Bill would help vets exposed to toxic tests

Ferndale's Jack Alderson still bears the wounds of his service in the United States Navy decades ago.

[Joe Rosso]

I was involved in Project Shad duiring 1966 and 1967 aboard the USS Herbert J. Thomas - DD833. Also, while off the coast of Vietnam on the Thomas, I'm sure I was exposed to Agent Orange. I presently have a host of illnesses that can be attributed to Shad Testing and Agent Orange. These include diabetes, high blood pressure. cataracts, asbestosis, and breathing difficulties. Though the DOD admits that I was involved in Project Shad, my local VA regional center says I wasn't. The Agent Orange issue will soon be resolved in the Haas Vs. Nicholson case and perhaps with the new legislation introduced by Congessman Thompson, will resolve Shad. There are a lot of Sailors waiting for decisions on both of these cases. Maybe justice will prevail in both cases.

[Masked Patriot]

it won't pass because every soldat in Iraq or Afghan Front are exposed to DU and will all die young....your rulers don't want to pay for your worthless lives.

[Jeff E]

Screw the murdering soldiers. Let them die a lingering death.

[Village Idiocracy]

Alderson said the government also conducted simulant tests, where they sprayed unknowing military vessels and even U.S. cities with live pathogens, in some cases causing immune system failures and even death.

During the teleconference, Rehberg said part of the problem is no one knows just how many people were affected.

”It seemed like the Department of Defense had dropped the ball and hadn't even tried to identify those who had fallen ill,” Rehberg said.

Thompson agreed.

Pure lies from Liberals and Terrorist Sympathisers trying to bring down the cause of FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY!!! FOX's Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and John Gibson Gibson and CNN's Glenn Beck didnt report this hogwash so it cant be true. Saddam probably sent up some of them drone airplanes to attack us and our way of life!!!

[Mr Bob]

Joe Rosso wrote:

I was involved in Project Shad duiring 1966 and 1967 aboard the USS Herbert J. Thomas - DD833. Also, while off the coast of Vietnam on the Thomas, I'm sure I was exposed to Agent Orange. I presently have a host of illnesses that can be attributed to Shad Testing and Agent Orange. These include diabetes, high blood pressure. cataracts, asbestosis, and breathing difficulties. Though the DOD admits that I was involved in Project Shad, my local VA regional center says I wasn't. The Agent Orange issue will soon be resolved in the Haas Vs. Nicholson case and perhaps with the new legislation introduced by Congessman Thompson, will resolve Shad. There are a lot of Sailors waiting for decisions on both of these cases. Maybe justice will prevail in both cases.

I'm with ya Joe. 3 tours on the 833 Thomas myself.(Elect. Mate)'65 to '69 [e-mail]

[Bill Rust]

I'm with Joe Rosso. I was on the Thomas from 1968 to dicom. I got letters from VA to go for tests and not only did my VA hospital not know anything about this (I had letter and papers in hand)after all day with them on the phone,they said that before any test could be done, I would first have to fill out a form about how much money I made,cause if I made above XXX dollars I would have to share in the cost of anything...Walked out never been [e-mail]

[Philip Lester]

I too was on the HJT during those events and have not been able to get the VA to respond to my claim. I feel like I need a representative.

Joe Rosso wrote:

I was involved in Project Shad duiring 1966 and 1967 aboard the USS Herbert J. Thomas - DD833. Also, while off the coast of Vietnam on the Thomas, I'm sure I was exposed to Agent Orange. I presently have a host of illnesses that can be attributed to Shad Testing and Agent Orange. These include diabetes, high blood pressure. cataracts, asbestosis, and breathing difficulties. Though the DOD admits that I was involved in Project Shad, my local VA regional center says I wasn't. The Agent Orange issue will soon be resolved in the Haas Vs. Nicholson case and perhaps with the new legislation introduced by Congessman Thompson, will resolve Shad. There are a lot of Sailors waiting for decisions on both of these cases. Maybe justice will prevail in both cases.

[Philip Lester]

I was on the HJT during Project Shad as well as when we were in the Saigon River. What does it take to get the VA to respond? Wasn't it enough that we were treated like criminals when we came home?