LEGION HEAD VISITS LOCAL VETS

Access to health care for all veterans is a primary concern of the American Legion, according the leader of the veterans organization.

Daniel A. Ludwig, national commander of the 3.1-million-member group, toured the Cape Girardeau Missouri Veterans Home Thursday.

"I'm impressed with a facility where the care of veterans is really taken to heart," Ludwig said.

"This is not an old folks home where old soldiers go to die; it is a place to live. There is a big difference. You should all be proud of this facility."

Ludwig, who served as a submariner in the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1972, toured the 150-bed facility along with commanders of area American Legion posts and members of the Missouri Veterans Commission.

The American Legion is lobbying the federal government to improve care provided at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities as well as improving access to VA care.

"The VA health care system is in serious trouble and has been underfunded for 15 years," said Ludwig.

At its last national convention, the American Legion approved a resolution to promote a managed health care philosophy in relation to VA services.

Contrary to public opinion, Ludwig said only a small percentage of veterans are eligible for VA care. That group includes those with service-related injuries, former prisoners of war and indigent veterans.

"The term `eligible veteran' keeps being redefined and more and more veterans continue to be excluded," Ludwig said.

He would like to see service expanded to include all veterans, with those who can afford care compensating the VA through premiums, Medicare or other means. He also promotes care for the spouses and dependents of veterans.

Another national issue of concern to the American Legion is a constitutional amendment to protect the American flag from desecration. The amendment was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives last summer. Ludwig anticipates a Senate vote on the issue in December. "It will be very close," he said.

The proposed amendment is not just an issue of concern to the legion and veterans but the public, which Ludwig said overwhelmingly supports the idea.

"The flag is an awesome symbol to virtually all Americans and particularly veterans who have gone off to defend freedom," he said.

"The attitude is if it feels good do it, nothing is that sacred. I do not think that attitude made us a great nation."

Ludwig, who hails from Red Wing, Minn., will visit legionnaires in all 50 states as well as several Asian countries during his term as national commander.

Ludwig also spoke out against direct intervention by U.S. troops in Bosnia and recently drafted a letter to President Clinton outlining the organization's position.

"The American Legion has a very clear policy about putting troops on the ground," Ludwig said. "We are in favor of humanitarian aid ... but when it comes to putting troops on the ground we feel there needs to be a clear national interest, reasonable support of people in this country and support of the legislature, Congress. It is clear none of these points are met."

Bill Matthews, a legionnaire from Bloomfield, made a pitch to Ludwig for the legion's support for a proposed Stars and Stripes Museum and Library in Bloomfield.

The Star and Stripes newspaper, the journal of the American Armed Forces, was first printed in the Stoddard County town on Nov. 9, 1961, by Union troops who liberated the town from Confederate forces. Three known copies of the first edition still exist. One is in a private collection, another belongs to the Smithsonian Institution and the third is owned by the Stoddard County Historical Society.

Several former Stars and Stripes writers have donated historical items related to the newspaper as well as back issues. Ludwig said the state legion would first have to pass a resolution to endorse the project before the national committee can consider it.