T — n rum ^imii^d©^ The Magazine for a Strong America Vol. 139, No. 5 November 1995 ARTICLE s HAWAIIAN HEAT Led by an overpoweringpitcher, Aiea wins The American Legion World Series. By T. Douglas Donaldson 18 WE CAN'T PUT IT OFF TILL TOMORROW Nothing but military readiness can ensure America 'sfuture. By Evan S Baker 20 A TIME FOR HONOR A Veterans Day class on patriotism, taught by Medal ofHonor recipients. By Miles Z.Epstein 24 BOWLING ALONE Wy we are becoming a nation ofloners. 26 BORROWED TIME 18 One way or another, it was to be our lastpatrol ByJimmy L. Emory 28 A GIFT FOR BUSINESS — 'Tis the season toCONVENTIONbe savvy about giving and receiving By Robert McGarvey 36 REPORT FROM INDIANAPOLIS Delegates celebrate the end of WWII and pick up thefightfor today 's veterans. By T. Douglas Donaldson 32 THREE CHEERS FOR THE ENOLA GAY CREW Worthy recipients ofThe American Legion 's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. 41 RESOLUTIONS During the convention, 39 resolutions were passedfor the good ofthe nation. 42 28 HIGHLIGHTS Guest speakers, bands, drill teams and Legionnaires themselves—what they said and did. 44 NATIONAL OFFICERS Profdes oftheDEPARTIVIE1995-96 American Legion leaders NTS 48 BIG ISSUES Should Congress repeal the ban on assault weapons? 10 VETVOICE 4 ON DUTY 14 VETS 62 COMMANDER'S MESSAGE 8 YOUR AMERICAN LEGION 16 PARTING SH6TS 80 WASHINGTON WATCH 12 VETERANS UPDATE 56 COVER Sid Butteifield then and now. At Anzio in 1944, his unit, the 488th Port Bn., endured almostfour months ofheavy bombardment while unloading crucial suppliesfor the Italian campaign. The American Legion salutes Butteifield and all veterans. See the Commander's Message, "D 'scovering the Meaning ofVeter- ans Day, " Page 8, and "A Time For Honor, " Page 24. The American legion Magazine, a leader among national general-interest publications, is pubiistied monttily by The American Legion for its 3 million members. These military-service veterans, working through nearly 1 5,000 community-level Posts, dedicate themselves to God and country and traditional American values; strong national securit/; adequate and compassionate core for veterans, their wid- ows and orphans; community service; and the wholesome development of our nation's youths. NOVEMBER 1995 1 . FOR GOD AND COUNTRY 700 N. Pennsylvania St. P.O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 317-630-1200 Daniel A. Ludwig National Commander Daniel S. Wheeler Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Steve Salerno Editor Simon Smith Art Director Miles Z. Epstein Managing Editor Raymond H. Mahon Associate Editor Ken Scharnberg Veterans Affairs Editor T. Douglas Donaldson Assistant Editor Joan L. Berzins Editorial Administrator Canon M. Morales Art Assistant Cindy G. 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Box 66, Cannonsburg, MI 49317-0066 Telephone: 616-942-6016 Fax: 616-942-6866 Printed in USA Member Audit Bureau of Circulations 2 THE AMERICAN LEGION "Comfort, comfort, comfort! In two years sleeping on my Select Comfort mattress I haven't had a single stiff or 'achy breaky' morning backache!" —Mrs. Shane P., Rio Rancho, NM Why Back Paia Sufferers Sleep Better On Air. "/ have had rheumatoid arthritis with See for yourself why the patented a crushed vertebra for the past 20 years. Select Comfort adjustable firmness mattress During this 20 year period, I was unable is recommended by the many doctors to put in a full night of comfortable sleep. who use our product. Send for our FREE I decided to purchase a Select Comfort brochure and demonstration video. mattress, sight unseen. After three nights And try our No-Risk 90 Night Trial of using this mattress, I never had Program. We're so sure you'll sleep better another pain in my back again. 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I would not be writing this letter if he correctness generated by those gutless Hal Miller didn't decide to drop the bomb. wonders in Washington, D.C., it is Fairhorn, Ohio Bernard H. Schleiter indeed refreshing to read your histori- St. Paul, Minn. cal account of events which agree with the facts. As a veteran of World War The "Haunting Recollections" let- ter in the "Victory sec- I have mixed emotions about Harry II and the Korean War, I salute you on Remembered" Truman. He undoubtedly saved many a job well done. tion of the September issue contained Henry M. McCracken the following sentence: "It was fitting lives when he decided to drop the the other hand, Charleston, S.C. that when President Roosevelt an- atomic bombs. On hmmc@#awod.com nounced Japan had surrendered, all the Truman was the first American Presi- ships turned on their lights." It was dent to decide that we would fight and President Harry Truman, not Roo- not win in a war. That decision result- The photographs and artwork in the sevelt who made that announcement. ed in a cold war that cost the Ameri- September issue are absolutely won- William J. Carx'er can people billions of dollars. derful. It brought back many memo- Jenison, Mich. We may yet pay dearly for some of ries of my childhood. My dad and I Truman's decisions. I would think would watch war movies together, and long and hard before considering him he would retell his experiences about Editor's Note: We regret not catch- among our greatest Presidents.