Today I am sharing an important issue that came to my attention and I ask that you take just a few moments to sign the petition linked below.
Diana Rosagllio writes:
Hi Torrey
I have been following you for a short time and know you to be a great advocate for veterans. Recently by chance, I happened to stumble upon some pretty disturbing information. You see, I was once a Military Police Woman trained in Ft. McClellan Alabama. I had medical issues while there and even developed asthma and tendon and muscle problems while there. And issues with my health only have deteriorated over time. I am now disabled and living on SSDI. I am only 55. I worked 39 years in the work force and paid into the system, so I am no bum. The illnesses and disorders I have are nowhere to be found in any of my ancestry or siblings. I have always wondered why I am different from my other siblings in my health issues. I was very healthy before I entered the army in 79.
Two weeks ago while searching Google for a yearbook on my basic training days, I came across some information that almost knocked me to my knees. It seems there has been for years, the knowledge that Ft McClellan Alabama was a toxic dump, and many of my fellow Military Police and Chemical Corps trained classmates and soldiers were exposed to various toxins.. The VA and Dept of Defense are not notifying nor taking responsibility for what it has done to their own, and many of us are out here sick, suffering illnesses that are debilitating. I am not as bad as some. But there are many who have died from illnesses they suffered as a result of toxic poisoning at Ft Mac. I started a couple petitions to get things out to the public and make this an issue and establish some support.
Here are the details of the petition:
- Sponsored by: Diana Rosagllio
Many U.S. Army Veterans were exposed to toxic PCB’S and other toxins while serving active duty at Ft McClellan Alabama; The Health Registry Act HR 2052 is being debated in Washington to contact and assist these veterans with their serious health problems and service connected disability. Currently the Veterans Administration has not actively sought to notify veterans who were stationed there. The CBS program 60 Minutes once called Fort Mac the most toxic place on the planet. It reportedly is the only chem/bio facility in the Army where live substances were manufactured, stored, and used in training. The McClellan Cocktail includes PCB’S, depleted Uranium, sarin gas, mustard gas, and various other bacterial, nerve and chemical agents. This Bill would assist veterans in no cost medical care, and service connected claims.
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Sincerely,
Diana Rosagllio
Former US Army
Military Police Corps
Please sign the petition here:
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Very nice what you are doing on here. I know Diana very well. Many of us out there with problems, which seem so obvious of what the cause was (Ft McClellan, AL). Wanted to share my story as well, to show people that they aren’t alone in this and we will continue to fight for this.
Since being in the military 9 yrs 1985-1994 and County Sheriff’s Dept 10 yrs 1995-2006. I was always in the best physical condition and averaged a wieght of 170lbs. Than kept going down hill for years, until June 2009, hit like a ton of bricks. In 3 months got down to 136lbs and in pain 24/7.
I had no excess wieght, nor did I want to lose any. Doctors could not explain what caused it. Blood tests, CT’s, Ultrasounds, MRI’s, EMG’s, GI Scopy, Muscle and Skin biopsies. Before this time, I rarely ever went to any medical facilities. Now, it seems to be an on going issue. I have been medically diagnosed with: Chronic Pain Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Polyneuropathy, Oestoporosis, Myotendinous Pain Syndrome, Degenerative Disk Desease, Raynauds Desease, IBS, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Unexplained Rib and Hip insuffiency Fractures, moderate unexplained face, neck rashes. All are documented and from unknown causes. None of the several doctors and specialists can figuire out what has caused this (Rheumatology 3 Doc’s, Neurology 2 Doc’s, Gastroenterology, Neck And Spine Specialist, Bone Specialist, PCP and VA Doc’s)
But yet I’m 100% disabled from the Social Security Office and 100% disabled from the Dept of VA (pension only) non-service connected.
The VA, has not yet recognized possible exposure to toxic chemicals while on active duty at Ft. McClellan, AL. Have recently resumitted an appeal on my claim with the VA. I was at Ft. Mc for MP basic/AIT Mar 1985-Jun 1985. Than 2 mnths in the field for FDTE (Heavy Security Company FORCE DEVELOPMENT Test and EXPERIMENTATION) group Jul and Aug 1985. Including mock security at a mock nuclear site on Pelhaum?
range, battle stress(stay awake 72 hrs. than got tested on basic mental skills. Field security and maneuvers. This all was kept pretty hush hush.
Worked with 2 national guard units (4total) each mnth, 1 Ranger unit and 1 Special forces unit.
Just recently have been informed of the Toxic Exposures at Ft. McClellan, AL (PCB’s, TCE’s, Vinyl Chloride, Benzene, Pesticides, Organics,CDD’s, PAH, VOC,CDF’s Inorganics, Dioxins any many more harmful contaminants). The nearby town which supports Ft. McClellan (Anniston, AL) was called the most toxic place in the country by the EPA on 60 minutes documentery. Shared the same land, air, food and water supplies. Yet it was recognized through a lawsuit, the people of Anniston, AL were and still are exposed to these chemicals. The Dept of Defense and the Dept of VA, continue to deny all soldiers whom were stationed there of any possible exposures. Because of this I am to continue to live my life in pain, exhaustion, everyday, not being able to have an explaination on why? this is. My conditions stick out like a corbon copy of what these chemicals cause in the human body. It’s just fustrating. Volunteering your life for your country and your country can’t step up, when you need the favor in return. To recognize the obvious. Many of us out there, even many worse off than me/fustrated/lost/betrayed/pain.
That’s about all I can add, to my situation, still have on going issues with blood in my stool (unknown) constant abdomin pain.
Thanks Ed
Happy and very thankful for all this effort you’se have been doing for us all.
Ed,
Thank you SO much for your service and for sharing your story. This is absolutely heartbreaking. I am so sorry for everything you have gone through and hope this will create the change and awareness (and treatment!) you all deserve.
Torrey
Thanks so much Torrey, for your understanding and commitment in helping all soldiers and vets,
ED
I am one of the veterans exposed as I was stationed at Ft Mac for basic training in 1974 and then returned in 75 for first duty assignment for 18 months. I am now recovering from 2 surgeries that were performed in a 3 week period. Removal of parotid cyst and complete/whole remove of thyroid. I also have other health issues and have two children born with disabilities. Although I found out about Monsanto watching the 60 minutes show, I did not find out about how my illnesses were related from the exposure. What has disturbed me the most is the blatant disregard our government has shown in not notifying us about what has and/or what can happened as a result of the exposure. Medical records were destroyed in a fire years ago, so now Veterans have to provide a narrative of their illnesses for disability claims. Personnel records will show where they were stationed so in my mind, there should be no denial on the fact that if you were at Ft Mac, then you were indeed exposed and any health issue you experience is in part a result of the exposure. I am now being treated at the VA Medical Center (at cost to me) and am wondering when our government will acknowledge what has happened and correct this by notifying all and let us get the medical treatment at no cost and disability we deserve. I did have to reduce my work hours because of this. I was proud to serve then and still proud I served. It is hard enough as a female to get adequate medical treatment, but to think it was something you did to cause your children to have disabilities and then to find out you were exposed to harmful substances and not notified so you can make the necessary decisions about your health care is really heartbreaking. It is troubling that there are those who think you are not worthy and only think of you as a tool for their politics. I thank you in advance for your recognition of this issue and efforts to get this information out. Once again, thank you.
I am heartbroken to hear your story, but I am honored that you shared it here. We are so thankful for your service and sacrifice. Please know you aren’t alone.
I was stationed at Fort McClellan, in 1967, for Phase one, Basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal training with chemical & biological warfare agents. I was exposed to various live agents during this training and spent many days in the field. I have health problems today and I am 40% with the VA.