As many as 250,000 Veterans may suffer from Gulf War Illness, potentially caused by burning oil fields many service members encountered during thier service in Kuwait and Iraq during the Persian Gulf War. (Photo: John Isaac, United Nations)
This week’s California Veterans news roundup includes a new VA study on Gulf War Illness, which may affect as many as 250,000 Gulf War Veterans; a quick note on World War II Veterans living in California, and an update on disgraced San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher.
Readers can send veterans-related stories to news@calegion.org.
Statewide: California Veterans news
- On Monday, the VA and National Institutes of Health announced a joint study on Gulf War Illness to determine the cause of symptoms, create standard criteria for diagnosing the illness, and develop new treatments.
- Per the National World War II Museum, nearly 16,000 World War II Veterans currently live in California, representing the largest population of any state and about one percent of the total Veteran population in California.
Kern County Veterans news
- Kern County Honor Flight’s next trip departed today, taking Veterans to the Vietnam, Korea, and World War II memorials in Washington D.C.
Los Angeles Veterans News
- The remains of U.S. Army Sgt. Isaac John Gayo were returned to Los Angeles on Monday after Gayo was tragically killed in a training exercise in Kentucky last month. A formal motorcade brought Gayo through the streets of Los Angeles to his final resting place.
San Diego Veterans news
- San Diego County Supervisor and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Nathan Fletcher has agreed to resign after a scandal earlier this month. Fletcher initially garnered sympathy after announcing that he would be taking a leave of absence to recover from severe PTSD, which he claimed stemmed from his service and “childhood trauma.” However, days later it emerged that Fletcher sexually assaulted a government employee. Per the Marine Corps Times, many local veterans were angry with Fletcher, accusing him of using a problem that affects millions of Veterans around the country to shield himself from the fallout of his criminal actions.
Recent Veterans articles & videos from California American Legion
- Palo Alto HRB study session ends with all sides agreeing to pursue a collaborative path forward for Memorial Flagpole’s restoration
- Post 20 Blood Drive
- Activities Report: Medellin, Colombia
Important Veterans & Military holidays in April
- April 5 — Gold Star Spouses Day
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.