Many Americans do not realize that not all veterans of the Vietnam War receive benefits related to dioxins and other toxins to which they (the veterans) were exposed from roughly 1963 to 1975. These service personnel served aboard ships along the coast of Vietnam. These veterans were exposed to toxins and dioxins when they drank contaminated water that was aboard ship. They also showered in that water, ate food prepared in it and breathed air from the ventilation system that spewed toxic air. These are the same contaminates for which the armed forces who served on land are being compensated.
I am proud to report that Congressman, Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, is moving ahead with promises he has made on behalf of veterans of the Vietnam War. Representative Filner's bill, HR-2254, has an overwhelming support of 256 fellow Representatives, and he is working on issues regarding the funding of this legislation. It deals with military victims of Agent Orange poisoning.
Congressman Filner has stepped up to the plate boldly on this issue, an action that many members of this 111th Congress have not yet done. His recent release of a Video to Veterans at
shows him as a staunch proponent for all veteran issues, and he spent some time detailing the problems that HR-2254 is going to solve as well as his approach to how he plans to get this bill through the House. Like everything else these days, his biggest hurdle is financial. But Congressman Filner indicates he will work through those funding issues in order to get this legislation passed.
As Executive Director of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association, I stand and salute him for his past valiant efforts to pass this legislation and have great faith that he will come through for us in the end.
John Paul Rossie, Executive Director
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association
PO Box 1035
Littleton, CO 80160-1035
Hi Folks:
ReplyDeleteI no that agent orange abord my ship was real but back then they tried to pass it off as heat rash, you see I was a "boiler operator" who never got heat rash in my life on that ship, the U.S.S.Chicago CG11. I was off the cost of Vietnam and at night you could see the skies light up all night from the big fire, I think that if I can see that, agent orange was real to me as it's for every men in that War. Write me when HR 2254 is passed and only then will I think the system is not playing the Navy for dummies anymore. Write my E-Mail to starabcd@yahoo.com. Name is Dave.
Hi Dave,
ReplyDeleteThis has been going on for a long time. The Gulf war vets are going through their own health problems without answers too. It's one thing to risk your life with what you know you have to fear but to have to fear what your own military put in your hands years later is clearly wrong.
The way I look at it is if we can't take care of the Vietnam veterans, there is little chance we'll ever really take care of any group of veterans from the wars we send them to fight.
I am worried that our government will not recognize other countries Agent Orange diseases list which is much larger than ours for Blue Water Navy and Boots on land in the Vietnam War for our Veterans and families.
ReplyDeleteVietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Australia, Canada, France, England, New Zealand, Thailand and etc., their Military and government, recognizes many more diseases due to Agent Orange, then the USA, even for their Blue Water Navy for serving in Vietnam war.
See my website for Agent Orange:
http://www.unknown-pearls.com/dua_blue_water_navy_01.html
duahar@swbell.net
Blue Water Navy - The Forgotten - No Compensation for Us