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As of this writing, 289 representatives are co-sponsors of House Resolution 969 and 34 senators are co-sponsors of Senate Bill 681. Both bills are titled the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act.
There are enough co-sponsors to send these bills to the floor for a vote, but they are held up in committee. Why? Are our veterans not worth the attention they deserve?
A budget has yet to be set for the care and well-being of this group of veterans, known as the Blue Water Navy. Many are sick; many have died from diseases caused by the herbicide Agent Orange.
This deadly herbicide floated out to sea, and our Navy ships in combat came in contact with the chemical. Some also transported barrels of Agent Orange.
In rough seas some of these barrels would break loose and the herbicide would be awash on deck and had to be cleaned up. The cleanup crews did not know they were cleaning up death.
Approximately 750,000 sailors served during the Vietnam War. Many have fallen sick because of the herbicide, and many have died. Nearly all could not get benefits, as our Congress refused to pass a bill that would provide these Navy sailors with a better quality of life. These ships at sea provided air and gunnery support on targets inland, saving American troops’ lives.
Does our government care about sick and dying Navy sailors? No. Their lives are not worth the dollars. To the American people, write and call your members of Congress and urge them to pass the bills.
Freedom is not free; it is costly.
The writer is a retired Navy member and Vietnam War veteran.
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