Michael Lambright:  

I graduated from Fremont Ross in 1967. In June 1968, I enlisted in the Air Force after my birthday was an early draw in the draft lottery. I was trained as a ground and aeronautical radio operator. I did two tours of duty in the "Southeast Asia Wargames" (1969-70 and 1972-73), receiving the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, and an Air Force Commendation Medal. I was exposed to Agent Orange (dioxin) and have had and still have medical conditions directly related to AO exposure. The VA has repeatedly denied my service-connected medical claims for over 30 years. After my military discharge, I moved to Flagstaff, Arizona and enrolled at Northern Arizona University. Repeatedly attaining the Dean's List, I graduated with a B.S. in Journalism in May 1978. I then worked as free-lance writer and photograher. Becoming tired of being poor, I enrolled in a graduate program at NAU, graduating in May 1984 with a M.A. in Postsecondary Education. After graduating with my Master's, I taught freshmen English for one year, then became director of the university's Veterans Upward Bound project for 3 years. I then switched to postsecondary student financial aid, holding positions as counselor, coordinator, and director. Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis manifested and severely impacted my health in the early 1990s. For medical reasons, I had to leave postsecondary education. By 1995, I was constantly in severe pain and barely able to walk with a cane. An orthopedic surgeon strongly suggested that I immediately start doing aquatic therapy a...Expand for more