... I want to hear from you.
Here's why. I am in the process of preparing a Veterans Administration claim stemming from my service at the former chemical/biological warfare training site fondly known as Fort Mac. I want to talk to others who served there. If you don't know about the toxic secrets that might be lurking inside you, I'd like to give you a heads up. If you do know about them, I want to hear your story.
Here's why. I am in the process of preparing a Veterans Administration claim stemming from my service at the former chemical/biological warfare training site fondly known as Fort Mac. I want to talk to others who served there. If you don't know about the toxic secrets that might be lurking inside you, I'd like to give you a heads up. If you do know about them, I want to hear your story.
If you are a Ft. McClellan vet who is a newbie to this issue, I have good news and bad news.
The good: The Veterans Administration has granted us a presumptive exposure status. This means we do not have to jump through hoops to prove that our bizarre health conditions are genuine. Nor do we have to account for how we acquired them at such a young age and with no apparent risk factors.
So even if you find yourself encountering human-guised hyenas who burst into laughter while you are popping the nitroglycerin or are holed up in the e.r. yet again, the VA understands that you cannot fake a heart attack or other recognized conditions (such as, winding up with a four inch rod bolted to your neck).
The bad news: We were exposed. Big time. 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 depleted Uranium, sarin gas, mustard gas, and various other bacterial, nerve and chemical agents. And let's not forget that old standby, Agent Orange.
This past weekend I talked to an old Army buddy who told me about her freakish list of health problems. Many of them mirrored mine precisely; but I was the first to tell her about toxic exposure at Ft. McClellan. I hope she joins me in filing a claim. It is a drawn-out process. You have to produce more than just the standard DD-214. I am in the process of filing my own claim. I already have sent my notification, as required, to the Veterans Administration. My Veterans Service Organization will pick up from there.
Meanwhile, if you or a loved one went through Ft. McClellan and you have endured a series of wierd health issues that left your doctors scratching their heads... drop me a line. Leave a comment on the blog, or email me at Skeating428@aol.com.
FYI: There is a Facebook group for people exposed to toxic substances at Ft. Mac. If you are not on Facebook, it is well worth joining just to be part of this site. The woman who got the ball rolling on this issue has died from her illnesses, but others have picked up the mantle and are pressing on.
Special Note: Many thanks to the good friends who have pitched in recently to help with the blog during my own recent health issues. I do appreciate it.
52 comments:
My name is Matt and I went through Ft. Mac from Jan.9 till June 5 in 1991. I have since then went through complete kidney failure in 2002 and was on dialysis for 3 years until I had a transplant in 2005. Since then in 2009 my right hip was completly collapsed so I had a complete right hip replacement and then the same thing with the left one in 2010. I have had more health issues than I care to count and the doctors have been stumped. I never thought in my wildest dreams that any of it had anything to do with my training. Who would of thought the government would do these things to their own people. I hope somthing can be done. My email is Matthewcromwells@yahoo.com if anyone would like to talk to me email me and maybe we can exchange numbers and talk about it. I was in D82nd Chemical Co 3rd or 4th platoon bulldogs.
Matt. thank you for commenting. I am veryu sorry for your health issues, and I thank you for your service. I have been getting a rash of hits on this post from many places. Perhaps the snowball is starting to dislodge from the top of the hill...
Also, please check in with the Facebook group - I just out up a new link to the group on this post. There is much good info there.
I was staioned at Ft. McClellan in 1978.. I have autoimmune (where my natural color of pigment has left), hypo thyroid, skin cancer and breast cancer... Yeah me.. I am in the process of filing a claim for the exposres from Ft. McClellan..
I'd like to see proof of this. "The good: The Veterans Administration has granted us a presumptive exposure status. This means we do not have to jump through hoops to prove that our bizarre health conditions are genuine. Nor do we have to account for how we acquired them at such a young age and with no apparent risk factors."
How can you make a statement like that and not provide proof to back that up?
What do you mean more than dd214. I thought presumptive meant it would be easier. I took basic there. Lost half my thyroid two years ago and probably looking at losing other half soon. It has numerous nodules but so far no cancer. Would this qualify?
Um, where is the list of illness's?
I dont do facebook and also cannot see the list anywhere.
I did McC in the 70's.
Where is the info on presumtive status for ft mc. I also want proof and so far it looks like just here say.
So has anyone gotten any OFFICAL information on this presumtive status?
Hi my name Brian Bachofner and I went through Chemical school summer of 69. I remember in Aug watching the Moon landing. I have peripheral neuropathy for five years now. It started with numberless in my toes and now has spread to my entire feet. My Dr.says it might be an exposure to some chemical toxin. How do I start the claim process?
Hi my name is: Penny and I went through Basic training in Echo 1 company Mar-May 1972. We did have to go through that one building that they called the Gas Chamber. DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT TYPE OF GAS THAT WAS OR CHEMICAL USED IN THERE?
Because now as of 2 years ago; I have had slight peripheral neuropathy in my big toe & 2nd toe areas & top of my feet. I am only 58 years old at this time. Doctor's do not know why i have this? All tests come back negative. Would that gas chamber be the cause of this? If you can answer this: I would appreciate it very much! THANK YOU!
I have been a veterans advocate for about 25 years and consider myself familiar with Title 38 of the US Code and 38 Code of Federal Regulations. I find no regulation or law that makes service at Ft. McClellan presumptive of any medical condition. Presumptive conditions are specifically described in the code of federal regulations and if a condition isn't there, or the location isn't there, it is not a presumptive condition. For instance, people who served in Thailand and Korea have proved that Agent Orange was used there. However, the conditions that are presumptively service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange are specifically spelled out in the regulations as applicable only to those who served in Vietnam. One can still apply for disability benefits but without a presumption, you will be required that you served at this base, prove that you were exposed to the illness(es) you have, prove with medical opinion supported by scientific date that the illness(es) you have are caused by that exposure and that your illness(es) are disabling. This can be a difficult process but it can be worth pursuing if you can meet all of these requirements of proof.
Hy my hunsband was stationed at Ft. Mcclellan from April of 1995 to January 2000. He was all over the base.
I was there in 1993 for Chemical School and have had some weird things happen to me since 2002, like IBS, memory loss and aching joints in right knee and shoulder. Doctor couldn't even explain the IBS thing because he wasn't sure if it was IBS but on the colonoscopy it showed an irritated area in my large intestine. He didn't know what it was and diagnosed it has IBS. Guess I will start getting my claims together which I am SC'd already for CSpine and LSpine....
Aunita Booker
I went through Ft.Mac in feb78-april78 and I have throidism and a list of other illness I cannot begain to describe I use a walker and a cane. I have tried for 20 years to get va comp disability and have been denied because my medical records cant be located . Please help
Does anyone know Dale Baker?
I was there for Basic and AIT Feb. 81 to June 81 then to a class A security site in Germany. The site closed at Cold Wars end and is now encassed in 6 feet of concrete. Besides rocket assisted tacticale nukes, the site was treated regularly with defoliants, and sat on the same site as where the Nazis made the VX Gas used to gas jews. At wars end it was burried by the Army at that location. I now have a litany of problems, all of which can't be controlled and the doctors are stumpped. The Dod sealed my records, made "corrections" to my medical file and flagged my SS Number as DECEASED. My DD214 says I went into the Army and then ETS'd. Odd. My email is christian.guy@roadrunner.com I would like to talk with others who are slowly dying while the government denies their existence.
Folks - listen to the Vet Rep on this! It is NOT PRESUMPTIVE! If it were, various people wouldn't be STILL trying to get the legislation on FT. Mac through the House and Legislature!
Susan Katz Keating's post may come true one day - but it's NOT true Today!
Her posting that service at Ft. McClellan, AL. for those of who are still sick 30+ years later has been approved to be presumptive by the VA for compensation is highly wrong and morally bankrupt.
Please do your own research!
Still fighting ...
I went through basic there in 1988, I have joint pain and inflammation and liver damage.
Ft Mac? Yep! Me Too ! Im sick as a muther f^%#$! ... But I am not going to "tell" everyone.
I was in "Co "C" - Chem School - a "54 echo" or N.B.C. Decontamination Spec. .. 1985. If you were there with me? Call me up and lets party! I got the hell out of that place ASAP! A "muggy hell hole!" I would drip with sweat just walking to the Door! "Mess was "rank!" I use tyo get wasted at"the WEB .. I think it was in Jacksonville. I stole a car one night .. had a blast! Whatever .. I love ya! AIRBORNE!
I do not know if VA has given presumptive status yet or not because they are a complex and complicated beaureacy? The text of H.R.6238 has not yet been received from GPO
Bills are generally sent to the Library of Congress from the Government Printing Office a day or two after they are introduced on the floor of the House or Senate. Delays can occur when there are a large number of bills to prepare or when a very large bill has to be printed.
I just talked to MR. Tonkin office and was told it was still being drafted. I dunno. Here is his office number 202 225 5976.
What you can do to help is call your cingressmen and ask them and the bill.I do not mean New York state, I mean the state you live in.Dig? Peace Maan.Walt
I was statiioned at Fort McClellan from May 1994-May 1998. Since then I have developed a symptonn of Passing out. Doctors called it "Syncope". I pass out in occasions (such as jumping, sudden movement, exercise etc) and recover from it within hours. I went thru many doctors and test and none of them could figure out what caused it. After fighting with the Army for many years, I received 20% rating from the Army but VA Claim is still pending for further evaluation.
Does my condition come from Fort Mcclellan?
How can I get a proof of presumtive statuf for FT Mcclellan?
hi was stationed at ft.mac 1986/87 and now i am very sick legs shaking,depression,memory loss,back pain etc.etc filed a va claim still waiting to hear my name frank j fabrycki
I was @ Ft. Mac March -July 1978. I have liver/kidney problems, hip, spine, shoulder degeneration, skin cancer, depression, etc. (Boot camp & MP school.) How do I file a claim?
Did basic training at ft mac in 1976 seem to have a lot of the symptoms that they are all writing about thanks
I WAS TRAINED AT FT MAC IN 1984 AND RETURNED AS AN INSTRUCTOR FROM 1987 THRU 1990.... SYMPTOMS SYMPTOMS AND NO REASON UNTIL I READ THIS.. WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO ME ???
WAS SENT TO FT GORDON FOR UNCONTROLLED DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS
AND BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS. SLEEP DISORDERS ECT...
AND THEN CHAPTERED OUT FOR CONDUCT ISSUES
I DROVE TRACK VEHICLES THRU THE DUST AND MUD UNKNOWING THE DANGER.
I TAUGHT TROOPS TO MAKE THE SMOKE THAT COVERED THE BASE AND WAS TOLD THAT FOG OIL SGF2 WAS HARMLESS WE BREATHED IT FOR HOURS ON END.
I WENT THRU LIVE NERVE AGENT CHAMBER DURING TRAINING THEY DREW BLOOD TO CHECK US BUT NEVER TOLD US WHY THEY WERE CHECKING...
IS THAT WHY THEY PAID THE BONUS MONEY TO NBC FIELD TO KILL TEST US ! WOW WOW ! I AM HURTING MORE NOW.
I was there in 1984-86. NBC (54E). Lots of CS Gas, PCBs on Ammo boxes etc. Found UXO (duds) all over the place dating back to Round Cannon Balls. . Pelham Range is where you need to look. Watch out for the damn bugs out there. Mutant MFs. Two people in my unit died of weird shit. One of "Skin Cancer" and one of "AIDS". Both were young and healthy when I got there and both deaths were quick. on month they were fine, the next dead. A strange place. I hope they didn't sell the place back to the community and are letting Folks build houses there.
My name is Linda and I did go through basic training and chem training as well as a 54 Echo. August 10, 1981- December 17, 1981.
Asthma.
Lyndasegundo@yahoo.com
NewJersey August 13, 2011,
Hello to everyone, I was on the computer trying to find an old friend who was stationed with me at Fort McClellan Alabama, We graduated March 11, 1987. After graduating I came home and graduated from the police academy. Soon after that I became very Ill, none of the doctors could figure out what was wrong with me until it almost took my life in 1995. I developed a rare bladder disease, the cause was unknown so there was no cure. I had to take a disability and leave behind all that I loved and had worked so hard for. Soon after I was diagnosed with endometriosis, IBS, Chronic Fatigue, Hyperglacemia and now hyperthyroidism. Was I exposed to chemicals, could I still be tested for exposure, and why was I never informed? I have always believed in doing the right thing, now it's up to our gov to do the same. Thank you for listening my heart goes out to everyone affected by this.
For more info go to Washingtonwatch.com and type in Fort McClellan
I was told to look up Ft Mcclellan Al as I went through Basic and AIT training there (MP) by another MP. I suffer from Pheripheral Neuropathy and the Doctors were at a loss for the cause. I then went to the Mayo Clinic in hopes that they could help with the reason I have it. They to were at a loss. It is still progressing of course...Where are you at in all of this now?
The new bill # is H.R. 2052.
If you want to help yourself and the other vets that were stationed at Fort McClellan and are sick and are dying from the toxic soup of junk we were all expose to while there then you need to start contacting your elected officials and let them know to get on board with this bill now! This is the only way we are going to get this bill passed. Right now it's floundering and if we don't get off our duffs and get on the phones and start sending emails to our elected officials then we are all going to have to fight each claim individually on a steep uphill battle. If the bill passes it will make doing your Fort McClellan claims much easier so lets go folks pass the word around and start contacting your elected officials now please. Get the word out.
My name is Roy Chapman, I went to Basic at Ft. Mac in 1981. I was diagnosed with PAD in 2004 and also have high blood pressure and tingling in my big toes on each foot and my second toe on my left foot! Is this associated?
Went through basic/AIT there from Sep1995 to Feb1996. I had a kid that started with us perfectly healthy, in January 1996 he had trouble swallowing his food. They found a lump in his throat, and he was deceased before we graduated on Feb 4th. This really has me thinking about mysterious aches and pains I have.
I took my basic training and AIT at Ft. McClellan from October 1971 to February 1972. I had no idea any chemical's were stored there until recently. I had skin rashes and hives immediately after arriving at my permanent duty station (Ft. Holabird, Dundalk MD). The post Dr's couldn't explain it so they sent me to Walter Reed and they had no explanation either. Over the year's i've developed lung ailment's, severe chronic joint pain, numbness in my hand's and feet, and a few other strange illnesses. They are going to test for diabetes on January 6th 2012. I'm sharing my story in hopes of finding other people with similar symptom's. And can we apply for benefit's related to the chemicals? Any info woule be greatly appreciated. My email address is Vervw1953@aol.com or Renee.Condon@facebook.com. Thanks in advance.
Hello,
I was on the internet searching to see if any other women who were in the WAC's were having any problems with their knees & feet such as knees giving out & arthritis in their feet which I thought could have been from the Army having us do PT on the asphalt wearing combat boots & in my research I ran across your website & I am completely shocked to read what I have read. I was stationed at Ft McClellan in 1978 & I was healthy when I began my Army service there. I served in the Army till 1988. In that time I developed asthma, had many problems with unexplained bleeding which ended up with me having a hysterectomy & I have developed problems with inflammation & back in 1989 I was told I had an under active thyroid. I was recently hospitalized for chest pains & I have had other chest pains in the past that were never explained. So reading these other posts really shocked me, because of the similarities of these other people & my problems over the last 30 years. I am still being seen to try to figure out some of these ongoing & newer problems. I attempted to e-mail Susan Katz Keating as she said she would like to hear from others but the e-mail she has listed on her page did not work. If you could check your e-mail & re post it I'd like to e-mail you for further feedback please.
Thank you
I was at Fort McClellan in 1978. I was face down in toxic smelling stuff on the firing range. They sprayed it to keep the dust down. They sprayed other stuff to keep the bugs away. They sprayed HELLISH stuff on us in the "gas chamber" and told me I had "sensitive skin" when I broke out in weeping blisters and started having dizzy spells and headaches, which lasted throughout my time in service. I am now diagnosed with MS, CFIDS, Depression, PTSD, Degenerative Disk Disease requiring frequent shots into my spine because my body can't tolerate the level of pain medication I needed to try to cover up the pain. It was nice for a MOMENT to think the VA was doing the right thing and considering me a "presumptive stateside victim of Agent Orange"...God, where is Tom Daschle when you need him? He's the one who got the Vietnam vets covered...I only missed it by a couple years. I took care of those guys and ended up training where they kept leaking BARRELS of the stuff...and probably used the excess on trainees. Waste not, want not, right? ...and we were "just women." Ugh... I'm screwed no matter how you look at it, but it would have been nice to leave some hope for my children. Of course they're past college age now, so they won't even benefit from THAT like other vets did, even though I'm just as sick and did my bleeding, sweating and crying in an all together different way that I am NOT going to get into here! Reporting THAT got me nowhere either!
Wow, how can someone mislead us into thinking we're COVERED for this when we're NOT. That is incredibly cruel! First deliver the blow that we've been exposed to Agent Orange and God knows what (I have been diagnosed with MS, CFIDS, Depression, PTSD, Degenerative Disk Disease and am currently Officially DIABLED by the combo of them all..but knowing the VA and military and CONGRESS, especially this DO NOTHING ONE, there isn't an ice cube's chance in HELL any of us are going to get covered by the VA!) I hope whoever thought it would be fun to give us all false hope got a big HA HA HA out of this, because it was NOT a laugh for me or my sons...whose sole parent I am! Sign me a 1978 Graduate of Fort MacToxic!
My name is Donald Marshall
I was stationed at Ft. McClellan from Feb to June 1984. Prior to entering into the service I was a long distance runner 4:06 mile sub 9 min. two mile in high school. I was never sick. Dec 1987 I started feeling ill by June 1988 I had been in and out of the doctors several times, I had lost weight and had ongoing periods of vomiting. I went to see the doctor again in June 1988 and over the next 8 months found out that I have an unknown form of cancer. I won't go into the details at this time. I fought the military while going through chemo and made my way back to active service. I finally left the service June 1992. Dec 2006 I had a massive heart attack. I was 42 years old. I have numerous current medical issues Strange open sores on my skin, Neuropathy, PTSD, Major Depression, the list is long and getting longer everyday. I only want to know what happened and what can I expect.
It's just the same old thing wait untill enough of us die off. Read the book by Dennis Love My City Was Gone. It gives the history of Aniston, AL and the lenghts that the local and federal governments went to to cover this up. It will open your eyes.
My name is John. I went through ft. Mac and I was shocked to read all of the comments on this page. I suffer from joint aches and tingling in my feet and hands and occasional chest pains. I've been checked by doctors and they can't find anything. Could this be related to the claims at Ft. Mac.please contact me at artistictouchpainting@yahoo.com
It's a damn shame they couldn't tell us what we were crawling around in.
My name is John. I went through ft. Mac and I was shocked to read all of the comments on this page. I suffer from joint aches and tingling in my feet and hands and occasional chest pains. I've been checked by doctors and they can't find anything. Could this be related to the claims at Ft. Mac.please contact me at artistictouchpainting@yahoo.com
It's a damn shame they couldn't tell us what we were crawling around in.
Have any of you found the toxic exposure Facebook page? There is a lot of good information on there.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/veteranstoxicftmc/352544121426784/
I had a heart attack at a young age with no risk factors whatsoever. And other health problems, as well...
My email addy is Skeating428@aol.com
yup, Fort MacToxic Vet. Seems my medical records have mysterouly convinantly vanished. Filed jan 2011 for PTSD,depression,thyroid cancer, numbness in legs and feet. (2nd toe from the end left foot) COPD,IBS, Broncittis,Chronic kidney,bladder,ear infections,acne,hair loss and recently Chronic fatigue,chronic ishcemia,demensia and cerebral atrophy and that's what I can think off the top of my head I AM ONLY 45 years old!!! I contacted my Goveners office. We need to hold a convention in LAS vegas and have the news media there!!!!
Fort McClellan,AL also had Heavy METAL EXPOSURE.. Read Final Baseline survey for ft mac and you will see dangerously high levels of arsenic,led and Mercury. These cause hearing loss,tinitus and many more health issues. How can you know??? Check your palms and heels. You knows those little warts ya got that won't go away? That's it
if you girls need help email me at vincent-robert@live.com,i with group that trying help the girl with the agent orange
i on facebook at robert lower
On May 26, 2011, Rep. Paul Tonka from New York State submitted House Bill No. 2052, also known as the Fort McClellan Health Registry Act. This bill has been sent to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. IF this legislation is passed, THEN claims which are filed for compensation can be considered as PRESUMPTIVE. I've been working on a claim for disability compensation for EIGHT YEARS!! for my husband. He was a young officer sent to the U.S. Army's Chemical Corps School at Ft. McClellan in 1959. Toxic chemicals were put on his body and he was also exposed to toxic filled chambres. He now suffers from horrible residual effects from this exposure, including numerous seizures and TIA's. As a result, most of his frontal lobe brain cells have died, and they do not regenerate themselves. For the past 11 years, he has suffered from frontal lobe dementia. I wait on him, literally, hand and foot. He spends his days sitting at our dining room table, with his head hanging on his chest. He goes to Adult Day Care three days a week. His life and our life together has been totally devastated and destroyed. I'm hoping to hear something from the VA . . . but when???
I went through basic at Ft. Mac in 1975. They used tear gas in the chamber. Previously, I found out they were using chlorine gas, but it turned bleached blonde hair green like a swimming pool so they switched to CNS gas.
Not pleasant, but not related to the toxic stews they're describing.
I was stationed at Ft. Mac for MP OSUT training Oct 92 - Mar 93 and was later diagnosed with MS when I was only 25 with no family history!
My father was stationed there during the Korean Conflict after graduating from Berkeley with a degree in chemical and mechanical engineering.. He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a little over 20 years later. He also later worked for GE's Nuclear Energy Division... Any possible link to Ft. Mac?
My father was stationed there during the Korean Conflict after graduating from Berkeley with a degree in chemical and mechanical engineering.. He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a little over 20 years later. He also later worked for GE's Nuclear Energy Division... Any possible link to Ft. Mac?
My father was stationed there during the Korean Conflict after graduating from Berkeley with a degree in chemical and mechanical engineering.. He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a little over 20 years later. He also later worked for GE's Nuclear Energy Division... Any possible link to Ft. Mac?
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