Effects of Gulf War linger six years later

Gulf War veterans celebrated the sixth anniversary of the war's end last Friday, but some are still struggling with the so-called "Gulf War syndrome."

Due to its unexplained origins, the syndrome has brought confusion to American society, government and local Gulf War veterans.

"After two flights of steps, I have to stop and catch my breath," said Eric Rhyder, (junior-science) a member of the 1st Armored Division during the war. "I was hacking up black stuff from oil-fires. I couldn't get up to go to class this morning, if that tells you anything."

The cause of the syndrome has been under close scrutiny for years.

Dr. Katherine Murray-Leisure, a medical practitioner in Lebanon, Pa., performed case studies on 600 Gulf veterans. She found many instances involving veterans who were not in the Gulf region during the war, but who have the same symptoms as veterans in the region during the war.

"What has been called popularly the 'Gulf War syndrome' is in clinical terms a new, unexplained mucocutaneous (nose and skin), intestinal and rheumatic (bone and joint) desert-associated syndrome," Murray-Leisure explained.

Contributing factors of the syndrome possibly include interaction with low-level nerve agents, anti-nerve-gas pills and chemicals in insect repellents. Oil-well smoke and government-administered immunizations have also been noted as possible compounding factors to the disease.

"It's an intermittent, come-and-go illness," Murray-Leisure said. "The patients have what we call Chronic Fatigue, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Irritable Bowels."

She added that skin and nose lesions, swollen glands, cognitive thinking and concentration problems are also symptoms.

Murray-Leisure testified Feb. 9 during an American Legion field hearing chaired by Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., regarding Gulf War syndrome. Murray-Leisure said she strongly believes the syndrome exists.

Some veterans hold similar feelings.

"The government is doing a lot of double-talk," veteran Jason Trask (senior-administration of justice) said. "Something is definitely wrong and people are messed up."

The Pentagon was slow to recognize the syndrome when it first appeared, but Specter is using his position as the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs to rectify that situation.

"I think the government is just as confused as we are, but it seems to be doing the best that it can," veteran Chris Stetsko (junior-international politics) said.

Some Gulf War veterans have been spared the effects of the syndrome.

"I haven't been paying close attention because I haven't had any symptoms," said Andy Lariviere (junior-wildlife and fishery science), a member of the same division as Rhyder.

However, just because some veterans are not feeling the effects of the syndrome now, they may appear in the future, Gulf War veteran Jarred Romesburg (junior-telecommunications) said.

Veteran Dave Turner, who said he is not worried yet, expressed the same feelings.

"I'm not concerned at this point, but as I said, I was only there six days -- you never know," Turner (senior-finance) said.