It’s a day to recognize those who suffer from post-deployment health issues. Over 10,000 Wisconsin veterans, and nearly 700,000 nationwide, served in the Persian Gulf War in 1991. The U.S. Veterans Department says about 1/4th of all Gulf War veterans are on VA disability rules.
There still isn’t a cure for Gulf War Illness; they’ve simply been treating the symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal issues. Progress has been made in recognizing the symptoms and in medical research funding.
Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to observe, recognize and affirm the plight of many Gulf War veterans, with the annual observance starting in 2006.
A Gulf War Illnesses Recognition Day ceremony was held on Friday at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in advance of the actual date of the observance, January 17, due to Martin Luther King observances today.