VFW Magazine articles from January 2002

VFW Magazine archives from January 2002

Renew your membership today: it is vital that you continue supporting VFW objectives through your membership. And please help recruit another member. (Bolstering VFW).
January 1, 2002... It is unprecedented for the Commander-in-Chief to use his magazine column for the message I am about to deliver... but we are in difficult times, and we must mobilize for action. I have always believed it is best to speak directly to an...

Fighting terrorists--it's about time. (mail call).
January 1, 2002... Re: The November issue. A good magazine that continues to get even better: informative, interesting and dedicated. VFW is the best service magazine around. Thanks to all those who put it together. Donald M. Jones Bangor, Pa. Waging...

Remembering Russia veterans. (mail call).
January 1, 2002... "Lone Veteran Recalls Russia Expedition" (November) was a pleasure to read. My uncle, Eugene P. Carver, Jr. (1929 VFW commander-in-chief), helped facilitate the return of American remains lost in that 1918-1919 expedition to the Soviet Union....

Deadly battles of Vietnam. (mail call).
January 1, 2002... The official KIA count of 205 for the Battle of Khe Sanh (1968) is far from accurate. Khe Sanh Veterans, Inc., has tallied the KIAs for all units involved in the siege, which occurred during Operation Scotland. If all the related fighting is...

Phonies demand exposing. (mail call).
January 1, 2002... "Exposing the `Rambo Wannabes'" (November) was an excellent article about a truly despicable breed. I am going to laminate a copy and send it to one such type in my community. Thank you for your informative articles and tremendous service to...

Telling of the price of freedom. (mail call).
January 1, 2002... Beyond doubt, VFW is superior among veterans magazines. Every issue has an article (or more than one) that tells the story of the price that was paid for our freedom. A prime example is "Commando Creates New Defensive Line" by Gary Turbak. ...

Military as heroes making a comeback. (now hear this).
January 1, 2002... With the war in Afghanistan and newfound respect for those in uniform, the armed forces may finally have their rightful place in society. As one military sociologist said, "Maybe from time to time we need heroes... and often they're from the...

White House teams vets with students. (now hear this).
January 1, 2002... During the week of Veterans Day 2001, President Bush launched an initiative designed to have veterans tell their "extraordinary stories" that "show us the meaning of sacrifice and citizenship." Called Lessons of Liberty, the President...

Libya's act of terror barely punished. (now hear this).
January 1, 2002... After a four-year trial, the four terrorists who killed two GIs and wounded 41 of the Berlin Brigade at the LaBelle discotheque on April 5, 1986, received only from 12 to 14 years in prison. On Nov. 13, a German woman was convicted of murder,...

Flag to inspire troops in Afghanistan. (now hear this).
January 1, 2002... In late November, a 12-by-18-foot American flag was sent to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit courtesy of the NYPD. Once draping World Trade Center ruins, the memorial cloth is covered with names, messages, prayers and poems. Among the names...

VA plans national veterans museum. (now hear this).
January 1, 2002... To be located at VA national headquarters at 810 Vermont Avenue in Washington, D.C., the museum will highlight veterans accomplishments and their impact on society. Its exhibits will tell the story of homecoming and landmark events such as the...

Bush proclaims World Freedom Day. (now hear this).
January 1, 2002... * On Nov. 9, the President proclaimed World Freedom Day: "The fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov. 9, 1989, stands as the turning point of the Cold War and a significant landmark in freedom's separation of free people and those living under...

Memorial updates: D.C. to Normandy. (now hear this).
January 1, 2002... * Air Force Memorial: Will be located at the Arlington Navy Annex on four acres overlooking the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery. The Air Force Memorial Foundation, chaired by Ross Perot, Jr., had raised $29 million from 130,000...

First fatalities in maritime interceptions. (Security).
January 1, 2002... Two U.S. sailors inspecting a ship suspected of smuggling Iraqi oil drowned Nov. 18 when the vessel sank. Their deaths were the first U.S. fatalities since the Navy, began conducting "maritime intercept operations" in the Persian Gulf more than...

Green Beret dies of malaria. (Security).
January 1, 2002... An Army, Special Forces soldier died Nov. 16 of malaria. Staff Sgt. Terry V. Kentcy of the 3rd Special Forces Group died in San Juan, Puerto Rico, while returning from Nigeria. He was participating in Operation Focus Relief, which trains...

American remains returned from Korea. (Security).
January 1, 2002... The remains of what are believed to be eight U.S. Korean War veterans were repatriated through Hawaii Nov. 13. Five sets of remains were recovered in the Chosin Reservoir area and three in Kujang county near the Chong Chon River. ...

NATO protects American skies. (Security).
January 1, 2002... For the first time since the Revolutionary War, the United States has requested and received foreign military help to protect the country. On Sept. 14, for the first time, NATO invoked Article 5 of its charter, which regards an attack on one...

VA oks comp claims for ALS. (Service).
January 1, 2002... Effective immediately, VA will offer disability and survivor benefits to Persian Gulf War veterans and their families afflicted with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Although extremely rare, about...

VA continues health care enrollment in 2002. (Service).
January 1, 2002... VA Secretary Anthony Principi announced Nov. 30 that his department will continue to enroll veterans in its health care system in 2002. Principi said he had considered limiting future enrollments for vets with no service-connected medical...

VA vows to eliminate records backlog. (Service).
January 1, 2002... This time next year, veterans should expect to have their compensation and pension claims resolved much faster. According to an agreement reached in November between VA and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), VA's requests...

Coca-Cola honors veterans. (Employment).
January 1, 2002... America's corporations are beginning to take note of their most valuable employees. The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta paid tribute on Nov. 8 to its nearly 900 employees who have served or are still serving in the armed forces. In addition, the...

Bill would protect student reservists. (Legislation).
January 1, 2002... The House approved a bill Nov. 13 that would ensure military reservists participating in the Montgomery GI Bill program would not lose monthly education payments if they were called to active duty. H.R. 3240--the Reservists Education...

Vet status urged for Guardsmen. (Legislation).
January 1, 2002... National Guardsmen mobilized by their governors--for tasks such as patrolling airports--could be granted veteran status, according to a bill introduced Nov. 13. S. 1680 would amend the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act (SSCRA), which...

Rendering relief in terrorism's wake: VFW steps up to the plate. From California to Germany, Posts took immediate action to help victims following the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
January 1, 2002... On Wednesday, Sept. 12, Connie Agresti headed to work at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., because President George Bush said the government would be open for business despite America's new war. But for Agresti, commander of Post 3150 in...

Death at the Pentagon: a memorial tribute: the first military casualties in the war on terrorism were sustained well before the campaign in Afghanistan began. On Sept. 11, 55 soldiers and sailors lost their lives in the opening salvo of the war. The list should serve as a permanent reminder of their sacrifice.
January 1, 2002... ARMY Name City/State Amundson, Craig Hartsville, Mo. Boone, Canfield D. Milan, Ind. Calderon, Jose Puerto Rico Dickerson, Jerry D. Durant, Miss. Hogan, Wallace C. ...

VFW member and K-9 first on scene: Vietnam vet and VFW member Paul Morgan, along with buddy and fellow vet Hal Wilson, used his Vietnam War-dog experience to find the remains of three firefighters at the World Trade Center.
January 1, 2002... In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Paul Morgan received an e-mail from fellow Pershing Rifle member J.J. Collins. Collins sent the letter to the military fraternity's members to voice his anger and frustration after surviving...

From the ashes comes the rebirth of patriotism: the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 have inspired a greater outpouring of patriotism by the American people than have many previous wars. And numerous displays of the American flag symbolize that patriotism. The flag represents more than free speech; it reminds us of those who fought before us to preserve our freedom. (Cover Story).
January 1, 2002... The connection between war and patriotism--or better yet, between war and the making of patriots--is evident, maybe even self-evident. When I made that point in my recent book, Making Patriots, I was discussing the Athenians and the...

Afghanistan foes on the run: with U.S. Marines on the ground and special ops troops fully engaged, the war has entered a new phase. (War On Terrorism).
January 1, 2002... They "died for a noble and just cause," President Bush said after three American soldiers were killed in the battle for Kandahar in early December. The three Green Berets--members of the 3rd Bn., 5th Special Forces Grp., based at Ft. Campbell,...

Special ops pave the way: the war in Afghanistan was ready-made for elite counter-terrorist units. And they have already proved their worth in conducting covert missions against the Taliban and al Qaeda. (War On Terrorism).
January 1, 2002... An enduring symbol of America's war on terrorism was created last October when night-vision cameras filmed Army Rangers parachuting into Afghanistan. The eerie, green-tinted pictures of canopies opening silently as the soldiers jumped into...

"Black hawk down" brings heroism to silver screen;the movie, based on Mark Bowden's book about the firefight in Somalia in 1993 that killed 18 Delta Force members and Army Rangers, hits theaters this month. Its producer calls it "America's brightest hour." (`America's Brightest Hour').
January 1, 2002... Oct. 3, 1993, was not a normal day for the U.S. military. An almost routine, 30-45 minute mission turned into a 15-hour firefight that left 18 special operations troops dead. Journalist Mark Bowden created a minute-by-minute account of the...

Vietnam vets show post-war valor; three Vietnam veterans, among the war's most severely wounded, demonstrate that the `can do' spirit can conquer virtually all physical disabilities.
January 1, 2002... They're graying... and grandpas. The valorous young men who took up arms and served their nation faithfully in Vietnam are marching through their sixth decade. A generation now separates them from the damp, sleepless nights of the jungle and...

`Eggbeaters make combat debut in Korea; a major military innovation of the Korean War was the use of helicopters--nicknamed "eggbeaters," "whirlybirds" and "airedales." They were used for transport, evacuation, rescue and observation, leaving a lasting legacy on modern warfare. (Korean War).
January 1, 2002... Operation Summit was a textbook case of air mobility. On a misty hilltop about 30 kilometers away, Communist forces were dug in, intent on defending the high ground known as Hill 884. The company of 228 infantrymen in full combat gear piled...

Service in your State: a complete list of VFW Department service officers.
January 1, 2002... Available to all veterans, VFW Department service officers (DSOs) work as liaisons between veterans and the VA system. Be sure to take advantage of the valuable assistance they can provide. ALABAMA Mickey R. Payne VA Regional Office...

Fulfilling community needs. (VFW in action: VFW members and Posts demonstrating community service).
January 1, 2002... In Massapequa Park, N.Y., members of Post 7763 hosted a Super Bowl party for the residents of the Northport VA Medical Center last January. Armed with 4-foot-long sandwiches, salads and sodas, members delivered a memorable meal to veterans and...

Dues increase will `endow VFW's future'. (membership).
January 1, 2002... Quartermaster General Joe Ridgley wants VFW's average rank-and-file members to know one thing: The extra $3 they'll be paying for dues this year will not be spent by VFW National Headquarters. "The national organization will not retain any...

VFW Credit Union: excellent service & great loans. (member benefits).
January 1, 2002... Credit Unions are safer and sounder than ever. Since 1980, they have maintained their status as financial institution leaders when it comes to member satisfaction. Since we value our members, we encourage all who have not yet joined to...

Jest a minute.
January 1, 2002... * Overheard in a department store: "Far better to have loved and lost than to be buying shoes for six kids." George V. Kottwitz, Edwardsville, Ill. * Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry,...

Reunions & claims.
January 1, 2002... REUNION COORDINATORS: To publicize your unit's reunion, fill out the form on page 51 of the January 2001 VFW magazine or print out a form from VFW's website: http://www.vfw.org/magazine/51.shtml. Send to VFW magazine, 406 W. 34th St., Suite...