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Sunday, January 26, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





I suppose Al Cibello of Wilkes-Barre agrees with my conviction that there
certainly should be a Constitutional Amendment protecting the American flagHe
was gracious enough to drop a copy of the American Heritage magazine, June
1995 edition, in which an article, written by Bernard A. Weisberger, explains
Constitutional amendments and how often they have been added. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As I had previously written, the proposed flag amendment soared through the
U.S. House of Representatives by a handsome majority, but fell to defeat in
the U.S. Senate by a mere three votes. The reasoning there are more important
things that should be considered and acted upon and/or corrected by adding an
amendment although the proposal to protect the flag by law, just isn't
palatable, especially to the veteran. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Too many American men and women gave so much to protect that symbol of our
nation from being defeated by an enemy who recognized and acknowledged that
flag as the symbol of America. According to this article, 27 amendments have
been added in slightly more than two centuries. The first ten, "The Bill of
Rights" were adopted in 1791 just about the time our new government began
operations. These were, in essence, promises fulfilled by the Federalists who
had prepared them to win ratification of the Constitution itself. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For all interests and purposes, they are part of the original. That leaves
17. Amendments XI and XII became reality in 1795 and 1804. Sixty years elapsed
until XIII, XIV and XV came between 1865 and 1870. Forty-three years passed
without another amendment addition until XVI through XIX were added from 1913
and 1920. In 1933, XX and XXI were added. Eighteen years later XXII was added
in 1951. Amendments XXIII through XXV were ratified between 1961 and 1967.
Finally, XXVI coming in 1971. Following a lengthy pause, XXVII, a remarkable
amendment, joined the list in 1992. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It should be understood that the mentioned amendments, modest in numbers do
not nearly represent the totals of amendments introduced in U.S. Congress that
have failed to win support, such as the one under present discussion,
flag-burning.~ There were proposed amendments that found their way to various
states but these are stalled, not going anywhere because of not being ratified
within the stated time limit before it dies of automatic expiration. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It is not easy to change the Constitution by way of amendment. Those who
authored the wordings in the Constitution meant for this process to be just
that way -- hard and difficult. Quoting Weisberger's article, "They wanted to
immunize the Constitution, the `fundamental' law, from gusts of popular
passion that could put bad measures on the `ordinary' statute books compiled
during legislative sessions. Most Americans agree that the idea of insulating
the Constitution by lifting it to a place of reverence and permanence is
proper." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's Time for an Amendment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Coupled with that wonderful word "patriotism," the American veterans and
their unanimous desire to protect their flag, through their individual
veterans organizations, have passed numerous resolutions at their state and
national conventions and presented them to their Washington legislators for
voting action. With enough "chutzpah" informing those who voted against this
flag amendment the first time around, this is what it will take to insure
passage. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Letters. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 During the week, I received letters and answered numerous phone calls
urging me to continue this crusade to keep the Flag Amendment in the public
eye. One such letter was received from Major Mike Thomas, U.S. Army, (Ret.),
who served during World War II and the Korea and Vietnam wars. He quoted an
incident that involved the proper display of the flag patch on a military
uniform. A phone call from a person contacted stated that this complaint on
the wearing of the flag as a shoulder patch was not an item of significance
and that times have changed and he should go with the flow instead of swimming
upstream. Thomas had more to say, but I believe the final lines of his letter
says it all. "God Almighty, what has happened to us -- and what are we doing
to our children, the future of America???" &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I believe Thomas said what most of us are saying, "what has happened to us
when we allow that wonderful symbol of our country, the flag, be defiled,
burned and that action declared okay by the United States Supreme Court." It
does seem odd that to burn one's draft card, according to Thomas is a federal
offense while burning the flag has not been so designated. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Get Mad, Get Really Mad. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Can you imagine what the legislators in Washington would have to decide if
each veteran or for that matter each person reading this column would send off
a letter or note informing them of their concerns in protecting the flag by
way of an amendment. Those who serve in Washington know very well the impact
of public opinion and when public opinion is strong, they will act, vote
accordingly. While it is still fresh in one's mind, do it now! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Amendments. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The reasons for amendments have been explained and cited in this column.
That sorry old excuse of there are other things of importance to be considered
just doesn't rank high in the ladder of~ those who really do possess a love
and admiration for that flag. Veterans fully realize and understand that there
are about 30 veterans serving in Washington at the present session of the New
U.S. Congress. Perhaps a few years ago when there were many veterans serving
in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate, this Flag Amendment would have been a
done deal. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 American Legion. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The American Legion has a packet available for Gulf War veterans that is
unique. The packet contains a supplemental application for VA benefits for
undiagnosed illnesses for Gulf War veterans as well as a myriad of other such
information. Stop by the Jewelcor Building, Wilkes-Barre Boulevard,
Wilkes-Barre, and pick one up. To you, Gulf veterans, it will be worth your
time and effort. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 DAV. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In a recent news release, the Disabled American Veterans backs efforts to
ease burden of proof for ailing Gulf War veterans. "The DAV has maintained
that the two-year period between service in Southwest Asia an the onset of
these debilitating illnesses is inadequate and should be extended indefinitely
until it can be determined what is making these men and women sick," said DAV
Washington Headquarters Executive Director David W. Gorman. "The need for the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reconsider that eligibility period has
been heightened by recent acknowledgments by the DOD (Department of Defense)
that many thousands of our troops in the Persian Gulf were likely exposed to
nerve gas. They also were exposed to depleted uranium, diseases endemic to
Southwest Asia, and pesticides. In addition, U.S. troops were given
vaccination inoculations, and anti-nerve agent pills without apparent regard
to the their possible side effects," Gorman said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Presidential Advisory Commission on Gulf War Veteran's illnesses urged
that all possible exposures to chemical agents be thoroughly investigated. The
commission also strongly recommended that any investigation of chemical
weapons exposure be done outside the Defense Department. Every in-depth
investigation and probe into the possible use of chemicals in the Persian Gulf
should be a main priority of especially the military. To put a time limit of
two years to recognize the symptoms now being experienced is in the eyes of
the DAV, not adequate for the tell-tale signs of chemical exposures. As
previously reported, the Senate Veterans Committee has also requested a time
extension through the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jesse Brown. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Bill Smith is a Times Leader columnist who writes for and about veterans.
His column appears Sundays. To publish items in VIEWS ON VETERANS, write to
Bill Smith, care of IN YOUR TOWN, The Times Leader, 15 N. Main St.,
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18711-0250, or contact Patti Pandya, community liaison
director, at 829-7211. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

I Suppose Al Cibello Of Wilkes-barre Agrees With My Conviction That There 
Certainly Should Be A Constitutional Amendment Protecting The American Flag.

I Suppose Al Cibello Of Wilkes-barre Agrees With My Conviction That There Certainly Should Be A Constitutional Amendment Protecting The American Flag.