To the editor:
It has come of a common opinion among Vietnam War veterans that Congress tends to exclude mostly Blue Water Vietnam Veterans for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.
This group of veterans never had boots on ground in Vietnam, yet just the same they are sick due to Agent Orange exposure. It seems Congress and the VA consider these veterans not worthy.
There are limited benefits to those who served in country and those who served at sea are excluded, yet Agent Orange was in the drinking water on board Navy ships causing sickness years later. How many more of us have to die in agony until there are so few of us left that the amount of dollars to care for those left won’t matter much? Is this what America is about none caring attitude by our legislators? Where does it say in our Constitution and Bill of Rights that our veterans need not be cared for when in need?
“A man who is good enough to shed his blood for the country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards,“ Theodore Roosevelt said.
Over 175,000 Navy veterans are the unsung casualties of the Vietnam War. It is not about Democrats and Republicans. It is about Americans who fought a thankless war.
Maybe this is why Congress is reluctant to provide VA benefits, a thankless war.
Several years past, legislative bills have been introduced for this group of sailors only to fail in committee. Presently there are two new bills, House Bill HR-969 and Senate Bill S.681, both are titled The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Act. If either of these bills are passed, Navy veterans will receive their VA benefits.
The American people can help by calling and writing to your members of Congress and senators to support these bills.
John J. Bury
Navy Vietnam War veteran
Media, Pennsylvania
