The American Legion [Volume 153, No. 6 (December 2002)]

A Matter of Life or Death: National Commander Ronald F. Conley outlines for Congress the Legion's vision for VA by James V. Carroll -- No Average Education: Disillusioned with public schools, more parents are teaching their children at home by Dan Allsup -- "Share the Information": Office of Homeland Security Adviser Tom Ridge shares his strategy to strengthen America's defenses by John Raughter -- The Metamorphosis of Managed Crime: From biker gangs to terrorists, new global villains complicate an evolving underworld by Robert McGarvey -- Prelude to Pearl Harbor: One small Hawaiian island provides clues about U.S. intelligence before World War II by Margaret A. Haapoja -- Acupuncture Warfare: Beijing blusters that it will do whatever is necessary to reunite the "two Chinas" by Georgie Ann Geyer -- Head for Business, Heart for Kids: Mick Shannon's vision for helping kids launched the Children's Miracle Network by Elissa Kaupisch -- Vet Voice -- Commander's Message: Seven Million Man March -- Big Issues: National-park snowmobile ban? -- Under the Radar -- Potpourri -- Living Well -- Washington Watch -- Legion News: Fall meetings, former VA Secretary Jesse Brown, GI Bill increase and repatriation of U.S. soldiers' remains in Korea -- Comrades -- Parting Shots -- Cover: The Northern Lights illuminate Alaska's skies as caribou cross the tundra below. Alaska Stock