The AUTHENTIC F NO JACKET J^ NECESSARY / It all started out in gracious, civilized pre-Qstro Havana. In that hot, humid climate, suits and ties were out of the question and all the best looking, most important citizens wore the ultra-cool, ultra-handsome Guayabera Summer Shirt. Now Haband, the mail order people in Paterson, New Jersey, continue the tradition and bring you the world-famous Guayabera Shirt at this low direct price: Shirts for Only 24 Today the Guayabera is an Ail-American hot-weather Leisure Favorite. Travellers, Chief Executives and Professional Men everywhere wear the Guayabera in perfect style — no tie, no jacket necessary. The cool no-iron polyester/cotton fabric stays fresh all day, plus you have four big pockets, side vents, lots of button trim and superb detailing front & back! This unique Haband import sells out every year, so now is the time to ^ get your order in, while supplies last and you still have all 4 COOL Summer Colors to Choose! Don't Pay $25 for ONE Shirt. Use this coupon and cash in / on these direct order savings today! Haband's M 95 3 for 37.25 Summer Shirts SAVE $2: 4 for 47.90! HABAND COMPANY Sizes: S(14-14y2); M(15-1514); 265 N. 9th Street L(16-16y2); XUV-WA). Paterson, NJ 07530 Please add $2 each shirt Si, Seriorl Please send me for 2XL(18-18y2) & 3XL(19-19!41 Guayabera Shirts as indicated hereon. HOW WHAT 160 COLOR MANY? SJZE7 PRICE $ A WHITE Postage and handling $2.25 Big Size 2XL & 3XL BLUE add $2 per shirt C TAN TOTAL $ Check enclosed or charge Visa MC F YELLOW Acct. # Exp. Date / GU3r3nteei if for any reason you are not absolutely delighted, return any time within 30 days for a full refund of every penny you paid us. no questions asked. 7TL-160 NAME NJ STREET APT. * 265 N. 9th Street^Pa^^r^ CITY/STATE " LECBN The Magazine for a Strong America Vol. 122, No. 5 May 1987 ARTICLE 5 THE HOUSE AT CHECKPOINT CHARLIE 16 A museum dedicated to death-defying seekers offreedom. By Paul Martin INVESTING IN THE FUTURE 20 An exclusive interview with Barber Conable, head ofthe World Bank. LETTERS HOME FROM VIETNAM 22 "/ . lost myfirst man today. He was killed by accident. AMERICA, THE VULNERABLE 24 Is the money the U.S. saves by ignoring civil defense worth 144 million people? By Philip C. Clarke MUSEUM OF ARMORED MEMORIES 26 20 A Hoosier Legionnaire's hobby could equip a small army. PORNOGRAPHY IN AMERICA 28 What we must do to stop the sexual exploitation ofmillions ofchildren. By David A. Scott THE ARCTIC: STRATEGIC HOT SPOT? 30 Why the U. S. and USSR are vyingfor a military toehold in the Arctic. ByJay Stuller THE WIT OF YAKOV SMIRNOFF 32 A Soviet emigre's humor is deadly serious. THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE 36 Nat'l. Cmdr. Dean criticizes the VAfor shirking its health-care responsibility. THE NATIONAL COMMANDER IN CENTRAL AMERICA 39 U.S. economic assistance is needed to help democracy survive. A$2-MILLI0N CHAIR 41 Minnesota Legionnaires lead the way in brain sciences research. DEPARTME NTS BIG ISSUES Should The United States Withdraw Its Troops From Europe? 13 LETTERS 4 LEGION NEWS BRIEFS 47 ORBEN'S WORLD 57 COMMANDER'S MESSAGE 6 POST OF THE MONTH 49 VETERANS ADVISER 58 DATELINE WASHINGTON 8 LEGIONNAIRES IN ACTION 51 PARTING SHOTS 64 VETERANS UPDATE 34 VETERANS ALERT 52 THE COVER Memorial Day 1987. Photo by Kulik/Photri. 39 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 military-service veterans, work- ing through 16,000 community-level posts, dedicate themselves to God and country and traditional American values; a strong national security; adequate and compassionate care for veterans, their widows and orphans; community service; and the wholesome development of our nation's youth. MAY 1987 1 LEGIONTHE AMERICAN MAGAZINE Editorial Offices 700 North Pennsylvania St. P.O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 317-635-8411 James P. Dean National Commander A Place of Honor For Honored Colors Daniel S. Wheeler Dear Friends, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief How rr^any of you have Memorial Flags, in drawers, boxes and on closet shelves, because Michael D. LaBonne Editor we have no way to properly display these time honored colors' H. Now we do have a way with "Flag Safe", which is a wood triangle case 16" x 16" x 25" Raymond Mahon Managing Editor sealed with plexiglas face and solid back. Margaret Bradbury This case can be mounted in a place of honor (hanger included) or will stand on a mantel or Associate Editor shelf. The cost of this fine product is SI 9,95. Joe Stuteville - Associate Editor Please send Flag Safe Cases at $1 9.95 shipping and handling Florida Resident Sales Tax Ribbons, Metals, and Flag not included. Simon Smith Art Director William L. Poff Name, Production Manager Organization. Advertising Director Street Box * . Donald B. Thomson The American Legion Magazine City. State. — Zip. PO. Box 7068 Indianapolis, IN 46207 Thank You For Your Patronage' Allow 3-6 weeks For Shipment 317-635-8411 FLAG SAFE Publisher's Representatives Fox Associates, Inc. P.O. Box 977, Panama City, FLA 32402-0977 Chicago: 312-649-1650 New York: 212-984-0729 Los Angeles: 213-487-5630 San Francisco: 415-989-5804 Troy, Ml: 313-649-4802 Atlanta: 404-252-0968 AN AMERICAN The American Legion Magazine Commission Milford A. Forrester, Chairman, Greenville, SC; James V. Kissner, Vice Chairman, Palatine, IL; James R, Kelley, National Commander's Rep- resentative, Wayne, PA; George F, Ballard, Belleville, IL; Adolph F, Bremer, Winona, MN; Victor Broom, Fulton, MS; J. Leslie Brown Jr, Louisville, KY; Donald Conn, South Bend, IN; James W. Conway, Charlestown, MA; Lincoln Cox, Kirby, WV; Eugene J, Kelley, Savannah, GA; Halbert G. Norton, Topeka, KS; Frank J. Holcshuh, Youngstown, OH; Russell H. Laird, Des Moines, lA; Nathaniel J, McKee, Prince- ton, NJ; J, Fred Mitchell, Brewton, AL; J. H. Morris, Baton Rouge, LA; Dr James D, Shafer, E, Stroudsburg, PA; George G, Sinopoli, Fresno, CA; Ralph L, Smith, Bartlesville, OK; If Spencer, Mabelvale, AR; Benjamin Dewey C, B. Truskoski, Bristol, CT; Neal L, Thomas Jr., Consultant, Colorado Springs, CO. ^^^^ ACTUAL SIZE Copyright 1987 by The American Legion ^^^ 3%x2% Price: annual subscription, $12,00; single copy, $1.50, To subschbe, send $12,00 ($18,00 in for- eign countries) to Circulation Dept., PO, Box The America, which John Wajme r RAINY MOUNTAIN DESIGNS, INC, 726 NW 23rd, OKLA CITY, OK 73103 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206. treasured so dearly, has au- Poslage 4 Handling $2 00, 50t ea additional item thorized, by an act of Congress, Okia residents add 5 25% sales lax Allow 4 to 6 weeks lor delivery CKiange of Address: Notify The American the creation of an official medal BRASS - $29 95 24K CP - $59,95 STERLING - $195.00 Legion's Circulation Dept., P.O. Box 1954, Indi- honoring him for all time. We anapolis, IN 46206. Attach old address label, CHECK OR MONEY ORDER VISA/(VIC Satislaction Guaianleed are presenting this medallion provide old and new addresses and current card Allow 8 weeks for to you, embraced in a beautifully membership number Expires. /. Acct # . change of address to take effect. Also notify your designed buckle created and local post adjutant directly at local post's address. cast by skilled artisans using Name. the "lost wax" method. The rich To request microfilm copies, please write to: depth and detail of this impres- Address University Microfilms, 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann sive buckle, featuring symbols Arbor, Ml 48106 of western heritage, is available City. State. .Zip. in solid brass, richly plated 1-405-521-1044 24 kt gold or sterling silver. (Toll Free) 1-800-654-8308 (OK) Member Audit Bureau of Circulations © 1987 Rainy Mountain Designs AIVIERICAN LEGION I\/1AGAZINE LIMITED EDITION U.$. Constitution Commemorative DIAMOND KNIFE Layered in Pure 24K Gold Unbelievable Only 5? but true! To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the crea- ATTENTION COLLECTORS! tion of the greatest docunnent ever produced by For the coveted low serial a nation to assure the freedonn and liberty of all numbers, order quickly. its people, the giant New York publicity firm of Orders are processed on a the Direct Connection will distribute a limited first come, first served basis. edition of the original U.S. Constitution Com- There is a limit of two (2) knives memorative Knife for the astonishing "celebra- per address at this price, but tion price" of only $5 each only to those who requests which are mailed early write to the company address below before mid- enough (before June 17) may request up to night June 30, 1987. seven. No dealers please. These famous U.S. Constitu- Genuine Diamonds and Pure Gold! tion Commemorative Knives will not be sold at this price by the company in any store. To obtain These knives are not copies. These are the one at this special Celebration Price, you must original limited edition U.S. Constitution Com- write to the company before midnight, June 30, memorative Knives that have been carefully 1987. layered in pure 24K gold and hand-set with a ge- Acquisition Guaranteed niune .25 point full 17 facet diamond (not just a diamond chip) — the same famous knives that Collectors should know that each com- have been widely publicized in leading media memorative knife is covered by the company's throughout this great country. standard acquisition guarantee. Should you ever wish to sell or redeem your knife, the company pledges to repurchase it from you anytime you A True Collectors Edition wish for the full cash price you paid.