Sickened Iraq veterans from Oregon seek help

[stevedeshazer]

SALEM -- Larry Roberta, a combat veteran who can no longer work or walk to his mailbox, braved a barrage of cameras Wednesday to tell Oregon legislators the effects of being exposed to hexavalent chromium in Iraq.

In a brief, but emotional hearing, he asked legislators to set aside $20,000 for Oregon Army National Guard soldiers who develop cancer from their exposure to the chemical, which is a toxic component of the corrosion fighter sodium dichromate.
Fredrick Joe/The Oregonian Larry Roberta of Aumsville sinks in exhaustion after testifying before the House Rules Committee on Wednesday in Salem about his exposure to hexavalent chromium in Iraq in 2003. The former Oregon Army National Guard soldier, who rarely leaves his home due to health problems linked to the exposure, appeared at the hearing "to help other veterans."

The Oregon troops, along with their replacements from Indiana, West Virginia and South Carolina, guarded KBR contractors in 2003 when they were exposed to piles of the cancer-causing hexavalent chromium at a water treatment plant.

One Oregon soldier died of complications of leukemia at age 21, and eight others have told The Oregonian or the Guard that they suffer breathing problems, chronic coughs or immune system disorders.

Civilian employees of KBR, then a subsidiary of Halliburton, and Indiana soldiers have sued the war contractor, claiming it disregarded obvious warning signs.

more: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/sickened_iraq_veterans_from_or.html

[Oregone]

1. The brother of a "friend" of mine has chronic headaches and a rash that won't go away

Though, this "friend" thinks the whole situation is great because his brother gets first pick at deer tags and money for education (as if the kid could really study). Poor kid probably wont have a shot at a normal life now.

He is probably a number amongst those stats