“…My father kept his vow of secrecy for over 50 years… They applied back in 1991 for benefits, and had nothing but denials all along. When Senator McCaskill took this up as an issue that needed to be corrected, we as a family—there was no way for us to express the gratitude to her, because after the over twenty year fight for this, we were just about to the end of our rope with it. We did not know where else to go. She came along and her staff, and they worked tirelessly on this issue, trying to get this across for these few men that still survive…”

          Beverly Howe, daughter of Arla Harrell

“The VFW welcomes the passage of the Arla Harrell Act and we thank Senator McCaskill for her unwavering support for WWII veterans exposed to mustard gas and lewisite. The burden caused by these wounds should not be exasperated by denial of earned benefits and the VFW hopes this change in the law will end the wait.”

          Carlos Fuentes, Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Legislative Service

“It’s unacceptable for any veteran who has been exposed to toxic chemicals in the line of duty to face a cold shoulder when they try to get the benefits they have earned. Senator McCaskill’s Arla Harrell Act holds our government accountable and allows those exposed to mustard gas to get the benefits they need and that are much overdue. I’m proud to work with Senator McCaskill to honor those who have sacrificed the most for our nation.”

          Senator Jon Tester of Montana, top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee

“It is critical that veterans who put their lives on the line for our freedom get the benefits and treatment they have earned and deserve. I applaud Senators McCaskill and Blunt for their tireless efforts to fight for justice for those involved in mustard gas testing during WWII.”

          Republican Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee

“The VA has inexcusably denied benefits to Arla Harrell and countless other WWII veterans who suffered lifelong illness due to the unconscionable experiments they were forced to endure. These veterans put their lives on the line for our country, only to face a broken bureaucracy that refuses to acknowledge the wrong that was done to them and provide the care they need as a result. I’m pleased this measure has garnered widespread support, and heroes like Arla will finally receive the acknowledgement, assistance and care they deserve.”

          Fellow Missouri Senator Roy Blunt

“…Most members of Congress wave the flag in support of veterans yet do nothing to right past wrongs. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., is an outlier. She is doggedly pursuing a legislative response to this injustice…”

          The St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial board

“We owe our freedom to the American heroes who served in World War II, and it is simply unacceptable that veterans exposed to mustard gas are being denied the benefits they deserve. Today we are another step closer to righting this wrong and taking care of these brave veterans who risked everything for our country.”

          Republican Congresswoman Jackie Walorski of Indiana, sponsor of the U.S. House companion to the Arla Harrell Act

“…Luckily, Harrell and other veterans like him found a champion several years ago in the form of Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat who, along with her staff, began investigating cases of mustard gas exposure during World War II… McCaskill  has flipped the script. The Arla Harrell Act lessens the veterans’ burden to prove their exposure…”

          The Kansas City Star’s Mary Sanchez

“It’s very unfortunate, but true, that our government conducted mustard gas and lewisite exposure tests on members of the Armed Forces during World War Two.  Young Americans, such as Arla Harrell, were led by officers into gas chambers while a mixture of mustard gas and lewisite was piped in. The test subjects recalled that they felt like they were on fire, with men screaming and hollering and attempting to break out. According to some accounts, as many as sixty thousand enlisted men were enrolled in this secret test program. Because these programs were classified, doctors did not record servicemembers exposure to these extremely toxic chemicals.  The sixty thousand men, just like Arla Harrell, had no proof of this exposure.  They received no follow up healthcare.  They were not monitored by doctors.  Worse, these men were threatened with a dishonorable discharge and imprisonment if they spoke of the program. Scientists know that mustard gas damages DNA within seconds of making contact.  It causes painful skin blisters and burns, and it can lead to serious, and sometimes life-threatening illnesses including leukemia, skin cancer, emphysema and asthma.  Many of these men suffered in silence for decades, and this was wrong.The American Legion is well aware of our Nation’s checkered past with regards to government testing on human subjects.  In fact, we forced the federal government to ensure Vietnam Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange were able to seek care through the VA. When the government causes harm to servicemembers, the American people have a responsibility to make them whole, if possible.  And when they cannot make them whole, we have a responsibility to mitigate their suffering and care for them. This is why the two million members of the American Legion stand with Senators McCaskill and Blunt and applaud their steadfast efforts in passing S.75 The Arla Harrell Act, to ensure that these veterans are properly compensated for diseases and other disabilities associated with exposure to mustard gas and lewisite.  It is the right thing to do.”

          Charles E. Schmidt, National Commander, The American Legion

Further background is available at mccaskill.senate.gov/mustard-gas.

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