Veterans: their stories

Family and Friends: their stories

Depleted Uranium Situation Worsens Requiring Immediate Action
By President Bush, Prime Minister Blair, and Prime Minister Olmert

Dr. Doug Rokke, PhD.
former Director, U.S. Army Depleted Uranium project
December 8, 2006

The delivery of at least 100 GBU 28 bunker busters bombs containing depleted uranium warheads by the United States t and their use by Israel against Lebanese targets has resulted in additional radioactive and chemical toxic contamination with consequent adverse health and environmental effects throughout the middle east. Israeli tank gunners are also using depleted uranium tank rounds as photographs verify. 

Today, U.S., British, and now Israeli military personnel are using illegal uranium munitions- America's and England's own "dirty bombs" while U.S. Army, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Defense, and British Ministry of Defence officials deny that there are any adverse health and environmental effects as a consequence of the manufacture, testing, and/or use of uranium munitions to avoid liability for the willful and illegal dispersal of a radioactive toxic material - depleted uranium.

The use of uranium weapons is absolutely unacceptable, and a crime against humanity. Consequently the citizens of the world and all governments must force cessation of uranium weapons use.  I must demand that Israel now provide medical care to all DU casualties in Lebanon and clean up all DU contamination.

U.S. and British officials have arrogantly refused to comply with their own regulations, orders, and directives that require United States Department of Defense officials to provide prompt and effective medical care to "all" exposed individuals. Reference: Medical Management of Unusual Depleted Uranium Casualties, DOD, Pentagon, 10/14/93, Medical Management of Army personnel Exposed to Depleted Uranium (DU) Headquarters, U.S. Army Medical Command 29 April 2004, and section 2-5 of U.S. Army Regulation 700-48.  Israeli officials must not do so now.

They also refuse to clean up dispersed radioactive Contamination as required by Army Regulation- AR 700-48: "Management of Equipment Contaminated With Depleted Uranium or Radioactive Commodities" (Headquarters, Department Of The Army, Washington, D.C., September 2002) and U.S. Army Technical Bulletin- TB 9-1300-278: "Guidelines For Safe Response To Handling, Storage, And Transportation Accidents Involving Army Tank Munitions Or Armor Which Contain Depleted Uranium" (Headquarters, Department Of The Army, Washington, D.C., JULY 1996). Specifically section 2-4 of United States Army Regulation-AR 700-48 dated September 16, 2002 requires that:
(1) "Military personnel "identify, segregate, isolate, secure, and label all RCE" (radiologically contaminated equipment).
(2) "Procedures to minimize the spread of radioactivity will be implemented as soon as possible."
(3) "Radioactive material and waste will not be locally disposed of through burial, submersion, incineration, destruction in place, or abandonment" and
(4) "All equipment, to include captured or combat RCE, will be surveyed, packaged, retrograded, decontaminated and released IAW Technical Bulletin 9-1300-278, DA PAM 700-48" (Note: Maximum exposure limits are specified in Appendix F).

DOD leaders are not showing the DU training tapes to military personnel.  These three video tapes: (1) "Depleted Uranium Hazard Awareness", (2) "Contaminated and Damaged Equipment Management", and (3)  "Operation of the AN/PDR 77 Radiac Set" are essential to understanding the hazards from the use of uranium weapons and management of uranium weapons contamination. DOD leaders must show these tapes to all military personnel involved in the use of  uranium weapons and the consequent management of uranium contamination.  

The previous and current use of uranium weapons, the release of radioactive components in destroyed U.S. and foreign military equipment, and releases of industrial, medical, research facility radioactive materials have resulted in unacceptable exposures. Therefore, decontamination must be completed as required by U.S. Army Regulation 700-48 and should include releases of all radioactive materials resulting from military operations.

The extent of adverse health and environmental effects of uranium weapons contamination is not limited to combat zones in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan but includes facilities and sites where uranium weapons were manufactured or tested including Vieques; Puerto Rico; Colonie, New York; Concord, MA; Jefferson Proving Grounds, Indiana; and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Therefore medical care must be provided by the United States Department of Defense officials to all individuals affected by the manufacturing, testing, and/or use of uranium munitions. Thorough environmental remediation also must be completed without further delay.

I am amazed that fifteen years after was I asked to clean up the initial DU mess from Gulf War 1 and over ten years since I finished the depleted uranium project that United States Department of Defense officials and others still attempt to justify uranium munitions use while ignoring mandatory requirements. I am dismayed that Department of Defense and Department of Energy officials and representatives continue personal attacks aimed to silence or discredit those of us who are demanding that medical care be provided to all DU casualties and that environmental remediation is completed in compliance with U.S. Army Regulation 700-48. But beyond the ignored mandatory actions the willful dispersal of tons of solid radioactive and chemically toxic waste in the form of uranium munitions is illegal (http://www.traprockpeace.org/karen_parker_du_illegality.pdf) and just does not even pass the common sense test and according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, DHS, is a dirty bomb. DHS issued "dirty bomb" response guidelines, http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html, on January 3, 2006 for incidents within the United States but ignore DOD use of uranium weapons and existing DOD regulations. These guidelines specifically state that: "Characteristics of RDD and IND Incidents: A radiological incident is defined as an event or series of events, deliberate or accidental, leading to the release, or potential release, into the environment of radioactive material in sufficient quantity to warrant consideration of protective actions. Use of an RDD or IND is an act of terror that produces a radiological incident." Thus the use of uranium munitions is "an act or terror" as defined by DHS. Finally continued compliance with the infamous March 1991 Los Alamos Memorandum that was issued to ensure continued use of uranium munitions can not be justified.

In conclusion: the President of the United States- George W. Bush, the Prime Minister of Great Britain-Tony Blair, and the Prime Minister of Israel Olmert must acknowledge and accept responsibility for willful use of illegal uranium munitions- their own "dirty bombs"- resulting in adverse health and environmental effects.

President Bush, Prime Minister Blair, and Prime Minister Olmert should order:
1. medical care for all casualties,
2. thorough environmental remediation,
3. immediate cessation of retaliation against all of us who demand compliance with medical care and environmental remediation requirements,
4. and stop the already illegal the use (UN finding) of depleted uranium munitions.
References- these references are copies the actual regulations and orders and other pertinent official documents:
http://www.traprockpeace.org/twomemos.html
http://www.traprockpeace.org/rokke_du_3_ques.html
http://www.traprockpeace.org/du_dtic_wakayama_Aug2002.html
http://www.traprockpeace.org/karen_parker_du_illegality.pdf
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html
http://cryptome.org/dhs010306.txt

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State Representative Ron Stephen

Greenville

A much younger Ron Stephens recovering from wounds suffered in Vietnam War. Ron was an Army Sgt., combat veteran who served during the Vietnam War. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart and is an active veterans affairs advocate. He is proud of how US citizens have become so receptive, loving, and loyal to our current soldiers.

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Judy Rodgers

Effingham

Frederick L. Rodgers served with the United States Navy from 1951-1972. He was in a sea going rate and I just wanted to tell you about the family. Ann Landers once said that "the wife of a Sailor is the hardest job in the world." My husband was a 20 year and that left me sitting in port alone with babies. He was at sea when the first one was born, out for a weekend for the second's birth and had duty the night the third one was born. I sat in port raising the children when he was gone, making all the decisions, before cell phones, this was letter writing times. Lonely, a few friends just like myself. Retirement, wasn't fun as I became very independent. Son, Frederick Rodgers Jr. enlisted in 1979 and retired in 1980. I feel I had 42 years of being "navy". It is hard to adjust to civilian living, our military lives were close with other military families. My husband has stories to tell, as he is now 75 years old, my son has stories to tell, but so did this old military wife.

Thanks for hearing me. Judy Rodgers of Effingham, Illinois

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Moriah, rubbing to copy the name Kyle Wehrly, a relative, at the Memorial Wall in Marseilles. This memorial was organized by the Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run.

http://ilfreedomrun.org/

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Roberta Moore

Bloomington

Good morning, Sir,

 My co-worker, Patty Berndt, shared your email to her with me about women  in the military. I normally do not like to talk about myself, but will  make an exception on behalf of my parents and my sons, one of which is  now in the military. My parents registered me at the Women's Memorial  in Washington, D.C.

 Please let me know what else you are looking for and I will try to comply accordingly.

 My hometown is Villa Grove, Illinois 61956.

 My parents are Robert and Mary Margaret Rund, who still reside in Villa  Grove, IL. I am the oldest of five children. My brother was in the
 Coast Guard in the early 70's.

 My husband and I live in Bloomington, IL with our oldest and youngest  sons. Our middle son recently completed basic training at Fort Benning,  GA and as of yesterday reported in to Fort Hood, TX as his first  permanent duty station. Our oldest is preparing to enter into the  military this spring.

 I entered the US Army in May 1981. I was stationed all over the world. My duty stations include:

 Fort Hood, TX
 Darmstadt, Germany
 Fort Gordon, GA
 Fort Bragg, NC
 Camp Zama, Japan
 Fort Riley, KS
 Camp Carroll, Korea
 Fort Bragg, NC

 My deployments include:

 Desert Shield/Desert Storm (Sep 90-Apr 91) Saudi Arabia in support of  XVIII Airborne Corps out of Fort Bragg, NC.

 Operation Iraqi Freedom (Jun-Aug 02) serving as a liaison for XVIII  Airborne Corps in Camp Doha, Kuwait.

 Training exercise in Honduras.

I served 25 years on active duty. Now, I am an Army Mom, not just a  retired Master Sergeant! Let me know what else you would like to know or have.

 

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Gene Modugno
Morton

 “The Army works in wondrous ways, but …….. it works!,” 2LT Dave Highness. In 1966 upon completing the Officer Basic Course at Aberdeen Proving Grounds I was ordered to the 1st Armored Division, to a unit that provided direct support maintenance to the tank heavy brigade. Soon after, I became the most dangerous thing in the Army, “a second lieutenant company commander, with a map.” My first sergeant had been drafted when I was I year old, my shop officer still had peach fuzz and the troops were draftees. But we all got the job done! Keep up the tradition, the best army in the world.

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Don Stephens

Martinsville

Hello my name is Don Stephen and i received an e mail from Billie Southard about my family . there are 4 siblings in my family 3 boys one girl. all 4 of us served in the military  during the Vietnam era. my oldest brother graduated from air force academy and served at least 3 tours in Vietnam. older sister joined air force in 60 or 61 then married an worked for government. i was drafted and served in the 101 st  in the I corp area. as a infantry platoon leader. also wrote a book on my experience. my younger brother was drafted and served as a medic. as a family we have earned many medals. i have cib one air medal one bronze with v device and several other older brother has many also. we all live back in rural Illinois my sister just recently passed away at young age of 64.. i do not know what Billie wanted me to do this but as a friend i have done what she ask if i can be of any help please let me know. 

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Don Long

 Senator Dan!!

 My thanks to you for addressing a subject very dear to me! It started for
 myself in 1971 when I went on active duty with the US Air Force. During my
 20 year career I worked on B-52, 135, and FB-111 aircraft. I owe the
 electrical and hydraulic knowledge that I use in my job today to my Air
 Force training. I served in Michigan, New York, Illinois, Nebraska, and
 North Dakota. Overseas, I took part in the Vietnam conflict at Utapao
 Royal Thai Navy Base, Thailand. There I was privileged to work on B-52D
 bombers and KC-135 re-fuelers. I spent another oversea tour in the
 Aleutians doing some different work on a different model of 135 aircraft.
 I did over 18 years with the old Strategic Air Command (SAC) and approx.
 18 months as an instructor with Air Training Command. Proud, you bet,
 still am inspire of the Durbins, Kerrys, and Obamas. Here recently my
 daughter went on duty with our US Navy. So I guess you can call me a proud
 Navy dad and a proud retired Air Force Msgt!!
 Thank you, Senator Dan!! I wish that we could have more guys & gals
 serving like yourself! Thanks for caring about our men and women in
 uniform. I'll be sure to tell all of the ones I know serving about you.
 

 Don

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Bob

Collinsville

I'm proud to be among a group of "seasoned" Air Force types who would
re-up in a moment for a chance to carpet-bomb terrorists enemies of the U.S.
Unfortunately, we are an age at which the Air Force wouldn't take us.  Even
my son-in-law, a West Point graduate, has put in his time.

Your query raises a more important question:  The fact that our current
administration isn't doing so well - either in Iraq or in Congress - is
irrelevant to the very real threat to your constituents by Arab Muslim
terrorists.  "Peace at any cost" is a strategy that didn't work with Adolph
Hitler.  Neither will it work with the current crop of fascists-Muslims, who
consider it their duty before God to destroy America and all Western
civilization.

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Howard

Normal

Dear Senator Rutherford:

I appreciate your interest in having stories shared of our heroes in the military. I have a story to share, however, it is a story of lack of interest. This story relates to my father and his fellow Merchant Mariners serving our country in World War II. The heroes in our Merchant Marines in WWII suffered a casualty rate higher than any branch of service, estimated to be one of every twenty-six! Often, as with my father, young men volunteered to serve their country in the Merchant Marines, due to a physical aliment or problem that prevented them form joining in the "regular" service. They proudly served their country in the Atlantic or Pacific. They served the theaters of combat and paid a heavy price. Our heroes of WWII returned home heroes and were welcomed back and received benefits from our government as a tribute to their service. However, the Merchant Mariners did not receive benefits equal to any other service man in any of the other branches of service. Merchant Mariners have been forgotten ...

"It's one of the injustices of American history," said Brian Herbert, author of "The Forgotten Heroes," a book about the Merchant Marine of World War II that was published last week. "These men were torpedoed by their own government after the war."

I have written to the Veterans Affairs and to our Senator Obama. Senator Obama, as a member on the committee, never responded or replied to my letter. Forgotten ...

As we now remember our heroes and our veterans, isn't it time we remember the forgotten, for without our Merchant Marines, the war materials so necessary for our victories, would not have been delivered, on-time. These deliveries were costly, paid for in lives, and are still paid for in empty hopes of being recognized by our country.

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Jim

Normal

Thanks for your honoring of our Military. I will keep my eyes and ears open.

I have one small personal experience, which, as I got older gave me a great deal of additional respect for my Father. I had two uncles who were in WW II. One was in the 101st Airborne and was at Bastone. The other was in Supply and I don't remember where he was stationed. But my story has two do with my Dad and what I learned later. Because my Dad was a farmer and had a child (me) he did not have to go to the war. I wondered, when the war was over, why my parents converted the upstairs of our old farm-house into living quarters for my Mom's brother, his wife and little girl and how it happened my Dad needed a hired hand on the farm when he never needed one before. They lived and worked there for more than year until my uncle secured a job at a local grain elevator. Interesting that you pay someone to live in your upstairs.

My other uncle and family lived and worked in Indiana after his return from the war. He had always wanted wanted to farm. I don't remember exactly how long, but several years later my Dad learned of a farm for rent about 5 miles from our farm. He didn't go after it for himself, but instead help my uncle from Indiana rent the farm. I remember the exciting trip in our 48 Ford grain truck to Indiana were their belongings were loaded so high we had to be careful getting under any overpasses. Dad helped him get a start, sharing our farm equipment and his knowledge.

Later in my life, when I was mature enough to realize what he had done for two of his brother-in-laws, I asked him about. His answer was short and very sweet-he said I didn't have to go the war. The very least I could do was help them get started after the sacrifice they and their families made.

Now please don't misunderstand, both uncles worked very hard and were very appreciative of his help, but I was and still am very proud of the way my Dad was there for them.

Dan, feel free to use this if you like and edit anyway you need. Thanks again for your support of our Military.

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