Betts, Pavalock Support State Resolution Recognizing ‘Blue Water’ Navy Veterans

HARTFORD – State Representatives Whit Betts (R-78) and Cara Pavalock (R-77) joined their colleagues in the House of Representatives in unanimously passing a resolution in support of Blue Water Navy veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange while serving in the Vietnam War. Both Reps. Betts and Pavalock co-sponsored the resolution which encourages the United States Congress to provide VA benefits to Navy veterans who served in the coastal waters of Vietnam between 1962 and 1975.

“I strongly support this resolution, on behalf of the thousands of brave men and women who served in the ‘Blue Water’ Navy, and who may now be suffering with an illness related to Agent Orange exposure,” said Rep. Betts. “As a show of our support and our gratitude, they deserve to be recognized and it is my hope that this resolution is considered by our national leaders.”

During the Vietnam War, the United States military sprayed approximately twenty-two million gallons of Agent Orange over Vietnam to reduce forest cover used by the enemy. Agent Orange contained the toxic chemical dioxin, which has had harmful effects on Vietnam veterans. The VA presumes any vet who served on land in Vietnam or on boats in its inland waters was exposed to the herbicide, and it compensates them for a litany of associated illnesses, including diabetes, various cancers, Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy and a type of heart disease. However, the agency has repeatedly argued there is no scientific justification or legal requirement for covering veterans who served off the coast.

“It is so important that we do all we can to support our veterans who served our country with honor. So many Vietnam veterans suffer from major illnesses as a result of the devastating effects of Agent Orange exposure. Oftentimes, the treatments are costly and extensive. For their selfless sacrifice and bravery, these Blue Water veterans should receive any necessary aid without hesitation and that is why I proudly co-sponsored and voted in support of this legislation,” said Rep. Pavalock.

The group of Blue Water vets — so named to set the sailors apart from their Brown Water Navy counterparts, who patrolled the murky rivers of South Vietnam — have been fighting the VA for more than 10 years. They were initially deemed eligible for compensation under the Agent Orange Act of 1991, only to have the VA change its interpretation a decade later.

In February 2002, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs denied VA benefits for Blue Water Navy veterans. That same year, an Australian study found that the distillation process these ships used to filter sea water concentrated and enhanced the dioxin in the water, rather than removed toxins. Later, a 2009 study by the Institute of Medicine Committee determined that those who served on ships in the “Blue Water Navy” were exposed to dangerous airborne and waterborne toxins, and as such, should qualify for VA benefits. The Federal Government has yet to approve proposed legislation on the issue.

The VA estimates about 80,000 blue water veterans are still alive.

The resolution passed unanimously out of the state House of Representatives. Copies of the resolution will be mailed to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House, the Veterans Affairs Chairperson positions in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and each member of the Connecticut congressional delegation.

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