manner, which Spain offered to investigate and sobering reminder of those risks. gives them a most striking submitted to arbitration, the Military tattoos have taken appearance.” cause was never discovered. The many forms, from the horrifi c French explorer Jacques Arago slogan “Remember the Maine and bluish-green of Caesar’s enemies later described the men from to Hell with Spain” was coined, or the black half-body of the O’ahu as “tattooed only on one and sailors of the era rushed in Marquesan warriors to a simple side, which produced a very droves to have it tattooed on their scripted “USAF,” a full-blown singular effect; they looked just chests before heading out to “Screaming Eagle,” “Death like men half burnt, or daubed avenge her sinking. Before Dishonor” or a well- with ink, from the top of the head Already these types of tattoos muscled “Devil Dog.” The to the sole of the foot.” In had acquired the features which modern military services do not Hawaii, these early observers we recognize today: the curved endorse tattoos, but each is faced noticed that the half-body tattoo scroll or banner with perhaps a with increasing numbers of seems to have been restricted to slogan, name, or date; red, white, members who are tattooed – warriors. Warriors in the Marque- and blue bunting; the Stars and often heavily so. sas Islands also used an identical Stripes; a giant eagle as a back- All branches of the service type of half-body tattoo. For drop. Even now, these are recently revised their policies them, the tattoo was a form of quintessential elements of many defi ning appropriate images and disguise where only the tattooed military and patriotic tattoos. placements for tattoos. Although half of the body was shown to an Those early events and their never explicitly stated, such enemy; the warrior then couldn’t associated tattoos were true policies acknowledge the fact that be recognized by that same ancestors of today’s Gulf War and the military and tattoos share a enemy in another encounter. “9-11” tattoos so popular around common heritage. It is a tradition Military tattooing, in the more military bases nationwide. Only in which personal and military Western sense, gained popularity 50 years ago, most servicemen history are one and the same, during the Civil War. Although simply made their tattoo choice captured in images and words, in the 1862 engagement between based on fl ash – sample draw- the skin. It is a tradition that has history’s fi rst two ironclad ings of tattoos, typically arranged endured in many forms and warships – the Monitor represent- in posters on the walls – as they circumstances, but with the ing the Union, and the Merri- stood in crowded tattoo studios fundamental experiences of mack, rechristened the Virginia and waited their turn. Today, building comradeship, creating by the Confederacy – was essen- though, many different images group identity and marking a tially indecisive with both ships and themes are melded by tattoo transformation. Indeed, precisely sailing away for repairs, both artists. Custom designs are not for those reasons, it seems likely sides in the confl ict claimed uncommon. Some Operation Iraqi that the tradition of military victory. False hopes were raised Freedom designs incorporate the tattooing is one that will not end in the South that the Union name of a unit or individual; the any time soon. n blockade had been broken; Statue of Liberty is paired with observers in the North breathed a an outline of Iraq or the single Terisa Green is an archaeologist sigh of relief that it hadn’t. word “freedom” is inked in the and the author of “The Tattoo Emotions ran high, and naval colors of the American fl ag. Encyclopedia: A Guide to Choos- tattoos commemorating the event Entire military groups – men and ing Your Tattoo.” A part-time began to make their way through women – often get the same lecturer and research associate of the service, along with other tattoo before shipping out. And the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology more general tattoos. Gunners’ while the troops are deployed, at UCLA, she lives in Los Angeles. mates sometimes wore crossed the tattoo shops are not idle. cannons; boatswains wore Steady business is found among Article design: Holly K. Soria

36 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine PROOF THAT great IDEAS GET HEARD.

HONORE ORLD. D BY FORBES ASAP for CHANGING THE W

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©2003 Bose Corporation. Patent rights issued and/or pending. The Wave® radio design is also a registered trademark of Bose Corporation. Financing, free shipping and free Pedestal offers not to be combined with any other offer or applied to previous purchases, and subject to change without notice. If Wave® radio is returned, Multimedia Pedestal must be returned. Risk free refers to 30-day trial offer only. Delivery is subject to product availability. Quote is reprinted with permission: (in reference to the original Wave® radio), 11/27/00. AFreedom Too Far? To prevent free speech from spiraling into chaos, limits must be imposed.

38 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine Driven by competition to get a large audience to pay attention, speakers are all too likely to keep upping the ante – yelling louder and louder, disturbing the peace more and more.

BY RICHARD D. PARKER attention – to get us to pay speech, the argument concludes, attention to you. Attention is a is anarchy. an Francisco police described limited commodity. We don’t and There is something to the it as “absolute anarchy.” can’t give it out indiscriminately. argument, particularly if you add SBusiness owners deplored That is especially so if you are a one more dimension: time. The devastating disruption of the stranger to us. It is not enough kind of unusual protest that got city’s fi nancial district. To protest- just to speak. You generally have attention during the last war is ers, it was freedom of speech. to do something – even if it’s not likely to do the trick during It was March 20, 2003, the only coming up close or raising the next one. The media become fi rst day of the war in Iraq and your voice or waving a sign – to jaded. The general public does, the day of the largest demonstra- get our attention. too. Antiwar teach-ins and tion in this country against Second, you must overcome marches may have been effective the war. Thousands fi lled the all sorts of other things – and means of “speaking” against the streets. About 3,000 were ar- people – competing for that Vietnam War. Thirty-fi ve years rested. For months afterward, attention. To give effect to your later, maybe not. On the fi rst day confl icting descriptions of what freedom of speech, it probably of the war in Iraq, protesters felt happened – and confl icting won’t be enough to reach just one they had to do more, and they convictions of what should be or two of us. The larger the took over the streets. done about it as a legal matter – audience you seek, the more I’ve seen this sort of escalation roiled San Francisco. competition you will face. Thus close up. In the early 1960s, I Freedom of speech at its core you’ll have to do more – get more took part in a large number of is a constitutional right with in our way, make more noise – civil-rights demonstrations. dimensions not quite like any to get our attention. Twice, I was arrested along with other. Its meaning, as a result, is Third, you have to face an many others. First, we sat in the especially open to debate. Unlike unpleasant fact: competition for doorway of a grossly neglected the right to privacy, it is a right the attention of a large audience is black public school. We didn’t do to do something that immedi- not entirely fair. Certain people the same sort of thing again. We ately affects – and is meant to with certain viewpoints are likely took it for granted that our affect – people who may not to have vastly more resources intended audience would say, wish to be affected. Like the than you. If you do not control “Been there, seen that.” To get a right to property, it is a right to mass media, if you cannot afford hearing the next time, we would do something in competition to advertise through the mass have to do more. Several months with others. But unlike the right media, you are at a big disadvan- later, we seized a city hall. to property, its primary impact is tage. The most you can hope is for not on material well-being, but mass media to convey your Stopping the Spiral. Does this on the minds and the peace of speech to their audiences. How problem have a solution? Plainly, mind of other people. Hence, it can you make that happen? You there must be some limit to a may often seem the most intru- may well feel that you have no spiral of chaos in the name of sive of rights. choice but to act out even more – free speech. How then should we That’s just a sketch of the cause even more disruption – to imagine it? problem. Break it down into its get their attention. One approach – an approach parts and you’ll see how compli- Taken together, these are three the Supreme Court has taken cated in practice this apparently steps in an argument that occasionally for more than a half- simple right is – how closely its appears often in discussions of century – is to stop the spiral by importance is matched by its the freedom of speech, including clamping a heavy lid on the complexity. scores of Supreme Court opin- opportunity for ordinary people First, if the central purpose of ions. It goes like this: driven by to get the attention of a large exercising free speech is not competition to get a large audi- audience and, so, take effective simply to express yourself but to ence to pay attention, speakers part in the freedom of speech. I reach and to move others, you are all too likely to keep upping call this the repressive approach. are going to have to try to get our the ante – yelling louder and This approach has several louder, disturbing the peace more versions. One is to argue that Antiwar demonstrators block a major San and more, topping one another conduct associated with commu- Francisco intersection during rush hour to again and again, just to get nication – noise-making, fl ag- protest the start of war in Iraq. Zuma Press noticed. The tendency of free waving, marching – is not

December 2003 39 The American Legion Magazine speech; hence, it is the public be always never protected, or at Behavior that gets our attention by and entirely orderly. least not much. Another What is wrong with is to insist that protect- intentionally trashing the cultural the repressive approach ed speech must be is this: it subverts the deliberative, an articu- underpinnings of political community foundation and purpose late exposition of ideas of the right to free or facts. Yet another is also violates democratic rights. speech. The foundation, to confi ne communica- laid in the Constitution tion to large audiences – even by publicly owned places on the of which the Bill of Rights is leafl eting, circulation of peti- grounds that government, like a part, is popular self-government tions, solicitation of funds and so private proprietor, need not open – that is, democracy. The central forth – to a few public places its property for the freedom of purpose of the right is to promote traditionally used for that pur- speech. A fi nal version simply the exercise of popular sovereign- pose, closing off most other ordains that communication with ty by protecting popular partici- pation in self-government. This requires not only political freedom but roughly equal political freedom. In political life, each of us, each American, should, in principle, count as one, no more and no less. True, this is an aspiration. Full politi- cal equality – beyond the basic mandate of “one person, one vote” – cannot be compelled, certainly not without serious cost to political freedom. (Campaign- fi nance reformers are beginning to discover as much.) But, as an aspiration, it is a limiting prin- ciple. One thing it rules out is the approach to free speech that clamps a heavy lid on the oppor- tunity, an effective opportunity, for the many to join with the few in getting the attention of their fellow citizens. Imagine: if conduct associated with communication were suppressed, the only ones able to reach a reasonably large audience would be those who don’t need to leafl et or picket or march – because they already enjoy privileged access to the public through the media. Imagine: if inarticulate, non- deliberative or emotive expression were to be shut down, who would take over the marketplace of ideas, controlling the public agenda and public discourse? It would tend to be those of us who are privileged by virtue of a fancy education or parliamentary skill.

Protesters often mishandle the American fl ag as part of their demonstrations. Such behavior, which intentionally erodes the cultural underpinnings of political community, can be construed as a violation of democratic rights. Corbis

40 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine Imagine: if ordinary people could not reach their fellow citizens in the places where they can be reached conveniently and cheaply – posting signs on utility polls, slipping circulars into mailboxes, collecting signatures on post-offi ce grounds – who would benefi t? (Sadly, the Supreme Court has already taken this step.) It would be the few who don’t need convenient or cheap means to get the attention of an audience. And imagine: if expression not deemed by some offi cials to be entirely orderly were prohibited, who would command our attention? It would be those – a self-styled governing class whose ideas are already estab- lished and conventional and who, Seattle riot police march past a damaged Starbucks coffeehouse during demonstrations in the name of order, can en- against the city’s World Trade Organization talks in November 1999. By going too far to trench those ideas, effectively attract public attention, protesters showed a lack of respect for popular sovereignty and silencing others. their fellow citizens as political equals. Corbis The Supreme Court has recog- nized much of this, some of the over-regulate speech, imposing n Respect for political equality time. A function of free speech, excessive restriction on efforts of is a two-way street. It requires the Court said, is “to invite ordinary people to reach audi- that we allow demonstrators dispute” and “induce a condition ences. Second, these imagined leeway to seek audiences, and it of unrest.” Thus public expres- scenarios are likely to spring from recommends caution in limiting sion must not only be free but exaggerated, anti-democratic fears their ability to do so. At the same “robust and wide open.” That is of ordinary people themselves or time, it requires them to observe to say, it must be open to all. at least of their active participa- certain limits on how they go tion in public discourse. about trying to get our attention. Three Rules. What about the risk Sensitivity to context should This rule, unlike the fi rst, of anarchy? If democratic values involve more than some reference focuses not only on effects, but condemn the repressive policy, to the time, place and manner of on the intent behind the effects. which would shut ordinary a demonstration. It should Just as demonstrators deserve people out of effective participa- consider such matters on the respect as our political equals, so tion in public discourse, what is particular facts of particular too must they respect us as theirs to stop a spiral into chaos? cases, with the burden on – or, at least, they must not The answer is this: just as offi cials to show that the risks intentionally demonstrate disre- popular sovereignty gives rise to they fear are real. (The Court spect for our political equality. the fear of anarchy, so popular often does not do that.) Indeed, it It follows, fi rst of all, that they sovereignty yields the limitations ought to go farther and recognize must not do anything meant as a that can put the fear to rest. Let that at some moments in history physical threat to us and reason- me spell out three rules, rooted the risk of an actual spiral ably taken by us as personal in democratic values, that ought toward anarchy is more plausible intimidation. Such behavior, as to govern regulation of expres- and more immediate than at the Supreme Court recently ruled sion seeking to get the attention others. Thus, a demonstration in a cross-burning case, hardly of the public, particularly mass that might be limited at one time respects us as political equals, as protest demonstrations. might be permitted at another. people with an equal democratic n Context matters. Any absolute In my view, though I have the right to make up our own minds limitation on public expression benefi t of hindsight, it would be and speak our minds once our focused on its likely effects but diffi cult to show that in March attention has been won. blind to particular contexts – 2003, the antiwar movement and Second, having got our atten- purporting to be absolute – is its demonstrations had anything tion, they must allow us to mistaken. That is so, fi rst, be- like the momentum needed to decide for ourselves whether or cause any such limitation, make fears of anarchy, as invoked not to pay much attention. If, designed to address our imagined by the San Francisco police, very intentionally, they make it worst-case scenarios, is likely to plausible or very immediate. impossible for us to turn aside

December 2003 41 The American Legion Magazine and go on our chosen way, they legal defense, you should not be spent days in jail, charged with are once again refusing to shocked if you are prosecuted serious crimes. Then, years later, respect us as political equals and, if convicted, you should the charges were dropped. With with minds of our own. Thus, a accept punishment. This much, the passage of time, and with the demonstration that purposefully as Martin Luther King affi rmed popular vindication of the civil- traps its audience, or persistently in his “Letter from the Birming- rights movement as a whole, no blocks a public passageway, is a ham Jail,” is required by respect one saw reason to insist on violation of democratic rights and for the law – which is to say, another pound of our fl esh. has been so held by the Court. So respect for popular sovereignty Enough, it seemed, was enough. would be some level of noise at and thus for your fellow citizens This year, in San Francisco, the certain times in certain places. as your political equals. antiwar demonstrators were Finally, in limited circumstanc- Strangely, this most obvious of charged only with misdemean- es, behavior that gets our atten- rules may be the one most ors. Those charges were soon tion by intentionally trashing the contested nowadays. In San reduced to infractions. Yet even if cultural underpinnings of politi- Francisco, months after arrests they too were eventually to be cal community – which is, after were made and charges fi led, the dropped, the heavens might not all, the basis of political equality focus of contention was not fall. After all, arrests were made. – also violates democratic rights. whether it would be wise, but Demonstrators were taken away. Purposeful defamation of whole whether it would be ethical to They were booked. Some were groups of citizens, even of indi- pursue the charges. Such dispute locked up. That may be enough vidual public offi cials, is one isn’t confi ned to the Bay Area. for the people of the city. Might it example, or so the Court has held. My own law students, increas- not also be enough to vindicate Intentional physical desecration of ingly over the years, seem the principle at stake? the American fl ag would seem, positively offended at the idea To answer such pragmatic though not to fi ve of the justices, that one might be punished – or questions, we depend on an to be another. even arrested – for breaking a assessment, over time, of particu- On the second of these counts, valid law in a demonstration for lar circumstances – and on the the antiwar occupation of San a righteous cause. In a democ- working of popular will. That is Francisco streets in March racy, such a view is noxious. democracy, and democracy is not appears to have gone too far. It is the principle that matters: an exact science. It is, as they Hence, the arrests and fi ling of one should willingly pay a price say, harder than physics. And charges against the demonstra- if one defi es the legitimate that is one of its glories. n tors were appropriate. product, no less than the process, n If in order to get the attention of popular self-government. How Richard D. Parker is a professor of of the public you go too far, you high a price one pays, however, law at Harvard Law School. should expect to be arrested. may matter less. And, although you may mount a In my own case, hundreds of us Article design: Doug Rollison

Antiwar activists lie down on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to protest the war in Iraq. Corbis

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BY JEFF STOFFER American Legion National buy their sons and grandsons gift Commander John Brieden. memberships to the SAL but atherine Morris of Houston “People don’t spend enough time won’t tell them much more about comes from a big, close- doing activities together. Going it. One thing we insist on is to Kknit Italian family that to a Legion, Auxiliary or SAL make sure the Son knows he is a gathers like clockwork every meeting or event is a family member, let him know what the holiday season. They share food, activity. And it’s something you benefi ts are, and try to get across fun, gifts and the warmth of can do throughout the whole what their dues actually do, for their togetherness. It’s a tradi- year. It’s very fulfi lling.” the veteran.” tion that puts a sparkle in her This holiday season, Brieden eye months before December. suggests that posts, units and Making Seasons Bright. All “It’s always family fi rst with us,” squadrons make available for Legion family members work said Morris, The American purchase customized holiday hard to make sure no veteran is Legion Auxiliary’s national greeting cards with Legion forgotten during the holidays. president. “We need our fami- family gift memberships or dues No one to talk to. No means to lies. We need them so badly, receipts tucked inside. Member- purchase and send gifts. No especially right now.” ships can also now be purchased sense of belongingness. The pleasure Morris takes in online at www.legion.org for any Most VA facilities that seasonal get-togethers makes her of the three organizations. provide long-term residential keenly aware of those not so “These make excellent gifts for care have holiday gift shops lucky this time of year. As U.S. any eligible family member, any for veterans, coordinated, troops battle for freedom a half- veteran and, of course, for staffed and stocked by local world removed from their loved someone now serving in uni- Legion family organizations. ones, as cash-strapped VA health- form,” Brieden said. Brieden says no matter care facilities work through Brieden, Morris and SAL what offi ce he holds in the shortages, and at a time of year National Commander Neal Legion – post, department or when most of us are swept up in Warnken agree that holiday national commander – the rat race, Americans often lose shoppers won’t need to look far during the holiday gift sight of their families. for potential Legion family season, he straps on his That is why the Legion family members. “A lot of times, people apron, grabs the scissors of service organizations – The will look at their family trees and and tape and assumes the American Legion, American fi nd out there’s very few who position of gift wrapper. He Legion Auxiliary, Junior Auxil- can’t fi nd some kind of family would not trade that job for iary and Sons of The American connection. A lot of times, they the world. Legion – is promoting a holiday forget about a grandpa’s military “It’s so fulfi lling to see a idea to bring families back service. We also have a lot of veteran come and get a together, and not just for the grandfathers and fathers who will gift to send,” adds Morris, holiday dinner bell. Afford- who annually volunteers in able Legion family member- the holiday gift shop of her ships are easy to purchase, Online gift memberships local VA facility. “And then inexpensive to ship, and they New online applications for The American Legion, the veteran asks, ‘How much fi t nicely into stockings. They American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American do I owe you?’ And you say, Legion are now available at www.legion.org and don’t break, they’re never the www.legion-aux.org. Anyone wishing to join or ‘Nothing. This is all on the wrong size, and they won’t purchase a membership for a veteran, an active-duty Legion family.’ That’s when end up on the nickle table of servicemember, or anyone eligible for the Legion or the tears start. It makes a next summer’s garage sale. It Auxiliary can conveniently and safely pay dues with a veteran feel proud to be able is a gift of shared family credit card through the online service. Those wishing to to send gifts.” join the SAL can use the Legion site or visit values, patriotism and unity. www.sal.legion.org to connect with the squadron “Nothing is more impor- “With TV, the Internet, nearest them. Eligibility requirements for each of the tant” than spending quality kids’ activities and the hectic organizations are provided on the site, as well. For a holiday time with those who schedules people keep, limited time, the program offers a special downloadable fought for the freedoms all holiday welcome letter from the organizations’ top families don’t get together leaders and options to send holiday e-cards to gift Americans enjoy,” Warnken like they should,” explained membership recipients. adds. “I always try to take

44 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine “We need to make sure there is a natural progression, generation to generation,” Brieden said. “We have momentum now, and momentum feeds on itself.” Sometimes it’s as simple as making sure younger veterans – or potential SAL or Auxiliary members – know they are not only eligible, but welcome to join. Warnken said SAL’s growing membership of more than 275,000 would be even greater if more knew they fi t the criteria. “That’s something we really need to work on,” he said. “We’ve got to get veterans more in tune with who is eligible, and we are working on that. We have many of the same benefi ts that a Legion member has, and when our numbers grow, it means a lot for the whole body, for the whole organization. When The American Legion goes before Congress for hearings, all of our numbers count.” The American Legion’s mem- bership, which has grown steadily in recent years to about 2.7 million, along with the Auxiliary’s 1 million members, brings the Legion family total to about 4 million. These are the people who make The American Legion the world’s largest veter- ans service organization and the Auxiliary the world’s largest women’s patriotic group. In Washington and in the media, that’s important. “We bring a lot of qualities to the table,” Brieden said. “But we’ve got to have the numbers, and we’ve got to stand up and do what’s best for veterans. We need to work our programs, get out in From left, National Auxiliary President our communities and tell our Katherine Morris, Legion National story. That’s us.” Commander John Brieden and SAL Morris says such gestures need “We’ve got to keep our patrio- Commander Neal Warnken. David Pavese not be limited to the holiday tism on the forefront,” Morris season. “We need more regular added. gifts to the VA medical center or volunteers in our VA hospitals,” “We need to be with that to the soldiers’ homes, or just sit she said. “Many of our volunteers veteran, in that nursing home, in down and talk with them. It’s are getting up in years. Why not that hospital, to let him know we good in two ways: it makes you once a month take your whole care,” Brieden said. “Everybody feel good, and it’s good for them. family down to the VA hospital needs to get involved – Legion, When you walk into the room of and volunteer? Do it as a family.” Auxiliary, SAL – we’re all family. a veteran and see his face light And family is what the holidays up just because you have taken Passing the Torch. In order for are all about.” n the time to be there, it’s unbe- any Legion family activity to lievable. The holidays can be succeed, membership must Jeff Stoffer is managing editor of very lonely.” continue on a path of growth. The American Legion Magazine.

December 2003 45 The American Legion Magazine under the radar

Cyber-defense of countless e-mails sent to Cyber-security experts are slow down and overload govern- sounding the alarm over the ment servers. vulnerability of America’s In response to the rising interconnected computer net- threat, President Bush has works. As Richard Clarke, a unveiled the “National Security former computer-security adviser Strategy to Secure Cyberspace.” to the White House, explained in Among other things, the strat- a Washington Post interview, “A egy is pushing the Department great deal of damage to our economy and disrup- of Homeland Security and other agencies to tion to our way of life can be done without any- develop redundancies, conduct cyber-drills, build thing exploding or anybody being killed.” cyber-warning systems, harden government It’s easy to see how: given the amorphous, open computer networks and develop recovery plans in and ever-expanding nature of cyberspace, it is the event of a computer attack. extremely diffi cult territory to secure and defend, In addition, the Pentagon’s new Joint Task Force and given America’s primacy in traditional fi elds on Computer Network Operations is helping U.S. of confl ict, cyberspace is increasingly where military forces incorporate cyber-weapons into America’s enemies pick their fi ghts. traditional war fi ghting. Pentagon spending on In fact, the fi rst salvos have already been fi red. programs to manipulate and master information During NATO’s air war over Serbia, the Chinese technology jumped by 125 percent in 2003. The hacked into Web sites run by the departments of Department of Defense also is updating all of its Energy and Interior, forcing the White House new Internet-related equipment and software to and other government sites to shut down out of meet the latest Internet security protocols. self-protection. Other attacks came in the form – A.W.D.

United States, Poland, Spain, rebuild Iraq and rein in Iran. Help Australia and other key NATO couldn’t have come at a better time. allies have formed the Prolifera- The fi rst signs of Russia’s tion Security Initiative to westward tilt came on the Korean strengthen their capacity to peninsula, a recent analysis by secure the seas and intercept The Washington Post concluded. weapons of mass destruction and Echoing what Washington has their precursors while in transit. been saying since the fi rst Bush U.S. Coast Guardsmen engage in a Port “Over time,” President Bush administration, Russian Foreign Security Unit 308 exercise in Gulfport, Miss. said, “we will extend this partner- Minister Igor Ivanov declared that Exercises such as these prepare service- ship as broadly as possible to “the Korean peninsula should be members for the possibility of terror keep the world’s most destructive free from nuclear arms.” However, attacks aimed at America’s ports. DoD weapons away from our shores Moscow also sent messages with and out of the hands of our its military. In late summer and The war at sea common enemies.” early fall, Russia conducted a Counterterrorism specialists are It’s not a new threat, Navy large-scale military exercise in its concerned that al-Qaida and its historian Robert Johnson observes easternmost territories. The stated partners are preparing to take in his book “Guardians of the Sea.” aim of the exercises was to their war back to the sea, accord- In 1947, a port explosion claimed prepare for a refugee crisis ing to a recent investigation by 500 lives in Texas City, Texas. sparked by war or the toppling of New York Daily News. Although terrorism was not to Kim Jong Il. Needless to say, One of the main worries is that a blame, the tragedy was a wake-up Pyongyang did not appreciate terrorist group could use a ship or call for America. “With the Cold Moscow’s rationale. tanker to close one of several ocean War intensifying,” Johnson said, In Iraq, after a season of chokepoints, such as the Strait of “it seemed quite possible that hedging, Moscow is serving as a Gibraltar or the Strait of Malacca, Russian nuclear devices might be bridgebuilder between the pro- which hugs the Indonesian island brought into American harbors and anti-war blocs inside the U.N. of Sumatra. Others warn that terror surreptitiously for detonation at Security Council. And as the groups could strike America’s some subsequent time.” Post’s review found, “Russian poorly protected ports. offi cials have abandoned talk of As a result, NATO nations and Closing ranks? expanding their nuclear assis- other U.S. allies are beefi ng up After fl irting with the “Axis of tance to Iran.” Moscow has even security at sensitive areas, Evil” for the past 18 months, joined the EU and Washington in monitoring dozens of suspicious Moscow is teaming up with exerting pressure on Iran. ships and boarding some. The Washington to isolate Kim Jong Il, – Alan W. Dowd

46 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine Advertisement

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BY DR. NELDA P. WRAY n Psychotherapy may take several forms. In behavioral Is being “anxious” the same therapy, patients are gradually as being nervous or worried? exposed to the source of their It depends on how we use fears and taught to use the word. Anxiety can be a breathing and other relax- normal emotion we all experi- ation techniques to control ence. It can keep you from their reaction. A related danger and protect your life. If approach, cognitive behav- you are anxious because you ioral therapy, focuses on know your car’s brakes are changing thought patterns worn, this feeling may help that contribute to anxiety. ensure that you have them Psychodynamic psychothera- replaced so you can drive py seeks to uncover uncon- safely. If you feel somewhat scious confl icts underlying anxious before a job interview the anxiety. or presentation, this is a normal n Relaxation techniques can response that may enhance be effective in relieving the your preparation and increase symptoms of anxiety, either your alertness. alone or in combination with However, anxiety becomes a other therapies. mental illness when it begins to impair the ability to func- Anxiety Research. Anxiety is tion rather than protect well- a complex condition, with no being. Most anxiety disorders single cause and a wide range are caused by some interplay of possible treatments. At VA of genetics, psychological Rubberball medical centers across the makeup, biochemical imbal- involve feelings of fear, apprehen- country, researchers are ances and stressful life events. sion or tension that often bring on exploring various ways to help These illnesses include: physical symptoms: headaches, veterans with anxiety. n Generalized anxiety disorder, dizziness, sweaty palms, dry In Houston, psychiatrist Mark excessive worry or tension with mouth, racing pulse, gastrointest- Kunik found in a clinical trial that no apparent or substantial cause inal trouble, dizziness. Sleep and even a single, two-hour session of that lasts at least six months. appetite also can be impaired, cognitive behavioral therapy in a n Panic disorders marked by leading to other health problems. group setting could signifi cantly sudden attacks of extreme fear, This is one area of medicine in reduce anxiety symptoms in older seemingly irrational attacks that which the link between emotional veterans with chronic obstructive last 30 to 90 minutes. and physical health is clear. pulmonary disease. n Simple phobias involving an In Little Rock, Ark., researchers irrational ongoing fear of one Treating Anxiety. Before diagnos- reported that exercise could not thing or event, such as crowded ing an anxiety disorder, physicians only improve the physical func- places, fl ying or spiders. should rule out other medical tioning of older people who had n Post-traumatic stress disorder, conditions that may contribute to suffered serious falls but ease reoccurring emotional distress anxiety or produce similar symp- their anxiety as well. following frightening or life- toms – palpitations or shortness of threatening situations. breath, for example. They also Nelda P. Wray, M.D., M.P.H., is n Obsessive-compulsive disorder, should check for anxiety-related chief research and development characterized by repeated abnor- side effects from drugs. Diet offi cer for the Veterans Health mal thoughts (obsessions) based on should be considered, too. Administration. fears of contamination or impend- Once an anxiety disorder is ing harm, or ritualized behaviors diagnosed, several treatment Living Well is designed to provide (compulsions) such as washing the options are available: general information. It is not hands 50 times in a day. n Medication usually includes intended to be, nor is it, medical Other types of anxiety exist, antidepressants or tranquilizers. advice. Readers should consult such as social and performance Certain nutritional supplements, their personal physicians when anxiety. All forms of anxiety such as B vitamins, also may help. they have health problems.

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For information or to order call 1-800-416-0758 Dept TL 10211 West Emerald Boise, ID 83704 ph (208) 323-9577 fax (208) 377-1528 30 day money-back guarantee ® VideoEye is a registered trademark of VideoEye Corporation Patents pending www.videoeye.com living well Physical activity key to longer life Older Americans know exercise receive as many benefi ts from from increasing physical activity.” is important to staying healthy. exercising as younger people do. Elderly audiences need motiva- But just knowing what’s good for Stereotypes of old age as a time tion and encouragement to get them isn’t enough. They need of poor health is a simplistic moving. They also are hungry for more motivation to exercise generalization, not an accurate specifi c directions and guidance. regularly, says a study published description of the status of Instead of vaguely suggesting a in the American Journal of individuals, she adds. brisk walk, Ory suggests that Preventive Medicine. “The majority of older people advocates say, “Get your heart Being old does not mean life is are able to perform functions rate up, at least 30 minutes a day, over, says Marcia Ory, Ph.D., necessary for normal living and to at least fi ve days a week.” M.P.H., of the Texas A&M Univer- manage independently until very sity System School of Rural advanced ages,” Ory says. “It is Source: Health Behavior News Public Health. Elderly people never too late to gain benefi ts Service Baccalaureate nurses save more lives Hospitals employing a higher tion between education levels with serious complications.” number of nurses possessing of hospital nurses and patient Findings indicate that bachelor’s degrees or beyond, deaths within 30 days of surgical patients cared for in have lower rates of surgery admission. hospitals where higher deaths, according to a study in “After adjusting for proportions of direct-care The Journal of the American patient characteristics registered nurses Medical Association. and hospital structural possessed bachelor’s “Nurse understaffi ng is ranked characteristics – size, degrees experienced by the public and physicians as teaching status, level of a substantial survival one of the greatest threats to technology – as well as for advantage over those patient safety in U.S. hospitals,” nurse staffi ng, nurse treated in hospitals the report stated. “Nurses consti- experience, and whether the where fewer staff nurses tute the surveillance system for patient’s surgeon was possessed bachelor’s early detection of complications board-certifi ed, a 10-percent degrees or higher, the and problems in care, and they increase in the proportion authors say. Similarly, are in the best position to initiate of nurses holding a bache- surgical patients experienc- actions that minimize negative lor’s degree was associated ing serious complications Comstock outcomes for patients.” with a 5-percent decrease in during hospitalization were Linda H. Aiken, a Ph.D. and both the likelihood of signifi cantly more likely to registered nurse from the Univer- patients dying within 30 survive in hospitals with a sity of Pennsylvania, and her days of admission and the higher proportion of nurses colleagues examined the associa- odds of failure to rescue patients with baccalaureate education. Agent Orange victims to receive health-care benefi ts Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, thing by deciding to award these hazardous conditions of battle. By or CLL, has been offi cially added benefi ts back in January. doing a study, the government can to the list of diseases for which “The government still must carry determine what exactly is making Vietnam War veterans can receive out a large-scale study of the health them sick and grant them long- free-of-charge health care and dis- and herbicide exposures of Vietnam overdue health care and disability ability compensation from the veterans. The American Legion and compensation.” Department of Veterans Affairs. Columbia University broke ground To locate the nearest American “The Institute of Medicine found with a joint study conducted in the Legion service offi cer, contact The a link between CLL and exposure 1980s and a recent follow-up study. American Legion National Head- to the herbicide Agent Orange, and But the government must plan and quarters at (800) 433-3318. that fi nding is a sound basis on fund a more comprehensive study which to award just compensation because, obviously, the health of Living Well is designed to provide and VA health care to Vietnam many Vietnam veterans shows the general information. It is not veterans suffering from the long-lasting effects of their war- intended to be, nor is it, medical disease,” American Legion Nation- time experiences. Certain veterans’ advice. Readers should consult al Commander John Brieden said. illnesses are related to exposure to their personal physicians when “Secretary Principi did the right Agent Orange or to some other they have health problems.

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BY COL. GEORGE C. THOMPSON from reprisals against a person for civil litigants. The U.S. Depart- seeking to enforce these employ- ment of Labor investigates alleged Nearly 292,000 National Guards- ment protections. While many violations and initiates the men and reservists have been employers set a positive example enforcement process. If the mobilized since Sept. 11, 2001. As by offering differential pay, Department of Labor thinks the these men and women return private employers are not required veteran has a valid claim, it refers home and go back to their civilian to pay an employee on military the case to the attorney general, jobs, the question of whether or leave of absence. who may commence a lawsuit on not federal employment protec- A job provider does not have to the veteran’s behalf in U.S. tions are adequate is of District Court. As an alter- critical importance. native, the veteran may While citizen soldiers fi le suit with a private make a commitment to attorney. No fees or court serve whenever America costs may be charged calls, members of the all- against the veteran volunteer force cannot be claiming rights under the expected to re-enlist if law. If the veteran pre- their civilian careers are vails, the court may order damaged by military the employer to pay the absences. veteran’s attorney fees, After Operation Desert expert witness fees and Storm, Congress over- other litigation expenses. hauled existing re- The court also may order employment protections the employer to re-employ by enacting the Uni- or promote the individual formed Services Employ- as well as make an award ment and Reemployment for lost wages and ben- Rights Act of 1994. It efi ts. If the court fi nds the seeks to encourage non- Crew Chief Staff Sgt. Alan Worthy hugs his wife, Ingrid, as employer willfully vio- members of the California Army National Guard’s 126th Medical career service in the Company return to Mather Airport in Sacramento after eight lated USERRA, it may military and to minimize months of service in Afghanistan. DoD double the award. Thus, the disadvantages to many employers choose to civilian careers that can result re-employ a returning veteran if settle cases on terms favorable to from military service. USERRA circumstances have changed so the employee rather than take protects re-employment rights so much as to make such re- their chances in court. long as the individual notifi es the employment impossible or Most employers avoid com- employer of each military absence unreasonable, or would impose ments during the hiring and and the cumulative length of an undue hardship on the promotion processes that give a military absences – with some employer. The employer has the reservist a basis for proving that exceptions – does not exceed fi ve burden of proof. A person’s the individual’s military member- years. entitlement to employment ship killed his chances of being Protected military service protections also is dependent hired or promoted. Most reserv- includes military duty within any upon receiving a discharge ists understand that their absenc- branch of the armed forces on a characterized as honorable or es create a substantial inconve- voluntary or involuntary basis. It under honorable conditions. nience to their employers and is unlawful for an employer to The Employer Support Commit- their co-workers. If a reservist- discharge a reservist or National tee for the Guard and Reserve employee is frequently deployed Guard member because of his or helps employees obtain voluntary for extended periods, the inconve- her military obligations, or to employer compliance with nience is multiplied, often causing discriminate against such a USERRA and answers related the employment relationship to person with regard to hiring, questions for employers and suffer. Then, the current law may promotion, re-employment or employees. A wealth of informa- prove inadequate to convince benefi ts. The term “benefi ts” tion about the law may be found returning reservists to remain in includes rights under pension at ESGR’s Web site, www.esgr.org. the military while waiting for the plans, health-insurance plans, USERRA’s basic enforcement next deployment. awards, bonuses, vacations and mechanism is a civil suit against opportunities to select work hours the employer. USERRA provides Col. George C. Thompson serves or locations of employment. several important advantages to as state judge advocate for the Employers also are prohibited veterans not enjoyed by other Indiana National Guard.

52 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine legion news Serve those who answer the call

BY DENNIS W. ARCHER military. One example is the that those who need wills and Foreign and Armed Services Tax power-of-attorney documents Recent news that thousands of Fairness Act, which would help have them, or that a servicemem- reservists and members of the deployed servicemembers comply ber’s wishes concerning life National Guard will have their with the requirements of hom- support are explicit and written, tours of duty extended to 12 eowners’ capital-gains tax should become as integrated into months reminds us once again of exemptions enacted in 1997. The military life as are medical and the tremendous sacrifi ce these bill has languished in Congress dental checkups. Guaranteeing brave men and women are far too long. Enacting it would be access to military legal-assistance making to protect the rights and one quick way to help some of lawyers would be an important liberties we all enjoy. America’s bravest citizens step toward making this a reality. Since the terrorist attacks of participate in the nation’s pros- Finally, Congress should enact 2001, roughly 300,000 Guard and perity through home ownership. the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Reserve troops have been acti- Another would be to amend Act. This legislation, which the vated. These volunteers exemplify Title 10 of the U.S. Code to make House of Representatives ap- the concepts of service and legal assistance available for proved in May but as of this sacrifi ce. They give their time, members of the armed forces, writing has not been passed by their talents and sometimes their National Guard and Reserves an the Senate, would update and lives to protect our nation. They entitlement rather than a benefi t modernize the current Soldiers willingly leave their homes, provided “subject to the avail- and Sailors Civil Relief Act by families and businesses to travel ability of legal staff resources.” offering broader and more thousands of miles to stand in The military has made great consistent protections for the jobs harm’s way. Some have been strides in helping soldiers live and fi nancial resources of those rotated home, back to the lives healthy, safe and socially respon- who answer America’s call. they left suspended, but thou- sible lives. Physical-fi tness tests, Through these measures, sands of others remain in Iraq, medical and dental examina- Congress could help ease the Kuwait and elsewhere. Now they, tions, and occupational, safety lives of the men and women who like those who will be activated in and health instruction are all protect us all. It is the least we the weeks and months to come, part of their regimen, and they can do. face an even longer commitment are taught fi scal accountability. as they serve their country. But what about their legal health? Dennis W. Archer is president of While we at home wait, so do Regular legal checkups to ensure the American Bar Association. deployed servicemem- bers and those who will soon join them. As we wait to see whether democracy will take root in Iraq, as we wait to see what role the global community will play, as we wait to see how the price of the war in Iraq will be paid, they also wait to see if their country will commit to addressing their needs while they are protecting the needs, rights and liberties of their fellow Americans. A few simple steps taken by Congress would ease the burden on members of the National Guard and Reserves, the citizen Soldiers of the Rhode Island Army National Guard’s 115th Military Police Company breech a locked door soldiers who are a during a raid in Fallujah, Iraq. National Guardsmen and reservists wait to see if their country will address vital part of our their needs while they protect the liberty of their fellow Americans. DoD

December 2003 53 The American Legion Magazine legion news

A Legionnaire is silhouetted as he ignites the ceremonial fi re. More photos can be viewed at www.gijoe244.us. James V. Carroll Small Kentucky post retires thousands of fl ags annually BY JAMES V. CARROLL tal semi-annual event, said Post retired at Hugh’s farm during our 244 Commander Doug King, prior June ceremony.” GI Joe Post 244 in Jefferson- to this summer’s fl ag retirement. The day of the event, Legion- town, Ky., knows the right way to Flags arrive one at a time and in naires transport fl ags from burn a U.S. Flag. It does so truckloads from other posts and Colbert’s barns by tractor and respectfully, retiring thousands community organizations. Post wagon to the crest of a hill at the each year. members also drop off fl ags. farm. There, the fl ags are placed Members of the small Legion “We store them at Hugh atop wooden pallets and soaked post near Louisville collect Colbert’s place because there’d be with fl ammable liquid. Prior to worn, tattered and faded U.S. no room for our members if we ignition, Legionnaires carry out Flags from Jefferson County, tried to keep them here at the solemn sunset ceremonies. surrounding Kentucky counties post,” King said. “We get a lot of The post conducts fl ag-retire- and from Indiana neighbors to fl ags. More than 6,500 fl ags were ment twice a year. the north. Each year, the post conducts fl ag-retirement ceremo- nies, guided by an American Legion resolution adopted in 1937, at the farm of Legionnaire Hugh Colbert. “The American fl ag represents what we are all about,” says John Wright, former U.S. Marine and Post 244 service offi cer. “We don’t simply pile up a bunch of fl ags and set them on fi re. We honor each fl ag collectively in formal services the way we would honor a fallen comrade on the battlefi eld. Flags deserve a reverent retirement after their honorable service.” What began as a modest endeavor has become a monumen- Samuel King, 7, places miniature fl ags around the pyre before the ceremony. James V. Carroll

54 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine legion news Recruit fi ve members to be a ‘Brieden’s Ranger’ All American Legion family member – will receive one members are eligible to partici- ‘Brieden’s Rangers’ pin.” pate in this year’s drive for new Certifi cation forms for the membership in the world’s program may be submitted at any largest veterans service organi- time but must arrive at National zation. “The concept is simple,” Headquarters on, or prior to, May National Commander John 31, 2004. Upon receipt, national Brieden said. “For every fi ve membership staff will confi rm new Legionnaires recruited into the new members’ status. Once The American Legion, the verifi ed, the recruiter will receive recruiter – who could be a a “Brieden’s Rangers” pin within Legionnaire, Auxiliary or SAL three weeks. Rewards for 100-percent renewal rates National Commander John mination of the smallest teams,” mission in the campaign. “Com- Brieden has issued a renewal Brieden said. “Membership mander Brieden’s intent is that the challenge to all American Legion renewals are essential for any post renewal teams are formed for posts in the organization: 100- organization, and the Legion is one purpose and one purpose percent renewal rates by Jan. 11. no different. We must fi rst fi ght alone, and that is to renew Each post that to keep the mem- existing members before Jan. 11.” assembles a renewal bers we already Following the renewal-team team and achieves For more info have before we can competition period, new-member that goal – returning Contact Bill Sloan. move forward.” teams will be assembled to bring everyone from last Call: (317) 630-1321 The program is new faces to their posts during a year – will receive a E-mail: [email protected] separate from, and campaign period running from special “Brieden’s should not be Jan. 11 until the Legion Birthday Rangers” ribbon and confused with, the Party on March 15. The coveted “Brieden’s Rangers” certifi cate. Post Honor Ribbon and its goals. “Brieden’s Rangers” ribbons and “We all know from our mili- Marilyn Britten, chairman of certifi cates will be awarded to tary experiences that command- the Legion’s National Membership posts that recruit at least as ers and leaders at all levels must & Post Activities Committee, said many new members as there are rely on the teamwork and deter- renewal teams have a distinct members on the team.

Race to the Top goes to Washington For more info Contact Americanism Deputy The American Legion’s Race to the Memorial Dedication Day on May 29 Director Bill Pease at National Top competition, which rewards the in Washington. They will be guests of Headquarters. top fi ve district commanders for honor of National Commander John Call: (317) 630-1321 membership performance, will be Brieden at all Legion activities sur- E-mail: [email protected] honored at the National World War II rounding the dedication ceremony.

American Legion National Conventions Nashville, Tenn. Aug. 27-Sept. 2, 2004 Honolulu Aug. 19-25, 2005 Salt Lake City Aug. 18-24, 2006 Reno, Nev. Aug. 24-30, 2007 Phoenix Aug. 22-28, 2008 For more information Call Jennifer Zellers or Dick Holmes at (317) 630-1313 or (317) 630-1292. legion news Legion-led rodeo program celebrates half-century Annual conventions of The American Legion’s Department of Wyoming include all the usual honors for youth champions – those who have risen above the rest in the areas of public oration, leadership, Scout- ing, target shooting and baseball. But out in Wyoming, where a silhouetted cowboy on a bucking bronc rides on the license plate of nearly everything on wheels, one other youth group gets equal billing: champions whose successes are measured by the size of their belt buckles. High-school rodeo athletes not only gain recognition from the Wyoming Legion, they owe their program’s 50-year existence to it. National Executive Committeeman Joe Sestak of Laramie, Wyo., explained, “It all began 50 years ago in Saratoga, Wyo., when a couple of Legionnaires got together and said, ‘Let’s have a high-school rodeo. Let’s do it.’ It went over so well, and it just grew from there. The fi rst year, there were only six or seven towns. Then it went on to just about all of the state.” Sestak, who serves on the Wyoming High School Rodeo Committee, said up to 300 young rodeo athletes compete in all boys and girls events sanctioned by the National High School Rodeo Associa- tion, plus queen competition. Among the competitors at last year’s fi nals, 43 were awarded college rodeo scholarships. “They are really good kids who work hard and represent the future generation of our country,” Sestak said, adding that other American Legion departments could follow Wyoming’s lead and take a role in high-school rodeos in their states. “They could sponsor teams, buckles, rodeos, and get involved. It’s an opportunity for The American Legion to get into a very unique American- ism program. This is the roots TOP: James Baldwin of Rawlins, Wyo., hangs on during competition at the of our culture, of our country.” Wyoming State High School Rodeo Finals in Douglas, Wyo., in June. ABOVE LEFT: Tyffani Hansen of Hawk Springs competes in the breakaway The 50th American Legion of Wyoming competition at the Wyoming State High School Rodeo Finals in Douglas, Wyo. High School Championship Rodeo is set for ABOVE RIGHT: Gillette’s Brittiny Castleberry works swiftly during the goat- June 23 to 27, 2004, in Douglas, Wyo. tying competition. Courtesy Robert Hendricks, Casper Star-Tribune

56 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine legion news Brinks offers peace of mind Legionnaires While no one can avoid every system is also affordable, costing potential for trouble, a Brink’s less than $1 a day for system in Action Home Security shield displayed in monitoring. In addition, when a Emil Senger, a window or front lawn tells residence is equipped with a American perpetrators that breaking in is a home-security system, homeown- Legion Post 10, bad idea. To provide Legionnaires ers-insurance rates are often Seymour, Conn., recently honored with peace of mind at home, The reduced by up to 20 percent. a courageous American Legion recently teamed Brink’s Home Security offers local high-school up with Brink’s Home Security. advanced technology in the graduate who More than 780,000 families have forms of state-of-the-art U.L.- stood up for her beliefs. Kristen Rychalsky, a 2002 chosen Brink’s as their security listed monitoring centers; police, Seymour High School graduate and provider. The reasons include: fi re and medical emergency her class’s valedictorian, was n Unlike other security compa- buttons; and fast, reliable alarms recognized for standing up for her nies, Brink’s monitors its own signaling through dedicated constitutional right to freedom of speech after school administrators systems. fi ber-optic telecommunications. rejected her planned commence- n Brink’s has been a trusted ment address because they name in the security industry for considered it too controversial. The more than 140 years. speech questioned the merits of Brink’s Home Security is the situational ethics in light of her n Christian faith. Rychalsky stuck to her only national security provider to convictions, and school administra- achieve Installation Quality tors eventually agreed to allow her Certifi cation endorsed by the speech with minimal changes. Post National Burglar & Fire Alarm 10 awarded her the Legion’s Association. For more info Americanism Medal. Brink’s Home Security is easy Call: (800) 390-6752 Elmer to operate, even for children. The Thompson of Baudette, Minn., has been carrying ‘Vision One’ eye-care plan a wise choice the U.S. Flag for 60 years. The American Legion has directly with a single benefi t An active teamed up with Cole Managed provider while giving access to a member of Baudette’s Linwood Laughy American Legion Post 217 Vision to provide their nation- vision PPO that offers real color guard, Thompson turns heads wide “Vision One” eye-care choices, consisting of the best when he marches in parades and program to Legion members and names among optical retailers, presents the colors at funeral employees, and Sons of along with a mix of private- services. He’s 91. The American Legion. practice optometrists and oph- American Legion Post 58, CMV develops, markets and thalmologists. Wailuku, Hawaii. When the island administers vision-benefi t pro- CMV owns three national of Guam was left ravaged by super- grams to employer groups, health- retail optical businesses: Pearle typhoon Pongsona in December 2002, utilities were disrupted. Cancer care organizations and national Vision, Sears Optical and Target patients on Guam could no longer associations Optical. That receive treatments because the through the unique market cancer-treatment facility had been largest com- For more info position allows destroyed. This information, as pany-owned, Call: (800) 804-4384 CMV to control reported in Maui News in Hawaii, caught the attention of members of company- Online: www.colemanagedvision.com costs and Post 58. Several of the post’s operated core Refer to The American Legion group deliver consis- members had previously undergone provider panel number 47178. tent eye care cancer therapy. They knew from of any vision nationwide. experience whenever cancer treatment experienced a glitch, network in the “Vision One” patients took solace in knowing it country. provides would only be a day or two before From creden- discounts on the machine was fi xed. The cancer tialing doctors the purchase of patients in Guam could be offered no such encouragement. Instead, they to member services to manufac- eye examinations and eye-wear were told they would have to travel turing materials, CMV ensures materials. “Vision One” is 3,700 miles to Maui to continue plan sponsors and members get competitively priced. Legion cancer treatments. Post 58 contrib- the highest level of quality members typically save up to uted funds to assist 12 cancer patients from Guam with lodging, service and satisfaction. 20 percent to 60 percent off meals and transportation expenses CMV’s stratifi ed delivery eyeglasses purchased from CMV so they could continue being treated. system allows members to deal providers.

December 2003 57 The American Legion Magazine legion news Financial group donates $115,000 to American Legacy fund First American Cash Advance and women who made the and First Southern Cash Advance ultimate sacrifi ce,” said Jim of Cleveland, Tenn., have donated Patterson, majority owner of First more than $115,000 to the Ameri- American Financial Services – can Legacy Scholarship fund to parent company of First American assist the children of military Cash Advance and First Southern personnel killed on or after the Cash Advance. “We must never terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. forget the children these brave All 330 branches took part in a men and women leave behind.” “We Put Our Troops First” drive. The American Legion present- They provided a “We Support Our ed First American Cash Advance Troops” bumper sticker for each a bronze eagle award at a special $1 donation. presentation of gratitude during The fund, which provides the 85th National Convention in college education money, was St. Louis last August. Then-National Commander Ronald F. formerly known as the Sept. 11 Donations are still accepted at Conley thanks Tom Lowe, president and Memorial Scholarship Fund. any First American Cash Ad- CEO of First American Financial Services, for his company’s contribution to the “As a veteran of the U.S. Air vance or First Southern Cash American Legacy Scholarship Fund during Force, it is an honor to provide Advance branch, or by visiting the Legion’s National Convention in St. support to the children of the men www.legion.org. Louis last August. James V. Carroll WWII Memorial Dedication Day data needed The National Commission on vance Memorial Day weekend P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN Children & Youth would like to are asked to submit their post 46206-1055. Information also can learn which communities are names, addresses, telephone be faxed to (317) 630-1369 or hosting National World War II numbers and points of contact e-mailed to [email protected]. Memorial Dedication Day events to the Americanism and Children The data will be used to compile in May. Posts participating in the & Youth Division, American community success stories. Dead- nationwide community obser- Legion National Headquarters, line for submission is March 31.

Join us! CWF celebrates 50 years The American Legion is an organization of The American individuals who wished veterans serving veterans, their families and Legion Child Welfare to contribute to the communities. The Legion serves as the veteran’s voice in Washington, fi ghting for the Foundation is betterment of benefi ts and rights of those who served our celebrating children. country in the armed forces. 50 years of When Membership eligibility is based upon dates set service to founded, forth by Congress. Eligibility dates are from America’s CWF was 4/6/17 to 11/11/18; 12/7/41 to 12/31/46; 6/25/50 to 1/31/55; 2/28/61 to 5/7/75; 8/24/82 children, the only to 7/31/84; 12/20/89 to 1/31/90; and from one dollar at a national organiza- 8/2/90 to present. time. National tion of its kind Commander devoted For membership information: John Brieden exclusively to The American Legion has chal- For more info programs Attn: Membership Division Contact Americanism and Children & P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1055 lenged the involving Legion family Youth Division, The American Legion young people. Call: (800) 433-3318 to raise $2 National Headquarters, P.O. Box 1055, To date, the E-mail: [email protected] Indianapolis, IN 46206-1055; call (317) million to 630-1202; fax (317) 630-1369; e-mail Child Welfare Visit the Web site: www.legion.org/ benefi t the [email protected] or visit: Foundation has membership/ membership.htm foundation. A www.cwf-inc.org donated more For affi liate organization information: limited- than $6 million Sons of The American Legion, John Kerestan edition, 50th- to organiza- Call: (317) 630-1321 anniversary pin is now available tions that assist children American Legion Auxiliary Membership for a $25 donation. nationwide. Every dollar Call: (317) 955-3845 The foundation was developed donated goes directly to pro- as a repository of funds from grams that benefi t children.

58 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine Advertisement Choose Life Reverse Aging with HGH From our Natures Best Laboratories, Dr. Don Growth Hormone first synthesized in 1985 GHR-15 is a natural hormone releaser. It has Johnson, the president and founder of the under the Reagan Orphan drug act, to treat no known side effects and no known perscrip- American Anti-Aging Society, after a lifetime dwarfism, was quickly recognized to stop tion drug interactions. The doctor was 75 of study in the medical science and health aging in its tracks and reverse it to a remark- years old when he and his medical scientist fields, comes the most powerful health sup- able degree. Since then, only the lucky and friends developed GNR-15; many of them plement in the history of man. the rich have had access to it at the cost of were on perscription medications. $20,000 US per year. 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How to Submit a Reunion phone number and e-mail address. Send notices to The American Legion Magazine, Attn: “In Search Of,” P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206, The American Legion Magazine publishes reunion notices for veter- fax (317) 630-1280 or e-mail [email protected]. ans. Send notices to The American Legion Magazine, Attn: Reunions, The magazine will not publish the names of individuals, only the P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206, fax (317) 630-1280 or e-mail name of the unit from which you seek people. Listings are published free [email protected]. of charge. Include the branch of service and complete name of the group, no Life Membership notices are published for Legionnaires who have abbreviations, with your request. The listing also should include the been awarded life memberships by their posts. This does not include a reunion dates and city, along with a contact name, telephone number and member’s own Paid-Up-For-Life membership. Notices must be submitted e-mail address. Listings are published free of charge. on official forms, which may be obtained by sending a self-addressed Due to the large number of reunions, The American Legion Maga- stamped envelope to The American Legion Magazine, Attn: Life Mem- zine will publish a group’s listing only once a year. Notices should be berships, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206. sent at least six months prior to the reunion to ensure timely publication. “Comrades in Distress” listings must be approved by the Legion’s Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation division. If you are seeking to verify an injury received during service, contact your Legion department service officer for information on how to publish a notice. Other Notices To respond to a “Comrades in Distress” listing, send a letter to The “In Search Of” is a means of getting in touch with people from your American Legion Magazine, Attn: Comrades in Distress, P.O. Box unit to plan a reunion. We do not publish listings that seek people for 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Include the listing’s CID number in your interviews, research purposes, military photos or help in filing a VA response. claim. Listings must include the name of the unit from which you seek “Taps” notices are published only for Legionnaires who served as people, the time period and the location, as well as a contact name, tele- department commanders or national officers.

AIR FORCE COAST GUARD (860) 267-2825, [email protected]; USS Donner LSD 20, Boston, 5/1-4, Al Halfrey, (978) 11th Abn Air Assault Div Mid-Atl Chpt, USS Adm. C.F. Hughes, USS Adm. E.W. 744-0687, [email protected]; USS Doyen Assn, Myrtle Beach, SC, 2/22-25, Herb Shapiro, (410) Eberle AP 123, USS Adm. H.T. Mayo AP 125, Colorado Springs, CO, June, Tom Hendrickson, 827-6410, [email protected]; 61st TCS USS Adm. W.L. Capps AP 121, USS Gen. A.W. (303) 752-1095, [email protected]; USS (Airlift) “Green Hornets” 314th TCG (Airlift), Brewster AP 155, USS Gen. A.W. Greely Epping Forest LSD 4/MCS 7, Branson, Jacksonville, AR, Spring, Ben Hendrickson, AP 141, USS Gen. H.F. Hodges AP 144, USS MO, 5/20-23, M. Holmvig, (903) 432-4382, (479) 582-9436, [email protected]; 98th Gen. W.H. Gordon AP 117, USS Monticello [email protected]; USS Gen. George M. Air Refueling Sqdn, St. Louis, 4/26-30, Ray AP 61, USS Gen. W.P. Richardson AP 118, Randall AP 115, Boston, 6/10-13, Chuck Ulrich, Steube, (636) 528-3799, [email protected]; USS William Weigel AP 119, Boston, 6/10-13, (516) 747-7426 621st AC&W Sq (Sado Shima), Omaha, Chuck Ulrich, (516) 747-7426 NE, 6/4-6, Lowell Colwell, (419) 394-8592, USS Gen. Harry Taylor AP 145, Newton, MA, [email protected] JOINT 6/10-13, Chuck Ulrich, (516) 747-7426; USS Gen. J.C. Breckinridge AP 176, Boston, 6/10-13, 3606th Student Sqdn 1953 Aircraft AP Trans Grp, Newton, MA, 6/10-13, Chuck Ulrich, (516) 747-7426; Frat Order of Chuck Ulrich, (516) 747-7426; USS Gen. M.B. Observer Classes 53 N-29R & 53 O-29R Stewart AP 140, Newton, MA, 6/10-13, Chuck (Ellington AFB, TX), Hasbrouck Heights, Underwater Swim School, San Diego, 5/7-9, Don Stone, (561) 391-6727, [email protected]; Ulrich, (516) 747-7426; USS Gen. W.F. Hase AP NJ, 4/17, Gerald Cervino, (973) 839-8712, 146, Newton, MA, 6/10-13, Chuck Ulrich, (516) [email protected] Iwo Jima Vets & Family Assn, Wichita Falls, TX, 2/18-22, Howard Phillips, (714) 990-2560, 747-7426; USS Gen. William Mitchell AP 114, [email protected]; Port Boston, 6/10-13, Chuck Ulrich, (516) 747-7426; ARMY Lyautey/Kenitra, Reno, NV, 4/23-26, Doug USS Golden City AP 169, Boston, 6/10-13, Chuck Ulrich, (516) 747-7426 28th Inf Rgt Assn (WWII) “Black Lions,” Scott, (580) 362-2275, [email protected] Tyson’s Corner, VA, 5/27-30, Walt Landry, (409) USS Isle Royale AD 29, Gulfport, MS, 985-9437; 31st Inf “Dixie” Div, Huntsville, MARINES Summer, George Lowell, (870) 389-6516, AL, 4/15-18, Marion Spencer, (601) 992-0472, Delta Co 1st Bn 3rd Mar, Las Vegas, 6/3-6, [email protected]; USS [email protected]; 47th & 1397th Ray Kelley, (818) 832-8631, [email protected]; John Paul Jones Assn DD 230/DD 932/DDG Eng, Las Vegas, Feb, Howard Morris, (956) 581- H-3-7 Mar (Korea, 1950-1955), Arlington, 32/DDG53, Philadelphia, 4/29-5/3, Richard 0203; 61st MP Co (France, 1950s & 1960s), VA, 5/5-9, Bob Nichols, (727) 392-2886, Wagar, (609) 654-0867, rwagar@ comcast.net; Atlanta, 6/14, Joey V. Thurman, (678) 234-4790, [email protected]; Howe Co 3rd Bn 5th USS King DLG 10/DDG 41 Assn, New [email protected] Mar Div, Denver, 5/12-15, Chuck Rapp, (303) Orleans, 6/10-13, Ray Marshall, (269) 496-7993, 986-6998; I Co 3/7 1st Mar Div (All Wars), [email protected]; USS Manatee AO 73rd Tankers Assn (1947-1997), Pigeon Forge, Myrtle Beach, SC, 4/28-5/1, Denis Deibert, (717) 58, Las Vegas, 5/6-8, Bill Cress, (361) 547-6938, TN, 5/17-20, Curtis Banker, (518) 643-2302, 652-1695; USMC Avn Recon Assn (MCARA), [email protected] [email protected]; 84th Inf Div, Branson, 5/3-6, Paul T. Kuras, (520) 625-3148, Indianapolis, 8/14-17, C.H. Weddle, (317) 784- [email protected]; VMF-461, Charleston, SC, USS Noa DD 841/DD 343/APD 24, Kissimmee, 9325; 181st Eng Heavy Pontoon Bn, European 4/25-28, Dave Aland, [email protected] FL, 3/24-28, Wilma Bennett Rascoe, (386) Tour, 7/21-30, Brooks Ranney, (605) 665-3596, 228-3366 ; USS President Monroe AP [email protected]; 498th Med Co (Air NAVY 104, Boston, 6/10-13, Chuck Ulrich, (516) Ambulance), San Antonio, 2/19, Al Flory, (210) 747-7426; USS Pyro AE 1/ AE 24 Assn, 599-9673, af [email protected]; 600th Photo Flying Midshipmen Assn (1946-1950), Tampa, New Orleans, 3/10-14, John Burtoft, (225) Sqdn, Albuquerque, NM, 6/11-13, Ron Marshall, FL, 3/31-4/4, Bob Eilertson, (727) 447-2066, 767-0590, [email protected]; USS Richard E. (505) 254-7984, [email protected] [email protected]; Intl Chief Petty Kraus DD 849/AG 151/EDD 849, Mobile, AL, Officers Assn, Branson, MO, 6/11-14, Patrick 3/21-25, Bob Simon, (856) 933-9483, simon- 862nd Eng Avn Bn (1942-1956), St. Louis, H. Ahern, (877) 420-1758, [email protected]; [email protected] 5/12-16, Sherl Hasler, (812) 384-4666; USS Adm. W.S. Benson AP 120, Newton, A, B & C Cos 2nd Bn 8th Inf (Mech) MA, 6/10-13, Chuck Ulrich, (516) 747-7426; USS USS Roanoke CL 145, Myrtle Beach, SC, “Panthers” 4th Inf Div (Vietnam), Las Albemarle Assn AV 5, Washington, 5/16-18, 4/22-25, Thomas Carter, (407) 767-9075, Vegas, 6/6-10, Joe Michnowski, (763) 421-1407, Ron Reid, (860) 267-2825, [email protected] [email protected]; USS Schofield [email protected]; C Btry 3rd Msl Bn DEG/FFG 3, San Diego, 6/24-27, Richard (Nike-Hercules) 596th Arty, Waukesha, USS Atka AGB 3, Charleston, SC, 3/25- Cohagan, (770) 623-9022, [email protected]; WI, 6/12-13, Sydney Miller, (262) 782-8026, 27, Henry G. Giles, (734) 591-3068; USS USS Shea DM 30, Albuquerque, NM, 4/29-5/2, [email protected] Betelgeuse AK 260, North Charleston, Ernie Dyal, (229) 868-6120, [email protected]; SC, 4/22-25, Arthur Miller, (843) 797-7727, USS Smalley DD 565, Baton Rouge, LA, D Btry 3rd Msl Bn (Nike-Ajax) 67th Arty, [email protected]; USS Bugara SS 331, 5/16-23, George Bauersfeld, (914) 736-6377, Waukesha, WI, 6/12-13, Sydney Miller, Groton, CT, 6/24-27, Dick Holmboe, (408) [email protected]; USS Thomas E. Fraser (262) 782-8026, [email protected]; D Btry 270-9694, [email protected]; USS DM 24, Wilmington, NC, 5/17-19, Bill Sturgill, 401st AAA Missile Bn, Waukesha, WI, Bushnell AS 15, Mobile, AL, 5/6-10, Andy (517) 522-8594; USS Yarnall DD 541, Seattle, 6/12-13, Sydney Miller, (262) 782-8026, Gorto, (570) 826-1811, [email protected]; 5/14-16, Roger McCracken, (818) 894-4982, [email protected] USS Carp SS 338, Branson, MO, 7/15-17, Jim [email protected] Burkholder, (865) 671-6229, jimburkholder@ ARMY AIR FORCE aol.com; USS Conyngham DD 371/DDG 17, LIFE MEMBERSHIPS Bloom-ington, MN, 6/9-13, Dave Suckow, (651) 456th Bomb Grp 15th AAF (WWII), Riverside, 681-1927, [email protected]; USS Corpus Post 347, FL: Donald R. Hissong CA, 5/12-16, Ed S. Moore, (785) 625-7515 Christi Bay, Washington, 5/16-18, Ron Reid, Post 15, NH: Harold P. Baker, Lawrence E.

60 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine Berry, Edward A. Brown, Aurol J. Chaisson, [email protected] STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, Edward A. Dupuis, Leon L. Dustin, Cyrus Gray, All Berlin Vets (1945-1995), Mark Lind, (602) Ernest B. Holt, Richard Straw 973-8642, [email protected] MANAGEMENT Post 221, NJ: Stewart V. Veale C-159/D-220/D-243/E-317 (NTC Sampson, AND CIRCULATION Post 316, PA: Joseph R. Tomko NY, Apr-June 1944), Edward F. Caramanica, (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685) Post 553, PA: Dwight M. Barton, Fred C. (978) 535-2079 Blanchard, Albert F. Roll 1. Title of Publication: THE AMERICAN LEGION C Co 128th Avn Bn (Fort Kobbe, Panama, MAGAZINE. 1990-1992), Frank Montes, (209) 570-3141 2. Publication Number 0886-1234 COMRADES IN DISTRESS Co 519 2nd Plt (NTC San Diego, Nov 1945- 4. Date of fi ling: September 3, 2003. 36th Ftr Grp 98th Bomb Wing. Raymond G. Jan 1946), Howard Herstein, (515) 282-7266, 4. Frequency of issue: Monthly. Hurd seeks witnesses to verify he suffered [email protected] 5. No. of issues published annually: 12. arm and shoulder wounds when struck by Crash Crew 2nd MAW MWSG-27 (Bogue Field, 6. Annual subscription price: $3.00. debris from a plane crash at Y-47, Namur, SATS Opn, 1960-1964), Dennis Manning, (706) 7. Complete mailing address of known offi ce of publica- Belgium, in late August or early September 866-6676, [email protected] tion: 5745 Lee Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46216 (Marion County). 1945. CID 1455 Flts 197, 198, 199 Basic Tng (“Football 8. Complete mailing address of headquarters of general Fever,” Lackland AFB, San Antonio, business offi ces of the publisher: 700 North Pennsyl- IN SEARCH OF Aug-Nov 1952), Estelle (Barker) Cota, (503) vania St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. 252-3286 9. Names and addresses of publisher, editor and manag- 1st Am Trk Co 1st Am Trac Bn 3rd Mar H & HS-38 MACG-38 Motor Trans (MCAS El ing editor: Div FMF (Camp McGill, Japan, 1954- Toro, CA, 1973-1975), Tony Martinez, (817) Publisher: Daniel S. Wheeler, 700 N. Pennsylvania 1955), Joseph Cromer, (570) 824-4486, St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 [email protected] 293-3606 Houston Recruiting Bn (1988-1990), Ruth Editor: John Raughter, 700 N. Pennsylvania St., 2nd MT 2nd Mar Div (Camp Lejeune, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 1960-1964), Wally Wellner, (440) 967-6985, (Nieves) Montes, (209) 469-3963 Managing Editor: Jeffrey Stoffer, 700 N. Pennsylva- [email protected] HQ 6th Serv Cmd (Chicago, Nov 1942- nia St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 34th Arty Bde HQ & HQ Btry (Fort Sill, OK, Feb 1944), Bob Bird, (740) 432-4157, 10. Owner (Do not leave blank. If the publication is 1960-1963), Don Bryant, (706) 884-2375, [email protected] owned by a corporation, give the name and address [email protected] HQ & HQ Det 87th Maint Bn Nellingen of the corporation immediately followed by the 46th MRU(M) 3rd, 9th Army (Europe, June Barracks (Germany, Jan 1965-Feb names and addresses of all stockholders owning 1944-Nov 1945), Bob Bird, (740) 432-4157, 1967), Joe Goozie, (207) 282-7437, or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of [email protected] [email protected] stock. If not owned by a corporation, give the names and addresses of the individual owners. If owned by 68th Air Refueling Sqdn (Lake Charles, LA, NSA LCPL Det (Qui Nhon, Vietnam, 1966- 1953-1955), John Parks, (501) 982-3518, a partnership or other unincorporated fi rm, give its 1967), Art Pike, (315) 536-4090 name and address as well as those of each individual [email protected] Plt 296 (MCRD Parris Island, SC, Sept-Dec owner. If the publication is published by a nonprofi t 69th Sig Co Photo (Kaiserslautern, Germany, 1972), Wayne Snelley, (978) 433-9120, organization, give its name and address.) 1971-1976), Dennis Speigelhalder, (717) [email protected] The American Legion Headquarters, 700 N. Pennsylva- 692-5312 Plt 379 C Co (MCRD Parris Island, SC, Dec nia St., P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206. 77th Inf Div 77th Recon Trp (Cebu & 11. Known bondholders, mortgages, and other security Saporro, Japan, 1945-1946), Charles T. 1963), Robert Midkiff, (504) 254-4153, [email protected] holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the Hayes, (573) 729-4471, frostytop@salemnet. total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: com Sigma Chi WWII Vets, Anthony Dauer, (703) None. 82nd Abn 307th Cbt Eng 2nd Plt (WWII), 660-1339, [email protected] 12. Tax Status: For completion by nonprofi t organiza- Walter Kearns, 259 Crabtree Court, Basking Spec Sec Det/Grp ACSI (1960-1974), tions authorized to mail at nonprofi t rates. The Ridge, NJ 07920, (908) 604-2078 Michael D. Queen, (760) 355-1273, purpose, function, and nonprofi t status of this orga- 131st Ord Heli (Korea, 1951-1952), Robert G. [email protected] nization and the exempt status for Federal income Mathers, (231) 582-6543 Unit Flag Allowance COMBARPAC (Barbers tax purposes have not changed during the preceding 148th Ord R&C Co (Greisheim-Frankfort, Point, HI, Aug 1959-June 1961), C.N. Shedd, 12 months. Germany, 1951-1952), Percy R. Derouen, (601) 799-5745, [email protected] 13. Publication Title: The American Legion 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September (337) 477-1672 USS Claude Jones DE 1033 (Eng Dept, 1964- 2003 155th Trans Co TS (Fort Story, VA, Goose 1970), Dale E. Johnson, (614) 879-4092 15. Extent and nature of circulation: AFB, Labrador, Canada, or Thule AFB, USS Cowpens CVL 25 (South Pacific, 1943- Actual Number Greenland, 1959-1961), Darrell Myers, (217) 1946), Patrick Driscoll, (863) 956-9795 Average No. of Copies of 335-2609, [email protected] USS Gunston Hall LSD 44 (1960-1964), Floyd Copies Each Single Issue 508th MP Bn, Richard Jones, (402) 478-4785, Issue During Published McMillin, P.O. Box 812, Lebanon, OR 97355 Preceding Nearest to [email protected] USS Koiner DER 331 (1962-1964), Larry 578th LEM (Phu Bai, Vietnam, 1969-1970), 12 Months Filing Date Jacobsmeyer, (801) 725-1627 Marion “Nick” Nicholson, (419) 253-4560, a. Total No. of Copies USS Savannah AOR 4 (1970-1995), Dale Printed ...... 2,609,245 2,613,925 [email protected] b. Paid and/or Requested Circulation 622nd MP Co (Uijonbu, Korea, Nov 1952-May Ebersold, (812) 886-4252, dale@ usssavannah. com 1.Paid/Requested Outside- 1954), Dee “Tex” Pelham, (972) 896-2766, County Subscriptions Stated [email protected] USS Vancouver LPD 2 (1960-1964), Floyd McMillin, P.O. Box 812, Lebanon, OR 97355 on Form 3541...... 2,599,265 2,603,398 729th AC&W (Travis Field, Savannah, GA, 2. Paid In-County Subscriptions...... 0 0 USS Wenatchee ATF 118, Bob Thornton, (803) Dec 1955), Mitchell “Mike” Gramza, (716) 3. Sales Through Dealers and 937-9381 471-3424 Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter 1280th AACS Sq (High Wycombe, England, Wpns Co 2nd Bn 6th Mar 2nd Mar Div FMF Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid 1959-1961), Jack Kritzer, (315) 458-4483, CLNC (1954-1957), Richard A. Henkel, (719) Distribution ...... 5,205 5,196 [email protected] 948-5474, [email protected] 4. Other Classes Mailed Through 1620th Support Sqdn Aircraft Maint the USPS...... 0 0 (Torrejon AB, Spain, 1959-1962), TAPS c. Total Paid and/or Requested Ken “Willie” Williams, (706) 595-9874, Circulation (Sum of 15b (1),(2), [email protected] Kenneth G. Dahner, Dept. of Pennsylvania. (3), and (4))...... 2,604,470 2,608,594 1990th AACS Sq (Orly Field, Paris, 1958), Nat’l Americanism Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1987- d. Free distribution by mail Jack Kritzer, (315) 458-4483, [email protected] 2003. 1. Outside-County as Stated 2913rd PTC MP Co (Wurzburg, Germany, William J. Lucas, Dept. of Connecticut. Dept. on Form 3541 ...... 3,803 4,304 1945-1947), James Messina, (724) 758-7772 Cmdr. 1980-1981, Nat’l Sec. Cncl. Vice Chmn. 2. In-County as Stated 3913rd Air Base Sqdn Sec (RAF Stat 1990-1991 and Nat’l Foreign Relations Cncl. on Form 3541 ...... 0 0 Bassingbourn, England, 1950-1951), Rod Vice Chmn. 1997-1999. 3.Other Classes Mailed Through Schmolhaus, (303) 659-4682, or Charles Thomas A. 0Moore, Dept. of Idaho. Nat’l the USPS...... 0 0 e. Free distribution outside the mail.....0 0 Scanlon, (512) 285-5110 Distinguished Guests Cmte. Vice Chmn. 1989- 8309th Army Unit Radio Opns Det, f. Total Free distribution 1993, Nat’l Employment Cmte. Consultant Hawaii Sig Opn Grp, Waipio Transmitter (Sum of 15d and 15e)...... 3,803 4,304 Branch (Oahu, HI, Sept 1950-Sept 1952,) 1993-1995, Nat’l Employment Cmte. Memb. g. Total distribution Lee Turner, (618) 997-4434, leeit222@ 1993-2001 and Dept. Cmdr. 1996-1997. (Sum of 15c and 15f) ...... 2,608,273 2,612,898 earthlink.net Lee Roehrman, Dept. of Arizona. Nat’l Sec. h. Copies not distributed...... 972 1,027 A Co 1st Bn (Abn) 327th Inf (Vietnam, Cncl. Vice Chmn. 1975-1977, Nat’l Mbrshp. i. Total (Sum of 15g and h.)... 2,609,245 2,613,925 1968), Conley Wilkerson, (859) 332-8681, & Post Activ. Cmte. Memb. 1976-1977 and j. Percent Paid and/or [email protected] 1981-1982, Dept. Cmdr. 1977-1978, Nat’l Requested Circulation...... 99.85 99.84 A, B & C Cos 2nd Bn 8th Inf 4th Inf Div Children & Youth Cmsn. Memb. 1978-1981 17. I certify that all information furnished on this (Mech) “Panthers” (Vietnam, 1966- and Nat’l Children & Youth Cmsn. Vice Chmn. form is true and complete. 1972), Gerald Koelling, (919) 644-6430, 1979-1980. (Signed) Daniel S. Wheeler, Publisher

December 2003 61 The American Legion Magazine

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December 2003 63 The American Legion Magazine parting shots When you stop believing in Santa Claus, you get underwear for Christmas.

“I ONCE BOUGHT my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note saying, ‘Toys not included.’” – Bernard Manning

JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS, an honest politician, a generous lawyer and Santa Claus were riding in the elevator of a posh hotel. Just before the doors “Name of your former bank.” opened, they all noticed a $20 After a moment’s hesitation, she bill lying on the fl oor. Which one wrote, “Piggy.” picked it up? Santa, of course. The other two don’t exist. ONE DAY a housework-chal- lenged husband decided to wash CHRISTMAS IS THE ONLY his sweatshirt. Seconds after holiday when we sit around stepping into the laundry room, looking at a dead tree and eating he shouted to his wife, “What candy out of our socks. setting do I use on the washing machine?” A MOTHER DECIDED that her “It depends,” she replied. 10-year-old daughter, Cathy, “What does it say on your shirt?” should get something practical “University of Oklahoma,” he for Christmas. “Suppose we open yelled back. a savings account for you?” the “Burnout? You only work mother suggested. Cathy liked A MAN WALKS into a bar, one day a year.” the idea. orders a triple of the best in the dinner. The man took out his “It’s your account, darling,” house and slams it down in one wallet, extracted two dollars and the mother said as they arrived gulp. He then orders another, asked, “If I give you this money, at the bank, “so you fi ll out the slams it and reorders. will you take it and buy whiskey?” application.” “That’s expensive whiskey to “No, I stopped drinking years Cathy had no problems until drink so fast,” the bartender says. ago,” the bum said. she came to the space marked, “You’d drink it fast too if you “Will you use it to gamble?” had what I have,” the “I don’t gamble. I need every- man answers. thing I can get just to stay alive.” “What do you have?” “Will you spend the money on “Two dollars.” greens fees at a golf course?” “Are you crazy? I haven’t FATTEST ONE OF ALL played golf in 20 years!” Husband: “What have The man said, “Well, I’m not you been doing with all going to give you two dollars. the grocery money I Instead, I’m going to take you to give you?” my home for a terrifi c dinner Wife: “Turn sideways cooked by my wife.” and look in the mirror.” The bum was astounded. “Won’t your wife be furious with you for WALKING IN THE city, a doing that? I know I’m dirty, and I man was accosted by a probably smell pretty bad.” particularly dirty and “That’s OK,” the man replied. shabby-looking bum “I just want her to see what a “And just how does he determine who asked him for a man looks like who has given up who’s naughty and who’s nice?” couple of dollars for drinking, gambling and golf.”

64 December 2003 The American Legion Magazine Asbestos Cancer Hits Former Sailors

Many sailors who served their country proudly aboard ships in the World War II, Korean, and Vietnam War eras, are now being diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers.

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