[Peace] War casualties

[Dlind49 at aol.com]

Gulf War Casualties Commentary
dr. doug rokke

The upcoming battle Gulf War II will result in casualties that include: 
killed in action, wounded in action, killed in accidents, and additional 
casualties that do not show up until after the completion of hostilities.  
During the Gulf War between 1990 and 1991 the United States military 
incurred: 467 individuals wounded in action, 148 killed in battle, and 145 
killed in other than battle (i.e. accidents).  Therefore, the total number of 
Gulf War casualties was 760 at the time of redeployment. The United States 
Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefit Administration Office of  
Performance Analysis and Integrity Data and Information Services Gulf War 
Veterans Information System report that was just published (May 2002) states 
that as of May 2002: 696778  individuals had served during the Gulf War with 
572833 individuals now eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits 
to include lifetime medical care, financial compensation, and a lifetime 
pension.  The difference 123945 individuals includes Desert Storm veterans 
who are still on active duty, who already received a disability rating 
directly from the military, and those who are ineligible for benefits for 
various reasons.  As of May 2002, 206861 veterans had filed claims for 
benefits based on service-connected injuries and illnesses caused by Gulf War 
combat related duties. Department of Veterans Affairs officials have 
processed 183249 claims for medical care, compensation, and pension 
determining that for 159238 veterans their injuries and illnesses are service 
connected, caused by Gulf War exposures and injuries. Consequently they have 
been awarded lifetime medical care, compensation, and pensions based on the 
extent of their medical problems.  The VA still has claims from 23612 
individuals pending while they have denied benefits to 24011 veterans. SINCE 
THE CESSATION OF GULF WAR HOSTILITIES IN 1991; AN ADDITIONAL 8013 VETERANS 
HAVE DIED FROM SERVICE CONNECTED INJURIES AND EXPOSURES INCURRED DURING 
OPERATION DESERT SHIELD AND OPERATION DESERT STORM.  
The implications of this official report are staggering!  As of May 2002, The 
Gulf War casualties include 8306 veterans dead and 159705 veterans injured or 
ill as a consequence of wartime service to our nation.  The official May 2002 
Department of Veteran Affairs report classifies 168011 individuals as 
"disabled veterans".  That reflects a staggering casualty rate of  29.3% for 
combat related duties between 1990 and 1991. We still know that many sick 
veterans have not submitted claims. We also know that some veterans have 
received disability benefits directly from the military. Thus the actual 
casualty rate from combat during 1990-1991 is probably higher than the 29.3% 
rate the new VA report verifies. However, combat activities did not stop in 
1991. Therefore, since August 1991 a cumulative total of 1127458 individuals 
have been deployed to the Gulf with 851480 veterans now eligible for veterans 
benefits.  Consequently the VA officially recognizes in the May 2002 report 
that a total of 262586 individuals are "disabled veterans" due to duty in the 
Gulf and that 10617 veterans have died of combat related injuries or 
illnesses since the initiation of the Gulf War during August 1990.  That 
gives us a verified casualty rate of 30.8%.   If we are to initiate Gulf War 
II we had better be ready for the possible casualties. 
GIVEN THAT: (a) OUR MEDICAL SUPPORT SYSTEM IS INEFFECTIVE, (b) OUR PERSONAL 
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO DEFEND AGAINST POSSIBLE USE OF WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION ARE DEFECTIVE, (c) COMBAT READINESS IS QUESTIONABLE, AND (d) A 
VERIFIED IRAQI THREAT HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN; THE CITIZENS AND LEADERS OF OUR 
NATION WOULD BE CRAZY TO AUTHORIZE A PREEMPTIVE ATTACK AGAINST IRAQ.