The American Legion [Volume 135, No. 6 (December 1993)]

VA Can't Survive by Standing Still: National Commander Thiesen tells Congress that VA will have to compete under the President's health-care plan -- Holiday Voices from WWII: Vivid, heartfelt memories from the new book, Voices: Letters from World War II -- Giving Hope in Somalia: How U.S. troops displayed the Yuletide spirit in blight-stricken Africa by Gidget Fuentes -- The Coming Boom in Latin America: A tidal wave of democracy now is followed by a revolutionary economic expansion by Elliott Abrams -- Stop Pulling America Apart: One of America's leading historians warns that multiculturalist extremists are cracking the melting pot -- The War Years: 1943 -- On the March: From North Africa to Rome, U.S. ground forces came fully of age by Rick Hampson -- Island Hopping in the Pacific: Some of the war's bloodiest battles were fought on South Pacific beaches -- At Home, the Nation Delivers: Hard work and rationing made America the Arsenal of Democracy -- Softening Up Hitler: From the air and on the ground, the Allies prepared to invade Fortress Europe -- Big Issues: Should Congress support President Clinton's health plan? -- Vetvoice -- Veterans Update -- Parting Shots -- Commander's Message -- Legion News -- Washington Watch -- Vets -- Cover: GIs always carry the holiday spirit with them. Last year, they brought it to Somalia; 50 years ago, to Europe and Africa. See pages 20 and 24 for tales of A GI Christmas. Photo by Wide World Photos.