The Ultimate Cost of "Freedom"

Lawrence "WarHippy" Blouir

by Lawrence "WarHippy" Blouir

I have Prostate Cancer.

The cancer is a direct result of my exposure to Agent Orange, a deadly toxic jungle defoliant, so strong that it would kill most of the smaller plant life overnight, and make jungle warfare easier.

Did our government fail to mention that it's own troops were ordered into that toxic wasteland the next day?  Or that when it rained, the toxin would float back to the surface months later, and expose even more of it's "Freedom Fighters" to it's toxic effects? 

No?  I didn't think they would.

Since the Vietnam War, millions of Vietnam Combat Veterans have suffered from the effects of exposure to Agent Orange.  A big percentage of them have died from the many forms of cancer and other diseases, directly linked to the toxin. 

We are still paying the price of Freedom, with our lives. 

Meanwhile, every top government official who ordered it's use, and every top executive of the chemical company that developed and offered the toxin to the American Government for use in Vietnam, have lived long, toxin free lives.  I can't recall ANY of them ever spending one day in jail for their part in the chemical assault of the American fighting force in Vietnam.

Freedom is NOT Free

Most Vietnam Veterans were raised with the belief, "When your Country calls, you, as an American, answer that call". That is the price of Freedom. We answered that call, and over 58,000 of our Brothers paid for Freedom with their lives. 

We came home to a Country who said our WAR wasn't a real war, when in fact, our average time in actual combat was ten times the average time in combat of the World War II Veteran. 

We carried our burden quietly, as we continued to drop like flies, from Agent Orange exposure. Many of us returned to Vietnam almost every night in our nightmares, re-living horrifying memories that the human mind was never meant to record. 

Countless thousands of our Brothers finally stopped those nightly horrors, the only way they could -- by taking their own life. For those who say God will never accept you into Heaven if you take your own life, I have to believe there is one exception, the Vietnam Combat Veteran!

The rest of us survivors are getting older now, and more of us are touched by Agent Orange, myself included. 

We are guaranteed medical aid for our service connected injuries and illnesses. But the VA Health system is letting us die, waiting in line for medical aid, and our government leaders talk about the scandal and how they promise help. Empty promises help not one Veteran. 

The last time I went to the VA clinic because I had a bladder infection, related to my Prostate cancer, I finally picked up my prescription of antibiotics FIVE DAYS LATER! That's the first time in my life that I've ever gone to the doctor, and left with nothing to help with my pain and suffering. 

I have an infection going on again today. Instead of being eager to call and get help for it, I'm avoiding that call because of all the crap I'll have to go through just to get the medicine to cure it.

If the VA Health Care System cannot provide us the medical care that our Military Service guaranteed us, our ID Cards should be accepted at any medical facility in this country, and our government billed for it. 

Watch how fast the VA Health Care System gets funded then.

WE FOUGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM, BUT WE'RE NOT GONNA JUST LAY DOWN AND DIE, BECAUSE YOU THINK FREEDOM IS FREE!

Share this, if you're a Veteran.  Share this, if you know a Veteran who paid the ultimate price for Freedom.  Share this, if you believe Freedom isn't Free, because somebody has paid, or will pay, for it. 

If you can make an abused puppy video go viral, this should be a no-brainer ...

Lawrence "WarHippy" Blouir 

MOS 63B20 Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic

Vietnam ’69, ’70, ‘71

1st Cavalry Division (AIRMOBILE)

The First Team
8th Engineer Battalion
1st Air Cavalry Division
24th Duster Battalion
24th Corp Artillery
23rd MP Co.
23rd Infantry Division

(MONGOLS Motorcycle Club)


Other Articles by Lawrence “WarHippy” Blouir:

Memorial Day: The Changes Through Life

Vietnam Veteran Speaks Out
A Worthy Rebuttal on REMFs

“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do, and by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale



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