History

The Dragon Fire program began in 1997 as a concept demonstrator, intended to experiment with automating medium-caliber, medium range artillery. The Dragon Fire combines digital fire control, power-operated traverse, elevation, and loading, and an advanced aiming system with a 120mm rifled mortar system to give much faster and more precise direct support. Program lead is the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory with design by Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Command (ARDEC), and fabrication by Rock Island Arsenal IL, and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS).

The first prototype was constructed partly from components of a French 120 mm rifled mortar and was completed in 1998. The system was successfully tested and then used in operational experiments from 1998 to 2002, including firings from a modified Light Armored Vehicle.

Dragon Fire II intended to reduce the overall weight of the concept demonstrator and to improve its performance, particularly response time and precision and to facilitate counter-battery fire. The first Dragon Fire II concept demonstrator was completed in September 2005 at Rock Island Arsenal and successfully test fired at Yuma Proving Ground in November 2005.

Operation

The Dragon Fire mortar system can be deployed mounted in an LAV, towed by a HMMWV, or air deployed by CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter or V-22 Osprey. Mounting in an LAV does not require a separate mount; its towing carriage can be converted to an LAV mount in five minutes. After deployment the crew can control the weapon system from a remote station. In operation it is designed to be fully automatic: loading, computing firing solutions, aiming and firing automatically. From an unloaded condition, the weapon is capable of loading, completing a firing solution, aiming, and firing the first round within 14 seconds of receiving an order. The weapon is also capable of being operated manually in the event of failure of an automatic system.

The advanced fire control system is fully compatible with the US Army system, to reduce the risk of friendly fire.

Types of Rounds

The Dragon Fire system is designed to be able to use all NATO types of rifled and smoothbore 120 mm mortar ammunition.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Fire_(mortar)

Development began in 1979, with Boeing and Hughes Aircraft as the primary contractors. The specification called for a small missile which could be carried in large numbers by attack aircraft in multiple dispensers - the A-10 was able to carry several 12 round launcher pods. The Boeing design was unsuccessful, and the USAF selected the Hughes Wasp missile.

The AGM-124A was a small weapon with folding wings and fins to reduce storage space within the launcher. It was intended to be launched in large numbers - 10 or more missiles launched nearly simultaneously was envisaged for a typical attack; indeed the name Wasp derived from this “swarm” tactic. The missiles would follow a pre-programmed path to the target area before activating a millimetric-wave radar to identify and home on a specific target. This high resolution radar was able to distinguish targets even against enemy jamming and high background clutter from the ground.

Testing of the radar system began in 1981, and the first prototype AGM-124 took place in 1983. Production was planned for 1987, but in October 1983 the program was cancelled. Most of the other components of the WAAM program were also less than successful, with only the BLU-108/B Skeet submunition in use today.

Specifications

• Length : 1.52 m (5 ft)
• Wingspan : 51 cm (20 in)
• Diameter : 20 cm (8 in)
• Weight : 57 kg (125 lb)
• Range : 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Propulsion : Solid-fueled rocket motor
• Warhead : Shaped charge

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-124_Wasp

The Beginning - The Texas Lone Star Chapter was started by two men who wanted to find other Korean Veterans, and bring them together.  These two men, Nat Young and Joe Coyle, worked hard, and succeeded.  The membership has grown month by month, year by year, to over 650 members in 1998.

The Petition for a Chapter Charter was filed January 31, 1991 and approved February 13, 1991.  There were 15 members listed on the petition.  The Lone Star Chapter is a Non-Profit, Texas Corporation, incorporated in the State of Texas on February 11, 1951.  The chapter is exempt from federal taxes by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(19) organization, August 17, 1992.  The Texas Lone Star Chapter, qualifying as an Exempt Organization, is further exempt from State of Texas Franchise taxes and state and local Sales Taxes.

The Purpose of the Texas Lone Star Chapter is to remind the people of the sacrifices made by men and women who served in the armed services during the Korean War.  To find the truth about the MIA’s and POW’s, still listed as not returned, or missing in action.  To help and support the wounded and disabled American Veterans of the Korean War.  To motivate partriotism amongst the American People and to raise their awareness of the Korean War and those who served in it.

The Color Guard participates in numerous functions; funeral services for deceased veterans of any war.  They offer comfort and understanding to surviving family members.  The American Flag, which drapes over the casket, is presented to the family.  The Color Guard also participates in numerous patriotic ceremonies, which include the Memorial Day Parades, 4th of July Parades and various parades around the area, including Austin and Fort Worth. Veterans Day Ceremonies and Memorial Day ceremonies at the National Cemetary and Bear Creek Park.

Education - The chapter has developed and refined an educational program utilizing literature and Korean war memorabilia with veterans telling of their experiences in Korea.  This program is very popular and growning all the time.  The speakers bureau is set up to speak at Junior and Senior High Schools.  Many students were unaware that there was a Korean War or that so many people died there in such a short period of time.  The history books contain maybe two pages dedicated to the war.  The bureau will also speak at any military, social function, or any organization that requests our presence.

Veterans Hospital - Chapter members donate many hours to the Veterans Hospital on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.  They donate their time working where needed.  Donations are collected all year to purchase socks and caps to be distributed to the patients at Christmas time and again during the summer.  These socks are greatly appreciated by the Veterans as some of them have nothing.

Social Functions - Annually the Valentine Sweetheart Dinner is enjoyed and looked forward to.  The Christmas dinner is very popular and attended by a most of the membership.  A 4th of July picnic is also very popular as are our other get-togethers thoughout the year.  We enjoy social activities as well as official functions.

Availability - The Texas Lone Star Chapter is available for any cause requiring the presence of a veterans organization.

PURPOSE OF THE CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS

1. To build a strong organization of Catholic Veterans pledged to the protection of our constitutional form of government and our Church.
2. To conduct an extensive campaign against all dangers to our established government.
3. To assist widows, orphans and dependent parents of veterans.
4. To maintain a legislative lobby in the nation’s capital.
5. To introduce and sponsor veteran’s legislation.
6. To maintain service offices in the Veteran’s Administration and advise and assist veterans and their families.
7. To conduct a National Youth Program.
8. To encourage social and athletic activities within the community.

As members of the CWV, we are obligated to cooperate to the fullest extent with all veterans’ organizations in order to better serve the interests of the men and women who served in each of the the wars in which our nation has been involved. However, we must constantly remember, that as Catholics, we are bound to serve God. We can do this in many ways, such as demonstrating our love and respect to individuals without regard to race, creed, color or national origin. We must strive to instill in the young people of today a respect for our flag, our national anthem, and for the traditions of our great country. And finally, we must remember that the family is the basic unit or building block in our society. May we ask the Lord’s blessing in providing us with the strength and fortitude to achieve our goals.

History Of the Catholic War Veterans

In early 1935 -Msgr. (then Father) Edward J. Higgins, with permission of his Bishop Ordinary, Most Reverend Thomas E. Molloy of the Diocese of Brooklyn, gathered together a few parishoners from his parish, Church of the Immaculate Conception in New York, who had served in World War I, and organized the first Post of the Catholic War Veterans (CWV) - Astoria Post #1, which is a Post of Queens Chapter, Department of New York.

May 19, 1935 - Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York.

May 1935 - Father Higgins journeyed to Rome. Pope Pius XI bestowed his blessing upon the Catholic War Veterans, and blessed the American and Papal flags of the CWV.

July 1940 - The Catholic War Veterans was officially recognized as a Veterans Organization by the Veterans Administration in Washington, DC.

August 17, 1984 - President Ronald Reagan signs legislation granting the Catholic War Veterans (CWV) a Congressional Charter, being the 59th group to receive a Federal Charter, expressing deep admiration for our commitment to serve both God and Country.

Ever since the close of World War I, America had been threatened by the so-called political heresies commonly known today as the “Ism” movement, their purpose to destroy Christianity. Incidentally, up until this time the Catholic Church in America had, strictly speaking, no militant veterans organization made up of men and women who had served their country in time of war. It is true that the Knights of Columbus saw to the needs of Catholic soldiers in camps and behind the battlefield. However, the Knights of Columbus is not a veterans’ organization, but rather a lay organization, commissioned by the United States Government to render services to Catholics in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Our Holy Father, Pius XI, warned the world of the dreadful disaster and danger of the “Ism” movements. In response to this warning, aimed directly at Communism, the Reverend Edward J. Higgins, Pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Astoria, Long Island, New York, determined not only to heed the Pope’s plea, but also to do something about it. Father Higgins, who had served as a commissioned Lieutenant Chaplain in the United States Army, had discovered that Catholic servicemen and women had very little organized voice in national matters that concerned their God, their Country and their Home. He knew that without some sort of organized action, the Catholic Veterans could not, as a specific group, voice their approval or disapproval on any matters of grave importance. Thus, Father Higgins conceived the vital need for an organized Catholic veterans’ group. It was due to his priestly guidance, together with the worthy efforts of Past National Commander, John M. Dealy, that the Catholic War Veterans’ of the United States was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York on May 19, 1935.

In May 1935, Father Higgins journeyed to Rome and while there had a private audience with Pope Pius XI. Father Higgins informed his Holiness of what he had thus far accomplished in organizing and establishing the new veterans’ group. He elaborated, too, on his plans and hopes for the future of this organization. Pope Pius XI was pleased with and intensely interested in this new drive for Catholic Action. The Holy Father did not fear for the future of the organization, but, mindful of the Lord’s own words:

…..Where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them….

bestowed upon it his blessing. On this same occasion, the sovereign Pontiff not only blessed the American and Papal Flags of the new organization, but presented Father Higgins with a photograph of himself specially autographed, as an inspiration to urge members ever onward in their endeavors to make this land of ours safe for democracy.

The Creation of the Department of New York of the CWV

The Department of New York was organized in the winter of 1937-38 at a Convention held at the St. George Hotel, Brooklyn, New York. when James J. Munro was elected Commander. The present headquarters is located in New York City.

The present Commander is Frank Belsito, a member of the Assumption Post #1897, Suffolk County. There are seventy-eight Posts that report their CWV activities, grouped as County Chapters and Posts not under Chapter jurisdiction. These Posts are located from Suffolk County, Long Island, to Cheektowaga, Buffalo. These Posts report to the Department of New York at quarterly meetings held at different sites to foster personal contact with the Department.

The Chaplain of the Department of New York is Rev. Emeric Szlezak, a Franciscan priest. Each unit has their own Chaplain to guide the members in matters of faith and morality.

The programs of the Department of New York follow the guidelines of the National Department, that are issued each year and basically cover:

Americanism
Catholic Action
Leadership
Membership
Veterans’ Affairs

Each Post will also have local religious and patriotic activities relative to their Parish, and the local VA Hospital facilities. Our members are very active as volunteers at these hospitals for which they have been awarded for their service, which is recorded in hours spent at the hospital. Their service includes wheelchair escorts; arranging holiday socials and games; providing canteen books to use at the retail store for toiletries; bedside visits and helping with personal chores.

Contact

Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America Inc.
346 Broadway-Suite 812
New York, NY 10013
Phone (212) 962-0988
FAX (212) 894-0517
Email: NYSCWV@aol.com

Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) was founded by Iraq war veterans in July 2004 at the annual convention of Veterans for Peace (VFP) in Boston to give a voice to the large number of active duty service people and veterans who are against this war, but are under various pressures to remain silent.

From its inception, IVAW has called for:

• Immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces in Iraq;
• Reparations for the human and structural damages Iraq has suffered, and stopping the corporate pillaging of Iraq so that their people can control their own lives and future; and
• Full benefits, adequate healthcare (including mental health), and other supports for returning servicemen and women.

Our membership includes recent veterans and active duty servicemen and women from all branches of military service, National Guard members, and reservists who have served in the United States military since September 11, 2001.

IVAW’s strategy is to mobilize the military community to withdraw its support for the war and occupation in Iraq. Therefore, IVAW is leading the movement of veterans and GIs who are working to bring the troops home now.

Today, IVAW members are in 48 states, Washington, D.C., Canada, and on numerous bases overseas, including Iraq. IVAW has chapters around the country and in Canada. IVAW members educate the public about the realities of the Iraq war by speaking in communities and to the media about their experiences. Members also dialogue with youth in classrooms about the realities of military service. IVAW supports all those resisting the war, including Conscientious Objectors and others facing military prosecution for their refusal to fight. IVAW advocates for full funding for the Veterans Administration, and full quality health treatment (including mental health) and benefits for veterans when they return from duty.

Contact Us

IVAW
P.O. Box 8296
Philadelphia, PA 19101
Tel: 215.241.7123
Fax: 267.519.4593

General info/inquiries: ivaw@ivaw.org
Press requests: media@ivaw.org
Speaker requests: Click here to fill out our speaker request form
Membership requests/questions: join@ivaw.org

AK Series Weapons

American Arms

AK-Y 39

AK-F 39

AK-C 47

AK-F 47

Arsenal

SLR (all)

SLG (all)

B-West

AK-47 (all)

Hesse Arms

Model 47 (all)

Wieger STG 940 Rifle

Inter Ordnance - Monroe, NC

RPK

M-97

AK-47 (all)

Kalashnikov USA

Hunter Rifle / Saiga

MAADI CO

* AK 47

* ARM

MISR (all)

MISTR (all)

Made in China

* 84S

* AKM

* 86S

* AKS

* 56

* AK

* 56S

* AK47

MARS

Pistol

Mitchell Arms, Inc.

M-90

AK-47 (all)

AK-47 Cal .308 (all)

M-76

RPK

Monday, October 02, 2000

Page 1 of 3

* Specifically named in the Robert-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989

and required to be registered by March 31, 1992

Norinco

* 86 S

86 (all)

* 84 S

81 S (all)

* 56

RPK Rifle

NHM 90, 90-2, 91 Sport

AK-47 (all)

MAK 90

* 56 S

Hunter Rifle

Ohio Ordnance Works (o.o.w.)

ROMAK 991

AK-74

Poly technologies

* AKS

* AK47

Valmet

Hunter Rifle

76 S

WUM

WUM (all)

AR-15 Series Weapons

American Spirit

USA Model

Armalite

AR 10 (all)

M15 (all)

Golden Eagle

Bushmaster

XM15 (all)

Colt

Law Enforcement (6920)

Match Target (all)

* AR-15 (all)

Sporter (all)

Dalphon

B.F.D.

DPMS

Panther (all)

Eagle Arms

M15 (all)

EA-15 A2 H-BAR

EA-15 E1

Monday, October 02, 2000

Page 2 of 3

* Specifically named in the Robert-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989

and required to be registered by March 31, 1992

Frankford Arsenal

AR-15 (all)

Hesse Arms

HAR 15A2 (all)

Knights

SR-15 (all)

SR-25 (all)

RAS (all)

Les Baer

Ultimate AR (all)

Olympic Arms

AR-15

Car-97

PCR (all)

Ordnance, Inc.

AR-15

Palmetto

SGA (all)

Professional Ordnance, Inc.

Carbon 15 Rifle

Carbon 15 Pistol

PWA

All Models

Rock River Arms, Inc.

Standard A-2

Car A2

Standard A-4 Flattop

Car A4 Flattop

NM A2 - DCM Legal

LE Tactical Carbine

Wilson Combat

AR-15

Total Records: 84

Source: http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/infobuls/kaslist.pdf

The Korea Veterans Association of Canada (KVA) embodies the spirit of comradeship that was developed during the Korean War and the years that followed.

KVA is comprised primarily of members who served in the Canadian Armed Forces (Navy, Army, Air Force) in Korea during the 1950-1953 war and on peacekeeping duties in Korea from 1953 to 1955. Korea veterans who served with United Nations Forces from other countries as well as certain ancillary units are also eligible for membership (see Membership page).

At present there are 53 branches (units) across Canada. Each unit elects its own executive and most meet on a monthly basis except during the summer. KVA is divided geographically into five regions – Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Pacific. Each region elects its own executive. At the national level the organization is governed by the National Council.  National Council is comprised of the National President, National Vice-President, National Immediate Past President,  five Regional Presidents,  and appointed National committee chairmen.

Biennial national reunions (combined with a convention business meeting) are held in even-numbered years. In recent years KVA national reunions have been held in Toronto (2004), Edmonton (2002), Ottawa (2000), Winnipeg (1998), Calgary (1996), Ottawa (1994), Victoria (1992).

Most KVA regions meet annually or semi-annually and each unit within the regions hold meetings and social events.

Encompassed in the objectives of KVA are the welfare and concerns of Korean War veterans and their families. Representation is frequently made to government departments and other groups either directly or in conjunction with The Royal Canadian Legion or the National Council of Veterans Associations, to protect the interests of our members.

History

21 years after the cease-fire in Korea, a group of Korean War veterans got together and formed a reunion committee which later developed into the Korea Veterans Association of Canada. By the end of their first year in 1974 the association had recruited 77 members; by 1978 another 430. As the years passed and more and more Korea veterans reached retirement, creating extra leisure time, membership peaked—over 4,000 members in 60-odd branches (units) across Canada. With the attrition of illness and death memberships as well as active units are now dwindling.

Unlike organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion and peacekeeping associations, KVA cannot recruit younger veterans to maintain its numbers. To extend the life of KVA to its utmost, the General John M. Rockingham Memorial–Heritage Unit #1 was formed. When units no longer have enough members to function, membership is available in the Heritage Unit for a one-time fee. It will continue to exist as long as even only one member remains to maintain the tradition.

KVA Canada is a founding member of the International Federation of Korean War Veterans’ Associations and a member of the National Council of Veterans’ Associations in Canada. KVA successfully lobbied the Federal Government for the “Korea” service button and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea. It organizes revisits to the Republic of Korea, hosted by the Korean Veterans Association of Seoul. In 1997, the Korea Veterans National Wall of Remembrance was dedicated in Brampton, Ontario. To assist the youth of our country, a KVA National Student Bursary program has been established.

KVA membership is open to anyone who served in Korea or Korean waters in the armed forces of a UN member country (including the Republic of Korea) between June 1950 and December 31, 1955. Members of ancillary units such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army and Merchant Navy that served UN Forces during the same time period are also eligible for membership.  See Membership Page.

The National Gulf War Resource Center (NGWRC) is here to help veterans of recent and current wars and operations. We are an international coalition of advocates and organizations providing information, support and referrals for all those affected by the complexities of current and recent combat operations (1990 to current). We are focused on providing information about the following:

• Gulf War Illness

• Other toxin-induced illnesses

• Traumatic Brain Injury

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

If we may assist you or your organization, please browse our resources here or contact us.

NGWRC Background

The NGWRC is the leading international organization providing advocacy for Gulf War veterans. Founded in 1995, the NGWRC is a non-profit organization exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; donations to the NGWRC are tax deductible.

The NGWRC was organized by veterans of the 1991 Gulf War who began to experience an unexplained illness after returning from the war. Troops were exposed to low levels of Sarin Gas from chemical munitions destroyed by allied forces, and to related chemicals in the pesticides and anti-nerve agents they used. They were also exposed to oil well fire pollution, depleted uranium, vaccines, other chemicals, and indigenous parasites and diseases.

Over 150,000 Gulf War veterans are now ill, most as a result of their military duty, and many report effects in their spouses and children. The NGWRC began its work as the central resource for the grassroots groups formed by these veterans and their family and supporters around the country.

In an atmosphere of mutual support and teamwork, the member organizations of the NGWRC joined together to provide advocacy for health care and self help to those affected by the Gulf War and those who have served the United States and it allies since then, expanding its focus from Gulf War Illness to also include other toxin-induced illnesses, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Our History

1991

When tens of thousands of Gulf War veterans began reporting mysterious illnesses in 1991, dozens of grass-roots support groups spontaneously formed all across the United States, demanding healthcare and research into the illnesses. Servicemen and women who served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm demanded to know why we were ill, who would cover our health care costs, and who would provide benefits to those of us unable to work.

During the Gulf War, veterans serving in Southwest Asia were exposed to harmful levels of oil well fire pollution, chemical warfare agents, pesticides, radioactive and toxic depleted uranium from spent ammunition, and ordered to receive experimental vaccines and other drugs.

1991 - 1995

Tragically, the concerns of the growing number of ill Gulf War veterans fell on deaf ears at the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In the U.S. and the United Kingdom, local groups of veterans joined together to compare stories about toxic exposures and unusual illnesses, and investigative reporters began writing news articles describing serious problems among tens of thousands of veterans.

The most poignant investigative article was published in LIFE magazine, and it featured both ill veterans and children of veterans with serious birth defects. In the most bizarre public relations disaster related to the Gulf War, DoD and VA responded to the article by claiming Gulf War illnesses was a creation of the press.

Contact:

1403 Southwest Blvd, Ste 2B
Kansas City, KS 66103
913-831-7183
toll free 866-531-7183
fax 913-831-7184

Source: http://www.ngwrc.org

However, since then, there has been a series of complaints by some Gulf-War veterans about their overall health. Gulf-War veterans from several other Coalition nations (most notably the United States and the United Kingdom) have also reported that they were experiencing symptoms and illnesses that they believed were caused by, or aggravated by, their service in the war.

In 1992, the medical services in the various countries began to realize that the Gulf-War veterans seemed to be displaying some common symptoms, and the issue gained a higher profile. The first studies of the alleged Gulf-War Syndrome began at about that time.

In September 1992, the Canadian Forces Medical Service (CFMS) advised Canadian Forces medical personnel to exercise vigilance and to notify Headquarters if any Canadian cases appeared. Specialists at the National Defence Medical Centre (NDMC) in Ottawa soon began treating a small number of symptomatic Gulf-War veterans. Centre staff readily diagnosed some specific problems, but some individuals complained of a variety of ailments which, although easily identified as illnesses, were not clearly connected with the Gulf War. In fact, they occur among other Canadian Forces members who did not serve in the Persian Gulf, and also among members of the general Canadian population.

In the fall of 1994, the Department of National Defence decided to determine the prevalence of any symptoms and concerns in Canadian veterans, and to provide them with more detailed information. As a result, in December 1994, the Department sent an information package to all Canadian Forces medical officers giving them more information on the problem, and advising them of what to do with Canadian patients suffering from symptoms that could be related to their Gulf-War experience.

In early 1995, the Chief of Health Services made direct contact by letter with all serving veterans and almost all retired Gulf-War veterans, asking them to come forward if they had health concerns that they wanted addressed. All were made aware of the wide range of medical services at their disposal, including:

• availability of all the services and staff at Canadian Forces medical establishments across the country;
• registration in a formal Gulf-War register for those veterans experiencing illnesses;
• a toll-free telephone line giving health information; and
• a special Gulf-War veterans’ clinic at the National Defence Medical Centre.

After receiving more than 360 calls on a toll-free line, established for Gulf War veterans, the calls stopped and the line was disconnected in July 1995. Individuals who need information can still contact the Directorate of Medical Services at (613) 945-6704. More than 140 veterans are on the Gulf-War register, and the special NDMC clinic has so far seen 65 veterans. Medical staff have been able to provide diagnoses and treatment to those veterans they have been seen, and have confirmed that the symptoms the Canadian veterans are experiencing are very similar to those being seen in other Coalition countries. Most of the veterans who received treatment were satisfied with the care.

Source and Complete Article: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/view-news-afficher-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=938

Just after the cease-fire was declared in Iraq, some Gulf War veterans may have been exposed to low or trace levels of chemical warfare agents. In March 1991, after the end of the Gulf War, U.S. service members used explosives to destroy a large ammunition depot at Khamisiyah in southern Iraq. It was later discovered that this site contained the nerve agents sarin and cyclosarin. During the demolition some of these agents were released into the atmosphere. Based upon the research carried out by the CIA, in 1997 DoD notified nearly 100,000 Gulf War veterans who had been in the vicinity of Khamisiyah at the time of the demolition that they could have been exposed to low-levels of these chemical agents.

The DoD has stated that no cases of acute (that is, obvious poisoning effects that occur within minutes after exposure) poisoning symptoms, which would have resulted from high-level exposure to nerve agents, were reported during the Gulf War. Nevertheless, some U.S. service members may have experienced low-level exposures from inhalation of airborne nerve agents in the Gulf War region following the 1991 cease-fire.
How it Enters and Leaves the Body

Chemical warfare agents can be absorbed either by breathing vapors or by skin contact. The primary exposure concern for sarin and cyclosarin is by breathing vapors. Mustard agent is primarily absorbed by skin contact, although breathing it is also an important form of exposure. All of these chemical agents are rapidly broken down in the body and excreted, primarily in urine, following absorption by breathing or skin contact.

Infections of anthrax can occur through breathing and skin and stomach exposure. Naturally occurring anthrax infection is usually through skin contact, and most commonly occurs in farm animals. Exposure for anthrax used in weapons is through breathing aerosolized spores. Breathing in anthrax leads to pulmonary (in the lung) anthrax infection, which in non-military situations is a rare form of the disease compared to the infections of the skin and stomach.

What We Know and Don’t Know about the Health Effects

The OP chemical warfare agents, including sarin, cause symptoms that are virtually identical to those caused by poisoning from OP pesticides. In people who have survived severe poisoning by these compounds, studies have shown subtle but detectable neurological deficits that may last months or even years. These effects have not been described in people who have only had mild or no immediate poisoning symptoms. Research is underway to explore what might happen in people showing either very mild or even no immediate poisoning effects

Exposure to mustard agent can cause severe irritation and tissue damage including typical blistering, to eyes, skin and respiratory and digestive tracts. The symptoms and signs of mustard agent exposure are delayed for some hours following skin contact or breathing the vapors. The mustard agents are also considered to be likely carcinogens and humans exposed to mustard agent are thought to be at some increased risk of respiratory and skin cancers in decades following exposure.

Peter Spencer, Ph.D., Oregon Health Sciences University, suggests that veterans who volunteered in the 1960’s for a U.S. study of the immediate effects of chemical agents and their antidotes be screened for any evidence of delayed health effects. In fact, VA and DoD are currently sponsoring such studies.

Anthrax spores following breathing germinate up to 60 days later. After germination, illness occurs rapidly as replicating bacteria release toxins that can lead to blood loss, swelling, and tissue damage. If left untreated, pulmonary anthrax infection is almost always fatal. There is no long-term health effects reported in individuals surviving pulmonary anthrax infection.

Symptoms caused by botulinum infection include respiratory distress and paralysis, and death can occur by suffocation. Some individuals surviving botulism poisoning from contaminated food or other natural sources experience residual weakness for as long as a year after disease onset.

Possible Effects with Children of Gulf War Veterans

OP nerve agents, including pesticides and chemical warfare agents, are not considered to cause birth defects. Although a developing fetus could be affected if the mother were exposed to these agents, in general, this would not be relevant to Gulf War veterans. Mustard agents are considered to be likely human carcinogens, but current information is not sufficient to conclude that they have human reproductive health effects, especially following exposure to males.

Pulmonary anthrax is nearly always fatal if not treated immediately with antibiotics, but there is no evidence that individuals surviving anthrax infection are at increased risk for adverse reproductive health effects.

Botulinum toxin (in a purified form and in low doses) is actually licensed by the FDA for therapeutic uses as BotoxÒ. Botulinum toxin is not considered to cause birth defects.

Testing to Determine Exposure?

Nerve and blister agents are rapidly broken down in the body and excreted as metabolites indicating exposure can be detected in urine in hours or at most a few days following exposure. But metabolism and excretion of these compounds will be complete within days in cases where the individual survives the initial exposure. There is no available test today that can confirm exposure to these chemical warfare agents that may have occurred several months or years in the past. There is no generally available test to detect exposure to anthrax at levels that did not cause actual clinical manifestations of infection. The body may react to low amounts of botulinum, but there is also no conventional test for exposure that may have occurred months or years in the past.

Source: http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/Riskfactor6.doc