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Editor: telegram@megavision.com

The Columbus (Nebraska) Telegram
August 21, 2000

Columbus man answers the call for Agent Orange Study

"We do it so we can help our fellow man. I also wanted to sleep a solid six or seven hours, why my mind sometimes wanders and why I lose feeling in a certain arm sometimes."
Richard A West
participating in Agent Orange study

By Cort Waltemath
Telegram Staff Writer

Columbus - Richard A. West is a patriot.

He served 20 years in the Air Force, three years in Vietnam and was even a prisoner of war for three months. First and foremost he is loyal to his country. Even when his troops were commanded to spray the countryside of Vietnam with Agent Orange he did what he was told.

"I have no regrets." West said."I worked for the commander in chief. Whatever he said, I did. He was the president and he was my boss. I worked for the red, white and blue."...

 

 

On August 24, 2000 the NETWORK called Mr. West. We allowed him the chance to correct the "captivity" story. He stated:

"I stand by my story. Do what you have to do."

R.A. West - phone - 402-564-9773

On September 7, 2000 a letter dated September 1, 2000 was received from the Columbus Police Department by the P.O.W. NETWORK - the letter states

"... The investigative division checked with our local veterans affairs and determined that Mr. West is a 20 year veteran of the US Air Force.... The veterans affairs officer COULD NOT SUBSTANTIATE (emphasis added)  Mr. West's claim that he was a P.O.W.  ...

"...In other words he may have misled he media about his P.O.W. status, however, that is not a crime..."

{signed}
Charles L. Sherer
Captain, Support Services Division