Al_C

Hi Dave, Thanks for the reply. I want to say, I'm very sorry that you have had to suffer from all the different illnesses. It's awful and it's not right. I talked to my dad and he said he left DG in late Oct or early Nov of 1975 (he remembers that because he was able to come home and go deer hunting!). It sounds like both of you must have been there for a bit, but not too long. Considering there were quite a few guys there, it's not hard to see how you might not have even met each other. My dad was telling me the conicks boxes behind the CTR were all full of tools and supplies, as he was in all of them to inventory supplies and that there were a whole different bunch of the conicks boxes behind the MLO building that he was never in. He also said he never knew for sure of any A/O was used on the island, but he did hear lots of rumors that it had been used. You mentioned barrels with orange stripes that were marked "dioxin"? I've been doing some research online for my dad and came across an article online talking about the A/O used during Vietnam. The article said it was "It was given its name from the color of the orange-striped barrels in which it was shipped". Also dioxin, which you mentioned was marked on the barrels you saw, is an ingredient used in making A/O. In fact, the article I read said the A/O used in Vietnam was contaminated with TCDD, which it was said to be an "extremely toxic dioxin compound". My dad was very recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, thus the reason for all my research online. His doctor at the VA also had asked him point blank if he had ever been exposed to A/O and that he (the doctor) had seen lots of Vietnam era vets who had come down with Parkinson's, among other things...due to A/O exposure. My dad also has a friend out in the Portland area who is on medical marijuana to help with his illnesses, which have yet to be figured out by doctors. Seems to me, with what you saw on DG, and both what my dad has said and what my research has shown me, I agree with you on the fact that A/O must have been used on DG. I do hope you are able to get some relief for your illnesses. Take care. Stephanie (Al_C)

Hi Dave, I came across your post from 2012 about A/O being used on Diego Garcia and I've started reading your posts on here and I have to say, you are a good writer and very interesting to read. : ) This is off topic of your post, but I'd like to ask you a question. Did you know any of the guys who worked in the CTR (right next to MLO)? My Dad, Al Clairmont, was on DG from Jan/Feb to Nov of 1975. He actually wanted me to ask. : ). He was an MCB 3. If this name rings a bell, please reply back because he'd love to get in contact (if you know/remember him). Thanks! Stephanie (Al_C)