While wounded and injured soldiers are returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom Gulf War Veterans from the 1991 Gulf War Hold Annual Conference in Washington DC

8th Annual Meeting, April 30th – May 2nd, 2004
For Immediate Release: April 26, 2004
Contact: Steve Robinson, Executive Director
Phone: (800) 882-1316, ext. 162
E-Mail: srobinson@ngwrc.org
Web Site: www.ngwrc.org

Washington - Lessons learned from the 1991 Gulf War and the experiences of Gulf War veterans have shaped the Force Health Protection measures that were employed for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.  This year's conference will focus on revealing the most current scientific knowledge on illnesses from the 1991 Gulf War and failures to apply these lessons learned to current Iraq and Afghanistan operations. 

The intent of this information and discussions is to educate veterans, the public, panelists, media, and Congress.  It is important to remember that at one time Iraq did have chemical weapons. As a result of this, those who have served in the region suffer today. We will be looking at our findings and we will ultimately use this conference to shape our agenda for the coming year. If this issue is important to you, you will not want to miss out on learning, sharing and shaping the future direction of this important issue.

Veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom may attend the conference for free.  Filing actual VA claims may be initiated at the conference.

This year’s Conference topics will include chemical exposures from the 1991 Gulf War, lessons learned or not from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, presentations on the psychological trauma of war, Department of Veterans Affairs data on returning veterans, Vaccine experts, Department of Defense experts, VA Research Advisory Committee members, and independent researchers. 

Dates:                     April 30th - May 2

Location:                The Crown Plaza Washington National Airport

                                  1489 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, VA  22202

                                  (703) 416-1600

Thursday (04-29-04)

1600 – 1900  Registration

Evening          Conference Setup

Friday (04-30-04)

0700 – 0900 Registration and Coffee

0900 – 0910 Welcome The Honorable, Jay Inslee (WA-01)

0910 – 0915 Conference Review, Executive Director NGWRC (Steve Robinson)

0915 – 0930  VA Commitment to Gulf War Veterans (Jeff Philips – VA)

0930 – 1030  VA Advisory Committee Panel:  Gulf War Illness Update, Jim Binns, Dr. Robert Haley, Dr. Lea Steele

1030 – 1045  Birth Defects Research Update (Betty Mekdici)

1045 – 1100  Break

1100 – 1200 DoD/VA Update:  Gulf War and Current Operations, Dr. Mark Brown, Robert Epley – Veterans Benefits Administration (GWVIS Report), Dr. Michael Kilpatrick, Dr. Abigail Mitchell (IOM update GWI vol 3)

1200 – 1215 Discussion/Q&A

1215 – 1330  Luncheon (speaker:  Jerry LaFountain - NAMI)

1330 – 1430  Mental Health Issues and Outreach Panel, Col Charles Engel, Jr. (DHCC), Dr. Al Batres, Linda Boone (NCHV)

1430 – 1445  Discussion/Q&A

1445 – 1500  Break

1500 – 1600 Media Panel.  War Coverage, Mark Benjamin (UPI), David Moniz (USA Today), Gordon Trowbridge (Air Force Times)

1600 – 1615 Discussion/Q&A

1615 – 1630  Break

1630 - 1730   Facilitation Course:  Mock Meeting – Chapter start up

1730               Break for evening.  Dinner on own.  No formal events planned.

Evening          Washington State NGWRC Chapter Video Lecture

                        Also:  documentaries and other videos of interest

Saturday (05-01-04)

0900 – 1000  Issues Update:  DU/Anthrax, John Richardson – Anthrax, Dan Fahey – DU, Charles Sheehan Miles – DU 

1000 – 1010 Discussion/Q&A

1010 – 1040  Gary Pitts – Chemical Weapons Lawsuit, Douglas J. Rosinski - SHAD Lawsuit

1040 – 1130  Legislative Panel, Panellists TBD.  Various Senators and Representatives have been invited to speak or send their letters of support:

1130 – 1145  Discussion/Q&A

1145 – 1245  Lunch

1245 – 1345  Self-Help/Self-Improvement Panel, Stephen L. Robinson (The Magis Group, LLC), Martin Berkowitz (CEO:  Veterans’ Corporation), Sam Hester (Executive & Business Coach for the Health Challenged)

1345 – 1400  Discussion/Q&A

1400 – 1415  Break

1415 – 1515  Neurological Disorders Panel, Dr. Gene Bolles, Other panelists: TBD

1515 – 1530  Discussion/Q&A

1530 – 1545  Break

1545 – 1745  After Action Review (AAR)

                        Discussion Forum:  NGWRC Agenda 2004

1745 – 1900  Break/Cocktails

1900 – UC     Keynote Speakers - Brigadier General Richard J. Valente USA,

Douglas J. Rosinski, Awards - Mark Benjamin – United Press International and Debbie Funk – Army Times

Sunday (05-02-04)

0900 – UC     NGWRC Board and Membership Meeting.

Monday (05-03-04)

All Day            Take the Hill!  Visit Congressional Representatives.