Test Vets: DoD Tested Chemical Weapons on Servicemen

Thompson seeks health care for veterans; DOD tested chemical weapons on servicemen during 60s and 70s

02/24/2012 - Congressman Mike Thompson said that veterans subjected to chemical weapons testing during the 1960s and 1970s must receive medical benefits and disability compensation for their health conditions during an Institute of Medicine study committee in Sacramento on Thursday.

Thompson, D-St. Helena, introduced Humboldt County resident and Navy veteran Jack Alderson, who has been diagnosed with melanoma, prostate cancer and has had four occurrences of asbestos in his lungs. According to a press release from Thompson's office, Alderson commanded some of the ships that were subjected to experimental tests by the Department of Defense from 1964 to 1967. The department sprayed live chemical and biological agents on ships and sailors to test the Navy's vulnerability to toxic warfare.

In late 2002, the Department of Defense revealed that it had tested chemical and biological agents by spraying them on ships and sailors between 1962 and 1974. These tests -- known as Project 112, which is part of Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense -- exposed at least 6,000 service members to harmful chemicals without their knowledge -- including Vx nerve gas, Sarin nerve gas and E. coli.

Many of those veterans currently do not receive priority care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or disability benefits because the VA does not officially recognize any long-term health consequences from exposure to these tests, according to Thompson's office. In 2010, Congress passed a law requiring the VA to contract with the Institute of Medicine to consider long-term impacts on veterans that were part of Project 112. If the institute finds a connection between the chemical testing and the veterans' medical issues, the VA could be required to provide all service members with medical care and full disability compensation. read more>>>

Joining Forces With the White House, Northrop Grumman

Submits Pledge to Hire, Train Veterans

February 22, 2012 - Reinforcing a long-standing commitment to hiring veterans, Northrop Grumman Corporation this week answered the call from President Barack Obama and registered its pledge with the Joining Forces Initiative, announcing the company's commitment to men and women in uniform, and pledging support to America's veterans as they transition to the civilian workforce.

Joining Forces is a landmark initiative established by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to raise awareness and rally all sectors of society to recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans and military families, and offer them the opportunities and support they have earned. The company's pledge has been listed here.

Recognized as a top military-friendly employer, Northrop Grumman employs more than 13,000 veterans, nearly 18 percent of the total workforce, and is committed to increasing its already extensive outreach to veterans and their families in 2012 and beyond. read more>>>

'Life After War':

No Revenues = Still No Sacrifice = That's Called 'Support' For The Troops = DeJa-Vu all over again!!

Help for returning veterans at home

Feb 22, 2012 - It is a campaign called "Make the Connection" designed to reach veterans, both young and old. It was created by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to help those veterans adjust to civilian life.

"Since 2002, about 2.3 million troops have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and of those about 700,000 are receiving VA medical care across the nation," says Nakia Williams, Program Manager for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.

"Our program is here to ensure that our veterans have easy access to the VA," says Williams, serving as a gatekeeper to a complex system with multiple programs guiding them to the services they need.

"They are missing out on so many opportunities and resources that are available and often times, they are not aware of the programs that we have to offer here at the VA," says Williams.

Programs designed to help the walking wounded, those physically healthy but having difficulty coping with life as a civilian. They are facing other challenges upon returning home, like finding a job. read more>>>

Now a decade and counting added to the previous decades of under funding the VA, while the peoples reps Still try and lay blame on the Agency, after rubber stamping wars and costs of and those represented cheer on these wars! While the wealthy and other investors garner their booty, still from both, and many have the chutz·pa to call themselves more patriotic{?} then others wrapped in those false flags, using false slogans and various cheap symbols of!

Lejeune Water Contamination Documentary: MSNBC Tonight

MSNBC to feature Lejeune water documentary

February 22, 2012 - Those associated with a documentary film portraying a veteran’s search for answers regarding a three-decade period of drinking water contamination aboard Camp Lejeune say they hope its airing on a major cable network later this month will help more former base residents learn about how the tainted water might have affected them.

The news network MSNBC announced earlier in the month that it planned to feature the 2011 film Semper Fi: Always Faithful on Friday, Feb. 24, hosted by Lawrence O’Donnell, of the network’s show “The Last Word.”

The film, shortened from its theatrical version to one hour, will air just after primetime at 10 p.m., MSNBC officials said.

Scott Hooker, Senior Executive Producer for MSNBC’s documentary division, told the Daily News that network executives were immediately aware of the significance of the film and its narrative.

“When this film came to us, we immediately realized that it’s an important story that impacts a great number of people, who need to realize what’s going on,” he said. “For those not connected, it tells a really important story of courage and determination and a man’s relentless pursuit of the truth. It also happens to be a beautifully crafted documentary, well-reported and investigated.” read more>>>

Trailer: Semper Fi: Always Faithful

Semper Fi: Always Faithful Trailer from Rachel Libert on Vimeo.

White House: “A Nation’s Gratitude” Dinner

White House Hosts “A Nation’s Gratitude” Dinner to Honor Veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn

February 23, 2012 - The Department of Defense announced today the names of 78 service members who have been invited to attend the Feb. 29 White House dinner hosted by President and Mrs. Obama to express the nation’s gratitude to, and recognize the significant contributions of, the men and women in uniform who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and/or Operation New Dawn, and the families who supported them.

Service members who will attend come from across America; from diverse backgrounds, ranks; and from all services, including Guard and Reserve. Most remain on active duty. These service members and family members represent more than a million Americans and their families who served and made personal sacrifices in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey and the chiefs of the five services and National Guard and Reserve will also attend the dinner.

The list below indicates each service member or veteran’s home state and branch of service. Please use the Public Affairs Contact number provided for more information about attendees or to arrange interviews. Read more with the list of those and their families invited>>>

Will any Congressional critters attending, for they write and pass the legislation's and are the direct representatives of the people, call out the country and finally demand the sacrifice that hasn't been for the past decade, and counting, doubt it. We who understand will just add this past decade plus to the previous decades, as to the results of this countries wars!