NEW YORK - Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan group for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, called for the military contracting firm KBR to come clean about any knowledge of toxins present at a power plant in Iraq and demanded that Congress take action on the issue of toxic exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"This situation with KBR may just be the tip of the iceberg. From burn pits to power plants, we are hearing more and more about troops who have been exposed to toxins while serving our country overseas," said IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. "It is critical that Congress follows Senator Bayh's lead to implement a medical registry so that we can find out the true extent of toxic exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan. We owe these servicemembers and their families real answers."

Last month, sixteen Indiana Guardsmen assigned to protect KBR employees at a power plant in Iraq announced they were suing the defense contractor, accusing the company of knowingly exposing them to a cancer-causing chemical. The Guardsmen claim that upon returning home from Iraq they developed new health problems, including rashes, tumors, and even cancer. Already, one Indiana Guardsman has died from lung cancer and CBS News has reported that 60 percent of the soldiers "exhibit symptoms of exposure." Their lawsuit, filed in a US District Court, claims that KBR managers knew the site was contaminated but "downplayed and disregarded" the risk. Thus far, KBR has denied any negligence or wrongdoing.

Senator Evan Bayh (Indiana) has announced that he will reintroduce legislation to create a medical registry for military personnel exposed to toxins. The registry would track servicemembers exposed to industrial toxins during wartime service, guaranteeing them access to priority care at VA hospitals.

"Any service member exposed to toxic chemicals while deployed should receive the best health care our country has to offer," Senator Bayh said. "This registry, modeled after our government's response to Agent Orange during the Vietnam conflict, will cut through bureaucratic red tape so exposed troops can get the medical monitoring and treatment they deserve in the event health conditions develop later in life."

WASHINGTON—The Pentagon on Thursday sought to assure troops that it takes post-traumatic stress seriously despite the recent decision not to award the Purple Heart to those with the disorder.

An advisory committee concluded that troops coming home from the wars with combat stress cases collectively known as post-traumatic stress disorder will not qualify for the prestigious medal awarded to service members wounded in action.

"I don't think anybody should assume that that decision is in any way reflective on how seriously we take the problem of PTSD," Defense Department press secretary Geoff Morrell said. He noted that the military is budgeting money for research, development, treatment and preventive measures.

"Just because an awards committee believes this particular injury does not qualify for this award does not in any way reflect that we don't take this problem seriously and aren't committed to doing everything we possibly can toward preventing it, toward treating it, toward taking care of those who are suffering with it," he told a Pentagon press conference.

Troops with post-traumatic stress can have flashbacks of their time at war, nightmares, sleeplessness and other debilitating symptoms.

Nearly 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan -- 300,000 in all -- are estimated to have symptoms of PTSD or major depression, according to a study last year by the RAND Corp. research organization.

Though full-blown symptoms may not surface immediately, doctors say symptoms can be lessened and controlled with early treatment and that most people can return to their duties.

The Pentagon decided in November that troops with the disorder cannot be awarded the Purple Heart, but the decision was not known until it appeared Monday on the Web site of Stars and Stripes newspaper.

"The Purple Heart recognizes those individuals wounded to a degree that requires treatment by a medical officer, in action with the enemy or as the result of enemy action where the intended effect of a specific enemy action is to kill or injure the service member," Defense Department Eileen Lainez said of the decision. "PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event." It is not "a wound intentionally caused by the enemy from an outside force or agent," but is a secondary effect caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.

The relatives of soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan were shocked to receive form letters from the U.S. Army that were addressed "Dear John Doe," The Washington Post reports.

The paper says 7,000 family members received the letters, which the Army's Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operation Center sent last month with information about groups that support the families of those who die in combat. Officials blamed the "glitch" on a printing error by a government contractor.

Army Times says Gen. George Casey, the service's chief of staff, will send each family a personal note.

"There are no words to adequately apologize for this mistake or for the hurt it may have caused," Brig. Gen. Reuben D. Jones, the Army adjutant general, says in a statement. "It is important the original intent of the letter is not lost. The organizations mentioned are dedicated to honoring loved ones and recognizing their sacrifice and commitment."