I used to like Mr. Hackworth but some of his latest stuff has made me not like him very much. I wont go into it in detail, but I have had people BEG me to go to Washington and say I was sick from the Gulf War. When I told them I was not sick, they said "You will be!"
When I told them I could not in good conscious lie they said that I could get GOvernment benefits and a paycheck to say I was sick, they said I could get a lump sum disability check and collect a monthly allowance, I told them to screw.
I called them thieves and they said "Someday, you WILL come down with cancer and be on our side."
Col. Hackworth agrees with them, perhaps I am cynical but I was instructed by a Congressional Liason to LIE about having "Gulf War Syndrome" and collect benefits. You may not believe me and thats OK but it happened to ME and I will not forget it or forgive it.
You may think I am wrong, but until I FORCEBLY told them to leave me alone, they cam by my store EVERY week to tell me I had GUlf War Syndrome and needed to sue. Col. Hackworth agrees with them hence I think he is an idiot. I have always loved the guy but I can not ignore reality.
Are you depressed? Its GULF WAR SYNDROME!!! Do you have arthritis? Its GULF WAR SYNDROME! Do you have cancer? Its GULF WAR SYNDROME! Do you drink a case of beer a day and have ill effects? GULF WAR SYNDROME!!!
Its a load of bullshit is what it is. I do think that some people became sick because of inhalation of fumes and exposure to negative environments and they have been taken care of.
Of course, some of you will disagree with me and think I am fabricating the truth but ask yourself, what if what I have said happened, really did? Of course, if you dont believe me then it does not matter, but what if what I said, REALLY HAPPENED?
It would change your minds, and it DID happen only I am a normal person and dont tape these meetings.
It is a F'ing travesty and I would go over there again IN A SECOND!!!
What a rant... thats why I dont respect Col. Hackworth anymore.
There's a lot of animosity on this subject. While my wife was a medical student in Germany, she did a short practical stint in the Military Hospital in Wuerzburg. The doctor she was working with was doing a study and compiling data on Saudi Syndrome. He had to go down to Vilseck and give a speech and presentation to an auditorium full of Joes who thought they had been affected. My wife and I figured we would drive down to see how it went since we (mainly she) were interested and involved to some small degree.
The Doc's presentation didn't go over too well. Joe didn't want to hear it. Joe wanted to hear that he had some weird ailment. I mean, I'm a layman. But come on- A thousand different non related symptoms but all part of the same disease? And we're talking symptoms ranging from baldness to trouble sleeping to general feelings of unease, moodiness, "always sick" (I loved that one personally- we had guys that were always sick in the Platoon and we called 'em shammers). It just don't add up. My experience with human nature tells me the more likely cause of Saudi Syndrome is the prospect of a lifetime gov't ride.
I agree with your assessment. There are no doubt a small number of soldiers who actually were sickened by something over there- but this Saudi Syndrome has gotten blown out of all proportion. What are the numbers up to now? Something like 25% of the vets that were there have it now?
Hats off to you for your integrity.