Your interest and pontification on the VERPA effort is much appreciated! Know that these efforts will certainly one day provide those who serve and protect our Constitution with the dignity to once again serve as other than second class citizens. We do not argue compensation for those killed or wounded in combat. What we are concerned about are the crimes of murder, rape, torture, medical experimentation, nuclear experimentation, perjury, obstruction of justice, secreting exculpatory evidence, treason and more; all crimes against humanity. Simply put, once inducted, the new soldier forfeits his/her Right to seek redress for any and all crimes perpetrated by any government official the very instant of taking the oath of enlistment. None are told of the Feres Doctrine. That sucks. Why should we go off to war to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States while forfeiting the very rights we have sworn to protect. Is there not something very wrong with this picture. Currently, the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the wording of the VERPA ACT, which abolishes the FERES Doctrine. It is gathering dust. And more veterans and their families are suffering the consequences. Regards, John McCarthy President and Chairman of The Board of VERPA www.verpa.org johnmccarthy1369@msn.com John McCarthy Captain U.S. Army Special Forces

In a nutshell, and to add, to me it is absolutely absurd that the country takes away so many due rights to the soldiers that keep us free(?) question mark for fear of the second patriot act... still, these are the heroes, yet their rights are less than ours? nonsense!! and we appreciate you john mccarthy, just so glad that you are here to talk about all of this.    shewolf

Here is further clarification for those contemplating signing the VERPA ACT Petition. Lieutenant Feres was killed in a barracks fire on a military installation in New York State in 1946. His wife brought a civil suit for negligence based on the Federal Tort Claims Act of 1946. She lost the case in 1950. Thus, the Feres Doctrine, which was adopted by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court that year to become Law of The Land. Ironically, also in 1946, President Truman asked then Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson to temporarily step down to become the lead prosecutor at the International War Crimes Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany. Justice Jackson presented his case to the jury which consisted of crimes against humanity which justified the death penalty for most of the defendants. Then, Justice Jackson became the author of the Feres Doctrine. The Feres doctrine simply states that no member of the military, their families nor any veteran may seek redress for grievances for ANY CRIME "incident to service". Wow! That covers a multitude of sins, indeed. If any of you have questions after viewing this thread and related links, please contact me and I will be happy to answer all inquiries re this scourge upon our Constitution. Fortunately, current members of the Supreme Court have opined that Feres is "bad law" and the Congress has the power to abolish it. Now we wait. Bests,   John Veterans Equal Rights Protection Advocacy Thank you Mother Margaret

Thank you for sharing That was very informative I learned about VERPA from a ''gulf war syndrome' vet who wanted to know what I thought of them Since, VERPA has looked at some of my information and has passed it on. MM http://home.gci.net/~blessing/pages/newyrdeer.htm If the proof of harm is as rampant as I expect it will show, we should ask Congress to ban this chemical while they're at it. I don't think Staff Sgt James Alford is an isolated situation. The harm of 'gulf war syndrome' has also happened to Brian's brother I think some of our top national leaders should also be checked for the harm of this chemical. Thank YOU for serving as a leader of Special Forces! Please pass on to your sphere of influence _________________ Someone has to be the advocate for those less fortunate. THE FATIGUE! Overview & Who am I? January 2, 2005   deleted http://home.gci.net/~blessing/pages/verpa.htm