Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

A Native American Indian Veteran will ride in his Wheelchair to Minnesota's State Capital, AGAIN! The "RIDE" is in protest of the treatment given to Veterans with Gulf War Illness.

        On May 5th. 2001, one veteran will again ride over 250 miles in his wheelchair, along Hwy. 10 from Moorhead arriving May 17th to the capital of Minnesota, in St. Paul to demand answers about Gulf War Illness. Currently there are 300 thousand vets registered with symptoms of the gulf war illness and thousands have died. Since the Gulf War information has been obtained that proves that there are many unanswered questions and the government is withholding the answers.  Unfortunately Politicians Gov. Ventura, and Sen. Grams and Wellstone did not find this issue important enough to constitute their support to his first G.W.I.A.R 2000 (Gulf War Illness Ride) completed on the dates of Sept 9th through the 19th. And now with three months notification he again demands an audience from state and federal politicians, also to show their support by meeting him at the Capital steps at the conclusion G.W.I.A.R 2001.

        My name is Kevin R. Shores. I am a Native American that served in the Navy from September 1985 though May 1988. During my enlistment, I was given many inoculations, presuming as preventative measures.  I was stationed on the USS Fox CG-33. We were the first ship, sent into the gulf after a missile hit the USS Stark. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, I returned to Minnesota. Within a couple of years I began to notice health problems, muscle aches, joint stiffness, night sweats, major weight loss (70 Pounds), uncontrollable muscle twitching, chronic fatigue, loss of vision in my left eye and many other symptoms. I went to the Veterans administration hospital to find out what was wrong with me. They labeled it rheumatoid variant disease, which is basically an acute arthritic condition in younger people.  I then followed their regiment of medications to assist my condition. However, nothing helped and my condition worsened and within three years I found myself confined to a wheelchair. I can walk with canes but only for short distances.

        In 1997, I was introduced to the American Gulf War Veterans Association, (AGWVA). With their help, I learned of the cover up that was initiated by our Government. They are with holding important information from me, thousands of other vets and the general public concerning the gulf war.

        I have not been given adequate answers as to why we, my fellow vets, their families and myself are sick. In search of the answers, I am going to ride my wheelchair from Moorhead, Minnesota to the capital located in St. Paul, where I will demand the truth. This trip is over 250 miles, and from the lesson learned from the first trip I know that I will not be able to accomplish this protest alone, so I am calling on you, my fellow Americans and Veterans to assist me. I will need emotional, spiritual and financial support.

If you feel you can help me please contact me, e-mail: nindoogitchidaa@aol.com. Donations can be sent to G.W.I.A.R./Kevin Shores, 922 17th St SO, Moorhead Minnesota 56560

Please forward this to all that you can.

May the creator watch over us all.
Miigwetch (thank you)
Kevin Richard Shores