The American Legion [Volume 117, No. 5 (November 1984)]

Cover Illustration by David Noyes -- Our Armed Forces: Do We Have the Right Mix?: America's Four Service Chiefs Give Their Candid Assessments of Our Military Capabilities -- Defense at Less Cost: A Prominent Defense Expert Takes a Hard Look at Our Military Posture by Adm. Hyman G. Rickover -- Afghanistan: "It's So Easy to Die Here": An Eyewitness Account of the Continuing Rape of a Nation and Its People by Ludmilla Thorne -- SOS: Surplus on Sale but . . . : You Can Buy Anything You Want at Government Sales . . . but You Better Read the Fine Print! by George and Sharon Korzeniowski -- Bob Hope: The GI's Best Friend: This Ageless Comedian Has Lightened Life for Millions of War-Weary GIs by Fred W. Bryson -- Report from Salt Lake City: Gavel-to-Gavel Coverage of the 66th National Convention -- Be It Therefore Resolve . . . : Synopses of the 165 Resolutions Delegates Adopted this Year -- The Veteran: He Came to Pay Tribute to a Fallen Friend by Jim Cox -- Big Issues: Should There Be a National Service Act for Youth? -- Perspective: Why Aid Nicaragua's Freedom Fighters? -- Letters -- Commander's Message -- Dateline Washington -- Veterans Update -- Profiles in Service -- Post of the Month -- News to Use -- Orben's World -- Parting Shots