The content of this FAX is basically a copy of an email that I had sent to Senator Specter earlier today, 12/24/98. I have received correspondence from you previously concerning Veteran’s issues and hope that you will take some interest in the events outlined below.
I am including an urgent message I just received to this correspondence.
The behavior outlined below must stop. This issue cuts very close
to my very existence, and angers me greatly. I am writing to you
for the first time concerning Gulf War Veteran’s issues.
I live near Reading, Pennsylvania. I was born and raised near
Pottstown. I consider myself a moderate Republican and have voted
for you in every election. I receive many disturbing accounts
via my contacts in the Gulf War Veteran community every day. Many
of those disturbing accounts have to do with the preventive medicine
given to Gulf War soldiers, otherwise know as PB pills (and other
vaccines as well). I am particularly disturbed about this account
and its implications for the future of our country as a whole.
My hope is that you will see fit to investigate, and possibly
exert any influence you have on behalf of the soldiers in this
matter.
I am a Gulf War veteran. I served in the U.S. Army Reserve in Northern Saudi Arabia as POW Camp compound Sergeant for the 402nd MP PW CP, 800th MP BDE. I owe my present day good health to the fact that those in charge of my particular unit did not require us to take the unproven / untested, and very dangerous anti-agent pills or shots. Someone must stop this practice of forcing our soldiers to jeopardize their health in this way. Someone must intervene on their behalf.
Please make a difference for the future of our Armed Forces and the future of our country. Please take action that will help ensure that our defenders of freedom will not be totally stripped of their freedoms, and consequently stripped of their future health.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Gulf War Veteran
(XXX) XXX-XXXX
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(Certain Information deleted for this posting)
Subject: URGENT: Marines court martialled for vaccine refusal
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 08:45:36 -0400
Two brave young Marines who have refused the anthrax vaccine are
Being court martialled. They requested court martial in order
to have a hearing on this issue. Their names are Awoh Xxxxx (who
faces deportation) and Altas Xxxx from Cleveland, OH. The trial
will take place in Okinawa next Monday and Wednesday, Dec 28 and
30. This is one day earlier than US time, so it will really be
Sunday and Tuesday for us. 5 others are receiving non-judicial
punishment. For further information, or to do a story on the vaccine
refusers, please contact Mary or use the information below.
Mary ...is the mom of one of the boys (Adam) who is receiving non-judicial punishment. According to Mary, "Adam asked about Double Jeopardy and they told him they could do that because of the situation. On the 15th [Dec] they will get NJP. They were told there is no defense side to their case...Adam chose not to take the second shot today. The harassment is getting worse and there are more threats. It was overheard that Major Xxxxxx ordered First Lt. Xxxxxxxx to harass Adam and the others.
Of course, they keep them separate when they harass them. No
one has, out of the 7, given in yet. They are NJP'd this afternoon.
Adam will call me after so will be tomorrow my time. He said if
I don't hear, he is in the brigg. First Lt. Xxxxxxxx has threatened
Adam with a dishonorable discharge again. He told Adam, "you
will never have a family because you won't be able to afford one
and you will have to live the rest of your life with your parents."
Adam was told he was going to be charged with 4 counts; twice
for a 90 and twice for a 92 (disobeying a direct order from a
non-commissioned officer and a commissioned officer). On the 29th
he will be given another chance to take the shot. If he does not
take the shot on the 29th, he was told he would go to the brigg
for 30 days. Then they would bring him out of the brigg and give
him another chance and then put him back in for six months and
then dishonorably discharge him. He was being harassed by a Navy
Chief (who is the doctor) saying... "look everyone is taking
it, be a man and stand up there and take it, what's wrong with
you."
Last revised: April 2004