The American Legion [Volume 152, No. 4 (April 2002)]

Counting the Cost: Dollars and debris notwithstanding, the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon was as profound as that on New York by Alan W. Dowd -- Soldiers for Sale: From exported American GIs to corporate employees, the mercenary business has gone legit by Rowan Scarborough -- Flat Tax: Freedom or Fraud? Experts Steve Forbes and Robert S. McIntyre debate the merits of flattening tax rates -- Castro's Connections: The Cuban dictator's hatred of America and ties to global terrorism make him a dangerous neighbor by Paul Crespo -- From Farm to Fork: New technologies are serving up stronger food-protection measures by Lance Frazer -- Getting Banks to Pay You: For seniors short on cash, reverse mortgages offer the option of taking money back out of your home by Gary Turbak -- Vet Voice -- Commander's Message: End "concurrent deceit" -- Big Issues: Drilling for oil in the ANWR -- Living Well -- Washington Watch -- Legion News: Federalizing the Guard, an Oscar-winning Legionnaire, a father and son reunited, and expediting VA claims -- Comrades -- Parting Shots -- Cover: Michael Echanis, a Vietnam veteran who became a mercenary, died in a plane crash in Nicaragua in 1978 while serving as chief military adviser to Nicaraguan President Maj. Anastasio Samoza. Soldier of Fortune Magazine