@@[D) /^mm ©(Q)y[MT[^Y April 1997 $2.50 Buick Salutes Y)ur Family At Buick, we're proud of oiif heritage as "The Great American Car." And we support The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary for the traditional American values you embrace. It's an honor to commit our resources to an organization that has, for nearly 80 years, contributed so much to communities, families and the American way of life. We, too, continue to build on our strengths and are especially proud to announce the all-new 1997 Park Avenue. It upholds Buick's uncompromising quality standards and provides you with an extraordinary automobile you'll be proud to call your own. For more information about the all-new Park Avenue call 1-800-4A-BU1CK. f IF;!®] BUICK Look for our newest family member: The all-new Park Avenue by Buick. THE AMERICA N Vol. 142, No. 4 The Magazine for a Strong America ARTICLES GO WITH YOUR GUT By Robert McGarvey If you've ever had a hunch, you can have more and better ones. THE MOST ARTFUL DODGER By Carl Erskine Fifty years ago, Jackie Robinson broke the color line. HOn/IEWARD ROUND By Phyllis Zauner A forgotten army of 250,000 homeless veterans gets some help. E O r E P U C AT MAKING THE GRADE ByLynnCrlner Much goes wrong In public schools, but some fixes are working. RAISING THE STANDARDS interview Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley grades our schools. DEGREES OF GUILT By Mark Rowh That "sheepskin" better not be Naugahyde. ISSUES Should The Department of Education be placed under Health & Human Services? H VETVOICE I ON DUTY LEGION NEWS COMMANDER'S MESSAGE 12 YOUR AMERICAN LEGION 21 VETS WASHINGTON WATCH 11 VETERANS UPDATE 42 PARTING SHOTS COVER When schools are class acts. Photo by Don Mason/Stock Market. The American Legion Magazine, a leader among national general-interest publications, is published nnonthly by Ihe American Legion for its 2,8 million members. These wartime veterans, worl<ing through nearly 1 5,000 communit/-level Posts, dedicate themselves to God and country and traditional Ameri- can values; strong national security; adequate and compassionate care for veterans, their widows and orphans; community service; and the wholesome development of our nation's youths. APRIL 1997 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • \ . SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW CUSTOMERS 1997 American Dollar at d cost! You can't purchase an Uncirculated American Eagle Silver ^ FOR GOD AND COUNTRY Dollar directly from the U.S. Mint. But you can now purchase MmN. 700 Pennsylvania St. this official U.S. Silver Dollar from Littleton Coin Company P C. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 at our cost, and with FREE shipment toyour home! 317-630-1200 The beautiful and sought-after $1 American Eagle is National Commander Joseph J. Frank over 99.9% pure silver, and carries the same design as the popular "Walking Liberty" silver coins of 1916-47. Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Steve Salerno You'll also receive our fully illustrated catalog, plus other Editor fascinating selections from our Free Examination Coins- Joe Stuteville on-Approval service, from which you may purchase any Art Director Simon Smith or none — return balance in 15 days — with option to Managing Editor cancel at any time. But don't delay — order your American Robert C. Imler Eagle Silver Dollar at our cost today! Assistant Editor Trent D. McNeeley Assistant Editor ™¥oWRfE' 1-800-936-7029 Julie A. Rhoad Assistant Editor ri997 American Eade Silver doMicim cost! Layne Cameron Please send me the Uncirculated American Eagle staff Pfiotographer Silver Dollar at Littletons cost and with Free John Simon 0YES!;Delivery (limit 5|. Order deadline; May 15, 1997. Editorial Administrator Joan L. Berzins Method of payment How many (limit 5|: Check or Money Order Enclosed Publication Design Total Cost at $6,75 each: $ Caron M. Morales VISA MasterCard Postage & Handling: $ FREE Production Assistant American Express Discover Total enclosed Cindy G. Thompson Card No Exp Date / General Administration I I Please send payment Patricia Marschand I \ I \ I I \ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ————————————————I with coupon to: Robyn Black Advertising Director Lj^Uttleton Donald B. Thomson Address. Coin pariv WL^ j Com Associate Advertising Manager ORDERS MUST BE City Diane Andretti RECEIVED BY Advertising Assistant Cathy Frakes IVIAY15, 1997 45-Day Money Back Guarantee ofSatisfaction The American Legion Magazine P.O. Box 7068 Indianapolis, IN 46207 317-630-1200 Publisher's Representathres Fox Associates, Inc. Chicago: 312-644-3888 New York: 212-725-2106 Los Angeles: 310-841-0280 Detroit, Ml: 810-543-0068 Atlanta: 404-252-0968 San Francisco: 415-989-5804 Bmman! Legion Magazine Commission Wm! The American Milford A. Forrester, Chairman, Greenville, SC; Russell H. The Branson VIP Vacation Laird, Vice Chairman, Des Moines, lA; Halbert G. Morton, Vice Chairman, Topeka, KS: James R. Kelley. National 'S A DEAL... 4funfiUed days, 3 star-studded nights at the Commander's Representative, Wayne, PA: George F. Ballard, Belleville, IL: Samuel Barney, Lancaster, OH: J. luxurious Welk Resort Hotel and your choice of any four of these legendary Leslie Brown Jr., Louisville, KY; James J. Charleston, Heights, IL: Joseph Chase, Hatboro, PA; Branson attractions: Tlie Andy Williams Show, Q The Lawrence Welk Arlington O Donald Conn, South Bend, IN: James W. Conway, Show, Q The Jim Stafford Show, O The Showboat Branson Belle, Charlestown, MA: Bettylou Evans, Laurel, DE; James H. Hall, Hopewell, NJ: Hoy M. Haught, Huntsville, AR; Presley's Jubilee, and 1880's Theme Park Silver Dollar City 0 0 Dennis J. Henkemeyer, Sauk Rapids, MN; Eugene J. —Jm'oiUy $189'90perpenon, double occupancy plus tax. Kelley, Savannah, GA: J. Fred Mitchell, Brewton, AL: J.H. Morris, Baton Rouge, LA: Everett G. Shepard, III, Branson, Missouri extends a warm welcome to Woodstock, CT: George G. Sinopoli, Fresno, CA: Robert E. Vass Sr., Huntington, WV: Paul T. Woodard, Lacey, Americans year-round... to see you! veterans we'd love WA; Tom C. Smith, Oklahoma City, OK: Casimir F. Sojka, Consultant, New York, NY. Copyright 1997 by The American Legion The American Legion (ISSN 0886-1234) is published monthly by The American Legion, 5561 W. 74th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Periodicals postage paid at Indiana- polis, IN 46204 and additional mailing offices. Annual non-member and gift subscriptions, $15 ($21, For- eign): post-sponsored and widows' subscriptions, $6: Sin- gle copy, $3. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The American Legion, Input Services, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapo- lis, IN 46206. Internet address: http://www.legion.org. Change of Address: Notify The American Legion, Input Services, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. 317-328- 4640. Attach old address label, provide old and new addresses and current membership card number. To request microfilm copies, please write to: University Microfilms, 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 Canada Post International Publications Mall (Canadian Call toll-free today to place your order! VIDEO! Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 546321. Re-entered Manila Central Post office The Branson MP Vacation For a FREE informative video about Branson, MO, second class mail matter at dated December 22, 1991 ($4.95 shipping/handling charge) call 1-800-505-9555 1-800-277-3500 Printed in USA Vacation # AL3 Offer expires 9/30/97 Member Audit Bureau of Circulations 2 • THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • APRIL 1997 Hear why the Caix now and BosE" Wave^ radio The key is our patented acoustic wave- make six interest- was named a guide speaker technology. Just as a flute free payments. 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