Anthrax Vaccine Network - Heroes - Phillip Gordon |
My name is PHILLIP Gordon. I had to take these shots before I got out the
Marine Corps. Here is my story.
I was in Okinawa, Japan, with the 4th Marine Regiment, HQ CO, in 1998. I had 3 months before I would be sent back to the states and get out of the Corps to begin my new life as a student of the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences in Tempe, Arizona. At that point, I was told I was on a list of Marines who had not taken the first shot and the series. I explained I was getting out in 3 months, and there would be no way I would complete the whole cycle of shots. Then the list got to the Col. of the Regiment. I was told by the Company Gunnery Sgt. that I had to take the shots or face a court martial. I was surprised to hear it. I was a Corporal with a platoon of men who were younger than me. I explained I did not agree with the shots and it was up to them to take the shots or refuse. I would not enforce the order for any one to take them since I did not want to. The following day I was told that I had until close of business to decide to take the first shot or not. Again, I was told that if I did not take the first one and continue the cycle of shots, my consequences would be court martial, my rank reduced to E-1, I would be fined and sent to the brig (jail), followed b y restriction to barracks restriction until I was dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps. I was so mad. I grew up in a family of 4. I could not afford to go to college or had no real direction until I entered the service. I was raised to be strong and to love our country even though people of my background - mixed race - get treated the way we do by the same Americans whom I took a pledge to defend. The next day I put on my uniform and with a heavy heart marched myself to the medical department and took the first shot as I ordered - actually threatened - to take. Before going back to the states I had completed only 3 shots and was sent on my way. I got out with an honorable discharge and use of my G.I. bill to go to school. Was it worth it? I ask myself that everyday. I keep to myself a lot and rarely talk about this experience. I feel like I made the biggest mistake ever. I did something I did not believe in and at what price? To keep my G.I. bill to go to school? I still had to take a good amount out for student loans. The G.I. bill covered way less than half the school expenses. Besides all that. there are days I am so fatigued I don't leave bed. Headaches come and go. Pain throughout my body sometimes. Symptoms I have never had - I rarely got sick. And now I am fatigued? There were days while at my school I did not go because I was in to much pain or too damn tired to go. I can honestly say I have never gone to a doctor or anything. The idea of me going to get help sounds crazy. The military, under government orders, told me to take the shots. It wasn't until later I discovered that many other servicemen were feeling the same symptoms. Other servicemen were refusing to take these shots. While I was in Mexico, I ran into an old school friend of mine. He is a medic in the Army. He told me that he did not take them (the shots) and was afraid to. He said he would dodge it as much as possible. I felt depressed, like my country let me down. I have uncles who fought for this country in Vietnam and came home to be disrespected for following orders. They did their time and retired and are patriots and my heroes. I wonder, if I had been discharged dishonorably, would these men who fought in a questionable war understand me? They are also Mexican American men of black decent. It was hard enough for them to prove their worth to a country of people who discriminate. I got out the Marine corps April 9, 1999. Itās been 2 years since then. Everyday I wonder if it was worth it. I am telling my story because we need to get the word out of what's going on. Thank you for your time. This is just my story. I know of many more who suffer illnesses attributed to the Gulf War. Their stories must be heard as well and an effort must be made to treat American troops who give their undying trust and loyalty to this country. I am telling this story because itās a familiar one. I ask you all check out this web site I found and pass the word:. Phillip Gordon |
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