Since World War II, the military has poisoned countless service members through toxic exposures and secret testing.
Healthcare
Posted inReflections
At Basic Training, Dad Was Sent to an Iron Chamber. It Was Filled with Mustard Gas
A secret testing program sent an entire trainee company to the hospital.
Posted inNewsroom
The Five Essentials of Storytelling. A Survivor’s (Excerpt) Guide to Writing about Trauma
David Chrisinger teaches The War Horse’s writing seminars, the preeminent professional development program for veterans and military spouse writers.
Posted inReflections
A Tramadol Overdose, Delivered by Mail. “I Was Addicted. It Was Easy to Get Them.”
The drug abuse began when the military prescribed Tramadol for back pain. Then the VA mailed him bottles of pills. Until he overdosed in front of his kids.
Posted inNewsroom
“Nearly All” VA Claims for Gulf War Illness “Improperly Denied”
A VA official said the department is “working diligently” to gather information and “remains fully committed” to the concerns of Gulf War veterans.
Posted inNewsroom
Gulf War Illness Treatments Discovered. Will Veterans Affairs Officials Listen Now?
“That’s what made them sick.” Scientists say toxic exposures and anti-nerve agent pills, paired with DEET, poisoned veterans during the Gulf War.
Posted inNewsroom
Fighting to Go Home: Operation Desert Storm, 30 Years Later
The Pentagon expected roughly 40% of Americans would be wounded or killed but “the Iraqi army wasn’t nearly as formidable as everyone made them out to be.”
Posted inReflections
Chemicals. Chemicals. And More Chemicals. A Veteran Reflects on Her Time in Desert Storm
For decades, the U.S. has poisoned service members with toxic chemicals. Lotions. Pills. Testing. Burn pits. And then there’s the enemy’s chemical weapons.
Posted inReflections
“I Screamed Into My Radio to Ignore the Order”—Pardoned Soldier’s Comrade Still Lives With Guilt of Murdered Civilians
When Clint Lorance ordered his men to kill innocent civilians in Afghanistan, the soldiers came home and struggled to assuage their feelings of guilt.
Posted inNewsroom
“We’re Better Than This”—Jon Stewart, Veterans Advocates Rally for Bipartisan Burn Pit Legislation
Burn pits have poisoned service members for years. Policy is lacking and defense contractors are not liable for decisions that might harm soldiers at war.
Posted inReflections
“Pulling the Crazy Card”—Choosing to Show Empathy for a Suicidal Sailor
Thibaut Delloue rushed a suicidal sailor to shore after he asked for help on deployment only to see his shipmate ostracized and labeled a malinger.
Posted inNewsroom
Mystery Seizures Haunt Marine Units a Decade after Deployment
Seizures among veterans are surging. Some blame PTS and TBI. Others blame toxic exposures.
