John Schneider

Born in Syracuse, New York, Sukie Alexander, "Escaped to Wisconsin," in 1971, where she met her soulmate, Jim Wachtendonk, at the Cavern Coffeehouse in Appleton. Jim had performed there for years before being drafted in the the military, and recently returned from Vietnam, he stopped in to check out the Old Place. Their eyes met, and their chemistry ignited a 35 year love affair and an amazing experience in American History and Political Science....

Following two miscarriages and the birth of two severely disabled children, Sukie had heard a news story about Agent Orange, and began to research and investigate this possible lead to her husband and children's illnesses ... This began a 30 year quest for knowledge, truth, justice and protection for her severely injured children.

Sukie became, in 1978, the National Agent Orange Outreach Coordinator for Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Inc. She had also served in the capacity of Chapter Coordinator for VVAW Madison, and has been an advocate and researcher for veterans and families. She has authored national and local legislation, policies, and grants to educate others on the dangerous health effects of pesticide usage in the US and Vietnam.

Sukie was instrumental in setting up screening clinics for vets and families through the UW Hospital and the Waismann Center for Disabled Children, until Dow threatened funding for all research projects and programs were dropped. She was also a prime mover in establishing the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs Agent Orange Study -- veterans and their children in 1982. Startling results emerged from this study, then were promptly ignored and all programs ended when then Governor Thompson refused to fund the follow-up study which was to offer testing and treatment for affected vets and their families.

Sukie and Jim Wachtendonk were the first Wisconsin family to enter into the Agent Orange Class Action Suit in 1978 against the US government and six chemical companies; Dow, Monsanto, Diamond, Shamrock, and Hercules. The suit claimed injury to veterans' children from defoliants in Vietnam and continued re-exposure in the environment here at home.

The lawsuit went on for five years and was settled out of court without our permission, the day our jury was being selected. Our attorney had been removed by the judge over our protestations and a committee of six attorneys were appointed instead. This group sold us out within the first six months after they took over the case. The settlement was totally inadequate for the needs of veterans and no culpability or responsibility was established on the part of the corporations or the government. Very few veterans qualified for settlement funds or received needed financial aid for mounting medical costs. The settlement fund was rapidly depleted and all that was left was the legacy of illness and death in the veteran families themselves.....

The corporations were given immunity from prosecution as government contractors. The feds pulled out a pre Civil War ruling-- the infamous Freres Doctrine, stating that "No soldier can sue the US government for injuries during wartime." To add insult to injury, the children were eliminated completely from the suit and the settlement. In the next 15 years, numerous appeals were won and then lost. The Supreme Court refused to hear our case, and many families continued to suffer and sucumb to the adverse health effects of chemical warfare exposure.

For Vietnam Veterans, our children and grandchildren, the war continues.... Throughout the years of volunteer service to Vietnam Vets and families, Sukie has stood her ground in the many battles for the rights of veterans, only to bear witness to them losing their lives here at home at the hands of greedy corporations and an uncaring government. This burden of knowledge became unbearable.

Our beloved VVAW Madison Chapter was decimated by failing health of our veterans and their children. One by one our veteran members and children were dying. Sukie during this period, developed and conquered breast cancer. Sukie's husband, Jim, has been extremely ill throughout their marriage and their children and grandchildren also have ongoing health complications as well. Multiple birth abnormalities, chromosome damage, and epiliepsy are a few of the issues brought on by pesticide exposure. This scenario has repeated itself over and over to veteran families throughout this country.

In 1984, Sukie was told by Judge Jack B. Weinstein, the presiding judge in the class action suit " that no one wanted to hear about sick children and dying veterans." She heard it again in 2006 from a newsperson when she tried to inform folks following the passing of several veteran friends and the severe illness that had gripped her husband, Jim.

Sukie and Jim, disgusted and discouraged, decided that it was time to retire, remove Jim from the ongoing pesticide exposure at his job and find a safe place to heal and proceed to a quieter and happier life. Sukie stopped all of her political work and once again, caed for her husband whose recovery lasted almost five years.....

They have relocated to Gillingham and both have studios in their old remodeled milkhouse. They are raising their granddaught, Morgan, and exploring artistic paths. Sukie's vast experiences are reflected in some of her beadwork spirals.

Defoliation Tears is a piece which depicts in crystal the colors of all the defoliants mixed and matched in Vietnam. Agent Orange contained dioxin, agents blue and purple - arsenic, agent green - cacodylic acid, and agent white - cyanide. This spiral also contains colors of the Vietnam Service Ribbon and is surrounded by small orange teardrops with patterned orange heart drop.

Another spiral is a POW-MIA tribute done in antique jet and crystal beads. Others are joyful and filled with glass flowers, butterflies, and various charms.

Sukie has been infatuated since childhood by the play of light of prisms-- the visual sparkle and the warmth of the reflected sunshine throughout a room. "There is such a magical quality to them and in making them, I feel that I am bring healing light into the lives of others."

131 W. Court St. · P.O. Box 475 · Richland Center, WI 53581

608-604-2838