"Delay, Deny Until They Die"
Vietnam Veterans Affected by Agent Orange, and Other Chemicals
"Lonnie Kilpatrick Central Pacific Herbicide Relief Act" HR 1713 March 2019
AFFF Firefighting Foam is also included now in chemicals affecting military and civilian sites.
By Civilian Exposure Contamination Chronicles.
October 4, 2019 – (Tiyan, Guam) – On Wednesday, the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA)
and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Superfund Technical Assessment &
Response Team (START) performed follow up soil sampling at off-base locations with the assistance of Agent
Orange Survivors of Guam founder Brian Moyer. The follow up soil sampling was completed on Thursday.
CLICK HERE FOR PDF
From L to R Brian Moyer, Rob Maness, Brian O'Callaghan, Jim Kuiken with his Service Dog "Freedom".and Ed Ball.
Four of us in this photo served on Guam.
By NIKKI WENTLING | STARS AND STRIPES
Published: December 3, 2020
Stars and Stripes July 2020
Civiliarnexposure.org July 2020
Military dot com 20 Jan 2020
Facts about TCE Civilian Exposure
Agent Orange Storage and Testing in Guam VETERANS LAW April 2019
The US military's multibillion-dollar PFAS water contamination... CNBC July 2019 (Firefighters take note)
Bill seeks to simplify Agent Orange-related claims Pacific Island Times March 2019
Study finds link between Agent Orange and infant mortality on Guam Guam Daily Post Jan 2016
(Old story, but relevant. Post is no longer in business
The US Military is Spending Millions to Replace Toxic Firefighting Foam with Toxic Firefighting Foam
The Intercept Feb 2018
VA to Announce Decision on New Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions Military.com April 2019
The Military Covers Up The Extent of PAFS Contamination Across the County While it Continues to Poison Hundreds of Communities Civilian Exposure March 2019
US bill seeks help for 52,000 exposed to herbicides like Agent Orange on Guam, other islands
Haidee V Eugenio, Pacific Daily News Published 2:29 p.m. ChT March 13, 2019
Bill seeks to simplify Agent Orange-related claims Pacific Island Times March 2019
National Academies Link Hypertension, MGUS to Agent Orange Exposure VFW Nov 2018
Blue Water Veterans Now Get Agent Orange Rights Hill and Ponton Jan 2019 Great News
Civilian Exposure Jan 2019
Report to VA Adverse ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS
AND EXPOSURE TO AGENT ORANGE VA Administration Posted March 2018
John O'Connor | The Guam Daily Post Jan 29, 2018 Updated Jan 30, 2018 Click Here
Louella Losinio | The Guam Daily Post Dec 1, 2017 Click here
John O'Connor | The Guam Daily Post Dec 17, 2017
Reports link Agent Orange exposure and birth defects Pacific Daily News Sept 2017
Agent Orange on Guam confirmed
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff
A U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans’ ruling in 2005, which concluded that a veteran contracted a disease as a result of his exposure to Agent Orange while stationed on Guam in the late 1960s, is a confirmation that toxic herbicide agents had been used on Guam, Sen. Benjamin Cruz, D-Piti, said on Wednesday.
TESTIMONY ON Resolution 25-34 (COR) testified before the Guam Legislature earlier this year 2017
DENY DENY UNTIL THEY DIE NEWS FLASH
Throwing Guam Under the Bus
March 2017 VA Hearing
Bottom of page 202 calls MSgt Leroy Foster a liar !!!!!
A Collection of Websites and Other URL's With Info Concerning Vietnam Era Vets Exposed to Agent Orange and other Chemicals.
THANKS TO RALPH STANTON AND MSGT LEROY FOSTER (RETIRED) FOR THEIR HARD WORK
AND DECICATION TO HELP THEIR BROTHERS IN ARMS.
Call Congressman Ross at 202-225-1252 and Congresswoman Bordallo at (202) 225-1188
Tell them you want justice for those who served on Guam
No One has proven that Agent Orange was NOT used on Guam
“Agent Orange in Guam, Part 1: Sprayed and Betrayed”
"I was Directly Exposed to Herbicides While Doing My Job"
My Exposure at the Drum Storage lot (EPA Site 27) and at The Fire Training Area (EPA Site 26)
TCE and PCE Contamination in Guam Drinking WaterAnother Case Confirms Agent Orange on Guam
Task force will investigate reports of Agent Orange use on Guam Jan 2017
Two more veterans allege personally spraying Agent Orange on both Air Force and Navy bases Feb 2017
Dennis Ross : Ross Asks VA Secretary to Help Agent Orange-Stricken Veterans Mar 2017
Military Airstrips Are Poisoning People's Wells
Jun 2017
Toxic Firefighting Foam Has Contaminated U.S. Drinking Water Dec 2015
Air Force Won't Fund Former Pease Air Force Base Health Study (Another case of firefighting foam)
May 2017
For Decades, Air Force Ignored Warnings That Firefighting Foam Is Highly Toxic Oct 2016
Military Bases and Firefighting Foam April 2016
Guam USA Military Contamination
Guam Contamination YouTube Video
Life at Marbo, Andersen AFB, Guam - 1969" Guam.... The Land of the Rosaries"
Judge’s Surprise Ruling On Veteran’s Exposure to Toxic Chemicals On U.S. Military Base Called “Turning Point”Reports on Guam ContaminationVets Guam Exposed to Agent Orange
AGENT ORANGE HANDLED AND HANDSPRAYED ON ANDERSEN AFB GUAM AND OFFBASE SEPT 1968 TO JUN 1978
VA leaving navy veterans adrift in sea of Agent Orange Jan 2017Target 8 helps resolve veteran’s four year stalemate with V.A. in less than 48 hours Feb 2017
Toxic Bases in The Pacific
Nautilus Institute
November 2005
Guam &
Congressman sees Target 8 report, wants probe into Agent Orange use in Guam Jan 2017
Guam Congresswoman BORDALLO REQUESTS INFORMATION REGARDING POSSIBLE AGENT ORANGE USE ON GUAM Jan 2017
More veterans allege Agent Orange use at military bases
Jan 2017
Air Force veteran, 72, alleges Agent Orange use on Andersen Air Force Base Jan 2017Army manual contradicts current V.A. mindset for Agent Orange benefits
Air Force Has 5-Year Plan To Cleanup Water Contamination
Former Guamanian wins compensation for Agent Orange exposure Mar 2017
" My name is Ralph A. Stanton. I was stationed at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam in 1969 and 1970. I was assigned to the 43rd CES Fuels Maintenance Section. I performed maintenance on the fuel storage and delivery systems including tank farms, cross island pipe line, pump houses, hydrant pits, and filtering systems (AFSC 54650). Before we
started a job that we knew would require fuel spillage we would go to the drum storage lot (EPA Site No. 27) and get some empty barrels. We would usually get herbicide or TCE barrels because there were more of those. When we performed repairs or maintenance that required us to open the fuel system we would use catch or drip pans to catch the fuel
that would drain out.
We would take the barrels of contaminated fuel to the Fire Training Area (EPA Site No 26).
I swear that everything on these two pages are accurate and factual
to the best of my ability. "
IF YOU ARE OR KNOW AN AIRFORCE FIREFIGHTER WHO SERVED ON GUAM DURING THE VIETNAM ERA - PLEASE CONTACT INFO@DENYDENYUNTILTHEYDIE.COM
11-Jan-2017
STATEMENT OF VICTOR R VREELAND – EXPOSURE TO TOXIC CHEMICALS – ANDERSON AIR FORCE BASE, GUAM 1966 – 1968 During the Vietnam War
My name is Victor R. Vreeland. I was stationed at Anderson Air Force Base Guam from 01 Aug 1966 – 02 Dec 1968. I was assigned to the United States Air Force Crash Rescue Fire Department initially as a firefighter and then promoted to Crew Chief E-5. In the middle of the 27 months I was assigned as Assistant Non Commissioned Officer for the Fire Department Training Division.
As a firefighter I worked 24 hours on and 24 hours off with 72 hours off every two weeks. During the 24 hours on duty, I was required to perform “runway standby” in both stationary fire apparatus and roving runway standby in mobile P6 firefighting pickup trucks. I had served approximately 8 months as a firefighter and later Crew Chief. Every month our shift would participate in a “pit fire” at the Fire Department Training Area (See attachment A - EPA site 26 on the map.) I would drive to the training area where 5 to 10, 55-gallon drums of multi colored liquid were waiting for me to dump into the pits. The Fuels Maintenance Section aka POL brought them to the pits. (See Ralph A. Stanton Documents – attachment)* I removed the “bungs,” tipped the barrels over and rolled them into the pits. The liquids odor was nauseating. We wore no breathing apparatus. Since the liquids would slosh out of the drums as I rolled them, I was splashed with the material. I wore leather gloves and leather combat boots to handle the barrels and on some occasions wore cloth jump suits borrowed from the Fire Department auto mechanics to protect me, my uniform from being soaked with the liquids I spilled into the pit. My gloves and shoes always got soaked. The jump suits were often soaked in the liquids. They were laundered by the military and reused. I stored one pair of combat boots for future use only at the drill pits. The leather gloves were disposable and I did not use them more than once. I would have preferred to dispose of the combat boots but due to the expense, I just reused them. They were not suitable for ordinary duty because they no longer would take a polish. The liquid would permeate my leather gloves and my boots, my hands and feet became numb when the liquid came in contact with my skin. The numbness would go away after a few hours, sometimes for days. Now I have permanent peripheral neuropathy in both my hands and both my feet.
In early 1967 I was assigned as Assistant Training NCO for the Fire Department. I now was responsible to set up all the pit fire training sessions for both shifts. Every six months a new team of firefighters would rotate from US bases to Guam during the war in Viet Nam. I was responsible for training for those temporally assigned (TDY) as well as the civilian (GS) and permanently assigned military (PCS). We “burned” the pits about twice a month, maybe more often depending on the TDY requests.
MARBO ANNEX
For most of the 27-month assignment, I was billeted in the off base Air Force property known as MARBO Annex: The MARBO Annex is located several miles south-southeast of the Main Base and covers 2,342 acres. (See attached document B with map). I drank the water and showered at that facility. I was assigned to the “open bay” area of the facility. The building had no air-conditioning and was only ventilated with aluminum louvers. At least once a month the facility was fogged for mosquitoes from spray vehicles which drove the road around the barracks. It could have been sprayed more because I was at work Crash Fire Station and wouldn’t have known if they sprayed. The fog would permeate the barracks through the louvers and enter the sleeping area. We were not evacuated during the spraying. No one told us it was harmful. I concur with Mr. Stanton’s statements “My open air barracks was within 1500 feet of two EPA Super Fund Clean Up sites. Herbicides were used all around the barracks and parking areas.” When I was at MARBO, I personally was fogged with the chemical.
ANDERSON AIR FORCE BASE GUAM FIRE STATION
We were required to keep our firefighting vehicles in spotless condition. To achieve this we were given the solvent trichloroethylene (TCE) and a type of strong green soap to clean all parts of the crash rescue vehicle. This chemical also has properties proven to cause various debilitating medical conditions to military service members who came in contact with these chemicals.
Recently it has come to light the chemical we mixed with water to fight fuel fires aka AFFF Aqueous Film Forming Foam manfactured by the 3 M corporations was also toxic. During training and actual operations we literally "bathed in the stuff." Our bunkers were soaked and our boots filled with the liquid. See links above
U-TAPAO ROYAL THAI AIRBASE - Late 1967
Was sent TDY to U-Tapao Royal Thai Airbase in late 1967 in order to set up the AS32-P2 Firefighting Vehicle Training Course. I was there for several weeks and lived in temporary structures adjacent to the local klong (runoff water from Tapioca farms) I conducted several pit fires using JP4.
I swear that everything on these pages is factual to the best of my recollection and ability.
Victor R. Vreeland CMSGT USAF USAFR Retired
PO Box 217
Cedar Creek, Texas – 78612
512 303 1020
info@denydenyuntiltheydie.com
*“My name is Ralph A. Stanton. I was stationed at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam in 1969 and 1970. I was assigned to the 43rd CES Fuels Maintenance Section. I performed maintenance on the fuel storage and delivery systems including tank farms, cross island pipe line, pump houses, hydrant pits, and filtering systems (AFSC 54650). Before I started a job that I knew would require fuel spillage I would go to the drum storage lot (EPA Site No. 27) and get some empty barrels. I would usually get herbicide or TCE barrels because there Ire more of those. When I performed repairs or maintenance that required us to open the fuel system I would use catch or drip pans to catch the fuel that would drain out. I would take the barrels of contaminated fuel to the Fire Training Area (EPA Site No 26). I swear that everything on these two pages factual to the best of my ability.”
My name is Robert A Fink. I was stationed at Anderson AFB Guam from Aug 25th 1970-Jan 1972 with the 43rd Combat Supt Grp as a Firefighter in Crash Rescue. The 43d CES. This was during B52 Arc Light missions to Vietnam. As a firefighter I worked 24 hour shifts. I was constantly on the runways, Tarmac, virtually every square foot of the flight line. We were often on standby when aircraft was launched and I done ramp patrol in P6 firefighting pick up trucks, checking for hazards and safety. I would see brown gray areas of dead vegetation and noticed spraying being done to the areas of fencing, fuel hydrants, runway and other areas. Later I learned it was Msgt. Leroy Foster who was the one spraying. Often I would move, if able, but the spray drifted and I would feel wet from it. During grounds maintenance around the fire station we used pump up sprayers to kill grass and weeds around it. These were filled at POL. It was mixed with Diesel fuel and smelled terrible. We done the same at Marbo Barracks, where I lived. I was also Station Captain at Marbo. We as firefighters often had pit fires to keep in practice and training. Drums of hydraulic fluids, spilled fuels and other wastes from POl was brought to our training site to be used. Ralph Stanton testified as to the liquids in left over herbicide barrels, dumped in. Flammable fuel was added and fired up. I put out the fires, crawling in it, pulled out rescue dummy's . The site is now a Superfund site at 19,000 ppm We often painted in the firehouse, using TCE to clean paint brushes, cleaned grease and oil on fire trucks with it. Living on Marbo and working there, mosquito spray was often used, coming into the barracks. We had no air conditioning. Just louvered windows. We were also near a dump site, which is also a known EPA Superfund site. While on Guam I was exposed to herbicide spray, TCE, on hands and drinking water, bathed, cooked in TCE water. Breathed AO herbicides in my training fires, in one of the most contaminated spots on earth. I now have 20 ailments that I believe was caused by my exposures on Guam. I presently waiting on VRB and been " Claim Fighting" for four years. I swear the above is factual and best of my recollection.
From Pacific Daily News 08 Feb 2017 Kyla P Mora , kmora@guampdn.com
Navy veteran Bruce Borton, who was stationed at Naval Facilities Engineering Command on Guam from Feb. 21, 1971 to Dec. 3, 1973, said he personally sprayed an herbicide as part of the Seabee detachment at Ritidian Point.
Borton was enlisted as a Petty Officer 3rd Class. His job title was utilities man 3, which included working in plumbing, A/C repair and general maintenance, he said. Borton also drove a bus to and from Naval Communications Station and Ritidian Point, where he described seeing "the little tractor spraying from the gate into Northwest Field, down to the point."
Borton said usage was widespread on the then-Navy property, and he personally sprayed the jungle with herbicide from a hand-held sprayer.
“One of our tasks was to spray the jungle to keep it back off the road,” Borton said. “Seabees sprayed along the road where the guard shack was, on both sides of the hill, up to where the road flattens out. We also sprayed around the buildings and in the compound under the fuel tanks.”
Seabees refilled portable sprayers by hand from a drum kept in storage, Borton said.
“The chemical we used was stored outside in a 55-gallon drum, away from the compound on the north. There was a field there behind the engine room and shop areas with a high security fence,” Borton said. “The drum was outside the security fence, and surprisingly, we never had to mow that field. We would fill up a can sprayer from the drum that sat upright. I know we spilled the chemical in the dirt there while filling up the spray can.”
Borton now experiences diabetes, high blood pressure, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction and hearing loss. His two children, born in 1978 and 1979, both have incomplete albinism and ADHD, he said.
Pacific Daily News 08 Feb 2017 Kyla P Mora , kmora@guampdn.com
Air Force veteran Cleveland Walters was stationed for temporary duty at Andersen AFB from July 23 to Dec. 29, 1972. Walters originally deployed with the 96th Bomb Wing, but once on Guam he was assigned to the 43rd Transportation Squadron, as an airman.
Walters’ official job title was supply point for the transportation unit, but he said that, at age 18, “being the youngest in age and rank, you get every doggone detail known to man thrown at you. And when that happens, that goes unknown on your records. This is wartime, and they use you wherever they want to put you, outside of your job title.”
Cleveland Walters poses by his tent in "Tin City" on Andersen Air Force Base. Walters alleges that he personally sprayed Agent Orange in Tin City and around the base. (Photo: Courtesy of Cleveland Walters)
One of those assignments was “helping with those hand spray pumps,” spraying around the fence line, buildings, bath houses, temporary housing in “Tin City” and “Canvas Court,” and on the back side of base roads, he said.
“We did a lot of spraying, trying to get rid of the weeds. It’s unbelievable how quickly the foliage grows back over the roads, probably because it rains there every day,” Walters said. “Then, of course, we had to haul drums from the transportation to the dump.”
Walters described the drums as “rotten” and “rusted,” which made it hard to see any distinguishing colors. However, the drums that weren’t rusted were often used as makeshift barbecue grills.
Florida resident and veteran Leroy Foster is one of the first veterans to report Agent Orange was used on Guam. He said he personally sprayed thousands of gallons of Agent Orange at Andersen Air Force Base, while stationed there with the 43rd Supply Squadron Fuels Division during the Vietnam War.
Walters originally was housed in a tent on the fence of the flight line at Andersen AFB, which Foster described as part of his primary spray route.
From the time he was on base, Walters battled “jungle rot,” or chloracne — rashes and boils around his face and hair line — as well as digestive problems, dizzy spells and blackouts. He sought medical attention for his skin nearly every day, Walters said. Years later, with the help of Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Walters obtained a partial copy of his Guam medical records, supporting his claim.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs presumes cloracne as Agent Orange-related for Vietnam veterans.
Foster also reported experiencing severe chloracne during his time on Guam.
U.S. Air Force veteran Cleveland Walters alleges personally spraying Agent Orange at Andersen Air Force Base. (Photo: Courtesy of Cleveland Walters)
Walters also stated that his two older brothers, who served in Vietnam during Operation Ranch Hand, experienced the same symptoms.
Walters now suffers from hearing loss, severe acid reflux, neuropathy, restless leg syndrome and intermittent tremors, and continued cysts and rashes on his skin. Four of Walters' daughters have asthma and allergies, and one daughter had to have an ovary removed at age 13. Walters’ grandson and granddaughter, he believes, have ADHD, and his granddaughter currently is undergoing medical treatment for abnormal development of her teeth.
Walters said he never discussed his time on Guam with anyone until his birthday in 2010, when he finally caved to pressure from his wife and daughter and started using a computer.
“I never would have put this together. The first thing I did was punch in my unit in Guam. I started reading, and all of a sudden people were talking about their health. I told my wife, 'Everything they’re talking about is what I have',” Walters said. “The skin rashes, the neuropathy, all this stuff. I figured they probably would, because we all lived in those tents.”
Walters is happy about the introduction of the FOSTER Act — named after Foster — which would provide presumptive Agent Orange exposure status to veterans who served on Guam during the Vietnam War.
“They said that those in Vietnam are presumed to have been exposed. Fine, I go along with that. But what about the places that stored it before they even get there? The people who touched it? Somebody had to get it to Vietnam and get it away from there, and it had to stop two places before it even got there,” Walters said.
“I just don’t understand. They know it’s there, why don’t they just turn around and take care of us? As we raised our hands up and were sworn in, they also made the promise that they would take care of us,” he added. “I wish some of those guys in Congress would turn around and just live in my skin right now, and see what I’ve been going through for 40-something years.”
ED RUSSELL
I was in Guam from Jan 77 to Dec 79. I had no idea AO was used. I worked at the 43MMS on the back perimeter, next to the flightline. My wife worked in fuels at the fuel storage area. She was a civilian. I was all over the place with a SSgt Pangalenian who was born in Guam, Dededo area. We were all around the South end of Andersen, near the bomb storage area. He was from the small village outside the base. We ate small animals, fish, birds, pigs, and other things. I really didn't want to know what it was, I just ate it. We also drank coconut juice to quinch out thirst. So I guess I could say I was exposed unknowingly. I have a few conditions associated with AO exp. My wife has had kidney cancer.
I eventually ended up working at the Bay Pines VA Regional Office in FL as a VSR processing claims. We would receive several claims for AO exposure and conditions related to it. That included countries Thailand and Korea, with similar circumstances in Guam. These claims were also disapproved. However, they eventually approved AO conditions only if they had duties that required you to work around the perimeter of the base, i.e., security, maintenance, etc., They only approved certain bases in Thailand.
I was working for the VA in 2011 before retiring. The VA had been putting off a decision for vets who submitted claims for AO diseases back in 1983, and all claims had been previously denied. They were called neimer cases. What that meant, I have no idea. The VA had been putting off revisting these cases until they could get a decision from someone. Well after 29 years, a Federal Judge told the VA they been dragging their feet way to long and had only 6 months to approve these cases or face jail time. Well they had to contact vets, spouses and children, regardless of age to make sure they got what they deserved. How much, I don't know but it was substantial. They did what they were told and met their time restraints. So to respond to your statement, it will happen, someday.
Vietnam was from 62-75. I think Thailand and Korea DMZ was in 1968-69. But these conditions are considered presumptive conditions. It something you get immediately, but they fester in your body and at one point in time or another will raise its ugly head.
June 12, 2006 at 14:28
I was stationed on Guam at Andersen AFB, 3AD HQ command post from 1965-1967. Also in Canada and Thailand. To keep it short I have since had or still have glaucoma, type2 diabetes, prostate surgery, thyroid and throat cancer surgery and cancer of my right kidney and subsequent removal. I’ve consistently been denied by the VA. Can anyone suggest help for me? Thank you
July 12, 2006
I am looking for other children of Vietnam Vets that were born with heart defects.
I am 33 and just finished my second open heart to replace my deformed valve.
My beloved Father passed away 2years ago. He was a victim of A.O and was in the process of a class action law suit. He lived in Minneapolis MN.
He suffered terrible PTSS, and died alone because of it. I was devastated. That war took his soul. And, made me sick as a result.......
September 23, 2006
I was an OSI Agent in Guam, Anderson AFB. I traveled the Island extensively and many of the "off limit" areas. I was usually in the company of Maj. Silas R. Telander.(Commander of the Security Police Squadron. I have numerous maladies such as diabetes, tremors, neurological disorders. My son is now blind, and my daughter has so many disorders I cannot articulate them all. I am willing to help others if they know the whereabouts of now Col. Telander (retired).
I have a host of physical maladies that are all symptomatic of Agent Orange exposure but since I was in Guam 1973 to 1973 the VA says I am not apt to have been exposed to AO. I say BS what do you say?? Can anyone prove AO was there?
Thanks and God Bless
01 March 2006
I served at Anderson AFB (1968) and at Kadena AFB (1970) as a Security Policeman. We humped the B-52's and the ammo dumps. I remember a post near Pott's junction that smelled real bad, there 55 gal drums stacked up. I was diagnosed with type two diabetes, had quadruple heart by-pass, ventricular tachycardia they put in a pacemaker that lasted about ten years then a defibrillator. They cleaned out my right carotid artery and know say that I have a growth on my thyroid gland, just started by test today. I need solid info to file a claim. There was a case awarded out of Boston for a guy stationed at Anderson. Any info will help.
Thank You, John
06 March, 2006
I was stationed at anderson AFB (1966 thur 1968) I need help proving my disabilities which were caused by agent orange. mine are diabetes type two,and peripheral neuropathy which affect legs and hands, and numerous other problems. I worked around the flight line and drinking water wells. We used to spray on a daily if not weekly basis.Dioxon was clearly used. We had a chemical dump where the drums were stored and most of them were damaged. Need all the help I can from my fellow brothers. Ph 1-707-795-3260 Thanks
April 09, 2005
I was stationed on Guam, not only did the Air Force spray the old runways with AO, The planes were loaded at Anderson AFB, spills on tar mack, wash down the drain to the aquifer and we all drank it. I have pic's where it was buried, the truck numbers -forklift numbers. Photo of the barrels that read clear Ao-AB-AW. I have 4 kids with birth defects -spinal bifida,extra toes , CA,mental slowness,The kicker is I was told at AO exam as "positive findings" --Yet I am being denied because it wasn't Nam.Texas veterans magazine OOPs last time with stating the AO was transferred from Okinawa to Nam also. I called them and they didn't realize that they had made a positive statement to the fact it was all over the damned place. I suffer daily as do my kids. I have uncontrolled Diabetes with multiple injections and 6 times a day testing. Have no feelings in the hands &feet. Pawned of as something else caused it.
Any help for Guam veterans is appreciated. There are 8 of us fighting to win other than Guam . Respectfully David Starr. For give misspelled -blind.
EDWARD C BAKER
I was assigned to the 3960th wing under the 3rd division from April 1967 to October 1968. My AFSC was a fire fighter and worked mostly on the flight line during Arclight. I lived in the MARBO barracks which was off base.
When I was discharged in October 1968, i had a skin rash and visited the Cincinnati VA hospital for treatment. In November 1968, I was awarded a 10% disability. I never asked for this and was surprised when I was awarded it and have been receiving this ever since.
Fast forward up to about 5 years ago my doctor advised that i have low blood platelets and referred me to an oncologist. I have had a bone marrow test and other blood tests, which came back negative. My physician cannot explain why my blood platelets are low and having checked all my prescriptions was asked if was ever around any hazardous chemicals which I wasn’t aware of. My platelet count is about half of what it should be and am taking blood tests every three months. After reading about Agent Orange at Andersen AFB, I was wondering if that is where I was exposed? I am 71 years old and overall am fairly healthy. I am thankful that these platelets have not dropped any lower.
Ed Baker March 2017
Gary Spurgin
9141 Waterman Drive
Providence Village, Texas 76227
214-537-2417
gary.spurgin@yahoo.com
October 17, 2017
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Gary Spurgin. In 1972 I was deployed with the 96th Bomb Wing OMS TDY to Andersen Air Force Base from Dyess Air Force Base. Once in Guam I was assigned to the 43rd Squadron OMS later to become a Crew Chief on the B52-d Bomber. Of the 18 months I was in Guam I worked launch and recovery and was on the alert status crew.
When I first arrived in Guam I was in the base barracks for approximately 2-3 months, then moved to Tent City for about 3 months. The balance of my time in Guam I was in Marbo Barracks with the exception of the time I was on alert status then I would be in the alert building on the flight line.
I was never made aware that I was being exposed to Agent Orange , Agent Blue, Agent White & Silvex (which has a dioxin level seven times higher than Agent Orange) herbicides along with the solvent TCE. Even though I was located on a tropical island on the flight line and in the barracks always seeing the brown grass that should have been green with all the rain. I knew it was sprayed often but not thinking the Military would be spraying something that was harmful to my body or that the planes were being washed with the solvent TCE mixture. I remember the odor being so strong on the flight line area with a mixture of jet fuel, diesel fuel from the trucks and herbicides. Knowing at that time the water was so foul and now finding out the water I drank, brushed my teeth, my food was prepared with and the water where I showered was contaminated now explains some of the issues I have suffered. There was no ventilation at Marbo Barracks or obviously when I was in a tent right outside the fence of the flight line so you just inhaled all the herbicides that were sprayed.
The health issues that I believe I have suffered with due to my exposure to Agent Orange, Agent Blue, Agent White, Silvex, TCE Solvent and a contaminated water system are the following:
• Type 11 Diabetes for which I have to take2 different medications to control along with diet. (For which there is no family history.)
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma on my back and several other cysts that had to be removed.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma Penile cancer. I had to have multiple surgeries to be followed up with radiation which in turn formed scar tissue within the urethea making it difficult to urninate at times and I had to go back at one time and wear a chatheter.
• Erectile dysfunction for which no meds have helped.
• At age 33 before my penile cancer my 2nd wife and I decided to have a child of our own she had had two previous children with a previous husband with no issues and I had two from a previous marriage also. One of which was conceived right after my 3rd TDY in Guam and was born while I finished up my active duty at Dyess AFB. When my 2nd wife became pregnant she had an anembryonic pregnancy which caused a miscarriage. During this type pregnancy a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but doesn’t develop into an embryo. While researching this subject I have found low sperm count can lead to this type pregnancy. Medical research suggest that exposure to these chemicals can contribute to loss of sperm count which now I can’t help but believe it was from the exposure to harmful chemicals while in Guam that we suffered the loss of our child.
• Neuropathy & swelling in both feet and ankles making it hard to stand or walk for any length of time. Major muscle spasms in my legs and hands.
• Tinnitus (for which I have received 10% disability).
• Hearing loss.
• Enlarged prostate that I have to take medication for daily.
• Polyps in my colon that have been removed and grown back in the same location.
• Hemorrhoids.
• High Cholesterol.
• Gum Disease.
• Lower back disc degeneration & spinal stenosis.
• Sleep Apnea highest number for machine is 20 and I am at a 15. "
. Glaucoma (New diagnosis)
I am asking that Guam be added to the list of places where the Vietnam ERA herbicides were known to be used, stored and disposed of. I believe myself and all veterans should be honored by our military and given the benefits and medical attention they deserve by being exposed in Guam to the harmful chemicals that they were unaware of.
I certify that the statements in this letter are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Sincerely,
Gary Spurgin
In 1967 I was 11yrs old excited to move to Guam. Over the next 2 yrs I was exposed to AO what seemed like daily. It was sprayed to keep jungle growth held back. To know I am first generation is hard my four children showed defects my grandchildren even more I have a great grandchild due soon. My biggest fear is what well it do to them. The world is slowly dying at that time in 1967 Guam was one of the most polluted places on earth. All these years later its even worse. I created this site to have a place to speak truths and perhaps then we can help heal the damage that was done!
The Secret of Paradise
This is the story of most individuals when they fall in love, marry, and want to start a family. It was in the 1960s that my story began. When I graduated high school in Baltimore, Maryland, my major decision included being a teacher, or becoming a medical secretary. Tell you the truth, neither prospect excited me. Being that everyone was in the process of planning their life I resigned myself and the prospect of taking the next stage in my life.
The next stage had to be investigated so I looked at my grades, which were mediocre to say the least and realized I’m certainly was not heading for Harvard. After looking over by possibilities I came down with one that I probably would be able to get into. It was a small college in the Western Maryland hills, which in the winter had a lot of snow. It was very pretty, however, really interests me.
So after some thought I asked my parents to make an appointment to a small medical secretarial school in Western Maryland. It was really not earth shattering but included courses that definitely interested me. When I looked at that we had to give needles to our roommate or practice I must admit I got a little squeamish. But overlooking this minor setback it looked like the place for me.
Being an only child, I looked forward to meeting people and especially having roommates for the first time in my life. I met girls with ambitions similar to mine and some entirely different. Well, it looked as if this was the bridge I was searching for to help me cross into the next stage of development. Funny, as I got up early the .first day of classes I had no idea what was waiting for me. I made sure my uniform was put together adequately, my makeup was clean, and most of all my attitude was good.
As the months went by, much more quickly than I had anticipated I found myself facing another critical decision in my life. Each student had to complete an internship at hospitals located in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. It was crystal clear that the best students with the highest GPA were offered the internships in the District of Columbia. I was hoping to be able to land an internship in Washington, DC because I really didn’t want to go back to my hometown but was not sure if I might be offered one in DC. To make a long story short when I had my meeting with the Director he informed me that my GPA was high enough to go to the Washington Hospital Center and wanted to know if I would accept the appointment. WOW. Not what I expected, however, I feel that this placement actually afforded me the opportunity to do my internship in Washington, DC but I preferred was smaller hospital. When I left his office I was floating on air and could not wait to get back to the dorm and share the news with my roommates. Needless to say, that was one of the happiest days we all spent together having achieved our goals which we had worked so long and hard for.
At the conclusion of my training, I interviewed for a job at the Naval Medical Center where I always wanted to work in. I always wanted to work at the Naval Medical Center so when I discovered there was an opening in the research institute I was really happy. To make a long story short, I was fortunate enough to get the job, however, little did I know that I would be leaving in the future join my husband on the island of Guam.
This tiny island would become our secret paradise. Unfortunately the secrets would be devastating…
I searched for employment and found a job the Naval Air station in Agana. At the time no one really knew the secrets held by the soil beneath the building which would become the Guam International Airport. It was these controversial secrets that enabled the illnesses to frame the rest of our lives.
My son John was born at the U.S. Naval Hospital on Guam on January 14, 1970. At the time I attributed his crying all the time to hereditary colic. Little did I know that this was a sign of severe autism which would affect our family for the rest of our lives. Locating both medical and behavioral assistance was a tremendous challenge in order to bring his self-injurious behavior under control.
My husband was the second one to be affected by contaminates such as agent orange. As time went by my husband came down with diabetes and numerous other medical conditions both associated with and not directly with diabetes. Being a physician, it is most difficult if not impossible to have him address this subject. I decided I wanted to go back to school and complete s dream I had always had. I decided to major and social work because it coincided with the work I had done with parents and children. Finally, I was ready to graduate in 2003. People wondered why I had waited so long to go back to school? It was because the majority of my time was spent at our home caring for our severely affected son, now adult with autism. As I was finishing up graduation odds and ends I suddenly felt my legs buckle and because of my illness diagnosed as Parkinsons I lost my ability to walk. Since I was on my way to my internship at the VA Medical Center in Martinsburg West Virginia I had to purchase my ID. My friend and classmate would not let me leave as she secured me a wheelchair, and “Carol, get into the chair and I am taking you to your supervisor”. You have worked hard and I won’t let you quit now. As I rode down the hall with Patricia pushing me she said “well this it Carol the Traumatic Brain injury unit”. As we approached the office I saw two people walking towards us. One was Tony, a staff person who I would be working with, and any other person was Charlie, a young nonverbal 23 year old and had fallen out of the truck and had brain damage. According to Tony, Charlie was the first patient with the characteristics they ever had. Needless to say, I knew this was where I needed to be. All the years with my nonverbal son had given me the strength to know their heart.
As the days went on and I heard people say to me can you please take Charlie’s tray to his table because it’s not in our job description? Keep in mind I was on a scooter and trying to balance my tray as well. I knew then much more training needed to be given to those surrounding Charlie in order for him to live and be able to function in our society.
Finally, my last function was to provide a roundtable to the men networking and communicating in the traumatic brain injury unit. I must admit this was a very sad time for me, however, I did not want the men to see it…. So I finished by asking the group “what do you like about the group and what did you not like about the group” ? Fearing that I had left myself opened to criticism and took a deep breath and listened. Client “M” concluded with “well Carol what I learned from you was to never give up”. It took all of my strength to not cry. He said I saw you struggle to come in everyday and now I will be able to be like that.
In conclusion, my sincerest blessings and good wishes to all the veterans and special staff who want to see these wonderful people survive. It takes love, strength, fortitude and doing the right thing. One thing I learned is that the veterans deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and to be given the help they need through which their exposure to contaminates in the soil and water they have been exposed to. Does anyone have that right? Is this negligence or something more serious? What have we done to our children? We have an opportunity to help those who through no fault of their own became afflicted with serious health issues and right now will we turn our heads and walk away or at least take this god given chance to make things better for these families, Who have encountered their own Hurricane in the form of Agent Orange? Well, I know I want to sleep at night, what about you?
CAROL A. TAMARA
311 GREENBRIAR ROAD
MARTINSBURG 25401
304-263-0277
ctamara456@gmail.com
UNITED STATES NAVAL HOSPITAL GUAM 1968-1970, ASSOCIATE PATHOLOGIST
PANAMA CANAL ZONE, TROPICAL MEDICINE COURSE. MEDICAL PERSONNEL,1971
SAN DIEGO, CA BALBOA NAVAL HOSP[TAL PATHOLOGY RESIDENCY 1970
ORLANDO NAVAL HOSPITAL, DIRECTOR OF LABORATORIES 1972-1974
I knew that it could not have been coincidental, rather there had to be a reason that three people became very ill in the same family, with illnesses that had no apparent causation.
My name is Brian Moyer, I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 30th, 1973 and after Basic Recruit Training at MCRD San Diego, California. I then went to Infantry Training School in Camp Pendleton MCB, Oceanside, California for further training as a 0311/ Rifleman.
After completing ITS I was then sent to Sea Duty Indoctrination School back at MCRD San Diego, California. After completing that school I had orders cut for the USS Proteus AS-19 a submarine tender that was homeported at Polaris Point, Apra Harbor, Guam. I arrived with three other Sea Duty Marines on February 14th, 1974 for two year tour of duty as a member of the ships Marine Detachment.
Our job on ship was to provide security for the ships special weapons areas and provide security for the "Boomers" SSBN nuclear submarines that carried special and conventional weapons when they came in for a refit, resupply as required. Plus the commercial ships that came in to resupply the USS Proteus which were known as "TAK's".
Approximately three months after my arrival I was picked with two other Marines named Gregory Waldron and Jim Kuiken to go to Andersen AFB to attend firefighting school again even though we had gone through it at Navy Base Coronado in San Diego. We went to Andersen AFB and on the first day there before we really start training one of the senior Fire Fighting Instructors informs us that they have had a fuel contamination problem with the water supply. Meaning the drinking fountains at that fire house and school on Andersen. I was thirsty and went up to the drinking fountain and got a drink of water with almost instantaneously tasted like gasoline and I turned and spit it out spewing obscenities that would have cause my mother to faint!
The instructor had water delivered in Igloo water coolers with Styrofoam cups for us to utilize after my public display of spraying contaminated water and yelling "God Fucking Damn It! This tastes like fucking shit!" Jim Kuiken was there and he still remembers that! We would go "Boonie Stomping" from Apra Harbor and cut through the jungle and refill our canteens with water from the Sasa River and then move up to the skyline of Mt Tenjo, Mt Lam-Lam and Mt Auto Lam.
We would make our descent from Mt Tenjo down through more elephant/saw grass and upon breaking through the grass we found the "Pipeline Road" which was two above ground steel pipe lines that were running in what we thought was a north to south direction we climbed over the pipelines and they were oily and you could smell a fuel oil/diesel fuel odor about the whole area on many of our trips up to Mt Tenjo. That area had been sprayed by the late M/Sgt Leroy Foster who I would get to know on a very personal level through multiple visits to his home here in Florida and phone calls. Also on a couple of occasions there was a "white powder" like chalk dust or flour that would go airborne as we broke through the reeds and saw grass Leroy Foster informed me that he sprayed Agent Orange and Silvex along the "Pipeline Road" during his ten years of duty on Guam as a "vegetation control" worker on top of his other duties as a POL petroleum, oil and lubricants" technician.
After my discharge from the Marine Corps in 1977 I returned home to Detroit and went to work as a carpenters apprentice and then got married in 1983. My late wife and I tried to have children but to no avail. We both got tested and my late wife walked away with a clean bill of health. I, did not. I was informed I had a vey low sperm count and the sperm had very low motility. I would not come to the conclusion that I was chemically castrated because my two other brothers and three sisters all have a bunch of kids. I have a cousin who was Boots on the Ground Vietnam at Bein Hoa, Vietnam and he has the same medical condition as I do.
My late wife and I moved out to Wyoming in 2006 due to the poor economic conditions of Michigan and I went to work in corrections and the transition over to law enforcement. During that time I would lose my wife of thirty years would die in my arms from cancer in January of 2012. I would end up meeting another very beautiful woman and get married again. So,Never, say Never!
We would eventually move to Florida because of my wife's work requirements. During this time I started experiencing more and more back pain and walking issues plus my toes had started turning a black color. I didn't know what to make of it plus my lower legs had this heavy freckling look to them! In the mean time I had found out about Agent Orange being used and after some searching I "hooked up" with M/Sgt Leroy Foster.
Leroy Foster told me everything he did on Guam and we even went to the Bay Pines VA Medical Center, Bay Pines, Florida so he could testify on my behalf as to his spraying of herbicides on Guam during his ten years there. The first time I was at his house in Lakeland, Florida he asked me show him my toes! I took off my work boots and socks and he said "Oh my God! You have "Dirty Toes"! then he asked that I pull up my pant legs and that when he seen the "freckling" which is actually hyper pigmentation which is another sign of exposure to dioxin contamination. We put our feet and legs side by side and you could not tell them apart other than Leroy Foster surgical scar for heart surgery.
Leroy stared crying and begged me to forgive him for poisoning me. I told Leroy "Bro! You were following orders and if you objected or refused a order you'd still be in Leavenworth after your court martial!" I also had witnessed spraying take place by sailors from my ship the USS Proteus with four or five man work details with pump up galvanized sprayers. The Sailors were spraying the inner security fence line plus there was also a little tractor with a tank and small spray rig attached to it and the entire field was sprayed by this little tractor and nothing but a few weeds grew at Polaris Point. On one occasion I was only twenty feet away from one of those work details spraying the fence line. We also trained and played football, baseball and the ships football team practiced on that herbicide sprayed field. The tractor was stored in a old garage right next to the enlisted men's club called "Andys Hut."
I would then learn that the Andersen #2 Fire Fighting School has the highest dioxin levels in the world at 19,000ppm. Dow Chemical would admit to shipping Agent Orange to Guam and that people were getting sick who had come in contact. Studies had been conducted by various government entities and Guam's only two fresh water supplies were both contaminated which is where all of our drinking water came from. Our food was cooked with it! Our clothing washed in it and our water came from the Northern Lens Aquifer and, Fena Lake Reservoir.
I met retired Commander John Wells USN who really was a Naval officer and also a Veterans Law Attorney and not a desk jockey working for JAG! John Wells, with Robert Fink who also sprayed AO on Andersen AFB went to DC in August of 2017. This was also to drum up support for HR 809 the Foster Act which had been introduced in the 115th Congress by former Rep. Dennis Ross of Lakeland, Florida after a news story by Investigative Reporter Steve Andrews of WFLA Tampa/ St. Petersburg, Florida interviewed several of us after I had made contact with him about the use of AO on Guam. On August 26th, 2017 I formed the group Agent Orange Survivors of Guam with approximately 25 other people from another page that was imploding.
I had also reached out to my Congressman and gotten the ball rolling on a GAO investigation with regards to the use of AO on Guam. Many of us Guam Veterans would testify before the GAO investigators in DC, or on Guam or through tele-conference calls with the investigating authorities. By this time we are questioning why are there twelve Guam Veterans who have been approved for direct exposure to Agent Orange? Why has the Super Fund been on Guam for over 20 plus years still involved in cleaning the island up? Why are the cancer rates on Guam four times higher than the US national average? Why are the birth anomalies, miscarriages, birth defects, still born births on Guam running equal to those of the known contaminate areas of Vietnam? Why are the dioxin levels based on blood draws testing the blood lipids (fats) higher on Guam than Bein Hoa, Vietnam?
On March 13th, 2019 Congressman Michael San Nicolas of Guam and Representative Gus Bilirakis of Florida's 16th district "rolled out" HR 1713 The Lonnie Kilpatrick Central Pacific Relief Act of 2019. Lonnie Kilpatrick was a Navy Veteran who flew in and out of the old NAS Agana Air Station and had to fight for eight years to get his benefits from the VA. He finally received them after Congressman Bilirakis intervened and discovered "This veteran was in a area on Guam where Agent Orange was definitely sprayed". Lonnie Kilpatrick would die a month later of misdiagnosed cancer on the part of the VA with the I most also add that Senator Therese Terlaje and Senator Telena Cruz-Nelson have been with us every step of the way and in many ways I like to refer to them as the "Tip of the Spear" on Guam. Just as Susan Olivares of Piti, Guam and Michael Camacho both of whom who have watched thier families and friends die from the same illnesses as us Boots on The Ground Veterans.
The Chamorro community on Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, the Samoan people of American Samoa have been treated like shit just as the veterans who have served on these islands are tired of being treated as second class citizens and second class veterans. I refuse any and all military honors that the government may want to give me at the time of my death and refuse to be buried in the United States for the above stated reasons. If, my fellow comrades and the indigenous people of Guam, The Northern Marianas Islands, American Samoa are not equals in the eyes of the government than I am not good enough to be buried on American soil. If, Guam doesn't want my ashes then I'll be buried in Spain where I have friends in the Spanish community.
My medical issues are as follows: Peripheral Neuropathy in all four extremities and I'm not diabetic. Hypertension, Spinal Spondylosis, Spinal Stenosis, Severe Degenerative Disc Disease, Discoid Lupus, Low Sperm Count, Very Low Motility. All of these medical issues that I have do not run in my family. I do have a claim that was denied by the VA and is being appealed to the BVA. My attorney is John Wells of Military Veterans Advocacy Inc.
Respectfully,
Brian Moyer
Agent Orange Survivors of Guam - Founder
Military Veterans Advocacy Inc.-Deputy Chief of Staff for Central Pacific Islands
Blue Water Navy- Member
