Vietnam War Navy veterans claim the new head of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, Robert Wilkie, stabbed them in the back by
promising to meet with them and instead, fired off a letter trying to kill a
bill that grants them Agent Orange benefits.
Wilkie sent a letter to Sen. Johnny Isakson
(R)-Georgia claiming, "science does not support extending Agent Orange
benefits to Blue Water Navy veterans."
"When I met with Secretary Wilkie at his
confirmation hearing, he promised me a meeting on this subject," said John
Wells, Executive Director of Military Veterans Advocacy, Inc.
Instead of a face-to-face, John Wells accuses
Robert Wilke of betrayal.
Wilkie sent the letter to Isakson, the chairman of
the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, which is now considering the
legislation.
The letter claims the bill will cost more than
anticipated and create a bigger claims backlog.
According to John Wells, Wilkie is distorting the
facts.
"He's come out with inaccurate and
inflammatory material designed to convince Senate Chairman Johnny Isakson to
not move this bill forward," Wells said.
For years, the VA opposed extending benefits to
veterans who served on ships in the harbors, bays and territorial waters of
Vietnam.
In June, the house unanimously passed the bill
granting them benefits long denied.
Blue Water Navy veterans contend Agent Orange
seeped from rivers and streams into harbors, bays and territorial waters.
Ships unknowingly pulled in contaminated water,
desalinating it for drinking, bathing and cooking.
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