The American Legion [Volume 134, No. 1 (January 1993)]

108 Pages·15.5 MB·English

by  American Legion. National Headquarters

The Magazine for a Strong America
ARTICLES
Vol. 134, No. 1
THEENEMYWITHIN
Prostatecancercanbedetectedearlyandtreatedsuccessfully. tsysen.nooenuou: 16
DESERTSTORM'SMYSTERYILLNESSES
ManyQuestions,fewanswerstoGulfWarveterans maladies. nynenotnurnuwg 18
WELCOMINGWARRIORSINTOTHEWORKFORCE
SouthCarolinahasfoundawaytohelpveteransgetjobs. rsyivativice^mar.jockuuvw 22
APENNY-PINCHER'SGUIDETOTHE'90s
TYersterday»s.ti»g.htwadisaretiodJay>sitrendJsett//er,s,., °RyvrPnhvyJuIilsQ^7aHuUnMePrY 24
THEY'RESTEALINGOURSECRETS!
America'salliesareworkingagainstusinthebattlefortechnologicalsuperiority. ByPeterSchweizer 28
TRIBALWARS
Oldethnicrivalriesarebackandthreateningworldpeace. ByJayStutter 33
CUTTINGCORNERS,KEEPINGCOVERAGE
Seveneasywaystokeepyourinsurancecostsdown. ByGordonWilliams 36
FDA,DRUGSANDYOU
ProtectingAmericans:AninterviewwithFoodandDrugAdministrationCommissionerDavidKessler. 38
AMBASSADORAIRWAVES
For37years, WillisConover'sjazzprogramhasbeenthespiritofAmerica. ByDavidBurns 40
SHOULDWEGIVEAIDTORUSSIA?
Twoexpertsdebatethebenefitsandrisks. ByRobertE.HunterandNicholasEberstadt 42
GETREADY,CAPITOLHILL!
AttheFallMeeting,theNECstrengthenstheLegion'slegislativemuscle. 46
DEPARTIVIENTS
BIGISSUES ShouldCongresskillthesuperconductingsupercolliderproject? 10
VETVOICE 4 YOURAMERICANLEGION 14 VETS 60
COMMANDER'SMESSAGE 8 VETERANSUPDATE 44 PARTINGSHOTS 104
WASHINGTONWATCH 12 LEGIONNEWS 50
COVER AKurdishrefugeecomfortsherchildrenafterescapingfromIraqtoTurkey. Whydosomeethnicrival-
riessoengulfapeopleandthreatenworldstability?JayStullerexplainsonPage33. Photographby
APIWideWorld.
TheAmerican Legion magazine, a leader among national general-interest publications, is published
monthlybyTheAmerican Legion for its 3.1 million members.These military-serviceveterans, working
through morethan 15,000community-levelposts,dedicatethemselvestoGodandcountryandtradi-
tionalAmericanvalues;strongnationalsecurity;adeguateandcompassionatecareforveterans,their
widowsandorphans;communityservice;andthewholesomedevelopmentofournation'syouths.
JANUARY1993
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MilfordA.Forrester,Chairman,Greenville,SC;George
G.Sinopoli,ViceChairman, Fresno,CA;JamesR.
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Rouge,LA;EverettG.Shepard,III,Woodstock,CT;Paul
T.Woodard,Lacey,WA;NealL.ThomasJr.,Consultant,
ColoradoSprings,CO.
Copyright1992byTheAmericanLegion
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Angels Applauded the Italian and Spanish communities in thejournalism school did not have to
The November cover featuring the are going to celebrate 500 years of do an—y homework or take final
Navy's Blue Angels is sensational America whether the Norwegians or exams so I transferred to thejournal-
("Military Symbols in Peacetime"). A The American Legionlikes itornot. ism school."
few years ago, I saw them perform in Your article could have reminded us I don't want to be governed by a
Schenectady, N.Y. Your cover brought of why we are here and not wrangled group ofpeople who graduated without
backthe goose bumps. about who was here first. Dawn, Oct. doing homework or taking final exams.
Tom Horrigan 12, 1492, cannot be forgotten by any of The press seems bad about not doing
Hudson Falls, N.Y. us who live in America. its homework.
Kenneth O'Neill ArmisteadBurwell
Danbury, Conn. Qintonville, Pa
Spelling Faulted
In the article, "Military Symbols in The article was insensitive, inappro- At one time, the media placed its re-
Peacetime," the correct spelling is Fort priate and insulting to millions of sponsibility for this nation's fate above
Myer, in Arlington, Va., notFort Meyer. Americans, especially Italians who profits. But today's mediaconglomerate
JackNeumann honor the Admiral of the Sea, Christo- feels no more responsibility for our
Arlington, Va. pherColumbus. nation's fate than if it were a corner
JohnJ. MulvehillJr. hamburgerstand.
Fairmont, WMl LelandE. Smith
Defending Columbus
Nashville, Term.
I wish you Columbus bashers would
look up the word "discover" ("Who Pressing Concerns
Really Discovered America?" Octo- Most of the press come from the Cold November Rain
ber). Its second meaning is "to find for journalism departments ofbig universi- My wife and I were talking about
the first time." Its first meaning is "to ties ("The Power ofthe Press," Novem- Veterans Day. I said to her that as long
arrive at through search or study or ex- ber). A friend of mine who owns a as I can remember, it has always rained
ploration." That's where Columbus newspaper in North Carolina once or snowed on Veterans Day in Massa-
comes in. Of course, there were others printedthe following: chusetts. She said thatit seems very ap-
here before, but their discovery was a "I went to the University of North propriate. The rain or snow can be fig-
ho-hum, non-event. Carolina to study economics. After I ured as tears for all the brave men and
We ofthe Knights ofColumbus, and arrived there I found out that students women who gave their lives in defense
ofourcountry.
Steve Griffin
WE WANT YOUR OPINIONS Spencer, Mass.
You can call The American ters are subject to editing forclarity High A-Claim
Legion magazine at: and brevity. Volume precludes indi- After a year of waiting, The Ameri-
vidual acknowledgments of com- can Legion won me the VA determina-
[phone] ments oneditorial content. tion that I was 100-percent disabled
and record your opinions, vote on This month's questions are: from my Korean and Vietnam war
current issues, and listen to opinions • Should Congress kill the super- injuries. And that I was eligible for VA
of others. Calls cost $1 per minute conducting super collider project? pension, $10,000 free NSLI Life Insur-
and proceeds support Legion (See Page 10.) ance with waived premiums, rehabilita-
programs. A magazine editor will • Should the United States enact tion training in a college or technical
listen to your message. Callers' espionage laws to protect our eco- school, the right to disabled veteran
opinions are considered for publica- nomic and industrial secrets? (See license plates, as well as lifetime med-
tion and receive a symbol when Page 28.) ical treatment at VA facilities for my
published. Here's how you've voted in previ- injuries.
Oryou can write to: ous polls: I was introduced to the VA claim
• Should Congress ban abortion arena last summer when a tumor
The American Legion magazine
counseling in federally financed popped up on my right foot at a punji
P.O. Box 1055
Indianapolis, IN 46206 cliYneicss?57% No43% nstaamk.eIwtotuurnndedI oruetcetiovbeed cwahnicleeroiuns,Viaentd-
THE American Legion magazine • Do you believe America's auto inhibited by the effects of Agent
welcomes letters to the editor con- industry can be saved? Orange. On the suggestion of my foot
cerning articles that appear in the Yes 88% No 12% doctor, I checked into a VA hospital
publication. Short letters are more and they began treatment that still is in
likely to be published, and all let- [phone] the healing process ayearlater.
Please turnpage
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The American Legion Service Offi- ing that their is nothing wrong with this gether for PB4Y reunions. With the aid
cers in Topeka, Kan., went out of their letter because the computer told me of the VETS program, these reunions
way to ensure a fair and equal treat- sow. were unqualified successes. I routinely
ment was given my case. I was treated Thomas BilakJr. get several letters or calls each week
with fairness by the Regional VA Cayuga, N.Y. from veterans who haven't seen anyone
Office in Wichita, Kan., which could from their squadrons in 45 to 50 years.
only review established facts of evi- Kilpatrick might more instructively More often than not, they tell me they
dence that I had on hand and submit- write about errors that stem from heard about the reunions through The
ted. The claim, now approved, also pro- deceit rather than from ignorance. Not American Legion VETS program.
vides a settlement on Agent Orange ex- until the end of his article does he Thank you forVETS.
posure once firm rules are established mention one of those errors soldier- RonaldR. Sathre
by the government on how to proceed ization. This word was obviously de- Union City, Calif.
on my claim. signed to make Army recruits' parents
I want to encourage all veterans to believe thattraining a soldieris tremen- WWII Movies Revisited
take the time to visit an American dously complex, so complex, in fact,
Legion Service Officer and go over that only military experts can accom- I appreciated the article, "Screen
wartime injuries, and file claims for plish it. Civilians, ofcourse, are expect- oVimcittotrieeds"o(nOectoobfert)h,ebuftinIesbteliceovembyaotu
them. I almost waited too long. ed to pay for it. Soldierization has the
movies Hollywood produced on World
Thanks American Legion! You guys added benefit of being an abstraction.
are the best. Thus, it absolves people of blame if WarII Attack.
DavidL. Recob anything goes wrong in the training of PastorCharles Knappenberger
Topeka, Kan. soldiers. Melrose Park, Pa.
RichardF. Gregory "Screen Victories" missed the mark
Oakmont, Pa.
Kilpatrick Klub by forgetting Torn! Torn! Torn! and Gal-
lantHours.
As James Kilpatrick wrote in his ar- In "Screen Victories" (October), the
JimRehnen
tuipc!le""L(o"oMkuridteurp,! LMoaoykhietmup!anLdookthiet cofapMtri.onRoableorntgssirdeeadt,h"e..p.hinotaocloafsstihceNsatavrys Larkspur, Calif.
Mother Tongue," October). Perhaps comedy of life far behind the enemy
The American Legion magazine lines." Where were they? In Tokyo? As Disendowment
should have taken his advice. I recall, the movie was all about Mr. Those who want the National En-
On page 26 ofthe same issue, a sen- Roberts getting off a rust bucket and dowment for the Arts (NEA) should
tence reads, "...and in our new mid- into the war. The caption made me ap- fund it themselves (Big Issues, Novem-
sized cars, we have duel driver and preciate Kilpatrick's article all the ber). There are enough individuals and
passenger air bags as standard more. corporations who can afford it. But for
equipment." John E. Mollvy those of us who don't care, our tax
Duell What are these airbags going Virginia Beach, Va. money can be betterspent.
to do? Fight to the death with swords As Rep. Cliff Stearns of Florida
until one deflates the other? The word I hope the quality of the magazine wrote, the money for NEA could go to
to use is dual. will be improved by taking James Kil- better things. As far as I'm concerned,
T.A. Geisert patrick's advice to heart. For instance, NEA has outlived its usefulness.
OverlandPark, Kan. this sentence from "Screen Victories": Craig Richardson
"This moving, truthful account... Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Editors note: Tsk, tsk, on us. capped seven Oscars...." Capped?
Maybe copped.
Corrections
The article by Kilpatrick was very Stan Haye
humerus, however, he mist a point as Independence, Calif. A photo of a drill team was in-
too won of the reasons four the misuse correctly identified on Page 38 of the
of words in our communications, and November issue. The correct name
VETS Thanked
that is, the computerized spelling is the drill team of Charles-Williams
checkers in our word processors. To I have been moved by the generosity Post 30 of Omaha, Neb. A December
many people have been taken in buy and support The American Legion has issue Legion News article about
the myth ofthe infallibility ofthe com- given me as I try to locate former a Legion-produced videotape, George
puters and rely on the computer to "airdales" of the U.S. Navy, Coast Learns the Pledge of Allegiance,
catch their miss steaks. Those who right Guard and Marine Corps squadrons incorrectly reported that the main
get sloppy in there proofreading. Com- that flew the PB4Y1 Liberator and character is Curious George, from
puters are the dumbest thing in the PB4Y2 Privateer during World War II, the children's book series. In the
world. They never due what you want Korea and beyond. video, George is a schoolboy. The
them to dew. They do only what ewe I have taken on the mission ofbring- American Legion magazine regrets
tell them to due. Isle clothes now know- ing these men and their families to- the errors.
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QUALITYANDVALUESINCE 1910
Commander's message
DESERT STORM VETERANS
OUR
NEED HELP
MYSTERIOUS illness is that documentation is essential for
has cast a dark cloud receiving a disability rating. Every
over our quick and deci- effort should be made to encourage
sive victory in Desert Desert Storm veterans who continue to
Storm. Health problems have medical problems to get their
among the half-million symptoms identified and documented
U.S. troops who served in either their VA medical records or
in the Persian Gulf are theirDoD records.
surfacing and questions Step 2. The VA Persian Gulf Reg-
still outnumberanswers. istry was established but Congress has
According to the Department ofVet- yet to provide any supplemental appro-
erans Affairs (VA), Desert Storm vet- priation to pay for it. This isn't the first
erans are subject to "possible adverse time VA has been tasked with provid-
health effects ofexposure to oil, smoke ing special health-care needs to veter-
and otherpetrochemical agents." ans without the money to pay for them.
Gulf War veterans are complaining If this newest generation of wartime
of gastrointestinal problems, flu-like veterans is to receive proper care, addi-
conditions, joint pains, hair loss, thick- tional dollars must be appropriated for
ened saliva, loose teeth, sore gums and research, examinations andtreatment.
muscle soreness. Step 3. VA and DoD must leave no
What is happening? Nat Cmdr. RogerA. Munson stone unturned in finding out the cause
Nobody really knows what's making 'I or causes of the illness that has struck
Gulf War veterans sick. But if some- Desert Storm veterans. Currently, the
thing isn't done soon, a mysterious ill- troops in the Persian Gulfduring Oper- blood parasite disease, Leishmaniasis,
ness will be to Desert Storm veterans ation Desert Storm/Shield. cannot be easily or economically de-
what Agent Orange continues to be for But past events tell us that a registry tected. Leishmaniasis is a Persian Gulf
Vietnam veterans. alone is not enough to ensure that our disease transmitted by sand flies. We
That's why The American Legion troops get the medical treatment they also need some answers about the
urged Congress to establish a Persian deserve. To avoid repeating the Agent health effects of exposure to oil-well
Gulf Registry that contains the medical Orange disaster, the law also requires fires, crude oil, sand, pesticides, deplet-
history of our troops so they can file DoD to expand the scope ofits registry ed uranium, and to the innoculations
for VA service-connected disability beyond just the list of names, and to Desert Storm troops were given. Ill
when and ifillness surfaces. provide VA with the information when veterans have also expressed their con-
Congress obviously heard our call needed. cerns about possible chemical or bio-
and passed The Veterans Health Care logical warfare that may have gone un-
Act of 1992, requiring VA to establish a BOTH departments are also directed detected. (For a detailed account ofthe
registry for tracking the long-term to work with the National Academy mysterious Desert Storm illness, turn
health effects of Persian Gulf veterans. of Science to establish a plan for to Page 18.)
The act calls for VA to provide com- treating veterans suffering from possi- Step 4. DoD should consider bring-
plete physical and mental examinations ble health problems associated with ser- ing seriously ill Desert Storm veterans
for registered veterans. Active duty vice in the Persian Gulf. back on active duty to give them com-
veterans of the Gulf War must seek While we laud the government for its plete medical evaluations and appropri-
medical attention through DoD med- obvious concern, The American ate discharges. While on active duty,
ical facilities. Legion believes the following additional these troops can at least draw a salary
DoD also has been tasked with de- steps should be taken: and have some benefits available to
veloping a registry. The National De- Step 1. A recent government study them.
fense Authorization Act of FY 1992 revealed that many veterans of the Per- The absence of evidence does not
and FY 1993 directs the Secretary of sian Gulf War were discharged with in- mean the evidence is absent. The brave
Defense to establish a registry of all adequate separation physicals, or in men and women ofDesert Storm readi-
military personnel exposed to oil-well some cases, none at all. One of the ly answered the nation's call to arms.
fires. Thai means DoD's registry con- lessons learned from the Legion's in- Now the nation must answer these vet-
tains the names of all U.S. military volvement with the Agent Orange issue erans' question, "Why am I sick?"
THEAMERICANLEGION