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Member |
 A wonderful post! Thanks for validating me to a certain extent! I'm one of a growning number of Vietnam-era Veterans who made a concerted effort to re-integrate back into the society I would have given my life to protect. They weren't as accommodating though! I had to fight for everything I got and kept! Now, in what most people might consider the "twilight of my existence", I'm still fighting! In a few months I'll have over 21 years in state service and I have this urge to "go home"! Texas! Yep! Where it all started for me! I still worry about my Brother Veterans who sort of "gave up" o life after Vietnam! Here in California (Sacramento area), we have guys living in the woods, dieing without being noticed. I've been a part of groups who tried to bring resources to bare on them, but they turn their backs on society. PTSD and all manner of disability and they still "stick it out" in the woods, abandoned buildings, and myriad forms of shelters. I still look back and feel that I haven't "made it" until my Brothers have. How do we reach out to them? How do we tell them that they still matter? I feel that the quality of their lives could be enriched beyond measure if they would just welcome the help, without any strings attached. They still matter to me. Very much! |
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"Has Been 5" Lead Moderator Sound Off Forums  |
Thanks BigJazzy. It is folks like you that make this effort worth while. |
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Basic Training |
Dave; I'm just writing to say thanks for a great post. I've seen these statistics before, and although some of the numbers have changed it serves as a good validation to many of us who served with pride. Thanks again.
Ray. |
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Member |
I am still looking for a breakdown of deaths, casualties, or even in country strengths by job title. Seems the VA is so certain that only people with a purple heart or CIB ever saw "combat", would be nice to give them some figures.
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"Has Been 5" Lead Moderator Sound Off Forums |
Follow the link for info from VVA
http://www.vva.org/veteran/0807/letters.html PARASITE WARNING I am writing to inform all Vietnam veterans about a potential health risk that they may have been exposed to while serving in Vietnam: the little-known danger from parasites. My husband, who was otherwise healthy, passed away on January 20, 2006, from cholangiocarcinoma, cancer of the bile duct of the liver. It is very rare in the United States, but very prevalent in Vietnam and surrounding countries. There are two known causes of this type of cancer: from contracting hepatitis C and from ingesting a parasite from the water supply in Vietnam. My husband did not have hepatitis C; therefore, it was determined that his cancer derived from a parasite. I have received official notification from the VA that his death was service related, which is not something the VA determines without an overwhelming amount of evidence. This cancer does not manifest itself until later in life, when you are between 60 and 70 years old. Once the symptoms occur, which usually include jaundice, it is very difficult to treat or beat. My husband was 58 years old when he passed away. If he had been informed that there was a possibility that he could have ingested a parasite while serving in Vietnam, he would have taken precautions to have his bile ducts examined, possibly extending his life. The parasite is long gone, but it left behind damaged cells, which developed into cancerous tumors in the bile ducts. If you spent time in Southeast Asia and are having gastrointestinal issues for no apparent reason, please have your physician check for damage within the bile ducts. It may save your life. Mrs. Harrison Horseheads, New York |
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Basic Training |
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Basic Training |
I am just wondering how many vets are out there who were exposed to Agent orange and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. If so please contact me at << Mod Edited email address>>. I was in the dmz zone in Korea 67-68 and I have this progressive lung disease and they don't know how I got it. So I was wondering how many other vet were exposed to Agent orange and have this disease
MODERATOR COMMENT: You can use the Military.com system to contact via email This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dave_M, |
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Lead Moderator, Veterans & Disability Forums |
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis by definition is of unknown cause. I know a number of people with IPF, some who where never in the military. It is a progressive and aggressive disease. It has no known cause. That is what Idiopathic means - of unknown origin.
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"Has Been 5" Lead Moderator Sound Off Forums |
Fibrosis is scarring, so pulmonary fibrosis means scarring of the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis is caused by many conditions including chronic inflammatory processes (sarcoidosis, Wegener's granulomatosis ), infections, environmental agents including asbestos, silica, as well as exposure to certain gases, exposure to ionizing radiation, chronic medical conditions including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and certain medications.
If you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military you may have link there. In my years of research on the residuals of Agent Orange, many of my clients have had lung cancers as well as pulmonary fibrosis. Some people develop this condition without an identifiable cause. In that case it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Most of the physicians in the private medical sector, would most likely not even think of Agent Orange as a cause, however I would not rule it out until evidence is presented to me by the NAS/IOM stating there is no association. I personally believe in the private medical sector, Agent Orange is 3 decades old issue and not on the agenda of most medical schools. I hope you get some responses. Dave Barker |
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Member |
In the bush ,I got sick a couple of times from water, even though it was treated correctly with iodide tablets. One time it was dysentary. The other time a Medic told me we got parasites in our blood from the water, and the parasites would seek a host organ,..usually the Gall Bladder. The Medic also said these parasites would be with us for life.
I put this info in a VA C-File I initiated before my ETS from the Army. 14 years later, when I was 34 years old, I started having gastro-intestinal distress, and when it got so bad ,I was taken by ambulance to a hospital and 10 days of upper and lower inpatient testing of my digestive system showed no indication of a problem. A year later, I had to be picked up from the floor again, and brought to ER. This time my temp was 105 and rising and my white cell count was off the chart. Tests results showed 'possible' bile duct obstruction,...but pictures and later surgery showed NO GALL STONES. Even though in excruciating pain lessened by Demeral, I refused "EXPLORITORY SURGERY". My Gall bladder had become gangrenous and rotten......... and burst 14 hours after admission. I needed immediate emergency surgery. What was left of it(gall bladder) was scattered through out my abdominal cavity.... Godspeed to all Vietnam Vet Brothers that suffer and still survive. Carl M. "Mike" Dietz
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Basic Training |
While humping the mountains and hills of the Northern Central Highlands, one day in "68", we hadn't had fresh water in three days. Since the company's mission was to stay under cover and do pattern searches in about a 20 click area, we were mostly in the thick bush with triple canopy with the average daily temperature of 123°. Three days into our objective, and three days from possible resupply, we had about a half a click to go before night set up when the captain decided we had worked hard enough that day. Our objective that day was six clicks. It was always six clicks -- but we were darned lucky to do 4 1/2 in that stuff, with just as many stops for heat exhaustion victims. I know some of the guys out there are already feeling exactly what I'm saying. Anyway, just before the word came down to set up a perimeter for the night, I was thinking of the usual crap. Deploy the men, get out your trip flares and Claymore's, two men to a whole, check your weapons, eat, and wait for orders on OP/LP and ambushes. You know -- same old same o. But at the same time I was thinking all of this in what must have only been seconds,when I began to notice changes in my physical self, minute at first but in a steady progression. First there was the dizziness and clouded vision. I knew voices were calling to me but they would be distance, muffled. I couldn't move -- I wasn't stiff I just couldn't move. I was frozen in the middle of the trail with 90 pounds of my back. Literally ice cold with no sweat -- by now most of you have it figured out. All of a sudden the heat started building. Not slow or methodical, but as if someone had opened the door to a blast furnace, from my chest, arms, shoulders and neck. All of a sudden my head felt like it was going to split the pain was very real, and I just knew that when the heat got there my head was going to explode clean off my shoulders and there was nothing I could do about it. Hell, I couldn't even talk. And then just as someone had threw a switch, I lost all feeling and control and crumpled to the ground in a heap. I could still see although not that clearly, my hearing was still coming to me in distant muffled sounds, And the Dock was telling L.T. that my temperature was 104.8 and rising. The last thing I remember was being stripped naked in the middle of the trail, being covered with towels and water being poured on them, and just before slipping into complete delirium I heard 106.5.-- 106.8 was later confirmed by the medic. I was told that I wasn't expected to live through the night, so The Old Man kept everybody in and tightened up the perimeter. Oh yeah, and a gag was placed over my mouth. More water, more fanning, my fever bounced around 105° and 106° respectively as I hovered on the blissful border of consciousness, not knowing not caring. Sometimes having firefights in battles of distant days gone by, and crying out for Mama to cradled me and take me home too scared to face the fact that I have messed myself again as they keep coming -- too fast for me to reload. Something is inevitable. But now a vast calm comes over me as I began to rise above it all -- is it over -- am i dead -- I don't care -- it's a beautiful feeling and I'm very comfortable -- I'm no longer afraid. I'm feeling gentle pressure as I rise, not uncomfortable pressure but again something is inevitable. All of a sudden, one quick rush upward and then a giant puff as if some strings have been cut. I can only equate the feeling to that moment when you are falling and all of a sudden your parachute opens... as you fall you begin to shiver. You shake uncontrollably and your cold all over. Very slowly reality starts to set in, and the common sense that has kept you alive all these months tells you that your fever has broken. I have layed their, and the Company has stayed there protecting me, for three days. The captain is beside himself, and the men secretly thank me for the rest. I am too weak to walk -- a litter is built, and I am humped a short distance where they clear and LZ and I am choppered out to the 6th CC evack in Camron Bay.
First it was parasites, then Hepatitis B. Finally the report reads-- Malaria & Hep B. they even tried to give me a Purple Heart which I refused. Maybe I should have taken it because what I did end up with was an Article 15 For Breaking Quarantine. The hospital was right on the beach and my Quansit Hut was a stone's throw to the water. All I wanted was a swim.BTW-this is a true story. Think about it-- you just can't make this kind of sh_t up. To this day I am having problems no one can figure out. Still, it would never have occurred to me (parasites that is), if I had not read this post. To Date I have had 9 tumors,4 were malignant melanoma, and the others benign. Sorry if I have made this post too long. If you don't wish to print it I will certainly understand. In closing I want to say to all my brothers and sisters-thank you for your service and welcome home. Moderators -- thank you Ray--ACo.2nd.Bat.(503rd.Inf.)173rd.Abn.Bde.(Sep.) "The Herd" |
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Basic Training |
Well said Dave!!! I respectfully Salute all that served during that time. I will never forget those that were left behind, or those that are the reason I am alive today. |
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Member |
I suspect you hit a wrong key, the highest temperature ever recoded in Vietnam was 109.039, and that was back in 1955 as I recall.
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Basic Training |
Thanks for pointing that out!!! I'm not able to use my keyboard for typing. My arms and hands don't work well enough anymore. I use an older speech program, and it doesn't always type what I say. I was actually trying to embellish the story in order to illustrate how hot it felt over their sometimes, especially on that day after seeing a few guys go down from being so hot and tired. I don't think they really had heat exhaustion either, but to see the medic working on them I know they were really close to it. I generally reread before sending but I didn't do a good job this time. I'm missing a couple sentences. The truth is, I don't really ever remember knowing for sure how hot it was over their. Anyway, for the most part the story was true, and I guess after reading the posts I just wanted to get it out. Funny the things you remember and the ones you can't forget. Again, sorry if I was a little winded, and thanks for pointing it out. Take care and stay safe. |
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"Has Been 5" Lead Moderator Sound Off Forums |
Raymond said " Funny the things you remember and the ones you can't forget. Again, sorry if I was a little winded, and thanks for pointing it out. Take care and stay safe."
______________________________ Raymond served both tours w/ Aco. 2/503 Inf 173rd.ABN.BDE.(SEP) he saw combat action with Aco.2nd.Bat. from Oct.67-Sep.68. And again from mid 69 to the 70s. He will never forget what he has done in his lifetime or what he is capable of. He thinks always of his fallen brothers in combat, and those that were left behind. His son is a specialist in the Army and at present serves his country in Iran. Raymond I copied and modified the profile for this salute and I salute you!  Welcome home! |
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Member |
And another salute from me!
Wow, that is amazing that you have a voice program that does all that so well, totally awesome! That was why I had to look it up, nobody ever had a thermometer with them, and I never recalled being too hot, since I am from Kansas where 110 is not so unsual. The modern boys would never believe that we did not even have air conditioning over there either. Welcome home and thank you for your service! I would add applause, but my computer is on the blitz and I don't get that option any more. |
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Basic Training |
I don't think I've ever made a long story short, or been briefed about anything I really thought about. So I ask that you please bear with me while I get this off my chest.
You know, I used to think it took a long time to know someone. And in most cases especially where friendships are concerned, in today's world that may be very true. But I have come to realize over the years, that there is one breed of person I have never had trouble knowing. And that very special breed is the In Country Veteran. Everyone in the service had a job to fulfill and I fully respect all Era veterans as well. I truly feel and have said many times, I would not have been able to do my job had it not been for the many who stood behind me. However, I admit at least for me the in country Vietnam veteran will always be that breed apart. We share a very special bond that only a veteran could. You may not have seen as much as some, but you were there. You may not have done as much as some, but you were there. If I we were to try and explain to someone what it was like as I arrived in Vietnam, and the door of the plane opened, and that thick moist musty blast of hot air hits you in the face, no one else would really understand that. But you guys would because we were there. We were there together through it all. The good, the bad, and the worst it can be. The downright ugly. There is so much more I could say, but I think I will at least try and keep this a little shorter. I just want to tell you how deeply I appreciate being Saluted by fellow veterans such as you Dave and You Schwanke! Two me a Salute has always been one of the highest forms of respect you could show a fellow veteran. With that being said I would like to Salute you both. Especially for your continued efforts in bringing truth, information, esprit de corps, and solidarity to all of us veterans seeking and sharing brotherhood throughout these forums. Without the contributions of two worthwhile individuals as yourselves as well as others, there would be no reason to come here. Just a quick note; Both of my parents died last year, my father who was a 35 year Mustang in the Navy who came up through the ranks who died of cancer. Didn't smoke or drink. And my mother who died of heartbreak six months later, whose only vice was Bingo. My mother taught me love and compassion -- my father taught me honor, integrity, God and country. I thought I had no family left. I have read many of your posts and comments in these forums for some time now. Guys like you two have reminded me that I still belong to a very big family. A Brotherhood that is unequaled anywhere in the world. The brotherhood of Veterans. Always there to back you up, always there to keep you standing tall. God bless you both and welcome home my Brothers!!!>>>" Salute"<<< |
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Ray,
Welcome Home Brother! ..And may God Bless you also. Interesting Nam temp statistic Don, 'cause it "felt" like 129.039 degrees to me. Damn, was it hot! Mike |
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Memoriea are certainly funny things Flashypoo. I went direct from an assignment with the German Army up by the North Sea to Vietnam, and also remember the rush of hot moist air when the plane opened its doors in Can Ranh Bay, then on South to Long Binh and off to Phu Loi for my tour. I was in an engineer unit, so we had air conditioners for building supplies, usually they got "stolen" and we wound up eating VERY VERY GOOD! The heat just never bothered me, but I was a skinny 130lbs or so then too.
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Schwanke,I never realized it got that hot in Kansas. However, Aberdeen, MD was 110 on the 4th of July '69 and all trainees were on parade. The ambulance was running all over the parade field picking up soldiers and WAC's fallen from the heat, so,.. after being there all summer in record heat, I thought I was acclimated to hot weather.
It took me a couple of months and total loss of body fat to acclimate to Nam weather. Some FNG's had to have their blood thinned. Long Binh was my base, but after an early SCM and ART-15,(trouble seems to follow me) I was hardly there....But my last 3o days or so, I was there every day, and 90th replacement had moved next door to our compound, so I saw all soldiers in III Corps come and go at that time I was short. That was an experience in itself,.. to see the FNG's arrive..., and see the seasoned Vets leave.. I arrived in Nam skinny and was skinnier when I left. I was still a growing kid. The tracks were hot, but I had to get used to that chronic high sun angle. I remember the sun being a killer in dry season. |
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