Leukemia: A Soldiers Souvenir From the Burn Pits of Iraq

In 2003 Army SSG. Steven G. Ochs deployed from the Scholfield Barracks in Hawaii to Iraq. At the time, the 27 year-old Long Beach California native departed the States in excellent health. The Avenger Section Sergeant was an MOS -- 14 Sierra, Paratrooper and would be utilizing his sharpened skills in the sand box of Iraq -- maneuvering through Baghdad with precision. Over the next 12 to 15 months SSG. Ochs would find uncertainty amongst the forest of tents in Camps Liberty and Loyalty.

The latter was apropos for this dedicated soldier who gravitated to the Armed Forces in 1994 at the mere age of 18. His life---his love was the military, so being called to fight in the War of Iraq was a selfless duty he accepted willingly. But he hadn't anticipated that his tours, three in total from 2003 to 2007, two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, would eventually take his life. The ultimate sacrifice for a soldier, for his country....is....death.

During those four years in 12 - 15 month intervals, SSG. Ochs escaped roadside bombs, incoming missile attacks and friendly fire, but when corresponding with his family he complained of ailments; from colds, major fatigue, headaches, sinus problems and a sore throat. As a result of continual explosions he experienced some hearing loss, and during his tour in Afghanistan contracted TB from his exposure to the masses of dead Iraqi [soldiers] bodies.

Although SSG. Ochs seemed impenetrable, he could not sidestep the invisible weapon that would course through his bloodstream five months after his third tour ended. In September 2007 while stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, at the age of 31, SSG. Ochs was diagnosed with a rare Cancer, Acute Myeloid Leukemia [AML]. His family said he remained positive throughout the entire time. "He didn't accept defeat -- he knew that he would survive," said his sister Stacy Pennington. The culprit for her brothers Cancer she believes is from the exposure of chemicals while deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. "From the emissions of the burn pits and the depleted Uranium," Pennington added.

The US Air Force document below describes burn pits as, 'the smoke hazards of burning plastics, Styrofoam, paper, wood, rubber, non-medical waste, some metals, some chemicals such as paints & solvents etc.' Listing 21 possible contaminates associated with the burning was evident in [USAF] air samples. The toxic aromatic cocktail they were/are inhaling include the highly carcinogenic sulfuric acid, formaldehyde, arsenic and benzene.

In December 2006, Lieutenant Colonel, Darrin L. Curtis a Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight Commander for the Air Force circulated a Department of The Air Force warning memorandum [on Burn Pit Health Hazards] from Balad Air Base in Iraq. Stating, 'The burn pit at Balad AKA Anaconda has been identified as a health concern for several years in numerous after action reports.' During the Environmental Health Site Assessments conducted January - April 2006 by the US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine, 'open burning of solid waste was identified as the number two most common environmental health finding.' Balad's burn pit was quoted as being, "The worst environmental site I have personally visited, and that includes 10 years working Clean-up for the Army and DLA."

In items three and four, LT. COL. Curtis continues, 'It is amazing that the burn pit has been able to operate without restrictions over the past few years without significant engineering controls being put in place.' He outlines, 'This interim fix should not be years, but more in the order of months.' Adding in section five, 'In my professional opinion, there is an acute health hazard for individuals.' Continuing, 'I base this assessment on the data I have reviewed and on-site smoke plume assessments.' He ends by stressing, "I am writing this memo to translate what I see is an operational health risk to those that have been, are now, and will be, deployed to Balad.'

Concurring on the memo is Chief of Aeromedical Services, LT. COL. James R. Elliott. 'In my professional opinion the known carcinogens and respiratory sensitizers released into the atmosphere by the burn pit, present both an acute and a chronic health hazard to our troops and our local population.' Pennington informs that her brother SSG. Ochs was there 'quite a bit' and he mentions the Anaconda 'throughout his journals.'

Upon SSG. Ochs third tour ending in April 2007, within weeks he began feeling extremely tired with severe colds that seemed to erupt immediately. The symptoms lasted through to June so he went to Womack Medical Facility at Fort Bragg where they performed blood tests that came back normal. At the end of June still not feeling well he went back WMF. They ran another series of blood tests this time it showed an elevation in his white blood cell count, (more than double of normal range), and his red blood cell count tripled. The Doctors sent him home with Ibuprofen.

Although SSG. Ochs showed early signs of Leukemia at the end of June 2007, it was not diagnosed until September 2007. When Gout developed on his ankles and large lumps (like pimples) tarred his head and neck, compounded by a fever and severe flu like symptoms, it brought him to the Western Wake Hospital ER in Cary, NC. They discovered that the "pimples" were actually Leukemia crystals.

"We are devastated," Pennington grieved. "Three months passed us by...the first three crucial months of his Leukemia. If we knew early on it might have made all the difference -- but we will never know."

In September 2007 after the Doctors at Wake diagnosed him with Leukemia they transferred him to Duke University Hospital where a team of doctors officially diagnosed him in October 2007 with AML. It came on 'fast and furious.' He turned 32 that November. And would spend the next nine months there undergoing treatments.

Pennington stated, "The land over there [Iraq/Afghanistan] is infested with a combination of depleted Uranium, emissions from the burn pits and the burning of oil." She remembered conversations with her brother, "He would not give many details but would say, 'Sis, I have been exposed to a lot of chemicals in the Middle East. You just have no idea.' " To validate his claims SSG. Ochs gave his father Klaus Ochs munitions containing depleted Uranium.

The Ochs family says several in his unit confirmed they worked continuously in and around burn pits. "Our country needs to look at the medical care our men and women are receiving when they return from their tours in the Middle East," Pennington argues. "The military has been actively treating the mental side-effects from war, but not treating the physical. Procedures need to be enacted to screen and monitor the physical affects of dangerous chemical emissions they are exposed to in Iraq and Afghanistan."

When the Ochs' questioned the doctors at Duke University, their thoughts were that his Leukemia was due to chemical exposure in Iraq. But, they added, as Doctors could not prove it and would not go on record, while emphasizing that his chemical exposure was the cause for the Cancer.

SSG. Ochs underwent four rounds of Chemotherapy at Duke -- his wife, Melissa Rae Ochs and the family by his side, military visits from Captains and a Chaplain brought comfort to the young soldier and new father of a baby girl, Annelise Rae. But it wasn't enough to save him. On July 11, 2008 the day before he died, his younger brother, Chief Brian Smith spoke with him. He recalled asking, "Steve do you have any regrets?" His brother replied, "No." He inquired again, "Do you feel everything is okay with Annelise? [his 3 year-old daughter]." SSG. Ochs said, "As long as she is okay then I am at peace."

Pennington admitted, "The doctors gave us no indication that death was near. They said things did not 'look good' if the final round of Chemo didn't work. So Steve knew yet felt, he had more time to make his final wishes known."

After 14 years in the military, at the age of 32, Army SSG. Steven G. Ochs passed away in front of his sister and mother, Joanne Ochs on July 12, 2008, minutes after being transferred to ICU at Duke University. His clandestine four year military mission in Iraq/Afghanistan left behind not only a family, but journals and 75 pounds of medical records from his care at Duke, as well as sorrow, loss, confusion and dedication from his family to have his unfortunate story told.

As his family continues to battle the military for his Army medical records, a battle that many Veteran's and their family's have faced for decades well before the Vietnam war. Lost or destroyed medical records has been a military tactic used against soldiers that may try to validate their combat related illness. Since the DoD will not acknowledge or pay for 'war wounds,' they simply destroy the evidence in the soldiers medical records, so there is no legal recourse for the soldiers or family's to prove their military health history.

And with undisclosed Cancer cases rising in the military with this war, the DoD stands firm that Cancer is 'not a war wound.' Therefore the DoD will not be held financially responsible for these soldiers, so it's easier to loose or destroy records. Many stricken soldiers (including CPT. CH. Fran E. Stuart who has been waiting over two years at WRAMC) feel the lengthily wait of a year or more to state their claims in front of the Military Medical Review Boards for benefits and retirement -- is simply another military stalling ploy of more red [white and blue] tape. The soldiers share the sentiment that the DoD would rather have them die waiting -- than appear before the med boards.

The Ochs' mission: to bring this issue to light and educate the public on what is happening with our troops as they return from serving their country. They hope through the work of Kerry Baker, Advocacy Director for Disabled American Veterans [DAV], journalists and other advocates who have taken on this important task of exposing depleted Uranium and burn pits to the American public , that congress will act. And in doing so aiding thousands of military personnel serving the country.

SSG. Steven Ochs, a brother, a husband, a father and son is part of the rapidly growing category of unspoken casualties from the Iraq war. "My brother was a strong man who was proud of his military career. We have a problem with chemical exposure in Iraq, the combination of the burn pits and the depleted Uranium is sending our military personnel home with a ticking time bomb. In the United States we have rules and regulations on how we conduct the business of destroying our waste materials. We need to uphold those laws while we are occupying foreign countries," stressed Pennington.

"Please know that we are proud and grateful to all of our military," Pennington emphasized. "My youngest brother Brian still serves this country [an Aviation Bownsain Mate Handle Chief] and will continue to for his entire career. This situation has not changed his commitment to this country. My family just wants this country to acknowledge the problem and act on behalf of all who serve. They deserve no less."

"We cannot bring my brother back," Pennington mourned. "He would have been first to sacrifice himself for the greater good, especially to save other's who serve this country. To quote a soldier that served under him and who spoke at his funeral; '[In Iraq] Steve would lead as point man every time to ensure that all his troops would come home alive.'" If only the U. S. Military took as much care with its troops....

Authors Note:As we lose some of our most highly esteemed investigative journalists to cancer, is there a possibility embedded journos or those there covering the war have been exposed through inhalation and/or ingestion as much as the soldiers? How many have been stricken with Cancer after being embedded with troops in Iraq/Afghanistan from 2003 - 2008? ABC's Peter Jennings in 2005 from Lung Cancer - CBS's Ed Bradley in 2006 from Leukemia - ABC's Leroy Sievers in 2008 from Colon Cancer. Sievers was embedded with Ted Kopple in 2003 with the Third Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq.

Comments

[mpollock]

R.B. fan.
Having spoken to you in the past, I know how much this crusade for our soldiers means to you. And I commend you for all your efforts.
Our son-in-law, Sgt. Charles Lewis, came home from his second tour of Iraq. Within a couple of months, doctors found he had testicular cancer. He underwent surgery and 30 rounds of radiation treatments. Thank the good Lord he is cancer free today. He was one of the lucky ones. IF you want to call having cancer lucky. At least he had the type that could be cured. He had the honor of serving with Chaplain Fran Stuart (the authors sister) in Iraq. My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones who have served in Iraq. Whether they lost them directly to the war itself, in battle, or to the diseases they brought home with them from that horrible country. May God bless you all in knowing that your loved one served his/her country well. I know you are as proud of them as I am. To those still serving today, all over the world, may God's blessings be upon each and every one of you, and may you all come home safe and sound to those who love you so dearly.
Keep the snowball rolling, as RB says.

[srr]

its an outrage that the govt allowed things like this to continue. More government testing is needed involving depleted uranium munitions. The burn pit should be stopped. My heart goes to the family.

[Flightdeck]

R.B.

I would like to start by saying "Thank you for your time" making this story public for the Ochs Family, and the Pennington Family. My heart goes out to Steve for giving his life for this country. I think that the Government need to step in and fix what we are doing over there. This would not happen in the states do to all the laws that we have here. How many lifes are we going to lose before we fix it. One is to many to lose. There is alot of soilders out there right now that we need to help.

[Sisoffallensoldier]

Thank you, RB, for all your late night returning messages to folks that have cared. Some folks have complained that they have not been able to post. I just ask readers to please try again. RB, if you have any suggestions for folks not able to comment please do so.

The Ochs family thanks you all for reading the article. Please note that my doctor read the article this week and she is outraged. She sits on the AMA Board in Tennessee and she will be bringing up this issue up to them. She wants the military to answer for the unregulated burn site pits and the toxins in the air killing hundreds.

[R. B. Stuart - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to write the family with their comments and wishes. And for supporting my work as the author.

Please keep the snowball going.

Yours ---R. B.

[mofs03]

Astonished is the only comment that I have regarding the military situation addressed in this article. This is the 21st Century and we treat others with respect and honor. This is not Vietnam, even though this mimics the Agent Orange illness that claimed thousands of lives. Are we really that ignorant to repeat it?

[R. B. Stuart - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear MOFSO3,

Thank you for writing. And in 2006 I was as astonished as you. It seems implausible in the 21st Century that a goverment/military could be so callous. But, as what I've seen at WRAMC, and the handful of soldiers to reach out to me---I have not even touched the tIp of this devastating nightmare. This makes Agent Orange look like Kool-Aid.

The horrific aspect to this is that the military would rather have these soldiers die---then admit they are at fault through negligence. It seems the troops have simply become cattle---as they use them up and spit them out. Leaving heartbroken families and loved ones in their wake....

Yours ---R. B.

[Brooke20]

I'm Part of the army family, and I'm very sorry for the loss of SSG Ochs. It's really hard to have another one of our troops die from some kind of chemical. My prayers are with the Ochs family.

[R. B. Stuart - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Brooke20,

Thank you for writing. We are greatful for your sacrifices and service.

Yours ---R. B.

[laura826]

I have read this story several times. everytime i read it it brings tears to my eyes. then i get mad that our men and women are going through this. HOW MANY More have to loss their lives? My Heart pours out to the Ochs family as well as the Pennington family. May God give you Strength!

[R. B. Stuart - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Laura826,

Thank you for re-reading this story, for writing and for your empathy. We don't know how many more soldiers are laying in hospital beds across the U. S. that think they're the only one. Thank you for getting mad---we need public outcry. That's the only way Washington will hear us.

Yours ---R. B.

[mdf113]

This is so sad. I will share this story with my family and friends and my cousin who in the armed forces. I hope you succeed in your endeavors.

[R. B. Stuart - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear MDF113,

Thank you for writing. And I apprieciate your being a part of the snowball that gets this information out to the public, and the unsuspecting troops.

Yours ---R. B.

[sb84664]

I had not seen Steven since he was very young, but I still think his death was a tragic waste. He was willing to defend our country so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have. This should mean that he received the finest care available without any questions asked. It doesn't matter if a member of the military needs medical attention for a common cold or something related to his or her military service. He or she should receive it. When Steven joined the military he gave up many of the rights he pledged to maintain for the rest of the citizens of this country, and his family should not have to wonder if he died unnecessarily. Our military should be protected just as they protect us. My heart goes out to his wife and daughter, his brother, sister, and mother. I am sorry that circumstances did not allow me to know him but I want his family to know that I regret that and their loss. Steven's aunt.

[R. B. Stuart - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear SB84664,

Thank you for writing, and for your thoughts for the family. Even though you hadn't seen him since he was a boy---I'm sorry you weren't able to know him as a man. I hope he hears your wishes....

Yours R. B.

[CCSTAMP]

To the family of SSG Ochs I know you miss your family member. It is a shame that our great country does'nt want to take care of its Service members by protecting them with the right equipment for war. Also for all our service members being exposed to these burn pits and depleted uranium I believe the government should take the precautions to protect them before letting them go into these areas. I hope that SSG Ochs widow and beautiful daughter get some answers from our government. SSG Ochs served honorably this country and he and his family has earned the right to be taken care of. I hope more people will read and reply to your story. Maybe then our government will be exposed and have to change their policies. God bless the family of SSG Ochs one who paid the ultimate price.

[R. B. Stuart - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear CCStamp,

Thank you for writing and for your compassion.

Yours ---R. B.

[wildcat75]

I have just finished reading this article... I can't believe what I am reading, I mean I do believe it, but it is just sad that this is going on. Every war that this great country has fought in, we have stories like this one. Why doesn't the government make the right decision for once, and not spend another 25 years denying what is happening to our troops and just FIX THE PROBLEM. so let me try to understand better... our government would rather spend it's money covering up the burn pits rather than put up appropriatte facilities to do the job. Gives me one more reason to doubt my governments motives and decisions. I hope this family finds peace and the answers they are looking for, I hope the government faces facts and owns up to thier obligation to these soldiers. To the family of this fallen hero, thank you.

[R. B. Stuart - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Wildcat75,

Thank you for writing. And for supporting the family and this story. To you and I it's a simple fix---to the DoD, they'd rather maime the innocent then do what's right and rectify a wrong.

Thank you for being a part of the public's outcry.

Yours ---R. B.

[saddenedheart]

to all that commented on steven's story and found themselves outraged you are all true Americans! i thank r b sturat for her cominment to get this issue to the public & to get the dod to stop this terrible part of our history. there are no words to thank you R B STUART! i've tried to find them. the sad thing is that he isn't the only one that has come back home and thanked God for a safe deployment, only to find theirself in the fight for their young lives.
to lose a son, changes one's being inside and out. you see life so differently. my mission now is to help see this issue get attention and have the dod be aware that there truley is a hazard from the burn pits. that is the least i can do for my son and granddaughter. i am honored to have been steven's mom. i love you son................

[R. B. Stuart - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear MuMu Ochs,

Thank you for taking the time to read all these comments and for writing. I know it has been incredibly painful for you to participate in this---so thank you for your courage. My mother lost my sister, her third born daughter when she was 29 from AIDS. And for over 15 years, till the day she died---my mother mourned daily for my sister. Confused by Gods will to take her daughter at such a young age. She said it was a knife in her heart to lose her child. And that grief, that pain, never lessened with time. Only her acceptance of it did.

So no need to find words to "thank me," just my knowing I am helping to keep your sons name alive and spirit strong---is enough for me.

Yours ---R. B. xoxo

[HollyBear]

My daddy was in the Korean Conflict and did 2 tours of duty in Vietnam. These men deserve to be cared for and have the best of care. The DoD needs to step up! Help these men and women that are defending this country. We are pouring billions of dollars into our economy to help bank executives collect their million dollar bonuses, the government should step up and help these military families. They need to do screenings when the men and women are stationed there and when they come home to help detect health issues before they spread too far. I guess that would be too much to ask for.....Keep fighting this battle and know that you have our prayers....
Thank you to all the military men, women and your families. I greatly appreciate the job you are doing!

[R. B. Stuart - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear HollyBear,

Thank you for writing. And for your fathers service in two of the worst wars of all.

And there "are" medical guidelines that military personnel are suppose to be following while deployed. But the medics in theatre aren't enforcing it. The soldiers are also supposed to have a full blood work up done upon return to the states. When it is done the results are played down or not given to the soldier at all. The preventions are there in their manuals but are not being utilized by their superiors.

Yours ---R. B.

[Brian-in-Philly]

This is a horrible story and something that should never be happening in this country. I have an advanced degree in cell biology, and understand the difficulty in linking an individual's disease with exposure to a particular toxin. But in this case, the odds of Steven's rare form of leukemia being from anything other than his exposures while on duty is extremely miniscule at best.
My older son served for one long, harrowing year in Iraq a few years ago, and was almost killed by ambushes and mortar fire several times. He is extraordinarily lucky to be alive today. If he had died, he would have received full honors as a soldier who gave his life for his country in combat. Steven's death should be fully recognized and honored in the same way. And the Army should stop this awful charade - pretending the cause of death is unknown. And they should provide appropriate compensation to Steven's family -- and apologize for the avoidable harm it has done a family who has already experienced the most tragic loss possible.

[R. B. Stuart - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Brian-inPhilly,

Thank you for writing so eloquently, and for defending the soldiers who are being victimized by the DoD. If only more doctors and biologists came forwrad with their expertise---the military would listen. But those doctors invloved with these cases are pretending they can't see the cause and effect of the soldiers exposure. Which makes this more difficult to prove on paper....

Yours ---R. B.