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Local Vietnam veteran is still fighting

Helps other veterans suffering the effects of Agent Orange

T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY Vietnam veteran Dennis Myers of Marshalltown is pictured in his home holding many medals and commendations awarded him during Navy service as a CTO3 from 1968-72. To his immediate left is a framed print of ships he served on.

Editor’s note: This is the latest in an ongoing series of articles profiling those who have ever served in the U.S. military, be it overseas or stateside. Every Thursday, a new profile will be published in the T-R.

Dennis Myers served in Vietnam from 1969-72. He was classified as a U.S. Navy CTO3 — a Cryptologic Technician.

“We were called ‘spooks,’ (slang for one engaged in espionage) because of our work,” Myers said.

To other “spooks” he was known only by his code name — “Flash.”

The Marshalltown resident would serve in the air, land and sea.

“Once we were flying over North Vietnam … we knew if detected the enemy had Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs) which could take us out … talk about having sweaty hands.”

Duties also required him to be in-country.

Myers still vividly recalls one incident — behind enemy lines — when a close friend was killed during an enemy rocket attack. “One minute he was there — and another minute — he was gone,” Myers said. “Fortunately the rest of us got out alive.”

Myers believes his friend should have received a medal for heroism. His friend’s death still haunts him.

At sea he served on 14 ships. Myers would be in a room operating top-secret, highly-technical equipment while a U.S. Marine stood guard outside.

Now, some 45 years later, Myers is still fighting.

His mind, voice and persistence are his weapons.

He is fighting for himself and other veterans who are suffering from insidious, debilitating effects of Agent Orange.

Agent Orange was an extremely powerful herbicide and chemical defoliant used against enemy forces from 1961-71 in hopes of eliminating the thick jungle ground cover.

U.S. forces and allies were exposed to it as well.

Agent Orange contained the deadly element dioxin.

In high concentrations it is extremely toxic and has been linked to cancer, organ diseases and a host of other serious medical problems.

Myers’ personal list of documented medical conditions resulting from Agent Orange runs three pages — from eye ailments to a heart condition to infertility.

A giant pile of letters and forms sits on his desk — a testimony to his persistence and work on behalf of others.

Myers — who is frequently seen wearing a Vietnam Veteran baseball cap — was born in Eldora but raised in Nevada.

And it was in the spring of 1968 that Myers, a recent Nevada High School graduate, had a decision to make.

A talk with his father set the stage.

“He said to me, ‘Den, you have two choices. If you have the money to go to college, it is only eight miles away (Iowa State University in Ames). If you don’t, you know what the second alternative is, and that is either get drafted or join the service.’ I joined the Navy in August, 1968, and it turned out to be quite an experience.”

There were other factors which made military service a compelling option.

“They (the Navy) talked about different training opportunities and areas one could get into,” he said. “That appealed to me. I thought, with technical training, plus a college degree, I could get a really good job someday.”

Family factored in too.

His father was a World War II veteran, serving in the Pacific Theater.

After an honorable discharge, Myers enrolled Iowa State University and graduated with an engineering degree.

That led to another chapter in his life. He worked at Emerson Process Management/Fisher Controls from 1974 to 1981. “I had a good job and worked with a fine group of individuals,” he said

However, the debilitating effects of Agent Orange, which had been dormant in his body, erupted, and he had to resign from EPM/Fisher for health reasons.

Sadly, he did not earn enough years of service to qualify for retirements benefits.

At the time, the company required 10 years of service to be “vested.”

The persistent and numerous medical ailments resulting from exposure not only derailed a promising career, it caused financial hardships.

Regardless, Myers remained active in the local Harry C. Harter Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 839, serving as commander and legislative liaison.

Now, he hopes in writing letters to President Donald Trump, and new Veterans Administration Secretary David Shulkin will help him and other veterans.

Myers said he and other veterans simply want to be treated fairly, and with respect.

“We answered the call,” he said.

Myers said he and former serviceman get frustrated with changing VA standards on Agent Orange.

“Over a period of time one will be eligible to receive benefits due to illness or condition brought about by exposure, then the VA will change criteria and deny it,” he said.

Twi Agent Orange studies will be remembered, Myers said in a recent interview with the Times-Republican.

“It was commissioned by the late Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, who had major responsibilities approving use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam conflict,” Myers said. “Zumwalt’s son died from Agent Orange, and the admiral blamed himself for allowing it to be sprayed … it was my understanding he had control.”

The admiral used independent researchers.

Myers claims Congress had the study for 10 years and a committee was formed to address the findings.

According to Myers, researchers identified at least 28 illnesses from exposure to Agent Orange.

Additionally, the U.S. Air Force conducted the “Ranch Hand” report … about crews who handled Agent Orange and another less known, but highly lethal chemical known as Agent Blue — an arsenic based compound sprayed on enemy rice paddies.

Unfortunately, U.S. forces and allies were exposed as well in their search for the enemy. Myers claimed U.S. government officials distorted key findings from the “Ranch Hand” report.

The conversation then changed to U.S. relations with foreign powers.

“I do not trust China, North Korea, or Russia,” Myers said. “I know too much about them.”

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Do you know a military veteran who should be profiled? Send your suggestions to Editor Jeff Hutton at: jhutton@timesrepublican.com or contact American Legion Post 46 Commander Randy Kessler at: iapost46commander@gmail.com

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