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Date published: 12/28/2006
Vietnam hostilities have been history for more than 30 years, and many veterans are in their sixth and seventh decades of life. Most left the combat zone physically unscathed by visible wounds, only to have delayed injuries, just as life-threatening, manifest themselves over time. Although Veterans Affairs has acknowledged cancers and other maladies as being service-connected, because of war toxins such as Agent Orange and, more recently, depleted-uranium armor-piercing munitions, these men and women will not receive the revered Purple Heart award. If these diseases are debilitating, they may qualify for a small stipend and establish eligibility for valuable care from the VA's medical system, but the paperwork and lengthy administrative process is daunting. It seems that every month, one more of my comrades from the Semper Fidelis group succumbs to a residual effect of the other war that lasted longer than World War II, and undoubtedly there will be more to come as a result of the current global war on terror. Studies indicate that it is not the intensity of combat that wears men and women down, but the duration. War and its aftermath are phenomena that unfortunately keep on giving, so I want to remind the new vets of this millennium to maintain their health and get regular checkups, even if they feel fine. Bob Taubert Spotsylvania
I just retired from the US Navy this month, in 2004 I did a 6 month tour in Bahrain, 2 years later I found out I had thyroid cancer, Now I do not know if I was exposed to something or not but the reports on Depleted uranium (DU)indicate that it could travel in sand storms through out the gulf. My Endocrinologist at Bethesda Naval even told me to look into the DU issue since I was 39 and no history of any cancer in my family. I am looking into it, but the government and VA wants to avoid this at all cost.
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