Let’s say you were serving the in the military between 1962-73. You followed orders and did not question your superiors when told to participate in certain tests. Other times you were not even told about the tests as you were just deployed to certain locations for days for unknown reasons.

Little did you know that Uncle Sam was using you as a human guinea pig. Weapons containing chemical and biological agents like VX nerve gas, Sarin Nerve Gas and E. Coli were tested on you and your fellow military personnel.

Some veterans developed health problems. Many veterans who took part in these tests have long since died. Many never received any type of compensation. Many were told to never talk about taking part in the tests.

This may be changing due to the outstanding work of Congressmen Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., and Mike Thompson, D-Calif., as these veterans unknowingly exposed to biological and chemical weapons tests are finally getting some much needed attention.

The Associated Press reported:

Lawmakers and veterans of secret Cold War-era chemical and germ tests on military personnel demanded help from the Bush administration Thursday, but they got no satisfaction.

It’s really not just the current administration’s fault. Every administration since the tests were conducted shares the blame. Each administration has heard of Project 112 and/or Project Shad and had chances to address the problem, but failed. Nonetheless, the House of Representatives needs to compel these officials to come to the table by whatever means available to get to the bottom of this mess.

It appears that Rehberg and Thompson may have gotten their attention now. Their bill (H.R. 5954) has 46 co-sponsors. The news of this hearing received significant coverage from the media across the nation. That is good for these veterans. They deserve compensation for being subjected to these tests.

Senator Jon Tester has introduced a similar bill (S. 2937) in the senate, but the bill has no co-sponsors. Senator Max Baucus needs to co-sponsor Tester’s bill.

Hopefully our elected officials, led by Rehberg and Thompson, will keep the light shining on this issue until it is resolved.