JUNE 2004 Vol. 156, No. 6 features 12 The Greatest Legislation The American Legion-created GI Bill laid the MORE THAN foundations for civil rights and a middle class. BENEFITS 12 By Kenneth E. Cox 34 Not Child’s Play Violent fi lms and video games battle for the soul of America’s youth. By Jay Stuller 38 The Invasion That Changed the World The amphibious operation known as D-Day secured freedom and spelled doom for the Axis powers. 40 ‘Toward Purposeful Dissent’ BLOOD A liberal professor makes the case for not opposing FEUD 34 the fl ag amendment. By Steven Lubet 42 ‘Make a Difference’ Legionnaires gather on Capitol Hill for fl ag hearing, launch of Impact 2004 voting initiative. BEGINNING OF THE END 38 22 Agent Orange: Haze of Deception New evidence gives Vietnam War veterans the ammunition needed for a defi nitive federal study on the defoliant and its effects. By James V. Carroll Cover illustration: Steve Stone departments 4 Vet Voice 50 Under the Radar 52 Living Well Perspective on Iraq, VA committed to solving Commander’s Message 8 Green Berets in Mali Agent Orange puzzle. Brace yourselves for and the Pentagon memorial. ‘Impact 2004’ 56 Comrades 10 Big Issues 64 Parting Shots Federal funding for the arts 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. June 2004 1 The American Legion Magazine EXCLUSIVELY DESIGNED TO HONOR VIETNAM VETERANS UNITED STATES MILITARY VIETNAM SERVICE RINGS Featuring the Official Vietnam Service Medal and Ribbon, The Vietnam Memorial Wall and Your Service Branch Emblem 700 N. Pennsylvania St. P.O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 (317) 630-1200 http://www.legion.org National Commander John A. Brieden III Published by The American Legion EDITORIAL Editor John Raughter Managing Editor Jeff Stoffer Contributing Editor Steve Brooks Assistant Editor James V. Carroll Assistant Editor Matt Grills Assistant Editor Elissa Kaupisch Editorial Administrator Patricia Marschand General Administrator Brandy Ballenger General Administrator Robin Bowman Enameled Service GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION Ribbon & Official Graphics/Production Director Jon Reynolds Art Director Holly K. Soria The Vietnam Service Medal Designer Douglas Rollison Memorial Wall Designer King Doxsee ADVERTISING Inner band Advertising Director Diane Andretti engraved with Advertising Assistant Sara Palmer your initials & Advertising Assistant Leslie Hankins years served The American Legion Magazine P.O. Box 7068 Indianapolis, IN 46207 FOX ASSOCIATES, INC. American Made, Handcrafted Publisher’s Representatives in Solid Sterling Silver and Chicago: (312) 644-3888 New York: (212) 725-2106 22 karat Antiqued Gold Finishes Los Angeles: (213) 228-1250 Detroit: (248) 543-0068 e proudly present our Official Vietnam Vietnam Veterans rings. On one side a Veteran Atlanta: (404) 497-7690 Veterans Military Service Rings to visits a lost friend and hero at the Vietnam Email: [email protected] THE AMERICAN LEGION Whonor those who served our Country. Memorial Wall, echoing the inscription “You Are MAGAZINE COMMISSION Not Forgotten”. On the other side the powerful Dennis J. Henkemeyer, Chairman, Sauk Rapids, MN; The top of the ring bears the words “Vietnam Samuel Barney, Vice Chairman, Lancaster, OH; Charles Veteran” in high relief letters and frames a Vietnam Service Medal stands below the Vietnam E. Hartman, National Commander’s Representative, Eau beautifully sculpted Military Service Emblem of Service Ribbon, as a permanent tribute to Claire, PA; James J. Charleston, Consultant, Island Lake, your service. IL; Robert A. Corrigan, Consultant, Bronx, NY. Com- your choice (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine or mission Members: Harold F. Arnold, Statesboro, GA; Coast Guard). YOU HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT J.O. Berthelot, Gonzalez, LA; Vincent E. Blank, Vinton, IA; Donald R. Conn, South Bend, IN; James W. Conway, The sides of the ring are highly detailed, original TO WEAR THIS SPECIAL RING. Charlestown, MA; Bettylou Evans, Laurel, DE; Philip B. artistic sculptures created especially for these Finley, Colby, KS; James Hall, Hopewell, NJ; Theodore Hartmann, Smithton, IL; Charles R. John, Duncan, OK; WWII RING YOUR CHOICE OF SERVICE BRANCH EMBLEM SCULPTED ON TOP OF RING. KOREAN RING Bob Legan, Russellville, AR; J. Fred Mitchell, Brewton, COMING SOON! COAST COMING SOON! ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE MARINES AL; Michael L. Montaney, Ephrata, WA; Silas M. Noel, GUARD Frankfurt, KY; Everett G. Shepard III, Woodstock, CT; George G. Sinopoli, Fresno, CA; Robert E. Vass Sr., Hun- tington, WV; Frank C. Ward, Greenville, SC. NEC Liaison Committee: William W. Kile, Chairman, Petersburg, WV; Alfred Pirolli, Philadelphia, PA; Arthur E. Sell, Big Timber, MT; Marco A. Valenzuela, Tempe, AZ. FOR FASTEST SERVICE CALL TOLL FREE TO ORDER: 1-800-255-3048 Authorized by the Korean War Veterans Copyright 2004 by The American Legion Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm EST Have Credit card and ring size ready when ordering. Memorial Foundation. The American Legion (ISSN 0886-1234) is published ORDER FORM monthly by The American Legion, 5745 Lee Road, India- Or, Mail to: napolis, IN 46216. Periodicals postage paid at Indiana polis, Veteran's Commemoratives Vietnam Rings 1250 Easton Road, Suite 290, Horsham, PA 19044 IN 46204 and additional mailing offices. Annual non- member and gift subscriptions, $15 ($21, foreign); post- K YES. I wish to order the following Exclusive SHIPPING ADDRESS spon sored and widows’ subscriptions, $6; single copy, (We CANNOT ship to P.O. Boxes) Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Service Ring: Check () choice: $3.50. Member annual subscription price $3.00, which RESERVE RESERVE is included in annual member dues. POSTMASTER: Send K VIETNAM K Korean MINE NOW! K WW2 MINE NOW! Name ______________________________________ VIETRIN-ALM-0604 address changes to The American Legion, Data Services, K Service Branch: Check () choice: P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Internet address: K Army K Navy K Air Force Address ______________________________________ http://www.legion.org. K Marine K Coast Guard Change of Address: Notify The American Legion, Data Services, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. (317) City _____State _ Zip ________ K Initials Desired (3): ____ ____ ____ 860-3111. Attach old address label, provide old and new addresses and current membership card number. K Service Yrs: ______ to ______ Signature ____________________________________ Canada Post International Publications Mall (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 546321. Re-entered I NEED SEND NO MONEY NOW. Bill me in three Phone # ____________________________________ second-class mail matter at Manila Central Post office monthly installments of $55* each, with the first dated Dec. 22, 1991. * Plus $9.95 for engraving, shipping, and handling. payment due prior to shipment. A custom ring sizer will PA residents add 6% ($10.50) sales tax. be sent to me before shipment to assure my correct fit. © ICM 2002-2003 These rings have been registered with the Printed in USA And my satisfaction is completely guaranteed. United States Copyright Office, as sculpture. Member Audit Bureau of Circulations VISIT VETERAN’S COMMEMORATIVES ONLINE AT WWW.VETCOM.COM Presenting U.S. ARMED FORCES COMMEMORATIVE .45s ™ The first Commemorative .45s ever issued to honor the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines and U.S. Air Force. A separate case is available for each. Fires .45 ACP In W W I,W W II, Korea and Vietnam, the .45 wide edition limit is only 1,911 pistols per became synonymous service branch, in honor of the year this legend was adopted by U.S. military forces. with the American Even the registry numbers are special, between fighting man. It 1 and 1911, with the prefix “USA,” “USMC,” is part of your “USN,” or “USAF,” depending on the branch of American past. service honored. he enemies of the Each is custom-built to military specifications by Free World in the Auto-Ordnance/Thompson, the company founded by T 20th century heard General John T. Thompson, who helped develop .45 the mighty roar and felt ACP ammunition and the weapon named after him, the the powerful blast of “Old Forty-Five,” the most Thompson. NRA test firing of this .45 showed accuracy powerful military-issued pistol in history. “significantly better than the average as issued Three generations of Americans fought with it — M1911.” It fires .45 ACP ammo and could be used to first against the Kaiser, then against the Führer and defend your home, family and, of course, nation. the Emperor, and twice against the Communists — in military power — quite possibly, your own service or Korea and Vietnam. One For Each Service Branch that of a family member. It is a symbol of your values If you were born between the late 1800s and 1968, it Four different .45s—one for each of our armed and beliefs — your presence — immortalized in steel. forces—are available. Each has different grips, is the symbol of your time, your day, your age. Future Continue the mission . lest we forget. Americans will look back on our time, with reverence, historical etchings, medallions, lanyards, case as the “.45 Era” of the 20th century. liner colors and Registry Number prefixes RESERVATION REQUEST Now “Old Slabsides” has been retired from the appropriate to each service branch, to make each .45 distinctive. Matching registry numbers for all Satisfaction is guaranteed or return within 30 days for a full refund. battlefields, replaced by the 9mm pistol, so we can fire Yes, please enter my reservation for the Armed Forces .45(s) selected below. the same ammo as our NATO Allies who don’t have the four pistols are available.