Dusting Off the Government Mouthpiece for Agent Orange Denial

The Korean government spent 1 1/2 million dollars and did their own studies and testing when they discovered that the Department of Defense was fudging the test results.

(DETROIT) - For years the Department of Defense and Col. Alvin Young have lied to the Vietnam veterans about Agent Orange. Because they cannot admit that they screwed up when they sign on with the (military contractor)) Monsanto Chemical Company to (WEAPONIZD) Dioxin better known as the rainbow herbicides.

Recently Col. Alvin Young was once again was dusted off and brought out by the Department of Defense to go on record in an article in the Stars & Stripes newspaper to try and explain away the discovery of the toxic landfill at the and chemical drums clearly marked and legible Dow Chemical Company Midland Michigan at the farmer Kadena US Air Force Base in Okinawa.

In the 13th paragraph of the Stars & Stripes article Alvin Young out right lied when he said that there was nothing found in the groundswell and drinking Wells at Camp Carroll Army Depot in South Korea. The Department of Defense spent 3 1/2 million dollars on an 8000 page report on what they say took place at camp Carroll.

The Korean government spent 1 1/2 million dollars and did their own studies and testing when they discovered that the Department of Defense was fudging the test results. When their test started coming back much higher than ours. But I've never heard Alvin Young try to explain this away.

Mr. Alvin Young also stated that three GIs came forward on what had taken place at camp Carroll Korea. It was actually five GIs who came forward and a retired full bird colonel. Who have all given sworn statements and all of have been filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs in a GIs Agent Orange claim. Let's see if Mr. Young can explain that away.

Alvin Young also fails to mention that the Army went back a year later and dug everything up. And repackaged it in to 800 55 gallon drums. This alone is an indictment that it was Agent Orange and Agent Blue that was removed and sent back to the United States for final disposal. Just to go on record, I sent this attachment to Stars & Stripes newspaper & challenged them to put these survey's & test results in their newspaper. I received no reply. I guess Stars & Stripes does not practice equal time as our politicians claim they do.

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Thomas Lucken June 1, 2014 3:04 pm (Pacific time)

20 April 2014

To: Commander, National Headquarters, Veterans of Foreign Wars

Thru: Commander, Department of Illinois, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Commander, District 12, Department of Illinois, Veterans of Foreign Wars

Subject: Dioxin (Agent Orange) Long Term Residual Effects Korean DMZ

Two months ago, I found out that I have Adult Diabetes Type 2, which is one of the many side effects of Dioxin exposure. I already knew many veterans who have served in Vietnam and Korea suffer from not just this side effect but many others. I have discussed with other veterans who have also served in Korea, in particular those who have also served up on the DMZ north of Freedom Bridge/Imjin-gak (River). Many of these veterans also suffer not only from Diabetes, but many of the other side effects of Dioxin exposure.

Agent Orange was used in Korea from approximately 1968 to 1971. Those that served in Korea at that time are the only ones who are acknowledged to have had exposure to Dioxin. It does not cover those that were exposed afterward, where it resides in the dirt for many years to come. From 1971 to 1991 we still had Troops running patrols, manning Guard Posts, and Observation Posts in the American Sector (11 Mile Stretch) after the use of AO.

Our final troops exited Vietnam by 1975 and they are covered in the Zone for Agent Orange. But, in Vietnam we did not naturally get a chance to see the effects of Dioxin exposure in the ground to those Veterans. In Korea, many of us believe we were exposed to it through the 70s and 80s due to aliments we now suffer from.

The US Government/VA needs to look at supporting and caring for these Veterans who are suffering from the side effects caused by exposure to Agent Orange. The Government needs to determine and accept that Dioxins remained in the area/ground well after its use and not just during. We exposed these Troops to an unsafe environment and now they suffer from it in sickness/illnesses, and in some cases death. I believe you will find in most cases, it has taken several years for the illnesses to appear, quite similar to those who were exposed to Agent Orange when it was used in Vietnam.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars membership rules changed several years ago, to allow those who have served in Korea since 1953 to become members of the VFW. Now as the VFW it is our mission to support these Troops that are affected, make it known that they are just as important as Veterans, as our other Veterans are that have served in combat zones! They too served a mission that was difficult on the DMZ, that was real, and sometimes was deadly. Serving on the Korean DMZ and running missions, were not training but a real world situation. These Troops lives were on the line constantly, under the threat of the north. Whether it was being shot at randomly, ambushed by roaming NK soldiers, avoiding minefields that were and are still in place! These Troops were and still are our fellow brothers who deserve to be given equal treatment for their service. A service that many never knew that really existed and/or accepted. Now we as members of the VFW need to see them given the recognition for a duty that was unforgiving, and make the rest of our members and all US Citizens aware of it. They are our brothers and should not be forgotten!

From 1972 to 1991, approximately 50,000 troops have served in the American Sector of the DMZ, and that is a conservative number! For the VA to see an issue/trend here is very limited due to relatively small number of veterans who have served there. With DMZ veterans spread in 50 states, territories, working, living, and retired overseas, and in some cases have passed on, it is hard to see that there is a trend/issue. That is why I ask the Veterans of Foreign Wars to stand up and help these veterans who need it now and never have been recognized for their efforts and their sickness from exposure to Agent Orange.

Last, just for the record. Not only am I currently active with my VFW Post here, but I am a Past Commander of Freedom Bridge Memorial Post 9985, Tongduchon, Republic of Korea.

My info is: 831 W Jefferson, Vandalia, IL 62471; phone: 618-204-8391; email: lucken13@nwcable.net.

Thomas J. Lucken
Senior Vice Commander
VFW Post 9770
Brownstown, IL

Noel Benefield October 10, 2013 3:23 pm (Pacific time)

Fudging is not uncommon. Historically it has been promoted that the mean TCDD in Agent Orange was 2ppm. When you evaluate the origin of that claim it is based predominately on samples after the industry took measures to decrease the concentrations in the product. Perhaps the most challenging fudging was the claim that the one higher sample came from Agent Purple because there was evidence of iso octyl ester in the ground samples at Johnson Island. No consideration was given the many leaking drums of Agent Orange II, that had been stored at the site.

Don Heathcote October 10, 2013 5:55 am (Pacific time)

Love your articles.

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