A Gulf War Veteran Salutes Senator Kennedy

A Gulf War Veteran Salutes Senator Kennedy 

As we all mourn the passing of Senator Kennedy, The Lion of the Senate and Health Care and a Veteran himself, who always answered the call from service members and their families.  I sit here and wonder what would he say about the current situation of cutting funds to the Gulf War Veterans Collaborative Research Center (VA/UTSWMED)?  Would he sit quietly and then rise to be the Lion and find a way through the maze?  I think he would have.

I sit and reflect on our Senators from that great state that I lived in for a year.  I think of Senator Kerry and the times I have spoken to him, his staff, and his wife about Gulf War illness.  I briefed him early on in a meeting in his office of Veterans that meet yearly in DC on Homeless Veterans.  I sat behind him and when offered the chance I spoke, he turned and gave me the direct eye to eye contact that showed me he was truly connected to what I was speaking out on Gulf War Illness.

This was back in those early 90’s after the war.  I have run into him in the hallways when I was in DC and always to hand him the newest study on Gulf War Illness.  I spoke to him and his wife briefly at the Democratic Convention here in Denver at a Veterans meeting/reception and I have to say even his wife is very much informed on Gulf War illness.  I am just one of those Veterans, a Gulf War Veteran Nurse, that just keeps at it to get us all help and answers on Gulf War Illness. 

I remember telling one of Senator Kerry’s staffers early on to pass this comm.  to the Senator:  I have the Gulf War Veterans who are ill and they are all in the bunkers and we are sending out the MEDEVAC Radio Call for Medical Evacuations but it seems that the Radio is inoperate, or someone is not getting the message at the other end, or that NO one in Command wants the message or they all preoccupied with the FOG OF WAR or that some other ACTION IS Priority.

When we are in Theater we have a PRIORITY Something ELSE HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET HOME and then it is one Step Forward and five steps back. 

But this is different we the Gulf War Veterans are watching from our bunkers and are mourning the loss of one of the Senate who was a veteran and we pause to honor him, reflect, and send our condolences to his widow, children, and the Kennedy family.  We want to thank him for the support he gave us in the past.

This priority we can understand and be in holding pattern to render him honors.

WE GULF WAR VETERANS WILL MISS SENATOR KENNEDY A REAL LION, WE SALUTE HIM A FELLOW VETERAN FROM OUR ILLNESS BUNKERS.