If you are looking at this page, chances are you or someone you know is a Viet Nam Veteran who has been exposed to Agent Orange. We Viet Nam Veterans have been exposed to one, if not the most lethal chemicals know to man. This chemical, 2,3,7,8,Tetrachlorodibenzopdioxin, is also known as DIOXIN. The best explanation of just how potent DIOXIN is was explained by our Australian Brother, Gary McMahn as, "Think of Dioxin this way; it is measured in parts per trillion. This can be roughly compared to a teaspoon of salt mixed evenly through a dump truck full of sand. The extreme toxicity of Dioxin makes even this amount a potentially lethal dose. It is the most potent cancer-causing agent known to man. The tiniest amount causes malignant tumors in animals." The main mission of Fire Base Hope is to compile a list of names of those exposed Veterans. Then use that list to let the United States Congress and The Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize the fact that our exposure to Agent Orange is KILLING US. Also to let them know that we want the compensation that we earned by serving our country in Viet Nam. The people who make the discussions are paid by our taxes and have their jobs because we voted for them. Its time to let them know that if they think they can control our lives, we can control their destiny! On March 15, 2000, Dr. Joel Michaleck, the principal investigator for the Air Force health study on Agent Orange, also known as "Operation Ranch Hand", released his latest finding in a report to the press. In this report he stated that he and his staff have linked extreme exposure to Dioxin to Adult Onset Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. The effected Vets have no history of Diabetes in their families. He found a 47% increase in diabetes in the Vets in his study. He also stated that the average American carries 10 parts per trillion of Dioxin, just from our environment. The Vets in his study carry 600 part per trillion. You can read his entire repot by clicking on the link above and then going to the Press Release Dated March 15, 2000.
If you worked for a private civilian company that out of neglect exposed their employees to a toxic chemical, the United States Government would step in and force that company to compensate those employees. Who is going to make the government comply with those same regulations? We will, by finding new people to fill the elected positions that make those decisions. The only way to do that is to let them know how many of us are serious and want changes. If your military service included duty in a war situation, there is a very good chance you suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder that's triggered by a traumatic event. You can develop post-traumatic stress disorder when you experience or witness an event that causes intense fear, helplessness or horror. Some of the symptoms include: flashbacks reliving the trauma over and over,including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating, bad dreams, frightening thoughts, staying away from places, events, people or objects that are reminders of the experience, feeling emotionally numb, feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry, losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past, having trouble remembering the dangerous event., Being easily startled, feeling tense or "on edge" and having difficulty sleeping, and/or having angry outbursts. The most sever will lead to Suicidal thoughts and tendencies..
You CAN get help! The first thing you have to do is accept the fact that you need help. Then go to the nearest VA Hospital Emergency Room and ask to see someone in Mental Health. The person you see will interview you and set you up for a series of test and counseling sessions. You have to force yourself to talk about your experiences. Get feeling out. Then sit down and in your own words write out your experience in detail. Tell your story! Then take a copy of your story to VA Rep and file for compensation PTSD. We have added a page for you to post your story. By posting it here it is good theropy for you and will help other vets see they are not alone.
