Year End Review

YEAR END REVIEW

    WOW, this year has had its ups and downs for Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association. We started this year going in a different direction than the way we were going the year before, in the middle of the year we changed direction again and at years end we finish better than ever.
    I want to THANK Everyone for the support you have given the Association and me. You have no idea how hard it has been for some of us. As much as we gripe,we enjoy what we do. We aren’t doing it as much as for ourselves but for YOU and the other Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans.
    Yes we are very disappointed that H.R.299 did not pass the Senate. BUT look at what had happened, it pass the House by a Vote of 382 to 0. No Member of the House was opposed to the BILL. Then it get in the Senate and the problems started. First we had the Big 4 VSO tell us they are behind us, but while they were behind our backs they decided they opposed the way it was funded. This went on for 10 weeks and then they decide that the funding was OK. During this time the VA had a chance to convince the CBO that  the cost wasn’t right and let the Senator know and the other that more research was needed. There is a few problems with this:

1. In Public Law 104-4, The Agent Orange Act of 1991 the VA did not follow the law. What make anyone believe that the VA will do this research on their own when they did not obey the 1991 law. Here is part of the law:
   
   1. Directs the Secretary to compile and analyze, on a continuing basis, all clinical data obtained by the Department of Veterans Affairs in connection with examinations and treatment furnished to veterans by the Department after November 3, 1981, for exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and which is likely to be useful in determining the exposure to such agents and the disabilities suffered. Requires an annual report on such compilations and provides funding.
      
   2. Directs the Secretary, for facilitating research on the effects of exposure to herbicides used in Vietnam, to establish and maintain a system for the collection and storage of voluntarily contributed blood and tissue samples of veterans who served there. Provides for: (1) specimen security; (2) authorized use; (3) limitations on acceptance of samples; and (4) authority based on specific funding.
      
   3. Directs the Secretary to establish a scientific research feasibility studies program for conducting research on health hazards resulting from: (1) exposure to dioxin; (2) exposure to other toxic agents in herbicides used in Vietnam; and (3) active military service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Outlines program and report requirements. Directs the Secretary to consult with NAS.
      
2. There has been studies done by other, the Australian did one and the VA seems to be against it. The IOM, now the National Academy of Medicine release studies that shows that is it possible for Blue Water Navy VIetnam Veterans to be exposed. That is is plausible that Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans were exposed.  
   
3. The VA is using the wrong data to calculate the cost of the bill. They have stated that it’s possible that over 400,000 Navy Veterans may be of been exposed. They way they can get to that number is to count every person on the ship each time they went into the zone. If a person is counted once, then you don’t count them again. They may of even counted ships that were not in the zone.
   

Now the decision we have made may not be popular with the Membership but it does make sense. Here is what we are going to focus one:

1. Toxic Exposure. There are many type of Toxic Exposure from Chemical used on the ships and bases to the Burn Pits. This will be a challenge for us but we are up to the challenge. You should see more of other branches within our pages. This is another step in the Blue Water Navy goals. Agent Orange is also  a Toxic Chemical.
   
2. Guam. Guam is another step in the Blue Water goals. Many ships stopped in Guam and will be covered under this. We will help our partners from Agent Orange Survivors of GUam.
   
3. Once the decision for the Procopio Case is rendered we will then bring up the Blue Water Navy Agent Orange Act. Some people may feel we are abandoning the Blue Water Navy Veterans but this not the case. We feel that the court will find for the Blue Water Navy Veteran and once they do it will force the VA to start covering the Blue Water Navy Veterans out of their existing budget. Then when we bring the New Blue Water Navy Agent Orange Act the cost is much less and will take away one of the things the VA are complaining about.
   
4. We need to bring up our Membership. We went over 900 in 2018, I think that was close to a  50% increase over 2017. We did good, but we need to do better. With us expanding our focus we should be able to increase our size with everyone's help. Everyone needs to make they are sharing our post on other sites and letting them know what we do. Inviting them to join us. I want to make sure everyone knows that as of 12:01 January 1, 2019 our count goes down from over 900 to about 290.
   

Now I have to apologize for some things I promised. I am running way behind in sending out receipts and other items, but in my defense I have been working on other things for the Association. More on that will be coming out later. I also tried to make sure we had a Newsletter come out more often but again I fell behind in that. I have asked two others to take over the Newsletter and I hope they can put one out at least once a month.

As I said we didn’t get H.R. 299 passed BUT we did not FAIL, We can hold our head up high and say we did all we could do. We had the whole House and 98 Senators on our side. It was just two misguided or misinformed Senators that stopped us. It has already be announced that John Wells has a meeting to talk with Senator Enzi at the end of January, he is also trying to set up a meeting with Senators Lee. I want to suggest that in the June/July time frame that we all contact Senator Lee and ask him where the Research Study that the VA promised him. In his Objection Speech on the Senate floor he stated than in mid-tear the VA study would be done. Of Course I won’t have much faith in that study unless an independent organization is doing it.

This coming year we all need to do more and get this thing done. This coming year I propose we have a theme that we use to get the message to the VA, Congress, and the President. His is based on my quote in the Washington DC article, “We did our job, they should do theirs”.
Let’s work hard to get our benefits back.
One other item I need to mention, some time this week we will be deleting from the Members Only Facebook Page everyone who hasn’t paid for their 2019 Dues. I will make this one time offer, if you are planning to pay by the middle of the month due to your check coming in, let me or Mike K know and we will hold off deleting you. If you get deleted you will need to answer those questions again.

Thank you for all the support you have given me and Thank you all for your hard work.

Mike Yates
Executive Director/National Commander
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association.  

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