Congress: Agent Orange Act Of 1991

(MEDIA, PA) - Someone once said, people are tired about hearing of the Vietnam War. This may be so. It is not so much about the war. That war is in the past. It is now about those veterans who were engaged in that war who can not get help and care.

The Agent Orange Act of 1991, was passed by the Congress to afford medical assistance and disability to all Vietnam Veterans. There was no difference whether they served on land, at sea or in the air. It was presumed these Veterans were in fact exposed to Agent Orange poisoning. Many diseases were realized by presumptive exposure to this deadly herbicide. Thousands upon thousands of those who served in the armed forces suffered. Many died due to this herbicide exposure. Many still survive who are sick.

The Act of 1991, was adjusted. This allowed the VA to distinguish between boots-on-ground and not having boots-on-ground, Vietnam. Consequently, due to this adjustment, Blue Water Navy and some Air Force who were receiving disability, suddenly was taken away.

Why can’t our Congress see the harm that was caused by action of a past administration? Congress can provide Vietnam veterans who have Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims pending for the assistance they need for better quality of life and for their legacy. It is shameful, and a national disgrace that the United States of America has turned its face away from those who fought for freedom and who now suffer decades after that terrible War. Both houses of our legislative body must become bipartisan and act on House Bill HR-3612 and Senate Bill S.1629. These Bills will restore what was taken away from Vietnam Veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). The majority of the American people, no doubt, are unaware of what was and what is now when it comes to caring for those who served in time of war. It is time to stand up and be counted. Do we who served our Country with pride and honor have to beg for help in our time of need? Are we just pawns and sacrificial lambs to be toyed with? Are veterans in need to be sacrificed? Is our Country broken? To help our veterans is not a hand-out, it is an obligation.

“We must care for those who have fought the Nation’s battles”. “Fulfill America’s promise to care for those who have borne the battle”. Abe Lincoln

“A Nation, that forgot its fighters and defenders will itself be forgotten”. Calvin Coolidge

If we truly believe in these quotations of honorable men, then stand up America. Write or call your Congressman and Senator, urge them to sponsor and pass the mentioned legislative Bills.

Media, please view this article as a press release, please use it if you can, share widely.

Now an activist and writer, John lives in the aptly named Pennsylvania city, Media, where he continues to seek justice while becoming a larger and larger voice of the movement. John has a college degree (AS) Management from Delaware County Community College, and he taught disciplines of engineering at Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades. When he isn't writing articles, performing research or rallying support for his fellow military veterans, John enjoys fishing; he is an amateur artist, and also spends time gardening and traveling. You can write to John Bury at Email: johnb1936@verizon.net

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Robert Erhard Sr. February 27, 2014 9:08 am (Pacific time)

Ischemic heart disease is subject to Nehmer. Ischemic Heart Disease was put on the VA's List 2010. ALVIN E. Thomas (or Mrs.), your claim should be readjudicated and perhaps receive retroactive benefits. Please read Nehmer Training Guide Policy (211A) February 2011 Revised. Let no man behind. Add this information to your claim(s).

Robert Erhard Sr. February 27, 2014 9:00 am (Pacific time)

To Alvin e Thomas or Mrs. Thomas: Your claim should fall under the Nehmer Training Guide Policy (211A) February 2011 revised... for ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE ...added in 2010... to THE LIST of diseases caused by agent orange. Your claim should have to be re-adjudicated;perhaps for retroactive benefits. Please read the Nehmer Training Guide for yourself.Add this evidence to your claim. Leave no one behind. emailme.only@yahoo.com

Robert Erhard Sr. February 27, 2014 8:57 am (Pacific time)

Anonymous February 27, 2014 8:54 am (Pacific time)

alvin e thomas October 11, 2012 1:07 pm (Pacific time)

I am a 1965-66 Navy Vietnam Veteran. Canada has already sdmitted its faught and began paying sailors for Agent Orange. By age 53 I had 4-5 Ischemic Strokes and in 2008, 1 Ichemic Heart Attack. VA Doctors said they would service connect me, the Wisconsin VA is playing GOD and said NO WAY, after they sent me to the VA Hospital for the exam! The Editor is right!

Robert Erhard April 29, 2012 9:52 pm (Pacific time)

The Department of Veterans Affairs has been sitting on The International Organization > IOM REPORT minor Rev. 3 Jan. 2012) (yes,minor Rev.3 Jan.2012) for several months now. The IOM REPORT is "A must READ" for all Vietnam Veterans and their Offspring. The DVA does not honor THE IOM REPORT because The DVA uses Dr. "FOOT ON GROUND" or Dr. BOOT ON GROUND" to make the medical decision(S) as to if anyone was exposed to agent orange. Such is to say that The Department of Veterans Affairs refuses to accept "THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING"...the blood sausage... that agent orange made of my body and mind over the past 43 years.I served on the USS Newport News. The Newport News was the most extensive firing of any naval ship in the Vietnam Conflict.The Newport News normally operated in the sight of land in which the crew could SEE and Hear explosions. The Newport News fired 24/7 for several weeks at a time... without replenishing. The Newport News operated in the worst of situations,conditions,and atmosphere exposed to agent orange...including...distillation of drinking water. I have the Vietnam Service Medal(with three bronze stars); the Vietnam Campaign Medal(at least 6 months in South Vietnam); And, THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON. The Department of veterans Affairs denied my claim for exposure to agent orange because: SERVICE treatment RECORDS do not contain Complaints,Treaments,or Diagnosis. THE DECISION is "A false TRUTH" : IT can take 20 to 40 years for symptoms and/or illnesses to surface...after exposed to agent orange. The Department of veterans Affairs does not conform to The 112th Congress Bills...2011-2012...AGENT ORANGE EQUITY ACT...H.R.812 includes The Blue Water Navy...and more; S.1629 provides compensation and health care; H.R.3612 amends Title 38; And, the CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT of December 8, 2011...brings it all together...and gives a severe warning...to The Department of Veterans Affairs. > Congress has the Power...TO ENACT...this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Sevtion 8, Clause 18 > The Congress shall have Power * * * TO make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers...VESTED...by the Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any...Department or Officer thereof. The Department of Veterans affairs...Dr."FOOT ON GROUND" and Dr. "BOOT ON GROUND" does not conform to The International Organization of Medicine Report(3 Jan. 2012(. The Department of Veterans Affairs is still defying...VESTED LEGISLATION...by Congress which does not require ...The Department of Veterans Affairs' approval.The VESTED LEGISLATION also does not require President's Obama's signature. Department(S)and Officers of The Department of Veterans Affairs should be held accountable for all the needless ...delays,denials,revocations,and "False Truths" US suffering Veterans... are having to endure. Please read all the material. The truth is there.

JB March 25, 2012 11:02 am (Pacific time)

G 2/3 When? When the congress has an awakening. That can only be done with possitive public help.

Bob Gallagher March 10, 2012 3:44 pm (Pacific time)

".....veterans being denied rights they were told they had when first joining the military." If you believe this, you should re-read your enlistment contract. As a matter of fact, that would probably make a pretty interesting article. It doesn't say what you obviously believe it says. Veterans have no guarantee of a lifetime of taxpayer funded medical care. Nor should they. What US military veterans have is complete access to the best medical care in the world. No veteran is being denied the "right" to medical care any more than they are being denied the "right" to buy a Lexus.

Bob Gallagher March 10, 2012 9:13 am (Pacific time)

I am not anti-veteran. I am pro self-reliance and pro common sense. You have labeled me as offensive and anti-veteran. What did I say that makes you label me this way? Nothing I said was either. Typical of liberalism is to avoid arguing facts, and instead resort to name calling. You have attacked the messenger, not the message. If you would like to address my previous comments, that would be great. Calling someone names because you don't agree with their view? I know you can do better than that.

Tim King: Bob, I'm with these guys, the government could do ten times what they do and have done for our own warriors who risked life and limb for this country, I feel like your earlier comment backs up an anti-veteran point of view, and frankly I don't see it having any accuracy, you are judging from afar people whose service records are documented. We're not talking about some guy at the gas station in the context I am working from; I'm talking about actual veterans being denied rights they were told they had when first joining the military.

Bob Gallagher March 9, 2012 4:04 pm (Pacific time)

Most people who have autistic children, or cancer, or who are fat, or grow warts, or are bald, or smell like cabbage were never exposed to Agent Orange. In fact, most of these people never served in the military. If you were exposed to Agent Orange or if your skin is black it does not mean that every bad thing that happens to you is the result of agent orange or black skin. Cast off the crutch of "victimhood". Even if some badness were the result of Agent Orange or black skin, it doesn't mean that your neighbors, the US taxpayers, owe you medical treatment or reporations or anything else.

Tim King: That's kinda funny Bob, but my Marine brother whose son is autistic is part of this scene, and you are both offensive, and you fail to do anything but appear anti-veteran, that doesn't fly well around here, we don't like people who don't support veterans. We will see a day on this earth when people aren't so stingy and self-centered, we haven't reached it yet though.

Bob Gallagher March 9, 2012 8:08 am (Pacific time)

Years ago at age 14 I had a job here in Salem at a Texaco station. I worked with a Vietnam vet. Great guy. He weighed something near 400 pounds. Bigger than huge. Every day he showed up to work with a dozen Dunkin Donuts and 64 ounces of Coke. He wouldn't hesitate to tell anyone who would listen that he was fat because of his exposure to Agent Orange. If you were in Vietnam or have set foot on the sands of the middle east, it does not mean that your every problem is the result of Agent Orange or PTSD. Far too many people use these issues to play the victim card and avoid taking responsibility for their failures in life. Mmmmmm donuts.

Editor: Bob, do you work for the VA? Are you troubled by the miserable deaths this has caused? Man, I was a Marine in the early 80's and missed Vietnam, but I haven't missed watching my friends who served there shrivel into nothing and die, and i have, and my life has been impacted beyond this, one of my best friends has a son who is autistic and that connects to AO also, and there are Veterans receiving claims who never ever went to VN, one recently received his VA claim for AO contamination and the guy never left El Toro. I guess maybe you would have had to have served to understand, I just know that the government has played this game with sick vets and their families and cancer is a horrible death. 'Deny deny until they die' is the slogan, it concerns me that you are not on the side of the people and the veterans on this one. The fat guy was lying to you, he wasn't in Vietnam, just be careful what you believe, it leads to great confusion. And one final thing, I am 1000% behind these sailors who had to transport that sh*t to SE Asia in the first place. The Navy has the Marine's back; they are our ride when war time comes and we have their back.

G 2/3; March 8, 2012 7:48 pm (Pacific time)

Thank you Mr. Bury,when will these bills come up for congressional voting? Boots in the jungle,67'-68'.

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