Posted on 03/01/2010 7:24:54 AM PST by Right Winged American
I was young when I served. Some of the nurses and doctors had been in Korea. My chief nurse was in her early 50’s at least. Many of the folks were older. It is not hard to believe so many are gone. I have not read the stats on it at all. Our reunions are getting smaller.
“By the end of 2009, only about 30% of all Vietnam War veterans were still alive.”
What?? Seriously??
Why, Hello pabianice, long time no see.
Yeah, it shocked me too. Do you keep up with the guys you served with? I served on the USS Intrepid. I was in OS Div, with 15 guys, including the Cheif. There’s two of us left, and two we can’t find.
I figure the Cheif was 38, and the 1st classes were about 27, 28. Everyone else was younger than me. Ten of them are dead, and I’m on short-time.
You?
I served with about 600 guys during to tours in Vietnam with a naval air squadron. About 485 are left. That’s 81%. These “veterans organizations” are often scams, parts of Leftist groups that are anti-military and anti-U.S. VVA is one of the chief offenders. Get a copy of “Stolen Valor.”
to = two
Amazing, if accurate. OMG
I suspect the death rate for all veterans from that era will be shown to be higher. Unless you were alive back then, it's really hard to understand how screwed up things were.
It was even worse if you tried to go to college after you got back. There, anyone that wore a uniform was a murderer. I knew lots of guys that just tried to grow their hair and deny they went at all. It was really a wonderful way to treat someone that served their country.
One of my friends died two years ago from a rare cancer that is almost always stress related. While he won't show up as anything related to Vietnam, I really believe the conflicts he had on his return and for many years after contributed to his death. Who knows how many more there are like that.
Look, agent orange gave me larynx cancer (voice box) and it was removed 1 1/2 years ago. Have not spoken without the aid of a mechanical device since, but, I do understand the frustration of the DWN about this subject.
Trust me, I would love to have my voice back, and my life back, but that ain’t gonna happen.
I have no complaints about the care the VA has (is) giving me. The medical staff is first rate IMHO.
Now, making a claim, another story:
I filed my claim against the VA, and waited impatiently. The VA’s stated goal was to have claims acted on within 6 months. Again, this was an AO claim, so there wasn’t much to really look at, my record, yep 1 year tour in country RVN, give the guy his money. 6 months to the day, it was approved. 2 weeks later I got my back compensation, and they have been right on the spot ever since.
The DWN needs to keep plugging away and eventually it will happen.
....Bob
Just for fun, check the source data from post 8.
Do the math. You find different numbers, or disagree on them? Call me on them, and source yours.
BWN doesn’t advertise for money, and most of us pay dues to keep going, so’Stolen Valor’ DOES NOT APPLY to us.
Most of all, I don’t like being called a liar. I’ve been posting Blue Water Navy stuff for two years; although I’ve slowed down from the Chemo, lately.
pabianice, I’ve respected you and your opinions for years. The way you’ve bounced me here this must have touched a nerve; but dude, this time you jumped the gun. Look first, before you dump on us.
There are “VIETNAM ERA VETERANS”, total 9.2 million.
There are “VIETNAM VETERANS” who served “IN COUNTRY”, total 2.590.000 million.
The mortality number for VIETNAM VETERANS WHO SERVED IN COUNTRY, is fairly accurate according to The Dept of Veterans Affairs statistics.
Disabled, Agent Orange victim since 2003, age 70.
Of the Vietnam vets I’ve known most are still alive. I’ll grant you though they do seem to have a higher than expected mortality rate.
This claim of 30% alive is pure BS. A moment’s thought reveals how preposterous it is.
The typical veteran was born about 1948. He would be 62 today!
Just a suggestion, but perhaps you could post number 8 as a seperate link/post over at Blue Water Navy.org? Just a thought.
Had a series of emails with a journalist from TX several months ago as to the PRECISE and ORIGINAL source of his statement that “...less than 850K Vietnam Vets currently living.” He cited VVA, VFW, etc. But neither of us could pinpoint original source.
The fact that so heated a debate has emerged here, tells me more precise figures are in order. If the government itself is confused as to the total number of VN Vets left alive, then how can they plan for hospital needs, home care, etc.
And needless to say, most of us VN Vets are unclear as to specifics as well...
Just a suggestion, but perhaps you could post number 8 as a seperate link/post over at Blue Water Navy.org? Just a thought.
Had a series of emails with a journalist from TX several months ago as to the PRECISE and ORIGINAL source of his statement that “...less than 850K Vietnam Vets currently living.” He cited VVA, VFW, etc. But neither of us could pinpoint original source.
The fact that so heated a debate has emerged here, tells me more precise figures are in order. If the government itself is confused as to the total number of VN Vets left alive, then how can they plan for hospital needs, home care, etc.
And needless to say, most of us VN Vets are unclear as to specifics as well...
Hey Bob.
That’s BWN, but I take you’re point.
Your cancer was a ‘Soft Tissue Sarcoma’, yes? That’s on the AO ‘presumptive’ list.
This was a recent claim, right? The DVA has been doing ‘Brown Water’ guys much faster, lately.
I came down with NHL (B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia & Small Lymphocyte Lymphoma) in 1999. I DID NOT KNOW it was AO related until mid-2005. I filed for compensation in 2005, including my DD-214 and was denied 4 times for no “Boots on the Ground”.
After the Haas Case, we discovered Blue Water Navy sailors were covered for all forms of NHL, not by the AO part of Title 38, but by CFR 3.313. (Known as the Zumwalt Law).
Filed for that in Feb. 2008, got my 100% in Dec. 2008. Had to file again separately for ‘Permanent & Total’ in Jan. 2009, I guess they thought my ‘incurable’ NHL wasn’t. Finally got it Dec. 2009.
Now, the DVA KNEW about CFR 3.313, and NHL. Did they tell me?
No.
And I’m still being slow-rolled for retroactive, because it’s so big.
Six months, my rosey pink fanny!
I'm at least 50% alive.
The mortality number for VIETNAM VETERANS WHO SERVED IN COUNTRY, is fairly accurate according to The Dept of Veterans Affairs statistics.
Rather, that number is veterans who hold the Vietnam Service Medal, including Blue Water Navy, Blue Sky Air Force, the TLC (Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia) guys.
The Vietnam 'Era' thing was a dodge to exclude guys exposed to the various-colored pesticides in Europe, Korea, CONUS, and especially Guam, which is an AO superfund site.
Go Figure.
Those guys are hitting a stone wall, too.
The typical veteran was born about 1948. He would be 62 today!
You're absolutely right. I was born in 1948, and I am 62.
I've had CLL Leukemia for 10 years, and Small Lymphocyte Lymphoma for 6 years. My prognosis is not good, because I have not been in remission since 2006, and spend 6 weeks in chemo 4 times a year.
The only living shipmate in my division has Hairy-Cell Lymphoma, and doesn't expect to live out the year.
Your point?
Look, if you don't believe me, you'd believe the DOD, the DVA, or the Institute of Medicine, wouldn't you?
Look up the sources in Post 8. Check it out for yourself.
Good thought. It's there, but it's in .pdf format, which is a b*tch to convert to html. Here's the Linkie, for those who can do .pdf.
http://bluewaternavy.org/Vietnam%20Veterans%20Final%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
Its much nicer than post 8, all nice and neat with superscripts and all...
Had a series of emails with a journalist from TX several months ago as to the PRECISE and ORIGINAL source of his statement that “...less than 850K Vietnam Vets currently living.” He cited VVA, VFW, etc. But neither of us could pinpoint original source.
The fact that so heated a debate has emerged here, tells me more precise figures are in order. If the government itself is confused as to the total number of VN Vets left alive, then how can they plan for hospital needs, home care, etc.
And needless to say, most of us VN Vets are unclear as to specifics as well...
As I mentioned elsewhere, the confusion is perpatrated by the DVA itself in the on-going attempt to limit compensation for as many Vietnam Veterans as possible.
Bottom Line: the 1991 Agent Orange Act was written to include ALL veterans awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, period dot.
Starting at the end of the Clinton years, the DVA's General Council's Office began chipping away at that number.
Catch a missile or flack and manage to get back to base in TLC, or feet wet?
You're excluded.
Set down a shot-up bird 'in country'?
Unless you can produce documentation of it, you don't count.
Etc, etc.
When they approved my 100% it was Permanent and total automatically. Guess they realize that if you breath through your neck instead of your nost, that is somewhat permanent and total. LOL
YOU ASKED “‘Soft Tissue Sarcoma’, yes? That’s on the AO ‘presumptive’ list.”. Cancer of the vocal chords is big time on the presumptive list.
Do you receive the AO newsletter put out by the VA? Drop me a note if not and I will get the web addy so you can sign up for it (or read it online).
I applied for compensation on Dec 28, 2008, and the VA approved it on June 28, 2009.
Since then, the VA has taken over all of my medical treatments and I could not be happier. Prior to this, I had medicare/tricare, and while ok, it was a hassle with the paperwork, and the Doctors were somewhat short with me. Treated me like I was an idiot.
Well, I refuse to feel sorry for myself, and I tell my family that they had better not feel sorry either. I have lived my life with no regrets.
Anyway, I hope the BWN guys get what they deserve.
....Bob
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