Dear Fellow Banshee's,
Well we have another reunion behind us. There were a lot of new faces at our 2000 reunion, but there were a lot of familiar faces missing. There were quite a few people that have become regulars at our reunions that were not able to make the one in Ozark, Alabama. If you were not able to attend this year's reunion, you missed a grand event put together by Max and Elaine Roberts. They did a great job.
Dave Martin, Randy Kunkleman and I were able to hold an officer's meeting, prior to the regular Association business meeting and we were able to address a few of the problems that we were faced with over the past couple of years. Some of those will be covered in individual articles in the Gazette, but I would like to address the membership issue in my portion of the Gazette.
One of the largest problems we had was membership and how to go about renewals. When someone joined the Association their membership was good for one year, like any other organization. The problem that we were experiencing was that we had memberships expiring through out the year and the members were not sure when their membership expired. It also became a problem sending out the membership packets because we only upgrade the rosters for the membership once a year, just prior to the reunion. We addressed this problem at the Las Vegas reunion and the membership put it right back in our lap, so this is the way we agreed to process memberships. When we receive new memberships from January through June of a certain year the membership will be good for particular year. If the member only wishes to pay a year at a time (we never turn down multi-year memberships) the following year's dues will become payable after September of the current year. Any memberships received after June of a particular year will be applied to the following year. For an example, if you joined the Association in February 2000 you will receive a membership packet and a membership card for the year 2000. Your membership for the year 2001 will become payable in September of 2000. If you would join after June 2000 you will receive a membership packet and a membership card for the year 2001 after the annual reunion, which is usually in September. This way we can have most of the memberships expiring during the same time period and it is less confusing for us to keep track of who's membership expired on a monthly basis.
One of the complaints brought to light at the Las Vegas meeting was that we were not sending out any reminders that memberships expired. Two weeks ago we sent out over 40 letters notifying members that according to our records, their membership expired. These letters were not meant to embarrass anyone and hope no one took them to mean that. If you feel that you received you letter in error, please contact me. Finally on membership, I would like to remind all of you that receive the Gazette that just by receiving the Gazette doesn't automatically make you a member in the Association. You have to fill out the membership application and return it with your payment for the yearly dues to actually become a member.
In closing, with the holiday season approaching faster that most of us would like to admit, I would like to say that during our time in the Army, it was necessary for most of us to be away from our families and friends during at least one holiday season. While we celebrate our final holidays at the end of this year, please take a moment to remember those who are now defending our country and are required to be away from friends and families during this holiday season. Speaking for my family, and myself I would like to wish all of you a happy and safe holiday season, where ever you may be.
"Out Front"
Jim Matthews
The Reunion for 2002 is going to be held in Washington DC over the Veterans Day Holiday. This is also the 20th Anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial.
I realize that this is a long way off and will still have the 2001 reunion to get past, but there are some matters that have to be addressed.
As I said, this reunion is being held over the Veteran's Holiday. This is a long weekend according to my calendar and if you have ever been to DC for another Veteran's Day you know how crowded it can get. The year 2002 is also the 20th Anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial. If you were at the tenth and/or the fifteenth Anniversaries, you know the crowds are even worse. That is why I am asking you to give the matter a little thought early. Due to the huge swell in visitors in the DC area during Veteran's Day, it is hard to get rooms, let alone to make all the other arrangements for a group our size.
If you have any intentions for attending this reunion please let me know so I can start making preliminary inquiries about facilities available to us. You will not be committed to attending, but we would like to get some idea of who is planning to attend or not.
Please tell me the names of those you think may be attending and include any comments you may have. E-Mail me at jhmatthews1@adelphia.net or send me a note at:
Jim Matthews
6743 Madison Avenue
West Mifflin, PA 15122
Approximately two weeks before our 2000 reunion, I received a message informing us that there would be a dedication of a new troop clinic on Ft. Campbell on October 4, 2000. The message was an open invitation for anyone that served in B Troop that would like to attend the dedication.
The new clinic was going to be dedicated to Joseph Guy LaPointe who was killed in action June 2, 1969 while serving as the medic for B Troop 2/17th Cavalry. "Doc" sacrificed his own life while trying to save other wounded members of the B Troop "blues" that were pinned down by heavy enemy fire, just after being inserted on Hill 376 outside of Tam Ky. For his actions "Doc" was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Due to the time constraints involved we were not able to put the information out through the Gazette. We made an announcement at the 2000 Reunion, that if anyone was interested they were more than welcome to attend.
From the reunion Judie and I, along with Dave Martin and Jinger made a side trip through Kentucky, on the way home, to attend the dedication. Also in attendance were Wayne Lange and Joe Garcia. We tried to contact several of you that reside in the Ft. Campbell area, but couldn't make the connection because of one reason or another. Needless to say, Cindy and most of the LaPointe family were in attendance. Even though we just saw most of them a few days earlier in Alabama, it was great to see them again.
We were well received by active members of the 2/17th Cavalry and current Banshee's, not to mention the reception we received from the personnel responsible for the dedication. The dedication was an event well worth attending and my only regret is that we didn't have more time after the dedication to socialize. Dave and Jinger had to start getting back to Texas and Judie and I had to make it back to Pennsylvania that night.
I'll try to send Dan Schave some information so we can put an article on the website so you will have some idea of what the dedication was like.
by Steven Maxner
Oral History Project Update November 6, 2000
The collection of Oral History interviews at the Vietnam Archive continues to grow at a steady pace. We have finished transcribing the B Troop, 2/17th Cavalry interviews from last year and hope to continue conducting more interviews in the coming months. If you have already been interviewed, you should have received a draft copy for your review by now. If you have not, please let us know and we will get one to you immediately. You can send email to me at steve.maxner@ttu.edu or call me at 806-742-9010. As soon as corrections are made and drafts are returned to the Archive, we will incorporate corrections where appropriate and make final drafts available to Archive patrons and will post them to the web. For a list of prospective interview transcripts, please visit our web site at the following URL:http://www.lib.ttu.edu/vietnam/OralHistory/Transcripts/Transcripts.htm For those of you who have already completed an Oral History form, please stand by as we will try to contact you soon to conduct an interview. If you have not yet been interviewed and are interested in participating in the project, please visit the following web page, complete the online forms and we will try to contact you soon for an interview:http://www.lib.ttu.edu/vietnam/OralHistory/US-Military-Forms.htm Thank you and we look forward to continuing our work with the BANSHEES to preserve your historic record of service and sacrifice in Vietnam.
The Vietnam Archive
Special Collections Library Room 108
Lubbock, Texas 79401-1041
Attention: Steve Maxner
(806) 742-9010
Editor's Note: Let's work with the archives to build a better archive of B Troops involvement in Vietnam.
Remember oral histories can be accomplished over the telephone or the internet. You do not have to be in Lubbock to participate in this historic endeavor!
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000
Dear Fernando,
Last Thursday night, Vietnam TV reported a special event at Cam Lo, Quang Tri province.
They excavated the site that George Steiner and others in the Minnesota Volunteers group showed. The remains of an estimated 30 NVAs were found. They are continuing the excavating work on the site. In the reports, they expressed their deepest thanks to Steiner. The remains now have been buried at Highway 9 Cemetery.
Thank you Fernando and many thanks to the Minnesota Volunteers and especially George Steiner.
Quy
Editors Note: Steve Jones was kind enough to invite Geoffrey Steiner to our Reunion at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. There is a nice story in The VVA Veteran (October/November 2000) that details the recovery of the Vietnamese MIA remains.
by David C. Martin
While in Tennessee Jim and I decided it would be nice to take the wives out for a nice dinner. We had heard about the 101st Airborne Seafood and Steak Restaurant in Nashville (a theme restaurant). So we set out from Clarksville toward the Nashville International Airport.
The restaurant is located at 1362-A Murfeesboro Road in Nashville, which makes it easy to find. You can see planes landing and taking off from the Nashville International Airport as you dine. I must say that the decorations were not everything we expected. The restaurant décor is devoted to the 101st Airborne Division but they have no memorabilia after World War II. Seemed like we didn't count or the restaurant is somewhat out-dated.
I guess if you had seen action in World War II, you might get some flashbacks driving into the restaurant. There were blown up jeeps by a guard shack and barb wire all around.
We all ordered the special of the day, which was prime rib. I must say that it was excellent. Other moderately priced American fare of salmon steaks and French onion soup with cheese are available. After dinner Jim and I discovered The Foxhole Club, which is connected to the restaurant. They had a nice Happy Hour setup with lots of food to sample.
We decided next trip…we'll sit at the bar.
by David Martin
Part III
Well…we have finally come to our units' helicopters the Huey. The UH-1, or Huey, is probably the most recognized aircraft of the Vietnam era. The Huey has been built in greater numbers than any other Western aircraft (over 20,000). One advantage that the Huey has had over the years is that it has been able to accept larger more powerful engines. The Huey helicopters were widely used in a transport, airborne battlefield command and control, troop insertion/extraction, fire support coordination, medical evacuation, search and rescue, armed escort/visual reconnaissance or utility roles.
The Huey is the most universal military aircraft of its time, serving in all four American military branches. Officially the UH-1 series is the Iroquois. But its unofficial name, Huey, became so commonly used that the AH-1 attack version was officially named the Huey Cobra. The Huey story traces back some four decades. In 1955, with an interest in a utility helicopter designed around a turboshaft engine, the US Army had the US Air Force develop a new helicopter for its use. At that time the US Army did not have its own aircraft development capability. The design selected, Bell's Model 204, was to be powered by the new Lycoming T-53 engine of some 850-shaft horsepower and featured a typical Bell two-blade teetering rotor.
The first flight of the Huey prototype was on Oct. 22, 1956, as the Bell XH-40. The first Huey flew in service in June 1959. Originally designated HU-1 (Helicopter, Utility, 1) Iroquois by the Army, it began service with the 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division and the 57th Medical Detachment. On Sept. 18, 1962, the Department of Defense passed a regulation requiring the joint service branches to use a uniform designation system. This led to the redesignation of the Huey as the UH-1. While the Iroquois was the official name, the unofficial nickname of "Huey" stuck in the public. For many crewchiefs and pilots we continue to refer to the Huey as a "Slick".
Before the end of the Vietnam conflict, more than 5,000 of these versatile aircraft were introduced into Southeast Asia.
Originally commissioned by the U.S. Army based on the wide utility helicopters had shown in the Korean conflict, the primary role envisioned for the Iroquois was front-line medical evacuation. Vietnam quickly changed the Huey into troop transport and gunship. In September 1965, troops from the 173rd Airborne Brigade were the first Army unit in Vietnam to use Hueys. Armed UH-1Bs and Cs were formed into assault helicopter companies. By the end of the American role in Vietnam, the Huey took on TOW missiles to become a tank killer.
The color scheme for helicopters in Vietnam was an overall flat olive drab. "United States Army", was applied to the tail booms in six-inch black letters. This allowed the Huey to be hard to spot and become a target from enemy rounds. As you know units added paint schemes so that their aircraft could be spotted more easily if downed. This included added colors to rotor tips, tailboom elevators, and cabin roofs.
Crewchiefs and door gunners were outfitted with M60D machine guns. My personal experiences included high adrenaline rushes when going into a Hot LZ especially when the M60 would jam. You had to unzip the cartridge bag and place your hand in with the hot spent cartridges and un-jam the machine-gun. This might sound easy to someone that was not there but when you were under enemy fire there seemed to be an urgency in getting the machine gun working as soon as possible.
Crewchiefs and door gunners were also known to sit on their armor plate vests, this was because the majority of enemy fire came from below. While attached to B Troop 2nd 17th Cavalry I flew on the command and control aircraft frequently. We had a radio tower that was manned by an officer, typically this would be a 2nd Lieutenant that was relatively new to Vietnam. I would try to encourage them to sit on their vest though many thought I was messing with their head. I know two that did not take my advice and ended up becoming wounded in action.
I could continue with numerous experiences that I encounter while being a crewchief but that would take up too much space in the newsletter.
There were nine major variants of the UH-1 over the years of production. The differences between the H model and the D is the use of the Lycoming T-53-L-13 powerplant and the placement of a pitot tube and blade antenna on the cabin roof. The change of engine was prompted by difficulty in hovering in high temperatures due to inadequate power.
UH-1 Iroquois variants Bell model 204
The typical Bell main rotor design uses a notable feature in the form of two wide chord blades and, at right angles to them, the stabilizing bar with small weights at its tips.
XH-40: (later redesigned XHU-1) the Bell Model 204 first flown in October 1956 with one 700-hp turbine engine. The 3 prototypes built were the first turbine engine aircraft of the US Army
YH-40: (later redesigned YHU-1) 6 test units with a fuselage 30 cm (1 feet) longer
HU-1: (with the normalization of 1962 became the UH-1 Iroquois) 9 pre-productions units with one 770 hp T53-L-1A tested during 1959
HU-1A: (later UH-1A) 173 units produced up to March 1961. A crew of 2 plus 5 troops.
TH-1A: 14 UH-1A converted to dual control trainers
UH-1B: 1014 units built between 1961 and 1965 with a 960 hp T53-L-5 engine. 7 troops
UH-1C: 750 units with the same fuselage of the UH-1B but a larger engine (L11) and a newer rotor system that give them much greater maneuverability
UH-1E: 192 units built between 1964 and 1966. Was the UH-1B/C for the US Marines for assault support with salt-water corrosion protection and extra avionics. 8 troops.
TH-1E : 20 trainers of the UH-1E variant
UH-1F : (also called UH-48 as missile site support helo ) The UH-1B variants for the USAF with a 1300 hp T58-GE-3 turbine engine. 119 units built from 1964 to 1967. The UH-1F had a General Electric engine rather than the Lycoming engine used on other models at the time. It was more powerful than the Lycoming engines until the Lycoming TH-53-L13 engine was introduced in mid 1967.
TH-1F: 26 UH-1F trainers
HH-1K: The UH-1E for the US Navy for SAR duties with a 1400 hp engine.
UH-1L: The UH-1E for the US Navy for multi-purpose duties with an 1100 hp engine.
TH-1L: 90 trainers for the US Navy
UH-1M: 3 UH-1C updated with a 1100 hp engine and 6 french AS.11 anti tank missiles for evaluation. They had a different rotor system and the tailboom had a sweeping vertical fin.
UH-1P: 20 UH-1F updated for psychological warfare
YUH-1D: 7 prototypes ordered in July 1960 with a larger main rotor and a bigger fuselage for a 12 / 14 troops capacity
UH-1D: 2000 units with an 1100 hp turbine engine. First unit enter service in August 1963 Bell (model 205) UH-1D (1963) had a longer fuselage than previous models, increased rotor diameter, increased range, and a more powerful Lycoming T53-L-11 1100 shp engine, with growth potential to the Lycoming T53-L-13 1400 shp engine. A distinguishing characteristic is the larger cargo doors, with twin cabin windows, on each side. The UH-1D redesigned to carry up to 12 troops, with a crew of two, reached Vietnam in 1963. The UH-1D has a range of 293 miles (467km) and a speed of 127-mph (110 knots). UH-1Ds were build under license in Germany. UH-1D "Hueys" could be armed with M60D door guns, quad M60Cs on the M6 aircraft armament subsystem, 20mm cannon, 2.75 inch rocket launchers, 40mm grenade launcher in M5 helicopter chin-turret, and up to six NATO Standard AGM-22B (formerly SS-11B) wire-guided anti-tank missiles on the M11 or M22 guided missile launcher. The UH-1D could also be armed with M60D 7.62mm or M213 .50 Cal. pintle-mounted door guns on the M59 armament subsystem.
UH-1H: (1967-1986) was identical to the UH-1D but was equipped with an upgraded engine that allowed transport of up to 13 troops. The UH-1H has a two-bladed
semi-rigid seesaw bonded all metal main rotors and a two-bladed rigid delta hinge bonded all metal tail rotor. The UH-1H is powered by a single Lycoming T53-L-13B 1400 shp turboshaft engine. More UH-1H "Hueys" were built than any other model. The UH-1H was licensed for co-production in the Republic of China (Taiwan) and in Turkey. UH-1H "Nighthawk" was equipped with a landing light and a pintle mounted M134 7.62mm "minigun" for use during night interdiction missions. The AH-1G Cobra was often flown on night "Firefly" missions using the UH-1H "Nighthawk" to locate and illuminate targets.
EH-1H: UH-1Hs modified for electronic warfare in variations EH-1H Phase A and B and the UH-1X Model. Were replaced with the Sikorsky EH-60A
HH-1H: The modification included moving the tail rotor to the right hand side of the tailboom. The US army picked up this modification and later UH-1H type aircraft were configured with the tail rotor on the left side.
UH-1V: 200 UH-1Hs modified for medevac duties in the 80s The MedEvac version UH-1V could carry six stretchers and one medical attendant.
UH-1N: After the successful of the Models 204 / 205, Bell joined Pratt & Whitney Canada for develop a twin engine derivative of the UH-1H to achieve a specification came from the Canadian Armed Forces. The result was the Model 212 Twin Two Twelve adopted by the
USAF (79 units) and the US Navy / Marines (221 units)
The UH-1N is a twin-piloted, twin-engine helicopter used in command and control, resupply, casualty evacuation, liaison and troop transport. The Huey provides utility combat helicopter
support to the landing force commander during ship-to-shore movement and in subsequent operations ashore. The aircraft can be outfitted to support operations such as command and control with a specialized communication package (ASC-26), supporting arms coordination,
assault support, medical evacuation for up to six litter patients and one medical attendant, external cargo, search and rescue using a rescue hoist, reconnaissance and reconnaissance support, and special operations using a new navigational thermal imaging system mission kit.
VH-1N: 8 units Marine One for the US president.
UH-1Y: Remanufactured UH-1N
For those of you who missed the 2000 reunion in Ozark, there was a proposal addressed by the membership during our regular business meeting. The afternoon before the dinner/meeting Wayne Lange (B Trp 1958) stated that he "always was a Cav man and always will be a Cav man," approached me with the following idea:
They are building a new museum on Ft. Campbell and are asking for donations for a memorial walk way. Since the Cav always seemed to take a back seat to the rest of the division units, wouldn't it be nice if we could get some type of monument or plaque in honor of the cavalry for the walkway.
We talked it over and came up with an idea to present to the membership who unanimously approved the idea. What we proposed was through individual donations from the veterans and active members of the 2/17th Cavalry, we would have a very large stepping stone placed in the walk way with the 2/17th crossed sabers and the words " In Honor Of All Cavalrymen" Past -Present - Future.
During our trip to Ft. Campbell, Dave and I talked to active Banshee's, Capt. Williams the CO of B Troop and the 2/17th Squadron CO, LTC Torrey. They were all receptive to the idea, but cautioned that any proposals would have to be approved by the museum foundation and it might be beneficial if the idea was proposed by an active unit, instead of a cavalry veteran's organization.
On October 19, 2000 I sent LTC Torrey a letter as president of our Association with our proposal, requesting that he make the presentation to the museum foundation. So far we have not received any response. If any of you are interested in making a donation to this worthwhile cause, do not send any donations yet. We would like to get our plans finalized before we start accepting any donations.
At our annual business meeting Fernando DePerris proposed that the Association adopt a Scholarship Program in honor of Joseph LaPointe. The members voted and approved this worthy cause. Two Scholarship Funds have been established in the name of Joseph Guy LaPointe. One will be a scholarship for Vietnamese children from the village of TamKy. The second will be for students in the United States.
The Scholarship Committee will begin to set the criteria for eligibility for both scholarships and we will publish then in a future Gazette.
To start the fund Fernando presented a check for $5000.00 to the Associations treasurer Randy Kunkleman. If you would like to donate to this worthy cause please send your tax-deductible contribution to Randy Kunkleman. You may specify if you choose the funds to go to the Vietnamese Fund or the American Fund…the choice is yours!
Hopefully we will be able to collect enough funds to set up an endowment so, these Scholarships will be available indefinitely.
Your help and donations in this endeavor will be appreciated and it will help honor one of our own.
Our next Reunion will be held in Lubbock, Texas. The Vietnam Archives at Texas Tech University will be our host. The Director of the Archives Dr. James Reckner and Dr. Ronald Frankum, whom many of you know, have promised us a great time.
Steven Maxner the Oral Historian has promised to be available with his staff to take as many Oral Histories as humanly possible during the weekend. He has also said that if you would like to come in early for the Reunion his staff will be available.
We will begin the Reunion on Friday September 21, which is POW/MIA Day. At noon we will attend a POW/MIA Vigil sponsored by the Air Force ROTC at Texas Tech University. Afterwards we will be given a tour of The Vietnam Archives.
Friday night will be our informal social and we hope to invite Cadets from the US Army ROTC Battalion.
For those of you that have not attended any of our Reunions, this is like a show and tell time. Everyone brings their old pictures and movies to share. It is also a time to get reunited with comrades and their families. I am happy to say that our significant others and children play a huge roll in our Association.
Saturday we will have local activities available based on your interests. Lubbock has a lot to offer;
The Buddy Holly Center, which showcases unique memorabilia of Lubbock's favorite son Buddy Holly.
Buddy Holly Statue and "Walk of Fame", includes Waylon Jennings, Mac Davis, Tanya Tucker and Roy Orbison.
National Ranching Heritage Center, where you can experience the real west and learn about the story of ranching in North America, starting from the 1700's.
Wineries, there are three wineries in the area for those that are interested.
Museum of Texas Tech University, this includes the main museum, the Moody Planetarium, Lubbock Lake Landmark, the Natural Science Research Laboratory, and Val Verde County Biological/Archaeological Research Site.
You can visit the Lubbock Convention & Visitors Bureau website at http://www.lubbockledgends.com
The Vietnam Archives will make arrangements for additional tours as requested, for anyone that does not arrive on Friday.
Saturday night will be our Dinner/Meeting. We are hoping to give you a taste of Texas for dinner with a speaker to match.
Sunday morning we will have a memorial service conducted by our Association Chaplain Joe Cone in memory of our KIA's and departed comrades.
We will have additional Lubbock activities during the day. Dave and Jinger Martin are planning on hosting an afternoon bar-b-que.
We received a message from Bill Russell (cobra pilot 68-69) asking if we could assist Mr. Heath Cox with information about a particular aircraft that they are going to reconstruct and display at a helicopter museum in Weston Super Mare, England. This message was sent to the VHPA and was forwarded to our Association via Bill.
The request for information is pertaining to LOH 67-16506, which was assigned to B Troop 2/17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division, from May 1970 to July 1970. As with most of the LOH aircraft, it's tenure with the Banshees was very short. The aircraft was shot down with major damage while on an armed recon mission in Quang Tri Province on July 10, 1970. The aircraft was recovered and sent back to Hughes Aircraft to be completely overhauled and later used by the National Guard until 1975.
Mr. Cox's museum managed to acquire the aircraft, which will be displayed in their museum and he has taken a personal interest in obtaining as much information as possible about the men who flew and crewed aircraft 67-16506 as well as any other information about the use and deployment of the LOH in Vietnam.
If anyone would care to contact Mr. Cox to provide him with information or send him copies of any photographs of LOHs please contact him via e-mail at: Heath.Cox@dtz.com or by regular mail at:
Heath Cox
Flat 2
44 Severn Avenue
Weston Super Mare
North Somerset, England BS234DQ
We hope many of you will respond to Mr. Cox's request. They are very proud to display one of our aircraft in their museum and we hope you can supply him with as much information as possible.
From: Audrey Spolarich, spolarich@capalliance.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 12:42 PM
Dear readers, for the past three years vets have asked me if there is any relationship between hep C and diabetes. I always answered that adiabatic would certainly have more trouble dealing with hep c than a non-diabetic. Now comes the worrisome news--THERE IS A LINK. Second, for those of you who thought Heather was finished with hep c, think again. Our Miss America continues the fight. An interesting article on her upcoming work follows this one on Hep C. Thanks Heather. Monday October 16 5:36 PM ET Hepatitis C Infection Increases Diabetes Risk NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who are 40 years of age or older and infected with hepatitis C have more than triple the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the type of diabetes that commonly occurs in adulthood. Nearly 3 million Americans have chronic hepatitis C, a viral infection of the liver. The virus can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer and is the leading cause of liver transplant in the US. In the new study, Shruti Mehta and associates from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland looked at more than 9,800 adults who took part in a health survey. Just over 8% of the study participants had type 2 diabetes and about 2%had evidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, according to a report in the October 17th issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. The rate of type 2 diabetes was notably higher in the HCV-positive group than in the HCV-negative group, the researchers note, except in persons younger than 40 years of age. In the 40 to 49 year age groups, those with HCV infection were 3.1 times as likely to have type 2 diabetes as those without HCV infection. Previous studies have linked HCV to diabetes, but only in people with severe liver disease. These results confirm that type 2 diabetes occurs at higher rates even among patients with milder forms of HCV infection, the authors conclude. Further research is needed to determine exactly how HCV contributes to the development of diabetes. However, Mehta and colleagues believe that the findings are ''consistent with the inference that HCV infection causes type 2 diabetes through progressive liver damage.'' SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine 2000; 133:592-599. Audrey Spolarich Health Policy Analysts, Inc. Washington, DC 202-638-0551.
Miss America fights in the trenches against Hepatitis C Miss America poised to dethrone Hepatitis C by John Morgan with medical adviser Stephen A. Shoop, M.D. A Doctor In Your House.com Saturday night in Atlantic City Miss Hawaii Angela Perez Baraquio was crowned Miss America 2001. The 24-year-old elementary school gym teacher said she plans to promote character education. If she needed a finer example of character, Baraquio didn't need to look further than the woman who placed this year's crown on her head - Miss America 2000 Heather French. French has traveled relentlessly over the past year promoting her platform of helping homeless Veterans. In what can only be described as a national embarrassment, data indicates that a shocking 33% or more of homeless Americans have served in the armed forces. But French is on a mission to heal that national tragedy. "I am the daughter of a disabled Vietnam veteran first and foremost. He's my Mr. America," says French. "I have seen firsthand the extraordinary health challenges veterans face. How we treat our veterans reflects our integrity as a nation." Like Baraquio, French is also an educator, spending countless hours to raise awareness about one of the most serious health concerns facing Veterans today - hepatitis C Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by an opportunistic virus. This hepatitis C virus (HCV) is often called a silent disease because it can "hide" in the body for up to 30 years as it ravages the liver. HCV causes 40% of end-stage cirrhosis of the liver and up to half of all liver cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta (CDC) estimate that 1.8% of the U.S. population, or approximately 4 million Americans, are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Every year up to 10,000 people die from complications caused by HCV. Within the next two decades, unidentified HCV patients will become more apparent as their disease progresses and deaths are projected to triple or quadruple. But there are already alarming numbers to be dealt with today. Recent studies indicate that Veterans have 5 to 6 times the rate of infection compared to the general public. And Vietnam era veterans are particularly hard hit by HCV. A 1998 study of 95,000 HCV tests conducted in VA facilities indicated that Vietnam vets accounted for about 64% of positive HCV tests. This higher incidence is primarily attributed to a soldier's increased exposures to blood-to-blood contact. However, blood contact is not the only method of infection. HCV can be transmitted by: - Blood transfusions (prior to 1992) - Shared needles, including those used for combat medical treatment - Unprotected sex with multiple partners, particularly those with HCV And perhaps unknowingly by military doctors. "I've talked to lots of guys and we all remember getting inoculated by these air injector guns from both sides," recalls Terry Baker with the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). "They never changed them or wiped them clean. And I know there was some blowback and blood." Baker, who was diagnosed, with HCV, suggested this possibility to the CDC. They told him he was being ridiculous. Two months later however the air guns were removed from use, citing possible contamination risks. Good news from the front there are effective treatments for patients with HCV. "The overall cure rate is around 40% depending on the type of HCV, explains Dr. Edmund J. Bini, attending physician of gastroenterology and hepatology at the VA New York Harbor Health Care Center. According to Bini, the standard treatment now for HCV is Rebetron, a dual therapy consisting of interferon injection three times a week andribavirin oral medication taken twice a day. Treatments typically last between24-48 weeks depending on the type and severity of HCV. There are three strains or genotypes of HCV. Types 2 and 3, the more easily treated, enjoy cure rates of 60%. Only 25% of type 1 cases are cured. Silent enemy since HCV is often asymptomatic, many veterans and civilians have no idea their lives are in danger. Or worse that their spouse or even children are at risk. "The Helping Veterans Fight A Silent Enemy awareness campaign is literally saving lives," shares French who hopped on a Harley and rode with Rolling Thunder members last Memorial Day to promote veterans issues. "And we're not just talking about men. Over 14% of veterans are women." Sexual contact is only one transmission possibility. Common household contact with razors and toothbrushes can also cause infection. "I had no idea I had hepatitis C," says Baker emotionally. "Not much scares me but I was terrified I might have passed it on to my kids. I would have gone off the deep end." Baker's children were fine. But his wife of 20 years was not. Both had to undergo yearlong treatments for HCV with a private physician. Baker responded extremely well. His wife had to go through two treatments because the adverse side effects of the medications halted her first treatment. "I've had no detectable HCV for over a year now," reports Baker whose wife is now in her 8th month of undetectable HCV. Friendly fire but the deadliest enemy may not be the HCV itself but an age-old illness veterans have battled for decades - bureaucracy. HCV is diagnosed with a simple blood test that detects antibodies to the virus. After a person tests positive for HCV, a more accurate blood test called a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) blood test is given to determine the viral load or amount of active virus in the blood. Liver enzyme levels are also examined and a biopsy is the preferred standard to determine how much liver damage has occurred. Yet despite a National Institute of Health report that indicates liver enzyme levels alone are insufficient to determine liver damage because as many as 30% of people with HCV have normal levels, the Veterans Administration (VA) will not authorize a PCR test unless liver enzymes are elevated. "Everyone credible hepatologist will tell you need a PRC and a biopsy to accurately determine a patient's hepatitis C exposure," says Baker. "In my opinion, that's an accurate assessment," confirms Bini who is also an assistant professor of medicine at New York University School of Medicine. "The VA is paying these Vets lip service, hoping they'll either go away or die," states Baker. "They're trying to cut costs because they only get $4200 compensation for these cases but the hepatitis C treatment costs $20-25,000." What may be even more devastating is many Vets are simply denied coverage for HCV treatment because their cases are deemed "unsubstantiated" or the result of accusations of "willful misconduct", a euphemism for drug use. "The problem is we have to prove we got the disease while in service," explains Baker. "But it's nearly impossible because there were no tests for this virus prior to 1989. It's insanity." Missing in action Even the VA's own statistics betray the fact that they should be doing better. According to Baker the VA did not even spend all the money budgeted for HCV treatment and they're not sure where the surplus is. This is frustrating news to Vets and their families at a time when the VA is currently treating a paltry 14% of new HCV cases. That's why French reaches out to veterans across the country, urging them to get tested for free at the "Hep C mobile" that often tours with her. It's also why she lobbied Congress to mandate treatment for veterans who have HCV. "These are our heroes. Some have fallen and now it is our duty to help them in their hour of need," says French passionately. "I will see in their faces the face of my father and I will not rest until the job is done." While French has passed her crown on to Miss Hawaii, to America's veterans French will forever epitomize the title Miss America. "She's our daughter, a brother's daughter and she truly cares," shares Baker. "She has brought more to us in the past year than has been given to us in the last fifty." If you would like more information about HCV, contact Veterans Aimed Toward Awareness at http://www.veteranshepaware.com. An excellent source is the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/C/index.htm, Or try the National Institute of Health at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/information/search.htm. Information about Heather French and Miss America 2001 can be found at http://www.missamerica.org.
RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Room 333 Cannon HOB For more information contact:
Washington, DC 20515 Bill Crandell @ 202-225-9756
http://veterans.house.gov/democratic/welcome.htm.
Evans hails Agent Orange - diabetes link findings, Introduces legislation to compensate veterans Calls for VA to make swift decision on new report
Washington, DC - "The possible connection veterans have suspected between Agent Orange and diabetes has been acknowledged by a committee of the prestigious Institute of Medicine," said Congressman Lane Evans, the Ranking Democratic Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. "The scientific experts have recognized that Vietnam veterans are at an increased risk for diabetes. Today I have introduced legislation, H.R. 5438, to compensate diabetic Vietnam veterans. But I am also calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA] to issue new regulations as quickly as possible." Evans applauded the report released today by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences indicating that a review of the available scientific evidence on diabetes and Agent Orange concludes "there is limited/suggested evidence of an association between exposure to the herbicides used in Vietnam or the contaminant dioxin and Type 2 [adult-onset] diabetes." "Vietnam veterans have had their cause heard by the scientific community. They have won another tragic victory," Evans said. "Now the road to compensation for this serious illness is open. This significant step should put disabled Vietnam veterans closer to care and compensation for another medical condition associated with the use of herbicides during the Vietnam War. "I have pressed for swift action," Evans said. "Now that IOM acknowledges diabetes as a condition associated with exposure to Agent Orange, VA has 60 days to determine whether a presumption of service connection is warranted. I hope that prompt action by the VA will make legislation unnecessary. If needed, H.R. 5438 would add adult-onset diabetes to the list of conditions VA must compensate. The presumption of service connection allows both health care and compensation for disabled veterans. Evans has also written to Acting Secretary Hershel Gober that VA should issue interim final regulations to compensate affected Vietnam veterans. "VA has both the authority and the evidence it needs to take action, and Secretary Gober is a man, who makes decisions," he said. "I have asked him to resolve this quickly." The Illinois congressman has forced the tempo for action on the Agent Orange-diabetes connection. Last year, Evans prodded VA to request that the IOM conduct an expedited review of scientific literature on diabetes.
That review was to be completed in May. Then on March 29, the Air Force Ranch Hand study reported on additional evidence of links between exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam and diabetes. Evans called Ranch Hand's findings "very significant." In response, the VA wrote IOM asking that the Ranch Hand report be included in the expedited review reported today.
Some 18 million gallons of Agent Orange were sprayed in Vietnam, beginning in 1962, to destroy jungle hiding places and enemy crops. Having served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam era, Evans has led the struggle for health care and compensation of Vietnam veterans affected by Agent Orange. Due to Evans' persistent pressure, Congress enacted the Agent Orange Act of 1991, giving the Department of Veterans Affairs authority to provide service-connected disability compensation to veterans based on research findings -Text of letter to VA follows-
October 11, 2000
The Honorable Hershel Gober Acting Secretary
Department of Veterans Affairs Washington, DC 20420
Dear Secretary Gober:
With the release today by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of its report linking Agent Orange exposure and diabetes, the connection veterans have suspected has been acknowledged. The scientific experts have recognized that Vietnam veterans are at an increased risk for diabetes. I urge the Department of Veterans Affairs to move as quickly as possible to establish a presumption of service-connection to compensate disabled diabetic Vietnam veterans.
Today's IOM report concludes "there is limited/suggestive evidence of an association between exposure to the herbicides used in Vietnam or the contaminant dioxin and Type 2 diabetes." This IOM conclusion requires VA to decide whether to compensate diabetic Vietnam veterans on a presumptive basis, in keeping with the Agent Orange Act of 1991.
As you know, VA has determined that the "limited/suggestive" standard meets the test for presumptive compensation for other conditions of disabled veterans who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.
I have greatly appreciated VA's responsiveness this year in pressing for swift action prompting IOM to conduct an expedited review of scientific literature on diabetes, and to include the Ranch Hand report in the review published today.
Now VA has 60 days to determine whether a presumption of service-connection is warranted. Consistent with previous VA decisions on conditions with the "limited/suggested evidence of an association," I believe VA should issue interim final regulations to compensate affected Vietnam veterans as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
LANE EVANS
Ranking Democratic Member
Capt. Williams,
Our visit to Ft. Campbell was very memorable. Although we enjoyed the dedication of the LaPointe Clinic very much, the many too short encounters with you and other present day Banshees was also enjoyable. We have been talking about the possibility of having some type of get together with you and the current troop before you deploy to Kosovo in the spring.
The mention of Kosovo brings up another subject that I would like to tell you about. When we were at the social after the official LaPointe Clinic dedication, MG Cody came over and introduced himself to us. He knew we were 2/17 Cav veterans and asked if we served in B Troop. We told him yes, that we served the same time period as "Doc" LaPointe and it was our opinion that B Troop was the best Troop in the 2/17th at that time. We also mentioned that we might have some type of gathering with the present day troop before your deployment and he looked at us squarely and said: "B Troop is the best cav unit that I have. That is why I hand picked them myself to represent the division in Kosovo." Thought you might like to know what the division CO thinks of the Banshees.
I would also like to ask a favor of you. When we attended the dedication there were two troopers in BDUs taping the dedication. I asked them if it would be possible to obtain a copy of the dedication tape for our archives and they said that the 2/17th would have the tape and we could contact them later to obtain a copy. I think that at next year's reunion at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, the people that couldn't make it to the dedication would like to see the tape and we could also present a copy to the Vietnam Archives at the University. Could you please check to see who has the tape and how we can obtain a copy?
"Out Front,"
Jim Matthews - President
B Troop 2/17th Cavalry Association
The Banshee Gazette is the OFFICIAL PUBLICATION for B Troop 2nd 17th Cavalry Association.
A nonprofit Veterans Organization