With the help of U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, Love is hoping to help those who served during the first Gulf War to get more access to resources through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Last month, Edwards wrote a letter to Dr. James Peak, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and asked him to form an advisory committee.
On Feb. 5, Dr. Peak responded to Edwards’ appeal and agreed to form the Gulf War Veteran’s Advisory Committee to address issues related to treatment, benefits and family support.
“My staff is drafting a proposed charter for my review within the next 10 days,” Peak wrote.
In the corner of the memo sent back to Edwards, Peak wrote that he appreciated the suggestion made by Edwards.
“My motivation was to see that Gulf War veterans have adequate input into VA decisions,” Edwards said.
There have been a number of committees born as a result of the specter of Gulf War illness.
In January 2002 a presidential advisory committee, known as the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses was formed to determine what causes the illness known as Gulf War Syndrome.
However, those questions were never answered.
“There is still a question about exposure to chemical agents in the first Gulf War. There are still a lot of concerns that have not yet been fully answered.”
Love couldn’t agree more.
The Crawford resident and Bell County native has been fighting for answers from the U.S. government about the ailment commonly referred to as Gulf War Syndrome for more than a decade.
Love mounted his campaign in 1997, six years after the war ended and four years after he nearly succumbed to what he still believes were chemical agents used by Iraqi forces against U.S. troops during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
The changes in Love, however, were gradual.
When he and other members of his unit returned from Iraq, they began to experience substantial weight gain. Two years later, Love found himself substantially thinner and near the point of dying.
“I spent two years on my death bed. I was not supposed to make it,” Love recalled.
He was unable to eat or drink unless he ingested a teaspoon of powdered sulfur.
Still, no one knew what he had, and they still don’t know, Love said.
When he recovered sufficiently, Love went to Washington to try to get something done for Gulf War veterans who suffer from ailments that may have resulted from chemical agents.
He spent six years on Capitol Hill working though government channels to get the benefits he and others like him earned.
Meanwhile, Love’s health continues to deteriorate. Aside from his gastrointestinal problems, he has developed problems with his blood chemistry, has congestive heart failure and pancreatitis.
“It just goes on and on; all these weird symptoms with no explanation,” Love said.
Yet, he continues to work toward getting recognition from the VA.
In October, Love ran into Edwards in Waco and spoke to him about forming the advisory committee.
Love met with Edwards’ staff and drafted the letter that Edwards signed and sent to Dr. Peak.
“This is extremely rare because almost everything done with Gulf War illness is done through a congressional mandate,” Love said.
While Love has accomplished more that he could have imagined, he is nervous.
Even though the charter has yet to be released by Dr. Peak, Love is curious about the committee selections.
He has spoken with many just like him who say he should be on the committee, but Love says it’s a Catch-22. He wants to see results for all those who suffer, and doesn’t want to be perceived as seeking help only for himself.
“I am in this awkward position where I desperately don’t want to be on this committee, but I may well have to be,” Love said. “I’m excited, but by the same token, I’m scared this could go horribly wrong.”
