{news} DU Action at West Haven VA medical center Fri. 4:30 p.m.

[Charlie Pillsbury]

      PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY
     
      Pro-veteran protest set at VA hospital  
      Marissa Yaremich , Register Staff, 
      02/24/2005 

      WEST HAVEN - Inspired by a New Haven soldier's compelling argument at the state Capitol two weeks ago, several pro-veteran groups, including the New Haven Green Party, plan to fight for soldiers' rights outside the Veteran Affairs medical center Friday. 

      Demonstrators plan to gather at 4:30 p.m. near the VA's front wall to oppose the U.S.-led war in Iraq and slashed medical benefits for veterans, as well as to advocate for a bill to safeguard the health of the state's military.

           
      The proposal would require all soldiers from Connecticut serving in Iraq or Afghanistan to "be independently screened for exposure to depleted uranium upon return to the state."

      Stanley Heller, a member of West Haven Speaks Out, said the citizens group was formed in part after Persian Gulf War veteran Melissa Sterry recounted to lawmakers Feb. 10 the numerous chronic medical problems she has suffered since her contact with depleted-uranium ammunition and armor.

      Sterry, who served in Kuwait during the Gulf War, is locking horns with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs over her medical coverage. Sterry has suffered a variety of health problems.

      Depleted uranium is used to reinforce military vehicles or munitions in order to penetrate armor plate.

      In October, the Department of Defense released a study that found that inhaling airborne particles produces "very low" health risks. A Defense-sponsored five-year study by an independent research institute said that even "in extreme cases, exposure to 'aerosolized' depleted uranium did not pose a health risk."

      The World Health Organization's Web site says depleted uranium exposes people to radioactivity 60 percent of that of natural uranium. An April 2001 report by the WHO stated that touching or ingesting depleted uranium causes the body to absorb it, potentially causing kidney and lung damage.

      Sterry reported headaches, muscle spasms, chronic pneumonia and three heart attacks since her exposure to the metal in 1991-92.

      "We urge Connecticut residents to contact their (General Assembly) representatives this week," said Heller, who is not a veteran. 

      http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14024009&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=517514&rfi=6
     
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