VIEWPOINT ARCHIVE
Commentary
and Opinion from the Staff of -
Veterans News Hour Daily
t
Oversight
or Deliberate Stall
Feb. 10, 2002
Agent Orange a code name for an infamous herbicide sprayed during the Vietnam War has also become a code name for inaction and delay in regard to legislation attached to it. We speak now about Senate Bill 1091 a Bi-Partisan proposal which would update and expand the Agent Orange Act of 1991.
This bill would remove the 30 year deadline imposed in 1994 when the VA established a pre-sumption of service connection. For example if your last day of service in Vietnam was in 1970 and you have developed respiratory cancers your claim is no longer eligible. The Bill S.-1091 has many powerful and well known co-sponsors but continues to wallow in committees as have so many other pieces of legislation concerned with the devastating effects of Agent Orange on Vietnam Veterans.
Over the many years of the Agent Orange Controversy inaction and delay has been the rule. Though many have died, become ill, or have watched their children become ill; The politics continue and the clock ticks on.
A Time Honored Tradition
Dec.
21, 2001
If you served in the military your sure to
recall helping those in need. Whether it be orphanages in
Veterans News Hour Daily salutes the special
efforts of these young men and women in uniform who reach out to local
communities at home and abroad. Our feature in the Military Photo section titled
"People" is a sampling of their good deeds. They volunteer their time
and skills to help those in need, and for this deserve greater recognition in
the media. To that end we ask that our fellow veterans and good citizens of the
nation encourage local, national, and world Newspapers, TV, and Radio Stations
to publicize these people and their good work.
Terrorism
Sept. 21, 2001
On Thursday Sep. 20, 2001 in an address to a joint session of Congress, President Bush speaking about those responsible for the terrorist acts against our nation said "We will bring them to justice or we will bring justice to them, but justice will be done".
The Veterans Hour enthusiastically endorses these words and what we believe their meaning to be. (Aggressive long term covert and overt military operations world wide to rid this scourge from the planet.)
We regret however that it took a catastrophic event like this one involving horrific numbers of civilian causalities to finally act. The Marine Barracks in Lebanon, the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, the Embassy bombings in Africa, and the USS Cole should have been enough.
To our Armed Forces we say "Good Luck and God's Speed in the courageous mission you are about to undertake".
Guest Commentary by Jim Thomas
Oct.
9, 2001
If you watched the Sunday talk shows you might have come across some speculation as to how we would prosecute terrorist if captured, and would we be able to ensure them a fair trial in a court of law. In the past terrorist have been tried and prosecuted by the Justice Department in American courts. (World Trade Center bombing for instance)
This situation however is completely different. The Department of Defense is the one now who will be seeking justice for the act of war perpetrated against our nation. Don’t expect Special Forces to be carrying Miranda-warning cards in their back pockets. The rule of law and the ways of war are not interchangeable. When those responsible are found their only right may be to remain silent for eternity
Jim Thomas is a Licensed Private Investigator and Webmaster for this site. This, his Letter to the Editor was published in the San Antonio Express-News Oct. 9th 2001 issue.
The State of Veterans Health Care
"The Veterans Hour" salutes VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi's commitment to discuss veterans health care issues at the local level. On August 27th the VA Secretary and the VA Deputy Undersecretary for Health, Dr. Frances Murphy will be attending a breakfast meeting for veteran leaders in San Antonio, TX. hosted by Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez.
A Town Hall Meeting will follow from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the VFW Post 9186 on 650 East White, also sponsored by Congressman Rodriguez. Gary Thomas will be attending these meetings to express his concerns, and also to learn how the VA is planning to meet the challenges they face in providing veterans the quality health care they were promised. Be sure to check back soon for an update as to how the meetings went by accessing the 1st. Sgt's Report at the end of August.
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D -DAY
6th of June
Signal Corps Photo # 320901
Just as F.D.R. described Dec. 7th 1941 as a day that will forever live in infamy; June 6th 1944 will always mark the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany and the war in Europe. The above photo cannot be viewed without thinking about the remarkable courage, strength of will, and human suffering endured by these common men of uncommon valor.
The American Soldier
May 28, 2001 Memorial Day Observed
The American Cemetery in Luxembourg
This Memorial Day again reminds us of the fallen servicemen and women who for Americas freedom have made the ultimate sacrifice. Their lives lost in service to our nation must never be forgotten. On this Memorial Day 2001 The Veterans Hour pays special tribute to those who never returned home, but rest with their comrades on distant shores and far away lands, once battlefields, now cemeteries. Knowing that gratitude and thanks will never be enough we humbly vow our allegiance, pay our respects, and honor you this Memorial Day and everyday.
Duty,
Honor, Country
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Leukemia, Children, and Agent Orange
April 22, 2001
In a national AP news story today The Institute of Medicine reports that children of veterans exposed to Agent Orange have a greater chance of being afflicted with acute myelogenous leukemia. The new study also reaffirms links with Agent Orange to soft tissue cancer, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chloracne in Vietnam Veterans. Just recently the VA approved presumptive service-connection for Type 2 Diabetes based on a recent IOM review suggesting the possible association with Agent Orange. Secretary Principi and President Bush are reported in the AP article to be taking the results of this latest study very seriously and furthermore the President has instructed the VA Secretary to prepare legislation to assist these children with the disease. There is no doubt though that many have long since died due to the fast spreading nature of this disease which originates in the bone marrow of cells. Additionally, it has now been over a quarter of a century since the end of the Vietnam War.
All this brings to mind a very important point.
Decades ago Vietnam Veterans saw illnesses develop in themselves and their
children and began to connect this with the herbicide defoliant known as Agent
Orange. Sprayed in Vietnam to eradicate jungles concealing enemy movements the
effects were, and still remain remarkable. With their own
limited resources and armed with notable science that existed even at that time
Vietnam Veterans struggled to make their case. That struggle was so great it
cannot be fairly described here and we will not attempt to do so. However, it
must be said that no matter how committed the efforts were to kill the
messengers the message has survived. Today's science is revealing what many
have known all along. Agent Orange eradicates jungles and people.
United States begins use of
defoliants Jan. 12, 1962
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Welcome Home Job Well done
April 12, 2001
Welcome home to the crew of the U.S. Navy EP-3 aircraft which made an emergency landing on the Island of Hainan last week after a mid-air incident with a Chinese fighter. All of America can be proud of your service to the Nation. The Veterans Hour recognizes your courageous efforts and how well all of you reflect upon the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense. As veterans we respect the the leadership and steadfastness of President Bush, Secretary Rumsfeld, and Secretary Powell.
Release our People and our Plane.
Apr. 4, 2001
We support the President in his call for the immediate release of the 24 servicemen and women held by the Chinese Government on the Island of Hainan in the South China Sea. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families in this time of uncertainty. It is important that they know Americas Veterans stand with them and in full support of our Nation's leaders. A giant step backward in our relations with China may still be averted with the return of our people and our plane. International law must prevail in these situations now and in the future to secure the respect and goodwill of our two peoples.
Note: The principal of safe harbor for ships in distress is a time honored tradition among the civilized world. This aircraft and its crew deserve to be treated in that tradition.
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Training mission tragedy
Feb. 13, 2001
The news today of a terrible tragedy involving the crash of two Army Blackhawk helicopters in Hawaii, resulting in six dead and several more injured is received with great sorrow. Our sincere condolences and prayers go out to them and their families.
Unfortunately we are once again reminded how dangerous it is to serve one's country even in this time of peace and prosperity. Training missions are essential to readiness and readiness and ability help preserve the peace we now enjoy.
We will await the results of the investigation as to the cause of this crash as will everyone else. However no cause will change the fact that these individuals were injured and died in service to their Nation, the U.S. Army, their Comrades in Arms and the American people.