Readers of Tom Philpott's Military Update column sound off

Congress, By Its Silence, Denies 'Blue Water' Claims

The Department of Veterans Affairs has interpreted the Agent Orange Act of 1991 to preclude presumptive exposure to dioxins for Blue Water Navy veterans, and now the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has opined that such a definition is a permissible.

Congress, by its silence, has failed in its responsibility to make clear what the definition of "service in Vietnam" is.

I was awarded Vietnam Service Medals and collected combat and flight deck pay in waters offshore of Vietnam. I served on the USS Constellation (CV-64) on Yankee Station from 1969 to 1970. I handled photo reconnaissance aircraft on the flight deck while also changing aircraft configurations for the next mission.

These aircraft had flown through many of the contaminated areas of Vietnam to survey Agent Orange effects and had landed at air bases in Vietnam. While on the ground in Vietnam our aircraft became contaminated with airborne Agent Orange. So when they return to the carrier, I too had become contaminated by handling the aircraft for daily missions.

Also, we were exposed through our drinking water and occasional drifting spray while we operated close to shore.

I have sent letters about this to Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.), chairmen of the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committee, and included my Vietnam Service Medals, in protest, because, it appears, I did not serve in Vietnam.

THOMAS J. LALIBERTE
Former Navy photographer (PH3)
Via e-mail

I served aboard the USS Constellation (CV-64) in the Western Pacific in 1964. I fully believe I've been exposed to Agent Orange

Three years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Six months later they removed it and I was told they got all the cancer. The doctor lied to me as the pathology report stated there was still some cancer there.

For the next year every time I went to VA they did a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test. I always had a reading. I finally asked my doctor, a different one, why I would still have a reading if they removed all the cancer. He said they hadn't got it all and proceeded to schedule me for radiation. I got nuked for two months.

I still have a small PSA reading so I still have the cancer. There is no history of prostate problems in my family on either side. I'm the only one to have served in the Navy.

After hearing about bluewaternavy.com and reading information on the study done by the Australian government concerning their sailors, I finally joined Vietnam Veterans of America. I got help filling out a mountain of paperwork for a VA disability claim.

The last I heard, about two years ago, my paperwork was being held in Jackson, Miss., awaiting a ruling. It's been a hell of a ride and depressing also. Until recently I never told anyone, other than through job applications, about my military service.

I feel sorry for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. I don't feel they will get the proper treatment from the VA. I know at the VA Medical Center in Memphis, where I go, we're treated as second or third rate folks. When you go to a counter to check in or, God forbid, ask a question, they make you feel like you are interrupting something very important.

Thanks for letting me vent
B. TAYLOR
Pope, Miss.

DIC COLA

Why don't surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected ailments not even get annual pay raises to match increases in Social Security?

I receive survivor benefits and my last increase was $24 a month. That's the equivalent of an extra loaf of bread. I have never read anywhere how they determine this and I was just curious.

BETTY SANDERS
Via e-mail

Veterans' and survivors' benefits are raised annually with Social Security and cost-of-living adjustments for federal retirees. The annual adjustment for these federal entitlements is based on changes in consumer prices from the July-September quarter each year compared to the same period the preceding year. The Dec. 1, 2007, increase was 2.3 percent, bumping Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for surviving of veterans who died on active duty or from service-connected illness to $1067 a month. – Tom Philpott

Needed GI Bill Reforms

As a veteran, and the husband of an Army Reservist who just returned from Iraq, there are two changes I would like to see to the GI Bill education benefit.

One, eliminate the 10-year time limit for using benefits after separating from service. Some of us may not know exactly what course of schooling we want to pursue. Ten years might sound like a long time, but it really isn't. I served my four years and contributed my $1200 to the program, but I've only used about half of my benefits -- and 10 years have come and gone. I could really use the rest of my benefits now.

Second, provide benefits for dependents. Some dependents have to put their lives on hold back at home, almost as much as the soldier in the field. It would be good to have access to education benefits that could help keep spouses competitive and marketable.

PAT SIPPERLY
Bayfield, Colo.

Paternity Leave

I am deployed to Iraq with B Company, 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion from Fort Carson, Colo. My wife sent me the link to your column about the 21 days paternity leave for fathers.

I have a little girl who will be born in August so I have two questions: When does this start? Will this be in affect for all new born children or just the first child?

If this is already in affect for the Army I would like to inform my chain of command to find out if I can take the leave for when my first child is born. As much as I know that my leave would hurt the combat power of my unit, being with my wife while she is out of work for the pregnancy is a little more important.

And this being my fourth tour I think it is the least the Army could do for me.

DAVID BUCKLEY
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Via e-mail

Congratulations on the pending birth of your daughter. So far, only the Senate defense bill includes a paternity leave provision. If enacted by the full Congress it would take effect when the bill is signed by the president for births on or after that date. It would apply to any births to service members, not just first-born arrivals.

Because the House didn't pass such a provision in its defense bill, it will be an item to be negotiated when a House-Senate conference committee meets to iron out differences in the two bills. No way to know when the defense bill will be completed. It could be this summer or not until the fall. Stay safe. – T.P.

Letters may be edited for clarity or length. Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA 20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit