Agent Orange: Vietnam C-123 Airmen Fight for Claims Being Honored

Agent Orange report comes after years of VA denials
Military Times
By Patricia Kime
Staff Writer
January 17, 2015

A new Institute of Medicine report that found veterans were exposed to Agent Orange while flying in C-123 aircraft after the Vietnam War came three years after another federal agency reached a similar conclusion.

But despite a pronouncement in January 2012 by the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry that these crews' levels of exposure to dioxin were 182 times higher than acceptable amounts, representing a 200-fold risk for cancer, the Veterans Affairs Department refused to acknowledge any link between the veterans' current illnesses and a history of serving on that aircraft.

Instead, VA public health officials insisted that trace amounts of dioxin on internal aircraft surfaces were not "biologically available for skin absorption or inhalation because dioxin is not water- or sweat-soluble and does not give off airborne particles."

Meanwhile, since veterans found out in 2011 they may have been exposed, at least 10 with diseases associated with Agent Orange have had VA disability claims denied and some have died — although just how many have passed away as a result of exposure-related illnesses is difficult to pin down, said retired Air Force Maj. Wes Carter, founder of the C-123 Veterans Association.
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Arkansas Veterans Group Puts Compassion into Action

New center helps Conway veterans get benefits 
THV11 News
Astrid Solorzano
January 17, 2015

CONWAY, Ark. (KTHV) - There are more than 250,000 men and women who served our country in Arkansas. Veterans Outreach Ministries has helped more than 8,000 veterans through the hurdles of receiving health care benefits. The group has two existing locations, one in Pleasant Plains and one in Searcy. Paul Bunn's offices help veterans and their families overcome struggles with health care. 

Now Bunn, with the help of more than 60 volunteers, have opened a new location in Conway. "Our veterans do not have access to proper representation when it comes to the Department of Veterans Affairs." The group's motto is 'healing by helping compassion in action.'

"Our Vietnam veterans were exposed to herbicides, Agent Orange," said Bunn, "There are automatically 12 presumptive illnesses they are exposed to, and can get treatment paid for."
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Off Duty Oklahoma VA Officer Involved in Fatal Shooting

Off-Duty Dept. Of Veterans Affairs Officer Involved In Fatal Tulsa Shooting
New On 6
Tony Russell
Posted: Jan 16, 2015

TULSA, Oklahoma - An off-duty officer on his way to the Garth Brooks concert with his family shot and killed a man who reportedly had attacked a woman on the street Friday evening, Tulsa police said. Police said the officer stopped to break up a fight on the side of the street, but the attacker pulled a gun and the off-duty officer opened fire.

We've learned Andrew Bryiant is from the Oklahoma City area and is a security officer for the Veterans Affairs department.

Downtown Tulsa was brought to a standstill during rush-hour traffic after shots were fired near 11th and Denver. Joy Smith was across the street and said she saw a fight break out across the street and someone pull a gun.

"It was a loud pop, pop, pop, pop," Smith said.

"I just truly went into shock. I thought about hitting the ground and, yeah, I just stood there."
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Orlando Rocked for Cpl. Adam Devine

Adam's road to recovery has not ended yet and has had over 60 surgeries so far. Cpl. Adam Devine's facebook page.

Join Elbows for Adam This is a page for Adam. Please use this page to send well wishes and comments for Adam, Michelle, and Amya as they proceed down the road of recovery!!!

Adam Devine, Dixon IL had a longtime dream to serve his country as a United States Marine! He completed this goal and then some! We all love you Adam!

Adam played hockey as a kid, loved football and track - throwing. He worked hard at all he did. Striving to be the best he can be - always. He did well in sports in high school. Playing on the varsity football team during the 2007 run to the Elite Eight, Adam was a key member of the team. He competed in 2007 and 2008 Illinois State High School Track and Field in Shot Put. He applied to Augustana College in Moline, IL and was accepted for the 2008-09 year, paying football for the Vikings. However, college was not his dream - the Marine Corps was...so Adam worked very hard to meet the standards required and surpassed those qualifications.

Along the way to meeting those high standards of the USMC, Adam met a beautiful young lady named Michelle. It didn't take a whole lot and they fell in love! Adam and Michelle were married in January 2010, after Adam graduated from boot camp. In late May, a gorgeous little bundle of joy, Amya, joined the family. She is the apple of her daddy's eye!

Adam serves in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, based in Twentynine Palms, Calif. and has been a machine gunner with the Marines since April.

On Wednesday, December 28, about 12:30 p.m. in Afghanistan, or about 2 a.m. Central time, Adam was wounded in action by an improvised explosive device (IED). He was hospitalized at Bastion Role III Medical Treatment facility in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, transferred to another facility, in the Middle East, then transferred to base in Germany and soon will be treated at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, MD.

Adam is in stable condition, however seriously injured. He has suffered lower extremity amputations, however...those of us that know him, know that this will never stop him!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting this fabulous family at the 3rd Annual Orlando Rocks Fundraiser. This Marine and his family have been through terrible times, lots of trials and tribulations but side by side, they managed to do the nearly impossible for most people.

It was easy to tell when there is this much love, nothing can stop them!

Here are some pictures of the event and the video will go up later today so check back. There was also a news station out there interviewing Adam and I'm checking right now to find the report.s

UPDATE Here is the first video
Cpl. Devine got a call from Graceland! The nurse of Elvis Presley, Marion Justice Cocke spoke with Adam.

Mr. Postman got the crowd on their feet!


Orlando Rocks and Rolls
Orlando Rocks Patriotism Lives

Joshua Redding Found Safe, Family Thanks Community

Joshua Redding Found Safe

Today The Lord answered our prayers. Joshua Redding is home safe and unharmed.

I know a lot of people have questions but at this time his family asks to be alone to rest after this long grueling week and for time to love on him as they take this all in.

On behalf of his family we would like to say THANK YOU TO EVERYONE for your prayers, donations, and time spent looking for Joshua.

It means more than can truly be expressed in words.

Thank you just isn't enough for how much the community stepped forward and all the hard work put into his safe return.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU

Missing Osteen Army veteran found safe
13 News Orlando
By Jerry Hume, Reporter
January 18, 2015

After a week-long search, a missing Volusia County Army veteran is back home with his family.

Joshua Redding was reported missing by his family Monday, Jan. 12 after he was last seen Friday, Jan. 9 at his home.
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