June 22, 2005Derrick Williams Moncton E-mail Address: thewilliams@rogers.com Here is some contact information for agencies that are involved in the Agent Orange issue and which might help you get started: Aaron MacDonald, OMBUDSMAN - (888)828-3620 This is the place to put your name on the list. I'm not sure if it is vets only or everybody. VETERANS AFFAIRS - (800)268-7709 This is another place to put your name on the list. VETERANS AFFAIRS (Widows) - (866)522-2122 Call and ask for New Brunswick district and ask them to send you the forms. I thank Ray K. from Veteran Affairs (Peacekeeping) for providing info. Thank you Derrick!!!...Excellent! -Art _______________________________________________________________________ June 22, 2005_____-----Original Message----- From: Cindy Lafreniere [mailto:user950h@dnd.ca] Sent: June 22, 2005 11:59 AM To: Carr, Jody (LEG) Subject: Agent Orange Info Session MA05-010 June 21st, 2005 CFB GAGETOWN - An information briefing regarding Agent Orange testing at CFB Gagetown in 1966 and 1967 will be held at 1:30 p.m. (AST) on Thursday, June 23rd in the CFB Gagetown Theatre, building F12. This information session is open to members of the public. SEANCE D'INFORMATION A LA BFC GAGETOWN BFC Gagetown - Une seance d'information portant sur l'epandage de l'agent orange a la BFC Gagetown en 1966 et 1967 aura lieu a 13h30 le jeudi 23 juin a la salle de conference du batiment F-1 a la BFC Gagetown. Cette seance d'information est ouverte aux publiques. 30- EDITORS NOTE: Questions can be directed to CFB Gagetown Public Affairs Officers, Lt. Martell Thompson at (506) 422-2000 ext. 3364 or Sue Knight (506) 422-2000 ext 3634. NOTE DU REDACTEUR : Veuillez adresser toute question a ce sujet au officiers des affaires publiques de la BFC Gagetown, Lt Martell Thompson, au (506) 422-2000 poste 3364 ou Sue Knight (506) 422-2000 ext 3634. Thanks for the heads up Jody!!! I know that some of our friends will be there raising hell. -Art ________________________________________________________________________ June 22, 2005 I, too concur with my sister about our brother Philip Walls. I clearly remember the oncologist saying how unusual it was to see such a young person with multiple myeloma. He was diagnosed in October and died an agonizing death as the cancer ate into his bones. We would go out and beg the nurses to give him more morphine, but that was in the "70's and there was not the palliative treatment options we have now. Picture yourself sitting by the bedside of your brother, as his body shrunk, looking like a concentration camp victim, curling in on itself, until mercifully he went into a coma a week before he died. No one to talk to, to share the grief and anger and heart wrenching facade of pretending he would get better. If there is anything I can do to expose this ruthless " cover your own ass" attitude coming from the people responsible, I will do it. (bjwnini@accesscomm.ca) Sincerely, Barbara Walls-Nini, BN.RN.MAEd SRNAQuality Workplace Program Coordinator E-mail: bwalls-nini@srna.org _______________________________________________________________________ June 22, 2005 Hello. My name is Patricia Takahashi.In 1974 my brother Philip Walls, then 19, worked for the N.B. Dept of Fisheries collecting spore samples in the swamps at Gagetown Army base.He waded up to his waist every day in hipwaders to collect these samples. Philip was a student at U.N.B. and was doing this for a summer job. He worked from May until part way through August. He started to get sick in August. First fever and chills, then Abdominal pain. He was too sick to return to school in September. He was hospitalized in Moncton in Sept.and in October doctors performed exploratory surgery and discovered 9 tumors on his liver There was nothing they could do. Philip went from a 180 lb. healthy youth to 65 lbs. when he died November 23,1974. The cancer seemed to eat him alive. Ever since the 1981 announcement we have suspected he was exposed to Agent Orange. Do you know of any other students or people who may have worked there that summer and what has happened to them? Sincerely, Patricia Takahashi (nee Walls) ptak@telus.net Can anyone help Patricia? -Art June 22, 2005 Hi Art: . My name is Helen and my late husband suffered many years of bad health: heart, ulcers, cancer, etc. He passed away in September, 1999. he always claimed that a lot of his poor health was due to Agent Orange but no one would listen to him. I am trying to apply for compensation on his behalf but so far have been not successful with finding out how to go about doing it. I have placed some phone calls. I too, am an asthmatic and have had poor health through many years ( pneumonias, bronchitis, pleuracy, even one year encyphiliatic pneumonia). Have not looked into anything regarding myself as of yet. Any suggestions? Thanks for your work involved in this. Have a nice day. Cheerio, Helen Check out the link to Veternas affairs Helen. Good luck :) For more information about VAC's Disability Pension Program, click here.   Art: My name is Carolyn Werner, my husband Larry passed away in 2002: he was 52 years old. I believe his death was directly related to Agent Orange. Larry was diagnoised with gallbladder, colon, stomach and liver cancer 2 months before his death. Can you tell me if these cancers are caused by Agent Orange ? Is there any information that links these cancers with Agent Orange? Any help that you can give me is greatly appreciated. The horrible suffering and pain that Larry had to bear torrments me day and night. Thank You .... Carolyn Carolyn please check this link. At the end of the info sheet are links to various sites that may help you with your search. Good Luck Agent Orange Info Sheet -Art June 22, 2005 As a 16-year-old in 1970, I was a Junior Forest Ranger, part of an Ontario government program which was little more than cheap labor for planting commercial trees. One of my tasks was to spray stumps in logged areas with either 24d or 245t, I can't remember which. Three years ago at 49 I was diagnosed with early onset prostate cancer, which is suspected to be linked to pesticides and herbicides. Sound familiar? Since then I've been fighting to have PSA screening tests covered under health insurance. I think in NB you already have that. My website is www.epcdo.ca Hope that helps, jp John Peck, Peck Associates Communications 416-487-1012 cell: 416-802-2917 fax: 416-487-5476 ______________________________________________________________________Good Morning, I was under the impression that the area was sprayed before 1966. I grew up in Upper Gagetown and remember when the military base moved in. I also remember the spraying, mock wars using live ammunition and bombing residential area with sand bags; I was young as 10 or 11 years old; which was late 50's and early 60's. I left Canada in 1967, to live in the states; I have had poor health since 1991 with minor strokes, cancer and various problems with my colon and intestines not to mention constant pain from migraines which I feel is due many sprays that were used by the military is the long term effect. If an investigation was done in Gagetown and Upper Gagetown you will find many have died with strokes and cancer at a very young age. It has always been a concern in the community but nothing has ever been done about it until now. I saw on the International News here in the states that this has gone to the legislative in Ottawa which I'm very pleased as someone in the government need to wake up and recognize what they done. Just because there wasn't any sudden side effects the government more or less turn their back and allowed this to happen. I know I can not give that much input except to express my feelings. Than you for listening to me. Regards, Joyce Bova Stamford, CT All our government doen is say that Agent Orange is not ahrmful. They must think the rainbow of dioxins affected our brains -Art _______________________________________________________________________ June 22, 2005I was exposed to agent orange in the summer of 1974 when I worked as a student for Ontario Hydro in the Forestry department in southern ontario. We were required to carry gas engine driven sprayers on our backs. The tanks containing the agent orange and deisel fuel mixture were on our stomachs supported by chains from our necks. The tanks leaked constantly, drenching my genitals with the mixture. When I complained to the foreman, he thretened to fire me. Today I suffer from depression and anxiety attacks. Since I turned 50, this condition has worstened. There has been no history of birth defects from my offspring. I guess we were fortunate in that reguard. I was wondering if my condition can be linked to my exposure? I was wondering if other people who have been exposed have had similar experiences? Thank You Gary McCormick Can anyone provide Gary with info ? -Art June 22, 2005I saw the CBC news clip last night and thought I would get in touch. I was in CFB gagetown between 1965/68 and was then posted the Vancouver BC. I came down with asthma within a few months of arrival and gout. I was declaired unfit for service and got out in 69. I later tried to get a pension for the asthma but was denied because I was unable to prove it was service related even though I had medical reports showing that I was in good health just prior to leaviging Gagetown. I sympathize with you in the unnecessay death of your father. The Canadian Gov. covered it up for twenty years and denyed compensation to those who have suffered from their actions. I fully support you in your endevers and hope that you and others will be able to force the federal Gov. to right this great wrong that has ben done to their soldiers and o the people livng near the base. Ex-Sgt Dave MacDonald, Saanichton, BC ______________________________________________________________________________ June 22, 2005 Hello! My name is Michael Jeffries. I am an army brat who spent my formative years in Oromocto. My father died last year and I am concerned that his cause of death might have been related to the chemicles sprayed while he was stationed in Oromocto. My dad, Edward Jeffries, died last September of complications resulting from damaged lungs, heart problems and diabetes. The combinations of these three conditions complicated his treatment so that neither could be adequately treated without inflaming the other. His last years were difficult. He mobility was limited as he was restricted to an oxygen tank. I remember taking him to church one day and having to leave early as his oxygen tank was reading near empty. I can still see the look of panic in his eyes. My dad was a non-smoker but developed a pulmonary condition. I have always questioned how he could have developed his lung condition. His heart condition lead to a heart attack and a tripple by-pass about 20 years ago. Through his heart attack his diabetes was diagnosed. I would appreciate having my father's name included in any discussions regarding the chemical spraying in Oromocto. He was stationed there between 1959 and 1974. We moved to Moncton, New Brunswick in 1974 where he eventually retired and spent his remaining years. Kindest Regards, Michael Jeffries eeemm@rogers.com My Dad was on oxygen Jeff. I am familiar with that look of panic :( -Art _________________________________________________________________________ June 21, 2005 OPENING REMARKS FOR KAREN ELLIS ADM (INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT) DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE BEFORE THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEFENCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS OTTAWA, ONTARIO 21 JUNE 2005 Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee: There has been significant media coverage regarding the testing of Agent Orange and Agent Purple at CFB Gagetown in 1966 and 1967. We welcome the opportunity to provide you with the facts as we know them, to share with you what we have learned in recent weeks and what we do not know, and to set out our next steps. We will do the same for the Gagetown Community on Thursday. As the Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure & Environment), I am responsible for environmental issues in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces. I am joined here today by General Ray Romses, the Army Commander for the Atlantic Region and Mr Bryson Guptill, Director Service and Program Modernization Task Force of Veterans Affairs Canada and Ms. Sandy Williamson, Director of Strategic Policy and Programs of Veterans Affairs Canada. Introduction At the outset, I want to make it clear that the Minister of National Defence has asked the department to compile as much information as possible on this matter for the Government’s consideration. He is committed to appropriate action based on a fuller picture of the history and the facts. The CFB Gagetown Test In 1966 and 1967 Agent Orange and Agent Purple were manufactured specifically for military brush control purposes. Colour code names were coined by the US military for these different defoliants. For three days in June 1966 and four days in June 1967 small scale testing of various defoliants and desiccants, including the defoliants known as Agent Orange and Agent Purple took place at CFB Gagetown. What I mean by small scale is that the tests were done on 472 acres out of the 271, 816 acres that make up CFB Gagetown. In fact the defoliants Orange and Purple were used only on 83 acres. This testing was for brush control purposes. The testing was conducted in cooperation with the United States military in order to evaluate the effectiveness of these products as defoliants. To the best of our knowledge, and with the available records, this is the only cooperative defoliant testing that we have done with the United States military. Old records indicate that both countries would benefit from brush control testing and evaluation and that Canada would benefit from the technical advice, which could be given by US experts. Both countries had personnel involved in the testing. The 1966 tests · The first tests were conducted during the period of 14 to 16 June 1966. The site was located in the western portion of Base Gagetown between Broad Road and Blissville Road. It was approximately 4 miles long by 1200 feet wide. · A total of 116 plots, each 200 by 600-feet (for a total of 320 acres) with a 100-foot buffer strip between plots were used for the tests. Of the plots, 107 were sprayed; the remaining nine plots were left as check plots. · A total of 9 herbicide products were tested in 1966 · For the entire test, 55 US gallons (1 drum) of Agent Orange were sprayed on 14 plots (38.5 acres), 55 US gallons of Agent Purple (1 drum) were sprayed on 14 plots (38.5 acres). The l967 tests · The second tests were conducted during the period of 21 to 24 June 1967. The test area was located along Rippon Road and east of Broad Road. · 50 plots, each 200 by 660 feet (for a total of 152 acres) with a 200-foot buffer zone between adjacent plots, were laid out on both sides of Rippon Road. · A total of 15 herbicides were tested in 1967. · Agent Orange was sprayed on a total of 6 acres for a total quantity of 18 gallons of herbicide. The available records indicate that these tests consisted of spraying the defoliants and desiccants in two separate areas of the base. The plots chosen for the testing were deemed appropriate at the time because they consisted of the right mix and density of forest. The location of the two test sites also took in to consideration their proximity to local croplands. The testing was conducted under strictly controlled conditions, ensuring minimal spray drift, in an area of the base that was difficult to access. Helicopters were used and flew low over treetops to ensure a spray swatch of 50 feet. Records indicate that spraying was conducted when there was little or no wind. Reports suggest there were a limited number of people, both American and Canadian, involved during the 1966 test and also who returned to verify the test results; however, the reports do not include a comprehensive list of all implicated in the testing. We do have the names of 18 people who were involved in organizing or may have participated in the testing, and we also have the names of certain units that appear to also have been involved in the testing in some capacity. This is by no means a complete list, however DND and Veteran’s Affairs Canada will work together to locate these people, obtain relevant information from them and provide assistance as may be required. Based on the information we have to date, the testing did not involve widespread spraying, and because of the precautions taken, it is unlikely that civilians outside the base came into contact with Agents Orange or Purple. According to U.S. studies, the CF Surgeon General has advised that spray drift beyond the borders of target areas in low wind conditions (as was the case in Gagetown) would be extremely unlikely and that any herbicide remaining in the air would be rapidly degraded by sunlight. The vast majority of Agent Orange sprayed in Gagetown would have been absorbed by the forest canopy or would have broken down in sunlight, with very little reaching the ground. It is extremely unlikely that individuals travelling through the Gagetown test area, even shortly after spraying, could have received an exposure to Agent Orange of any health significance. In the absence of deliberate ingestion of large amounts of contaminated material, there is virtually no risk of significant exposure related to the spray among CF members who subsequently trained in Gagetown. At this point and with the available records, the tests in 1966 and 1967 at CFB Gagetown appear to be the only known instances in which Agents Orange and Purple were tested by DND. It was subsequently discovered that as a result of the manufacturing process, Agent Orange and Agent Purple were contaminated with varying levels of the dioxin 2,3,7,8 Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD), a toxic and persistent substance. Contamination levels varied widely by production run and manufacturer. Without knowing exactly where the defoliants came from, exactly what they contain, and how they were produced, it is very difficult for us to determine the level of dioxin in the agents used for the specific tests in 1966 and 1967. We know that there has been public discussion surrounding these issues at other times in the past. In 1981, a United States military report was tabled in the House of Commons, and according to a media report, DND quickly took action to examine the background of the tests and reported the results to the public. In 1985, the issue was again raised when DND received reports of suspected barrel dumps in the CFB Gagetown training area some of which allegedly contained Agent Orange. DND, in conjunction with Health and Welfare Canada and the Province of New Brunswick, conducted an investigation and through several private laboratories, had tests conducted of the suspected substances, the soil and the ground water. The final report was released to the public and confirmed that Agent Orange was not one of the substances. It also showed that there was no evidence of significant or harmful chemical contamination in the water or soil samples. In 1988, the issue was again reported in the media due to some further research done at CFB Gagetown. The heath effects of Agent Orange and Purple exposure remain unclear. In 1991, uncertainties concerning the health impact of Agent Orange exposure among Vietnam Veterans led the US Congress to direct the conduct of comprehensive scientific health risk assessments by the US National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine (IOM). The IOM has been publishing its reviews of the available evidence every two years since 1994 and is widely viewed as authoritative with respect to this subject. It maintains a list of illnesses for which there is sufficient or limited evidence of an association with exposure to AO. It has not found that Agent Orange exposure is the cause of any illnesses and the associations it found were largely based on studies of industrial and agricultural workers with far greater exposure to dioxin containing chemicals than experienced by Vietnam Veterans. The Canadian Forces Surgeon General and her expert staff support the IOM’s medical conclusions. What we are doing In order to identify military personnel and civilian employees who may have been exposed to Agent Orange or Putple during the testing in 1966 and 1967, we are taking a two-pronged approach. First, we are reviewing our historical and archived files here in Ottawa and in Gagetown to attempt to identify personnel who were involved in the testing. Assuming that we can then locate some of these people, we will be able to refer them to the appropriate agency such as Veterans Affairs Canada or to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, if further assistance is required. This is why the second element of our approach is important. We will invite people, who believe they have been affected, to provide us with factual information and to receive the information we do have. More information on this initiative will be released on Thursday at CFB Gagetown. DND will also be conducting research to see whether the dioxin levels of the Agents used in 1966 and 1967 can be determined. The Department will work with the United States Department of Defense to research and cross check any relevant files. We need to complete the review of our own records first before we will be ready to seek further information from the Americans. We have already made initial contact with the United States Department of Defense. The Department will also be initiating a soil, vegetation and water-sampling program during summer 2005 in the area where the tests occurred. The results of this program will be made public. Conclusion The testing in 1966 and 1967 was conducted on a small scale, was carefully controlled, and took place over a total of seven days. In total, slightly more than two drums (128 US gallons) of Agent Orange and Agent Purple were tested on 83 acres in a remote and heavily forested area of the Base. There is chance that civilians living outside the base were exposed to the chemicals used in this testing. We are trying to reconstruct what happened 40 years ago. Complete documentation is not readily available and may not be available at all. This is not an easy task and I will say here and now that there are likely to be some questions that will be very difficult to answer and that new information may emerge. That said, we are committed to doing the most thorough and conscientious research possible so that we can advise the Government well. We have a responsibility to take the time to do this work properly and to consider the interests of all Canadians when we think about the issues. While we want to inform citizens, we want to do so with facts and complete information and avoid providing erroneous or incomplete information which would unduly alarm area residents. It is a fact that environmental awareness and controls are much more substantive today that they were in the 1960’s and 1970’s as well as in previous decades. Across the country and across public and private sectors, and in individual households, knowledge and awareness of environmental matters is significantly greater today than it was in the past and we do things very differently now. While we are concerned, it is not always practical to apply today’s environmental and scientific knowledge, standards and practices to previous decades. The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces takes all questions related to health and the environment very seriously. We care about the health of our members, employees and neighbours. We know that people associated with the Gagetown area are concerned about the testing. We take their concerns seriously and we are committed to identifying and understanding them as part of finding out what happened at that time. We will continue our work to obtain relevant information, including outreach to people, as part of developing our advice to the Government and we will keep sharing new information as it emerges. Thank you. Karen Ellis, ADM June 21, 2005 Ottawa, Ontario June 21, 2005 Government promises new tests for toxins at CFB Gagetown Last Updated Tue, 21 Jun 2005 21:46:13 EDT CBC News Ottawa says it will conduct new tests on soil and water at CFB Gagetown, after a CBC News investigation into the toxic defoliants used at the New Brunswick base in the 1950s and 1960s. A number of people who came in contact with Agent Orange or Agent Purple developed serious health problems, or died. Defence official Karen Ellis On Tuesday, Department of Defence and Veterans Affairs officials told a Commons committee the spraying likely didn't harm many people and that the worst toxins dissipated quickly. In the last two weeks Veterans Affairs says it has received about 350 inquiries and 120 new claims for compensation related to chemical exposure at CFB Gagetown. The government says the number of people affected by the spraying is minimal. Defence official Karen Ellis says the tests of Agent Orange and Agent Purple in 1966 and 1967 were small in scale, limited in time and scope. She says the chemicals wouldn't have lasted long enough to do much damage. "Our understanding is that it's a very quick breakdown of the product, that it degrades very quickly, in a few hours, and that there is very little risk that it endures for any period of time in terms of permanent contamination," said Ellis. That explanation enraged New Brunswick MP Greg Thompson whose riding contains part of the base. He says it goes against the expertise of scientists who studied Agent Orange spraying in Vietnam. "That is absolutely incorrect and that would fly in the face of every scientist that's ever studied that toxic chemical. Why you would ever say that and believe that is beyond my imagination," said Thompson. The last official briefing on the issue took place in the 1980s when the government first admitted to spraying Agent Orange. That led NDP MP Bill Blaikie to wonder what the department has been doing since then. "I don't have any sense from your presentation that something was done," said Blaikie. He asked whether a specific report on health effects had ever been completed. Ellis said she "can't answer that question right now." In spite of saying not many people have been affected, the government has reopened the files of 22 veterans that were previously rejected. It has also added staff to deal with the influx of new claims. A public meeting for residents of Gagetown and the surrounding communities will be held on Thursday. And for the first time this summer the government will test soil and water samples where Agent Orange was sprayed. "Our understanding is that it's a very quick breakdown of the product, that it degrades very quickly, in a few hours, and that there is very little risk that it endures for any period of time in terms of permanent contamination," said Ellis. Gee I feel better now!!! DUHHHH ...They must think that we are all affected mentally from their rainbow of herbicides.... I am sickened by this response. They figure "Lets just ignore it." If we wait long enough everyone will be dead and the problem just goes away. The government is going to test the soil and water????......Give me a break!! They should be ashamed ! I must prasie CBC for allowing me to appear and they showed a great shot of the www.agentorangealert.com site address. Hopefully it will drive more to the website and to our cause!! Can anyone near Gagetown attend this meeting on Thursday? It is apparently being held on Thursday at 1:30 PM at the theatre on the base. Talk about inconvenient!!!! -Art June 21, 2005 Maryiln Landry Maryiln.Landry@sympatico.ca My husband passed away on April 28, 2004 of metastic liver cancer, origin unknown. He was posted to Gagetown from May 1966 to July 1967. He also spent a lot of the early 60's in Gagetown. I have read quite a bit about agent orange and although it mentions liver damage a lot it is never on the list of diseases directly assocciated with agent orange. I have requested an application from Veteran's Affairs for a disability pension on his behalf and was wondering if you have any information that could help me present my case. Can anyone help maryiln with info or links to info? Art ________________________________________________ June 21, 2005 Hi Folks; I want you to know that this website has received over 30,000 hits since its inception on June 9th 2005. Department of Veterans Affairs say they have received over 300 enquiries regarding agent orange. Hmmmmmm...quite a discepancy..... I must confess that it is most flattering that you guys consider this site a more reliable source for info!! -Art June 21, 2005 I am told by a media friend that he was invited to a public "Information Session" regarding Agent Orange Testing at Base Gagetown in 1966 and 1967 to be held this coming Thursday at 130pm AST at the Base Theatre, Oromocto, NB. Today at the Standing Committee on National Defence Karen Ellis stated that:: Between June 14, 15, 16, 1966 only one drum (55 US Gallons) of Agent Orange was used for testing on 14 plots (38.5 acres) as well as one drum (55 US Gallons) of agent purple was used on 14 plots (38.5 acres) Between June 21-24, 1967, only 18 gallons of Agent Orange was used on a total of 6 acres I am hearing from too many people who claim they were exposed to chemicals in the late 50’s and 60’s that have lead to their illnesses. My immediate question is: what about other chemicals used since 1953 outside the testing period to defoliate trees on Base Gagetown? What chemicals were used, how much, where, when? The Federal Government now has the moral and ethical obligation to release all information. It is time to come clean. Why was compensation provided for instances in the 1960’s to the farmers of Sheffield for overspray? If the chemicals were not Agent Orange what were they then and what did the chemicals contain that lead to compensation for crop loss? Jody Carr MLA I suddenly don't feel so well Jody.... I wonder what an "Information Session" is? Is this just a media op or if it is a session open to the public. Can you hear the sound of the brooms starting to sweep it under the rug? -Art ______________________________________________________________________ June 21, 2005 Thought you would find this interesting. They interviewed my Mom on CBC Newfoundland last week Here is the link of interview I do not know how long it will be up for. http://www.cbc.ca/nl/ Troubling Thoughts is the interview which reqires RealPlayer. Derrick williams Thank you Derrick....Lets keep these stories going bud!! -Art June 21, 2005 Hello I was driving one day and heard your story on the radio, my husband and i are both victoms of agent orange, he had prostate cancer and i thyroid cancer. i remember him coming home and he would have this horrible smell to his clothing. We both lived in Base Gagetown in PMQ's that was the name for the army housing we had 2 children. Thank you for your time, Mrs J Nixon _____________________________________________________________________________ June 21, 2005 Thanks Art, I have been sending all the articles I can to my brother Allan (AllanHendry37@aol.com) who served in Gagetown with the Scots Guards in the mid sixties as he is aware of a number the men he served with having similar heath problems as the Canadians and have forwarded your web site to him. So if you here anything in regards to the Canadian Government advising other nations on this issue I would appreciate you keeping me advised. I have also posed the same question to CBC but so far they haven’t asked the question of anyone or responded. Bruce H.   From: webmaster@agentorangealert.com [mailto:webmaster@agentorangealert.com] Sent: June 20, 2005 6:56 PM To: Hendry, Bruce (DPS/MSP) Subject: Re: Good question Bruce.. Im thinking if they aren’t telling us Canadians they aren’t telling anyone else Art -----Original Message----- From: Hendry, Bruce (DPS/MSP) [mailto:Bruce.Hendry@gnb.ca] Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 09:52 AM To: webmaster@agentorangealert.com During the 1960 Numerous British and Commonwealth Troop trained at CFB Gagetown and I was wondering if anything has been done to inform them of the dangers associated with Agent Orange. Bruce Hendry _____________________________________________________________________________ June 21, 2005 Hi I received a package from DND today concerning the spraying of CFB Gagetown, of the 82 pages there are 43 that are "withheld", just totally blank pages, I have to assume that since the briefing contains information about medical records of personnel in conjunction with the use of the defoliants that this is considered to be private information. However, it also provokes questions as to just what medical conditions these people have and this briefing was put out in 1984. Just some additional facts that I thought you might find interesting. Note the official spray program lasted from 1956 to 1984 OVERVIEW OF HERBICIDE SPRAY PROGRAMME 1956-1984 1956 3,687 Acres sprayed with 2, 4, D and 2, 4, 5, T 1957 3,879 Acres sprayed with 2, 4, D and 2, 4, 5, T 1958 8,018 Acres sprayed with 2, 4, D and 2, 4, 5, T 1959 No spraying 1960 9,079 Acres sprayed with AMMATE and 2, 4, 5, T 1961 5,189 Acres sprayed with 2, 4, 5, T 1962 No spraying 1963 9,643 Acres sprayed with 2, 4, D and 2, 4, 5, T 1964 9,225 Acres sprayed with 2, 4, D and 2, 4, 5, T 1965 4,708 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 1966 8,431 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 & unknown amount of Acres sprayed with Agent Purple 1967 7,375 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 & unknown amount of Acres sprayed with Agent Purple 2,000 Acres sprayed with 2, 4, D 1968 5,675 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 1969 3,710 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 1970 9,550 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 1971 9,625 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 1972 10,213 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 1973 8,664 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 1974 4,144 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 3,149 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 1975 8,855 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 1976 6,041 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 1977 5,963 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 300 Acres (approx) sprayed with SPIKE 5P 1978 6,055 Acres sprayed with TORDON 101 60 Acres (approx) sprayed with SPIKE 5P 1979 2,982 Acres sprayed with TORDON 10K 102 Acres (approx) sprayed with SPIKE 5P 1980 4,795 Acres sprayed with TORDON 10K 1981 1,847 Hectares (4564 Acres) sprayed with TORDON 10K 102 Hectares (252 Acres) sprayed with HERBEC 20P 1982 1,531 Hectares (3783 Acres) sprayed with TORDON 10K 1983 1,455 Hectares (3595 Acres) sprayed with TORDON 10K 183 Hectares (452 Acres) sprayed with HERBEC 20P 1984 2,825 Hectares (6980 Acres) sprayed with DYCLEER LH+ Unknown acres sprayed with SILVAPROP (but 550 barrels used) Total Acreage sprayed from 1956 to 1984 - 181,038 Acres sprayed with 6,504 (45 gallon barrels) or 292,680 gallons or 1,328,767 litres of defoliant chemicals I looked up TORDON 101, have a look at the link below this graphic, I think it says enough about TORDON. The following graphic is the label on a barrel of TORDON 101 It would appear that the switch from 2,4,D & 2,4,5,T to TORDON was supposed to be less poisonous, I wonder just how much research is being done on TORDON as to Human poisoning? Scary isn't it?? Some more thoughts for you. Ken Dobbie Scary as hell my friend Scary as hell.. -Art ______________________________________________________________________________ June 21, 2005 Hello Thank you for putting up a web site in hopes it will clear up some questions for you. My family was also at the base while this was going on unbeknownst to the dependants of course. My husband died of cancer Mar 6/79 but had been sick for yars before that. At present my son is looking into this and has already been in touch with the DVA. I gave him joint Power of Attorney to deal with this and between the 2 of us will get answers. I am waiting for some papers to arrive apparently for me to fill out....then the DVA will then ask for permission to get my late husbands Medical records and will go from there..We will see what happens. I too have all his medical Records and they seem to say exactly what we feared . If you want to get in touch with me...please feel free to e-mail me. O. Martin __________________________________________________ June 20, 2005   Hi ..   First of all, let me say that your website is very well done, you beat me to it!!...I am also in the process of building a site, but now that I have seen yours, I am not sure that another one is necessary. However, I do have some suggestions and more information.   Perhaps you could have a page where civilians who were exposed and poisoned could register rather than posting to a forum. That way a database could evolve of civilians who have been poisoned. I know that posting names and medical information is something that has to be seriously considered, not only because of our privacy act, but it leaves the door open for possible abuse. However, if we cannot get the names of people who were poisoned and are sick as a result, then how do we organize them to be a united voice against the government. Thought provoking isn't it?   I have more information about the spraying which I feel should be put online. There are some facts which I would like to bring to your attention concerning the spraying of defoliants at CFB Gagetown.   1) The defoliation occurred from 1956 to 1967 inclusive on a large scale. The story of "tests by the US military" is just part of the cover up that went on for the past 49 years. The U.S. tests covered very small areas by comparison of our own government policy to defoliate thousands of acres.   The military needed the forests of the training area defoliated so troops, tanks and artillery would have easier access to the training area. In 1956, defoliation started on a massive scale involving thousands of acres throughout the ensuing years, using a product called Bushkill. BrushKill contained 2,4,D & 2,4,5,T, in effect it is Agent Orange. However, what is not currently known is the level of Dioxin in the Brushkill. Emails that I have been receiving from former sprayers of Brushkill are insisting that the toxicity was far higher than "the watered down version of Agent Orange".      It would appear that because Base Gagetown had the defoliation policy in place since 1956 to clear the brush and forest by applying Brushkill, that the Americans were given permission to test their versions of defoliants because DND was already defoliating on a wide scale basis. And the American versions of the defoliant were the same chemicals, just that they were given names like Agent Orange, Agent Purple, Agent White, Pink and so on dependent upon the chemical mix and the colour of the broad strip painted around the middle of the 55 gallon (250 litre drums). These became known as the "rainbow" herbicides in their use in Vietnam.    2) There was a spray accident in 1964, which involved the spray now known as Agent Orange. The spray was blown off the Base because of a temperature inversion and poisoned civilian communities over a wide area on the opposite side of the St. John River in the areas of Sheffield, Lower Burton, Maugerville & Upper Gagetown. Most of these communities were market-garden orientated. It is interesting to note that the Crown compensated the farmers for extensive crop damage in the amount of $250,000 in 1964 dollars.   From the National and CBC Radio World Report, June 13 and 14, 2005 Reporter: Louise Elliott   In 1964 there was a spray application accident. Increased winds carried the spray to the Upper Gagetown and             Sheffield area. The Crown paid approximately $250,000 to several market gardens in the area as reparation for the damage to their crops. So the government has already set a precedent of compensating civilians for exposure to and poisoning by Agent Orange.   One of the concerns that immediately comes to mind is that fact that these lands along the St. John River have been producing vegetables on a massive scale for decades. If the farms were so damaged by Agent Orange in 1964 that the Crown had to compensate them, why were these farms allowed to grow produce that would have gone into the food chain via grocery stores, not only in New Brunswick but by exporting of the produce to other parts of the country.   Ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption are all routes of exposure to Dioxin. Dioxins are insoluble in water but lipophilic (soluble in fats) and other hydrophobic materials, and bind to solid material such as soil and fly ash. They have a low rate of metabolic breakdown, they preferentially accumulate in adipose tissue, skin, liver, and breast milk in mammals. In soil TCDD has an extremely long half-life time, greater than 10 years. The biologic half-life in humans has been measured to be in the range of 5 to 8 years however, since it is lipophilic it binds to fat cells in the liver and stays there eventually causing toxic reactions in the form of various type of cancers, heart ailments, neurological disorders, diabetes, lipid problems and so on.   Since Dioxin has a half-life of greater than 10 years in soil, that means the farmers in that area of the St. John River who grew and sold vegetables from 1965 to present are selling produce that probably was and continues to be contaminated with Dioxin although to a much lesser degree in the past two decades.   It makes one very concerned not only as to why they would have been allowed to sell their produce, but how has that produce affected the people who consumed the vegetables.    Because I allowed my story, name and email address to be used on New Brunswick MLA Jody Carr's website, I have been receiving dozens of emails from people all across Canada with horror stories of their families dying of all kinds of cancers, organ dysfunctions of all kinds, some like mine, and some having various neurological disorders, miscarriages, birth defects etc...the common thread among all these emails is that they were all military families that were based at CFB Gagetown/Oromocto during the late fifties and throughout the sixties. So the anger out there is growing as the stories keep unfolding.   Thought you might like to know.   Ken Dobbie  - Ken Thank you for your suggestions and information. I belive that your idea of having a database or registry of individuals who are affected by the spraying is excellent. A databse will be installed on this site in which people can register so that those affected can be a united voice. Thank you Ken for your thoughts and contribution they are genuinely appreciated :) -Art _____________________________________________________________________________ June 15, 2005 First Name: Ken Last Name: Young City: Nanaimo E-mail Address: Kentar@telus.net Comments: Thanks for the site. There can't be enough said about this problem. This is suposed to be the year of the Vet. Please put a link page up so that differant sites within Canada can join. To gether we might tip the scales. -Thanks for the great idea Ken...consider it done :) -Art ______________________________________________________________________________ June15, 2005   Dear Mr. Connolly   I would like to thank you for your letter regarding Agent Orange.  I went to your web site and I am very impressed with your work.  I will be sure to pass it on to those who contact my office.   I have also included what information I could collect to help those who are getting started with obtaining information on Agent Orange.  Please feel free to use any of it on your web site.   Cheers, Dave MacKenzie, M.P. Oxford 447 West Block House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 (613) 995-4432 Cell: (613) 558-7032 brentbabcock@bell.blackberry.net -Thanks for the info and compliment Dave. I have posted the info to the links page (Agent Orange Infro Sheet, Disability Application and Legion Contact Info ) -Art ______________________________________________________________________________ June 15, 2005 I saw on CBC National Tonight that Minister Bill Graham has announced there will be a meeting held at Base Gagetown that the public will be invited to regarding Agent Orange.  No date and no time set.  Jody Carr MLA - Oromocto ______________________________________________________________________________   June 15, 2005 From: Carr, Jody (LEG) Sent: June 15, 2005 8:59 AM Subject: Carr and Thompson Push for Compensation for All   CARR AND THOMPSON PUSH FOR COMPENSATION FOR ALL   CBC TV National News, Tuesday Evening 10pm Louise Elliot Reporting   http://www.cbc.ca/clips/mov/elliott_purplcomp050614.mov   ___________________________________________________________________________ June 16, 2005   Dear Art Connolly    How sad this is.  As you probably already know Mr. Thompson is not one to give up and although compensation cannot bring back those you love, it may improve the quality of life of those left behind.  Thank you also for providing your website.  Please, keep in touch with us.   Frances Smith, Executive Assistant to Greg Thompson, M.P. ______________________________________________________________________________ June 17, 2005 Dear Art: Thank you for your letter detailing your personal side of the Agent Orange story at CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick. It is saddening hearing of the degradation and loss of life associated with the use of this substance by the military. Even Canadian Forces personnel posted to CGB Gagetown following 1967 and members of the community have potentially been exposed to Agent Orange, as it remains in the soil and has potentially contaminated the water table. Canadian Forces service records are the only source which would indicate whether or not a veteran may have been exposed to Agent Orange. Concerned veterans are encouraged to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs, which has access to these records. Dave MacKenzie and Gordon O’Connor, critic for National Defence, are the spokesmen for the Conservative Party. They have been in the media frequently over the last 3 weeks and I will continue to support them in holding the government to account for its actions. The Department of Veterans Affairs has agreed to provide disability pensions to Canadian veterans who can establish a medical case linked to Agent Orange, however those who lived in the community and are not veterans have no similar program. You may wish to write a letter to the Minister of National Defence or the Minister of Veterans Affairs, to point out this discrepancy in compensation. They can be reached at: Honourable Bill Graham Minister of National Defence House of Commons Ottawa ON, K1A 0A6 grahab@parl.gc.ca Honourable Albina Guarnieri Minister of Veterans Affairs House of Commons Ottawa ON, K1A 0A6 guarna@parl.gc.ca I hope that this information proves useful to you and I can assure you that I will continue to press the government to account in all its activities. Sincerely, Joe Preston MP Elgin-Middlesex-London Parliament Hill Office Confederation Building, Rm. 142 Ottawa, ON. K1A 0A6 Tel: (613) 990-7769 Fax: (613) 996-0194 Constituency Office 24 First Ave, Unit 2 St. Thomas, ON. N5R 4M5 Tel: (519) 637-2255 Fax: (519) 637-3358 Toll Free: 1-866-404-0406 ______________________________________________________________________________ June 17, 2005 Dear Mr. Connoly,   I would like to acknowledge receipt of your email dated on June 16, 2005.   The case of Agent Orange has been put forward by the Federal Government.  The Hon. Andy Scott, said Thursday that he is trying to organise a public meeting with Health Canada, Veterans Affairs, National Defence and Environment Canada for people who fear their health was harmed by the use of toxic herbicides a a New Brunswick military base in the 1960s.   The Hon. Bill Graham said earlier this week that he is open to compensating civilians for ailments they may have suffered as a result of exposure to chemical sprays.   The NDP beleives that the Federal Government is realizing that the use of Agent Orange, Agent Purple and AGent White have now been an error and they are seriously dealing with it.   I have enclosed a copy of a newspaper article published today. This will give you a good idea of the situation.   Mr. Godin has a military field in his riding. He is very concerned about the use of toxic herbicides.   Be assured that Mr. Godin is keeping an opened eye on this issue.   Thank you for contacting the office of Mr. Godin on this matter.   Sincerely,   Christine Chiasson-Abela Ajointe parlementaire/ Parliamentary Assistant Yvon Godin, député/ MP Acadie-Bathurst tél: (613) 992-3574 ______________________________________________________________________________   June 17, 2005   Dear Mr. Connolly,   Thank you for your email regarding your exposure to Agent Orange as a family member of a serviceman stationed at Gagetown.   Our Veteran's critic, Peter Stoffer, has been dealing with this issue on behalf of veterans. I have forwarded your letter to his office for his consideration.   Thank you, Calinda Brown Legislative Assistant to Jean Crowder, MP Nanaimo-Cowichan 613-943-2181 fax 613-993-5577 CEP 232 ______________________________________________________________________________ June 17, 2005 Mr. Conolly,   I have visited your website and read your story - I'd like to share my sympathy for the losses you have experienced.   During the last month Mr. O'Connor and several of his colleagues have repeatedly asked questions of the government regarding their approach to dealing with the fallout due to the use of Agent Orange, and have called on the government to provide compensation to veterans and civilians affected by the spraying.   I have attached an information sheet and also would like to direct you to Mr. Robert Basque, who is the Intake Manager at the Ombudsman's Office who may also have answers to any questions you may have.   Have you gone to any of the authors of the stories you have posted on your website with your own story? They may be interested in your personal story and what you have to say. The reporters in NB who are covering the issue may be most interested in the story. Chip Martin (London Free Press) is covering the story in your area.   If there are specific questions that you would like to put to the Minister of Defence or Veterans' Affairs please do let us know and we would be happy to draft a letter on your behalf and send it to the Minster(s) on your behalf.   If we can be of any further service please do let us know.   Kind regards,   Frances   Frances Ryan Legislative Assistant Gordon O'Connor, M.P. Carleton-Mississippi Mills Official Opposition Critic for National Defence (613) 992-1119 oconng0@parl.gc.ca www.gordonoconnor.ca