SGR Hears of Vietnam Conflict

TODAY IN ROTARY members heard from Bruce Rathtree and Dan Greathouse,  Washington County representatives of Vietnam Veterans of America, organized in July 2005 with 10 members.  In 2016, there are more than 100 members.

VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. VVA strives to achieve the following:

                 

*   Aggressively advocate on issues important to veterans

*   Seek full access to quality health care for veterans

*   Identify the full range of disabling injuries and illnesses incurred during military service

*   Hold government agencies accountable for following laws mandating veterans health care

*   Create a positive public perception of Vietnam veterans

*   Seek the fullest possible accounting of America’s POWs and MIAs

In support of Washington County’ 12,000 veterans, Bruce, a 3^rd generation military man, also oversees Veteran’s Court which strives to help incarcerated veterans – or those in trouble with the law – work through issues relating to their legal infractions.  To date, 25 veterans have “graduated” from the program and are now law abiding and contributing members of society. 

The duo also spoke of the ramifications of Agent Orange, a defoliant used to kill bushes and scrubs on the battlefield.  Agent Orange has been shown to contribute to more than 150 diseases and health issues, including, but not limited to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and renal failure.

“I didn’t leave anything there,” said Greathouse when asked whether he had been back to Vietnam.  “I support our troops, not our wars.”  Rathtree went on to say he remembers 130+ temperatures and 100% humidity … and coming home from this unpopular war to “people throwing poopy diapers, rotten fruit, and soda cans at us!  It was 40 years before I talked about it – even to my wife!”