Veteran fighting next battle at home

INDIANAPOLIS, (WISH) -  An I-Team 8 investigation concerning the health and well being of an Indianapolis Marine, a man who served in Desert Storm, has hit a nerve with military across the country. Our investigation prompted calls from a congressman and a fellow Marine who's now mayor of Indianapolis.

The six-month long I-Team 8 investigation centers on Col. Mark Smith, a Desert Storm veteran, now fighting lung cancer.

"My battle right now is a personal battle to beat cancer," he said.

His doctors said it could trace back to 1991, when he spent four to six weeks in the dark of the oil well fires.

"At high noon the sky had a blackish-blue hue to it," Smith recalled. "We would routinely constantly blow our nose and have nothing but black in the Kleenex."

Scientists were sounding the alarm then that the mortality rate of lung cancer linked to the more than 800 oil wells set on fire in the area where U.S. soldiers were would be high 20 years later.

Smith, a non-smoker, returned with asthma and an abnormality on his right lung - the same lung now infected with stage 3B lung cancer.

 

Mayor offers insight

While I-Team 8's investigation questions why the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration aren't notifying those at high risk to be tested for lung cancer, it also prompted questions from Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. He is a Marine who also served in Desert Storm - and experienced the oil fires.  

"This is the area where we were standing when they lit off the oil wells. I took these pictures mid-morning," he said, displaying a photo album. "It was pitch black, and there is oil particulate all around you."

The soldiers lived underground but ate in the mess hall above ground.

"No one has come to me," Ballard said when asked whether the idea of getting checked for lung cancer had been suggested to soldiers. "When I saw your story, I thought it might be nice to show you some of the pictures so people don't forget this is what we were living in." 

He also wanted to help his fellow Marine. 

"Absolutely, if it does help him - I don't know if it does or not, but if he needed visual proof, there was some of it," Ballard said.

Smith had his PET scan Friday.  24-Hour News 8 anchor Karen Hensel was there after he got the results Monday. As he came out, tears were streaming down his face.

"I know you can't tell by looking at me," he said, "but I got some really good news." 

He said the scan showed the cancer is not gone, but he is winning the battle.

"Blessed. Just blessed," he said. "You know, you though - as a Marine - you always expect the worst." 

Smith will be back for another CT scan in three months.

 

Congressman takes action

I-Team 8's investigation has also prompted an Indiana congressman to take action in Washington.

Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Fort Wayne called it "sad and disappointing" when he learned veterans were not being notified so they could be screened for lung cancer. 

"We are going to ask very directed questions to the VA and Department of Defense: what they're doing to make sure our veterans who served in Desert Storm are getting the care that is needed," he said.

As a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Stutzman said, he is drafting letters this week to both the VA and Department of Defense.