Do you think the Vietnam War is over?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 11:28:19 -0400

RP Members and Connections I post this question on behalf of Sgt David G Duchesneau Vietnam Veteran and Marine.

Do you think the Vietnam War is really over for those of you who suffer from that, "gift that keeps on giving," Agent Orange?

It's been over forty-six years and ten months since David came back from Serving two tours in Vietnam and he still battling the effects of being exposed to Agent Orange. Finally, after all of this time, the VA has recognized Agent Orange. David was exposed to what he was told is, "this defoliant agent that will never hurt you or your health."

How many Vietnam Veterans have become a casualty, a statistic, of the Vietnam War?

Yes, the Vietnam War maybe over, but how many of you are still battling the effects of Vietnam? So now what happens? For many like Sgt David G. Duchesneau and so many others like him, the Vietnam War will never end until that so called Agent,"Agent Orange" finally kills them. Let's hope not!

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jun 24 at 2017 11:29 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 11:29:14 -0400

On the ground, of course COL Mikel J. Burroughs, in their thoughts and memories never.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 24 at 2017 11:35 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 11:35:40 -0400

Never COL.

Response by SP5 Sam Hollis made Jun 24 at 2017 11:36 AM

SP5 Sam Hollis — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 11:36:29 -0400

No, like you said it's the gift that keeps on giving. Went through three years of Chemo for Leukemia and now they found more. Had a tumor removed from the bladder last week. Now I just wait till something else appears.
But I am just thankful that I came home and able to " live " !!

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Jun 24 at 2017 11:45 AM

SGT John " Mac " McConnell — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 11:45:23 -0400

No COL Mikel J. Burroughs ! The physical and mental effect's always are just hidden away until something triggers. Bringing it back out and, to the fore front. I know quite a few Vietnam war veterans. I have seen it first hand..... No the war will never be over.....

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2017 11:56 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 11:56:17 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I am battling the effects of Agent Orange, and the war continues as it does for Vietnam Veterans, and Veterans suffering from the effects of other wars.

Response by Maj William W. 'Bill' Price made Jun 24 at 2017 12:00 PM

Maj William W. 'Bill' Price — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 12:00:07 -0400

No, COL Mikel J. Burroughs, I do not. My father served in both the Korean (air duty) and Vietnamese (ground duty) conflicts, and passed in 2010 due to interstitial lung disease. I have begun to wonder about the effects of his time in Vietnam.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 24 at 2017 12:05 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 12:05:24 -0400

Metaphorically speaking, the Vietnam War isn't over for me either. I carry a bug which doctors say will likely kill me one day: Malaria. However, there's an abyss between metaphor and reality, isn't there? The war was over, we won. Then the war was over, Congress surrendered it. Then the war was over again, American businesses began exploiting cheap labor there to help prop up the failing Communist managed economy. If the war still rages anywhere it's in the hearts and minds of anti-war protesters who still harbor animosity towards Vietnam Vets (yes, I still bump into them on occasion).

Response by SGT James (Jimmy) Crone made Jun 24 at 2017 12:07 PM

SGT James (Jimmy) Crone — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 12:07:45 -0400

My dad served in Vietnam and died in 96 he also was exposed to agent orange there are a group of lawyers who work with the veterans to get you compensation you are deserved it's called ww.nvlsp.org and they will help

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jun 24 at 2017 12:08 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 12:08:21 -0400

Thanks Colonel for Posting this! I really appreciate it. I tried posting this myself but for some reason, I wasn't able to. As usual, I appreciate all of your help. SEMPER FI!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2017 12:11 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 12:11:00 -0400

YES!!! The Vietnam war has been over for me since April 1975 when I flew Air America to USS Hancock. The medical issues remain for far too many veterans. But, the war is over - at least for me. I worked very hard on my own residue from the war - which I had safely locked away from memory for many years - resolving my feelings about the war in the past few years. I have no need to relive what I did and did not do during the war anymore. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

Response by SGT James (Jimmy) Crone made Jun 24 at 2017 12:13 PM

SGT James (Jimmy) Crone — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 12:13:17 -0400

the lawsuit you need to check into is called Nehmer agent orange lawsuit

Response by SFC Dave Beran made Jun 24 at 2017 12:28 PM

SFC Dave Beran — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 12:28:24 -0400

No. I have observed to many friends die from cancer. There children die from cancer. It will never be over.

Response by SGT James (Jimmy) Crone made Jun 24 at 2017 12:34 PM

SGT James (Jimmy) Crone — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 12:34:58 -0400

Oh and to answer the question it's never over for the veterans who served and the families of the ones who passed

Response by MSgt Jason McClish made Jun 24 at 2017 12:47 PM

MSgt Jason McClish — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 12:47:44 -0400

Personally yes, as I was born after the war officially ended. However, I have met far too many that returned with some form of trauma. So for them, the war rages on. The war may not finally be over for some until there are no longer any veterans of that war alive. Sad, but true.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 24 at 2017 12:48 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 12:48:27 -0400

Not for many of those who served there, COL Mikel J. Burroughs. The physical and emotional battles are ongoing.

Response by SGT Eric Flores made Jun 24 at 2017 12:55 PM

SGT Eric Flores — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 12:55:55 -0400

Not over, at least not in the mind of those who fought it.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jun 24 at 2017 12:56 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 12:56:42 -0400

One of the cases where we are better off than if we had achieved a military victory. Victory would have left the country divided and no one knows in Cambodia and Laos. We would still have troops there. I have my war based problems but that is me, my war won't be over until I'm buried

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jun 24 at 2017 1:02 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:02:06 -0400

I left Vietnam in the summer of 1967,the memories and effects of mind and body have never left,but I consider myself lucky, since things could have turned out much worse,and there still is that old saying "God takes care of drunks and fools" so maybe it's not all luck on my part!

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Jun 24 at 2017 1:02 PM

Maj Marty Hogan — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:02:29 -0400

No. Plain and simple. We are still repeating some of the same mistakes today so that will keep it alive as well.

Response by PFC Jim Mills made Jun 24 at 2017 1:05 PM

PFC Jim Mills — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:05:29 -0400

For the men that went through it and deal with the physical and mental issues everyday ' no it's never over

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2017 1:07 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:07:34 -0400

I have several friends who were casualties looong after the 'Peace Treaty' was signed !!! My prayers & love go with you all my brothers & HEROES & you also my Sister HEROES !!!! HOOORRAH !!!!

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Jun 24 at 2017 1:15 PM

SPC Douglas Bolton — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:15:36 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I have a brother-in-law who was in nam. He will not talk about it even to this day. The thoughts linger forever. One reason he is silent is that his job was to go in and do body counts after the planes dropped bombs on the villages.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2017 1:22 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:22:59 -0400

It ended for my friend and former boss last year as he passed away from cancer, which we believe was a result of being exposed to agent orange.

Response by CPL Mark Dudek made Jun 24 at 2017 1:28 PM

CPL Mark Dudek — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:28:05 -0400

I feel real bad for those that had/have to go through these things. Col. Burrows, I just got off the phone with a gentleman from 1Vet at a Time. Great discussion. You should look him up on Facebook if you have it: Lynn Lowder, former Marine, now Veteran advocate

Response by SSG David Antonelli made Jun 24 at 2017 1:38 PM

SSG David Antonelli — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:38:49 -0400

It is definitely not over for my father. He has skin issues from Agent orange and he broke his back while stationed in Hawaii. Since his records were part of a bunch of records that got burnt up, he is having a lot of problems getting the VA to help. They saying it never happened and of course unlike me he didn't get a copy of his med records before he left the Air Force. It is frustrating to see my father struggling (after retiring from the service) at almost 80 years old with the back problems and skin issues without any help from the VA. Sorry just venting, Vets from Vietnam war will never forget because they have conditions that won't let them forget.

Response by Sgt Albert Castro made Jun 24 at 2017 1:42 PM

Sgt Albert Castro — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:42:39 -0400

As I know it, the defoliation spray was rushed out to make it easier to see the enemy in the bush. I heard it was developed by a big company that's still around today. If they knew it was bad we should have been told. Maybe the company didn't know till after. Fact is, a lot of Brothers suffer its side affects. I pray the VA and the Doctors can help those that suffer Agent Orange's effects. Welcome home Brothers. "Time was served", "Time to honor". Amen

Response by Sgt Deborah Cornatzer made Jun 24 at 2017 1:46 PM

Sgt Deborah Cornatzer — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:46:49 -0400

As long as David and others suffer, this war goes on. And as long as we, their brothers and sisters, remember and support, this war goes on. Does it/will it ever end?

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jun 24 at 2017 2:12 PM

SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 14:12:00 -0400

Yes, the war is over. However, the consequences from the war continue to affect the lives of many.

Response by SPC Woody Bullard made Jun 24 at 2017 2:20 PM

SPC Woody Bullard — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 14:20:09 -0400

COL Burroughs: The Vietnam war will never be over for the veterans who served in that war much the same as veterans who served in other wars our nation has fought. My best friend in high school was drafted into the army and served in Vietnam. He did come home after his tour ended but he was not the same guy I knew before he went to Vietnam. He held his Vietnam experience inside and could never adjust to civilian life not to mention the sorry welcome home he received. He told me he could not clear his mind of what he had seen in Vietnam. He did enter into a treatment program but that did not save his marriage as his wife filed for divorce. Multiply his story thousands of times for his brothers in arms. For the Vietnam veteran there is no such thing as "closure".

Response by Lynda Key made Jun 24 at 2017 2:37 PM

Lynda Key — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 14:37:25 -0400

Unfortunately it is not over for the veterans who are suffering from the initial exposure, it is continuing in their proginy. There hasn't been enough evidence to support Agent Orange parental exposure passing on to the next generation, although the VA benefits have been used to care for children with most tupes spina bifida as well as a few other other birth defects. Check out these articals:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK356077/
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/benefits/children-birth-defects.asp

Effects on Veterans' Descendants

Based on new evidence and a review of prior studies, the committee for Update 2014 did not find any new significant associations between the relevant exposures and adverse outcomes in future generations. Furthermore, the committee has changed the previous categorization of exposure to the chemicals of interest (COIs) and spina bifida from limited suggestive to inadequate or insufficient, consistent with all other birth defects and parental...

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Jun 24 at 2017 2:52 PM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 14:52:01 -0400

COL the occupying terrain is over but for many of our people they have many war related health issues. Not mention there are many Vietnam vets with a rucksack full of ghosts and demons. We as a nation learned a great deal but for many of our Veitnam era vets it's to late

Response by MAJ Alan Reiter made Jun 24 at 2017 3:02 PM

MAJ Alan Reiter — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 15:02:42 -0400

No person who has been to war ever gets over it. Whether it is the physical wounds, chemical poisoning from Agent Orange or other Chemical agents like Saran gas or a cocktail of chemical agents in the deserts of Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, or the psychological trauma, when each soldier returns home and brings the war with him or her. We are reminded of our service through our Physical and / or psychological scars. In my case it visits me in my dreams at night or reminds me when I hear certain loud noises or I experiences certain smells.

Response by MSG Roger Mannon made Jun 24 at 2017 3:19 PM

MSG Roger Mannon — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 15:19:48 -0400

The war will never end for those affected by Agent Orange. The VA has made progress but there remain Agent Orange deniers in the VA system. Work still needs to be done. Studies have proven over and over that AO causes more than cancer. COPD is related as is high blood pressure. I do not believe these lesser diseases will ever be addressed. Mostly because AO is not the only cause and it is hard to sort out. For example, we know smoking causes COPD. We also know that dioxin causes COPD. If you are or once were a smoker AND you were exposed to AO in Vietnam, the VA will always assume the cause of your disease is the one they are not required to compensate. High blood pressure? Same deal. Too many other causes. In the end, I believe the decision to compensate or not rests as much with money as with proof AO contributed.
I guess I am OK with that. Our brothers suffering from the worst of it: prostate cancer, Hodgins disease, Myeloma. etc. deserve compensation and the best treatment they can get.

Response by SP5 Robert Ruck made Jun 24 at 2017 3:33 PM

SP5 Robert Ruck — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 15:33:44 -0400

The war carries on every day claiming casualties. The very sad thing is the ill effects of AO were known at the time it was used. Just awful. The VA battling against recognizing the health effects of AO is one of America's great shames. Gulf War Syndrome is right up there with AO.

Response by SPC Charles Isaac made Jun 24 at 2017 3:54 PM

SPC Charles Isaac — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 15:54:32 -0400

I work as hospice chaplain and based by on my experience of talking with Vietnam vets, I think the answer is no.

Response by 1SG James Matthews made Jun 24 at 2017 4:07 PM

1SG James Matthews — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 16:07:10 -0400

Every one of us who were in line units were exposed to Agent Orange--thank the Lord it did not affect some of us as much as others---no matter how many years it has been since we were there parts of VN will continue to live in our memory and every once in a while the closet door to that memory will open up and there it is alive again. God be with all you youngsters who are in the military today. My prayers are for you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2017 4:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 16:40:14 -0400

I doubt that the Vietnam war will ever be over for our Vietnam veterans, Sir.

I just hope that the care for our Vietnam veterans will improve to a standard that they deserve!!

Response by Liz Hodges Flores made Jun 24 at 2017 5:54 PM

Liz Hodges Flores — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 17:54:50 -0400

NO IT IS NOT OVER YET !!!!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 24 at 2017 6:10 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 18:10:13 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Most Definitely Not Colonel! The Chemicals they were Exposed too, the PTSD. Just as the Cold War. The Chemicals I was Exposed too Born above the Dump for the Manhattan Project. Exposed too the Chemicals from Operation LAC as an Infant. 2 Years Hugging a KL-47 during "Blind Mans Bluff". We Got a Lot to Answer for and Clear Up. Very Respectfully CTO1!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 24 at 2017 6:27 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 18:27:35 -0400

Many of us want to dwell in past glory and most of us over 40 suffer the effects of what we went through in our younger days - partially because of our own foolishness; but, mostly because of what we went though which was no our choice COL Mikel J. Burroughs. Thanks Sgt David G Duchesneau.
Dugs, alcohol, bullets, fire, shrapnel, stench and putridness affected many of us over time. Some of wake with night terrors while others self-medicate or take sufficient prescribed-medication to dull or numb the pain. Many are disabled from the affects of serving this nation in uniform.
Those who fought in WWII tended to keep their war experience to themselves and only share it with other veterans. They had a large measure of closure from that total war just as those who fought in WWI did.
The actions which were not total warfare including the Korean war [constrained by long-deceased former POTUS Truman] and the Vietnam War [constrained by long-deceased former POTUSs JFK, LBJ and Nixon] which had no closure and did not honor those who served when they returned.
The more recent ongoing Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terror which are generally constrained in large part because this nation has not decaled total war on those devoted to radicalized Islam
Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it while those who live in the past become tend to become insane much too often.
It is good to strike a balance between where we learn from the past, focus on doing our best in the presence and work to improve the potential for the future.
LORD God, I pay that YOU will help each of us to find necessary closure while allowing us to remember what we need to. Help us to let YOUR light shine though us to those in desperate need.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Jun 24 at 2017 7:06 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 19:06:52 -0400

I believe it to be true. I have brothers developing new AO problems all the time. My best friend, a Dust Off medic who serve three tours in Vietnam, came over to visit today. He reported to me that he has cancer AGAIN! This is the 3rd time. He had stomach cancer several years ago then a few years after that it was prostate cancer. Now he was just yesterday diagnosed with stage 3 liver cancer. How much can one man take. These are all in addition to other AO issues he deals with. He was medically discharged at the result of a helicopter crash that crushed both his legs. He and I was been friends since high school. I have been extremely lucky in retrospect. Please all that feel so inclined, please keep him in prayer.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Jun 24 at 2017 7:09 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 19:09:24 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs NO...this WAR is not over....too many VETS with too many problems from this WAR....and they were all SHAFTED when they returned...Although they are finally getting the care/treatment they have badly needed, the results of this war were extremely detrimental.

This is why my dad has 100% disability....and not only that my dad picked up some sort of Bug....in his ear....it'll never go away and can only be treated with some sort of special medicine....he drives out to the base and picks it up once a month.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jun 24 at 2017 7:38 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 19:38:34 -0400

Only if you want it to be, are on the wall, or are Jane Fonda.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2017 7:52 PM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 19:52:29 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs My son-in-law's father is a recent casualty of Agent Orange, one of the American Legion members here in Brevard NC is fighting a variety of cancers caused by the toxin, and the list goes on. No, Viet Nam is not over, not for many.

Response by SSG Alvin Amezquita made Jun 24 at 2017 8:11 PM

SSG Alvin Amezquita — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 20:11:00 -0400

No. Every time I go to the VA. I see all the Vietnam vets and I here there stories. But now something similar is happening to my generation of fellow combat vets. All the burn pits and all toxic materials that were being burned and everyone breathing it in. I have had a few of my buddies die of cancer probably related to that. It sucks that you survive combat and come back to die from something so painful and horrible. Get tested it just might save your life.

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Jun 24 at 2017 9:08 PM

PVT Raymond Lopez — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 21:08:42 -0400

Do you think the Vietnam War is over? In the plainest most blunt langue that I know “HELL NO”! My Brothers and Sisters who served in Vietnam and your families over the years there have had problems with the Veterans Administration regarding exposure to the Rainbow Herbicides are a group of "tactical use" chemicals used by the United States military in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Success with Project AGILE field tests with herbicides in South Vietnam in 1961 and inspiration by the British use of herbicides and defoliants during the Malayan Emergency in the 1950s led to the formal herbicidal program Trail Dust (see Operation Ranch Hand). Herbicidal warfare is the use of substances primarily designed to destroy the plant-based ecosystem of an agricultural food production and/or destroying foliage which provides the enemy cover.
, Agent Orange was only one of them I am in the process of putting together a guide on their use. It may come as a shock to you that members of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve crews who NEVER served one day in in South East Asia have been given V.A. benefits! The VA said it has been working to finalize a rule that could cover more than 2,000 military personnel who flew or worked on Fairchild C-123 aircraft in the U.S. from 1972 to 1982. Many of the Vietnam-era planes, used by the Air Force reservists for medical and cargo transport, had sprayed millions of gallons of herbicide during the 1955-1975 military conflict in Southeast Asia. THE AIR FOCRE NEGLETED TO PROPERLY DECONTAMINATE THE AIRCRAFT!!!
Non-disclosure agreements are used to cover a multitude of sins. For instance our involvement in Vietnam ended on April 30, 1975 which is almost fifty years ago and yet members of the U.S. Army’s Army Security Agency are still held to non-disclosure agreements that are WORTHLESS and contribute NOTHING to National Security! The dirty little secret is that the Peoples’ Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front (The Viet Cong) had access to ALL the information and activities through their spies who were in Government of the Republic of Vietnam and its military! What actually happens is that member of the Army Security Agency and similar units are precluded from ever collecting V.A. Benefits.
My friend who served with the Army Security Agency’s daughter managed to survive Spina bifida but his first grand daughter died from it They are still denning him benefits.
When there is a major screw up in an operation or project the participants are ordered to sign “non-disclosure agreements” which is not about national security and more about protecting the careers and reputations of the people who screwed up! Don’t forget Monsanto
Because I am no good rotten person I would recommend you contact Travis Studdard Email [login to see]
Phone [login to see]
Fax [login to see]
Address 539 Newnan Street
Carrollton, GA 30117
What are they going to do to me cut my hair short and send me to a combat zone? I am past seventy I would rather go out quickly and as painlessly as possible!!

Response by SGT Robert George made Jun 24 at 2017 11:30 PM

SGT Robert George — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 23:30:41 -0400

Ive seen one brother come back with his children all getting cancer because of Agent Orange !!!

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Jun 24 at 2017 11:58 PM

PO1 Kevin Dougherty — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 23:58:54 -0400

No, for those who were over there it is not. As a Vietnam Era vet, for many years I felt a little guilty at not going. Today, having witnessed first hand the many issues, both psychological and health, that so many friends and acquaintances have had to struggle with, I am grateful I was not sent. I realize now that perhaps it was the grace of God that kept me out.

Response by LCpl Douglas Landrith Jr made Jun 25 at 2017 12:45 AM

LCpl Douglas Landrith Jr — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 00:45:48 -0400

Good evening Col.
My dad suffered from the effects of Agent Orange until the day he died (1 years ago, May 3rd ). It was the cause of his Crones Disease and I am sure numerous other issues that he never bitched about. He was finally able to get the VA recognize the issue and issue him back payments on a 30% disability claim. The first said he would get a 55% but the assholes changed their minds at the last moment.

Semper Fi pop, you are missed daily.

Response by Jeffrey W Lanham made Jun 25 at 2017 5:26 AM

Jeffrey W Lanham — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 05:26:20 -0400

Response by Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire made Jun 25 at 2017 1:28 PM

Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 13:28:13 -0400

History says, "the Vietnam war/conflict/ is over"! Another great debate is, "was their even a winner"! My physical issues, (AO) are with me to the day I die! I use to be very angry and use to ask God to just take me home and end the daily pain! Since than I've become a Christian and now I endure that pain, "my thorn"! My angers gone and I'm at peace with my issues now! Don't get me wrong; I still pain and limp and moan every day, and I know holding out for the VA to do what is right for us Vets, will not happen! Blaming others and having attitudes of, "money for your pain, "if your so lucky", will just take over what precious days you do have left. Doesn't matter if our/your issues are physical or mental, or if your given help medically or financially, it will not make the pain(s) or the doctors diagnosis go away. God loves us and we all, "need Him"! God Bless all Veterans!

Response by SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity made Jun 25 at 2017 8:50 PM

SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 20:50:27 -0400

My grandfather a Vietnam veteran had nightmares often he also had congestive heart failure complicated by exposure to agent orange.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 26 at 2017 12:00 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 00:00:02 -0400

I once heard something like "The Civil War will not be over until the last veteran dies"

Response by SCPO Ysmael Ramos made Jun 26 at 2017 2:24 PM

SCPO Ysmael Ramos — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 14:24:13 -0400

No some are still living it.

Response by MSgt Gerald Orvis made Jun 26 at 2017 6:44 PM

MSgt Gerald Orvis — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 18:44:22 -0400

I was not exposed to Agent Orange during my 13-month tour in Vietnam, although I did see the C-130s spraying the stuff over the faraway mountains like crop dusters. I was with a unit on the I Corps coastal plain (near Hoi An) and never made it inland far enough to come in contact with the chemical. Closest I came to it was An Hoa, when I was with 2/5, 1st MarDiv.
I have a great deal of sympathy and regard for the troops (and their dependents) who were affected by Agent Orange and I hope they get all the relief they are entitled to.
As far as the Vietnam War goes, I don't think it will be over as long as one veteran of it is still alive with his or her pain/memories/dreams/nightmares.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jun 27 at 2017 10:45 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 10:45:23 -0400

NO! Not until the last know Vietnam War Veteran dies. or the last remains is found. then that war will be official over. NO! they have to found who that last person is at the tomb of the unknown soldier is then that war will be over.

Response by LTC Terrence Farrier, PhD made Jun 27 at 2017 10:55 AM

LTC Terrence Farrier, PhD — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 10:55:20 -0400

To me, one of the saddest and more irresponsible acts of our nation's government is the turning of the cheek when it comes to those who suffer from all afflictions brought on by war. Why? Calvin Coolege penned it well when he said, "the nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten." Not only is it convenient for us to forget them, but a secondary affect concerning any future war occurs. Our young men and women are NOT blind. They see too often the suffering and the mistreatment of veteran's and know that is the BEST they will get if they returned harmed. We can do better! When war is the alternative, the majority are sometimes far too quick to forget those who suffer at our bequest. I believe war is sometimes the only option when other devices, programs, and negotiations fail - but once engaged the follow-up plan and promises for veteran's must be kept...regardless. If anyone reads this and has connections to the politic in Washington, D.C. kindly forward it to them. Serving veteran's at the decision table is definitely part of my heart! Blessings to my fellow military members who suffer.

Response by CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw made Jun 27 at 2017 2:44 PM

CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 14:44:06 -0400

No Sir COL., The Vietnam Political Conflict Effects will never really be over for these Vietnam Veterans until The Lord Receives Them Home In Glory and their Sufferings Here Are Over! In My Humble Opinion, Our Government Systems Failed These Honorable Men and Women!! I'll stop with that statement for I don't want to bring back up old Wounds and Memories! Doc Bradshaw

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jun 27 at 2017 4:25 PM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 16:25:59 -0400

While there are still victims, that war goes on.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2017 8:40 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 08:40:00 -0400

It will likely never be over for those that served in-country. Not just the physical scars, but the mental ones from lost buddies and failing support of the public. They are a large portion of our Veteran rank. Most of the WW II survivors are either gone or close to it. The Korean era are close behind. I see mostly Viet Nam and Korea Vets at the VA Medical Center. There are also a lot of Gulf War and GWOT younger folks. The IED survivors are plentiful, and many more didn't survive. They're easy to spot because of the missing limbs and prosthetics. God Bless them all.

Response by SP5 Rich Levesque made Jun 28 at 2017 10:21 AM

SP5 Rich Levesque — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 10:21:10 -0400

Merde alors!! I served a tour there. In my year they were still spraying but claimed they stopped. I'm told that the defoliant 2-4-5-T dioxin does not break down quickly. I was once told that if you drank the water, ate the food, you got it. So today I have a heart condition, and bladder cancer. My brother served 2 tours. He has prostate cancer and AML. Another case of our government lying to us??? What's in the future??? More ailments? Yes, the legacy of Vietnam will be around until the last of us goes to his/her reward.

Response by SGT Peter Hayes made Jun 28 at 2017 1:17 PM

SGT Peter Hayes — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 13:17:37 -0400

no it's not over. I know a lot of Vietnam vets that suffer from a verity of conditions and most are life treating. and some have a hard time dealing with them. One man I know it took over 20 years to get his disability to 100% he had cancer of the colon and had it removed. and that's just one out of many. I know

Response by TSgt Dan Decker made Jun 29 at 2017 12:29 PM

TSgt Dan Decker — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 12:29:29 -0400

I tell folks that I was killed in Vietnam; I just haven't died yet. I have two types of heart disease and diabetes type 2, all attributed to herbicide exposure. I'm 100% disabled by the VA. I fought with them for 11 years before I got that level of disability. I know of many people who served in Southeast Asia who still haven't received the benefits they earned by their service. And I know of many people who died without those benefits. Our country should be ashamed of the way these patriots were treated by the VA.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 29 at 2017 1:15 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 13:15:12 -0400

Does any war ever completely end? Interesting question, with no real answer.

Response by CPT Dennis Stevenson made Jun 29 at 2017 2:39 PM

CPT Dennis Stevenson — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:39:07 -0400

I seems to be in so in Viet Nam. I was there a year ago and had no problems. Camps Eagle and Evans are just patches of ground. Phu Bai is nada except a runway or two and some rundown buildings. Hue - my old stomping groungs - is a happening place.
On the other hand, for America it still seems a bitter experience. We didn't get squat when we got home and the DoD and VA screwed many of our comrades, not to mention the civilians. Take up meditation, brothers.

Response by MSgt William Winney made Jun 29 at 2017 2:48 PM

MSgt William Winney — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:48:56 -0400

For me, like Sgt. Duchesneau, the 'war' will never end. I was exposed to Agent Orange in 1969 when Air Force C-123's spread it over the Fish Hook and Parrot's Beak regions of S.Viet-Nam. After fighting with the V.A. for what seemed like a life time a few years ago the finally classified as "100% Totally And Permanently Disabled Due To Combat". I currently have serious heart, lung and kidney ailments. It's NOT fun! lol

Response by PO3 Michael James made Jun 29 at 2017 4:38 PM

PO3 Michael James — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 16:38:54 -0400

Its been going on for some 45 years now... NO its NOT Over !!!

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 30 at 2017 4:51 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 16:51:39 -0400

Until the last combatant is gone, no war will ever be over. Though some carry the weight of their war more than others; this I don't doubt.

Response by Cpl Armando Mireles made Jun 30 at 2017 5:35 PM

Cpl Armando Mireles — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 17:35:19 -0400

Not until the U.S. acknowledges agent orange exposures continues to kill.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 6:00 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 18:00:09 -0400

Until the last Vietnam Veteran has passed away AND the last MIA is brought home, the Vietnam War will never be over. The very same can be said about every war before and since.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jul 4 at 2017 1:05 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 01:05:42 -0400

We owe Vietnam Vets a debt that can never be repaid

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Jul 4 at 2017 10:16 AM

SGT Craig Northacker — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 10:16:12 -0400

I recently saw some sad facts - out of 2.6 million military who served in Viet Nam, over 1.8 million are dead. The average life expectancy of a WW2 vet is 82, the average for a Viet Nam vet is 65. AO has been determined to cause uncounted casualties with our spouses, children, children's children and down even further. What has the economic loss to our country been? I put together numbers for other aspects of this issue, and the numbers are staggering. AO, as determined by the VA, is only counted if you were in-country and very few other selected areas, when in fact various derivatives were used on many military bases. We flew on contaminated aircraft where the orange stuff on the walls was not hydraulic fluid. I saw references to it being used at Fort Polk, our Stateside jungle warfare course, then those very same references being made to disappear. There is a case where a retired NCO from Ft Bragg testified to using it at Bragg.
Our current veterans have very similar issues from agents developed by parts of our government and tested on us that created more issues - and then those agents were weaponized and given to Iraq where we blundered into them many moons later - and now the gift that keeps giving has morphed into another form and is doing the same to our younger brothers and sisters and their families.
The Vietnamese have been dealing with this horror for decades. These are crimes against humanity not readily frittered away by the "exigencies of war". The article cited below says the Viet Nam Red Cross estimates 3 million Vietnamese were impacted, with at least 150,000 children born with serious defects.
Captain John Parker, elected CO of the 77 Lexington militia members who were tradesmen and farmers at Lexington, died 5 months later from tuberculosis. This reinforced platoon, or a depleted company, stood up to make right the wrongs of the British rule. Captain Parker, who knew he was dying, pledged his life, as we all did. We need to likewise stand up to the tyranny of stupidity and greed that now permeates our beloved country and is destroying it from within. Everyone who wears a US flag or pin, or who swore an oath to the Constitution, needs to stand up and do what is right under the law and do it by working together - not recreating the Civil War we have in Congress today.
Happy 4th to all - now go out and honor the memory and affirm the spirit exuded by that original band of 77 brothers who said "enough"!

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/article24751351.html

4 decades after war ended, Agent Orange still ravaging Vietnamese

In many ways, Nguyen Thi Ly is just like any other 12-year-old girl. She has a lovely smile and is quick to laugh. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up. She enjoys skipping rope when she plays.

Response by Cpl Gabriel F. made Jul 4 at 2017 5:48 PM

Cpl Gabriel F. — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 17:48:28 -0400

No, absolutely not over. The so called Veterans Administration has and continues to fight Veterans on each claim of exposure to the defoliant Agent Orange. This and other service connected claims by Veterans are fought with the same old "Deny, Delay, until Death tactics the VA has used for years.

Response by SSgt James Connolly made Jul 4 at 2017 7:47 PM

SSgt James Connolly — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 19:47:55 -0400

One day before I die I hope the man upstairs hopefully will let me come home, everything that happens medically takes another piece of me. One day yep I'll make it.

Response by LTC John Wilson made Jul 4 at 2017 9:40 PM

LTC John Wilson — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 21:40:25 -0400

It is the Grim Reaper of past years, standing by waiting for those that were initially refused treatment until too late die! It is a sad commentary on our VA health system. Many veterans should have been treated after completing one tour of Nam, many didn't get the treatment on Active duty or in the civilian years that followed. Extreme negligence that has been buried under piles of red tape. How many lives were lost due to this negligence, no one really knows. But, WE DO CARE! It took me over forty years of my life to get the proper treatment, medications, and care I am finally receiving today. It could have changed my life much earlier, but the powers that be were oblivious of the damage they legislated and ignored our troops. God bless our Vietnam Veterans, may they stand strong together to fight the abuse that they have been subjected to for more than fifty years. Shame on congress of the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's. They dropped the ball big time!
Let's remember those we have lost and will lose to Agent Orange in the future.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Jul 6 at 2017 11:08 AM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 11:08:14 -0400

The war is still going on either in physical bodies or in the minds of those who served....

Response by MSgt Raymond Hickey made Jul 6 at 2017 1:44 PM

MSgt Raymond Hickey — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:44:12 -0400

A long as one of is alive, the war will never be over...PTSD, Agent Orange, the receptions (or lack of), when we returned, our OWN country's lies and cover-ups and finally our own rememberances of all that happened to us while in country and the follow-ups by the VA, our own friends and relatives when we got home...we were the BEST of our generation, no parades, no magazine covers, just a silent and overwhelming feeling that we, as brothers in arms, had endured that which others either could not or would not endure...No I will never forget and the war is forever with us...

Response by SGT Ordway Van Hee made Jul 6 at 2017 9:44 PM

SGT Ordway Van Hee — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 21:44:26 -0400

Vietnam took away our innocence and in return gave us agent orange, ptsd, and nightmares. It will never be over.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jul 7 at 2017 3:33 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 15:33:41 -0400

On the subject of Agent Orange, the permanent damage done to the landscape in this picture (1) where nothing will grow even to this day in 2017. This used to be green but thousands or barrels of Agent Orange used by the 12th Special Operations Squadron," Ranch Hands" and other defoliants were stored here. Notice not even any weeds poke up. I'm well familiar with this place located in Da Nang, Viet Nam, I had even worked a post located within 100 feet of this area. Some people that were stationed with Me have died from the effects and other still suffer. Also members of the local population esp as this got into the water supply and resulted even in birth defects of the Children of people here. This is one of the worst AO Contamination areas in Viet Nam. I have had an Agent Orange screening and a letter I have from the VA attributes some things I have to possibly Agent Orange exposure but them many men My age have the same thing. In My case I think its age related as I seem to still be in good health and still do the same things I always have. I do keep in mind though some thing did lie dormant in some of My friends and they didn't know until more recent years and some did die from it. One example is a ran into a friend's wife and and asked about Her husband who served in Viet Nam with Me and she told me He died from cancer directly attributable to Agent Orange exposure. She said He had no idea He had it. She asked if I had an Agent Orange screen, at that point I hadn't, She gave Me Hell for not having it, told Me I needed to be screened. I took Her advice and did just that.

Picture (2) shows the rows or barrels that were once stored on this site. the drums with the orange stripe around them were Agent Orange, the other stripes were different types of defoliant but just as deadly The last picture, (3) is a C123 aircraft used by the 12th Special Operations Squadron "Ranch Hands" to spray Agent Orange, Notice the spray pipes on the trailing edge of the wings. One friend of Mine that was stationed at Da Nang when I was and assigned to 12th SOS said they used bot paddles to mix this stuff before loading it into the aircraft for spraying. He is suffering from Agent orange exposure also. He had been told there was no risk handling these things. When You consider even a spray can You may use at home has warnings on it what danger to You think hundreds or thousand of lbs of defoliant will have ?

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Jul 7 at 2017 10:18 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 22:18:46 -0400

The fighting in Vietnam ended long ago BUT the aftermath continues and will until the last of us dies. Then it will be the aftermath of far too many other wars that will continue, and continue ...

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2017 9:51 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 21:51:00 -0400

The Vietnam War maybe over but not the effects from Agent Orange that all of are Service men and women have contacted and been diagnosed with disabilities caused by it. I'm a Gulf War Veteran from 1990-1991, and they still haven't figured out why we who served in the Combat Zone have come down with unexplained disabilities that have been going on for the last 27 years, but the Government are focused on the now Veterans of the on-going current conflicts with Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.
I have loss too many Marine Buddies to an unknown desease that everyone else in our government gave up on. Yes, count those days....August 1990 to infinity. Nn date as to when this SNAFU will ever end. Sad state of affairs if you ask me.
S/F.

Response by LCDR Thomas Doherty (USNR-R Ret) made Jul 10 at 2017 2:18 AM

LCDR Thomas Doherty (USNR-R Ret) — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 02:18:06 -0400

Ya, it's over. I'm thinking of going there on vacation soon. The war was a foolish waste of blood and treasure.

Response by AN Christopher Crayne made Jul 10 at 2017 1:25 PM

AN Christopher Crayne — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 13:25:46 -0400

No it's not. The affects are ongoing. My Veteran father had just stopped his chemotherapy a few months before with a mass by his lung treated as Lymphoma. Now he has what the VA Dr. In Oncology called "glass lung". He coughs constantly and it's agonizing to see and hear. He was exposed by Agent Orange in Vietnam and had it fall like misty rain on him as they were doing defoliation by aircraft and he was patrolling below.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Jul 10 at 2017 5:02 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:02:57 -0400

My body sure says no! The OA was joined by its cousin CamLej Water!

Response by MSgt Thomas Mason made Jul 11 at 2017 12:05 PM

MSgt Thomas Mason — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 12:05:24 -0400

When I'm "horizontal and cold" it will finally end. Call me a "candy ass", I shed tears at THE WALL, then visit the Tombs of the Unknown", cross the street and spend some time with Audey Murphy. It's a very hard day, I wouldn't miss it for the world!

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Jul 12 at 2017 8:24 PM

SGT Paul Mackay — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 20:24:43 -0400

IT's waking death everyday I end up with a new probelm caused from it.

Response by CPT Dennis Stevenson made Jul 13 at 2017 2:43 PM

CPT Dennis Stevenson — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 14:43:45 -0400

Yes it is for me but I fear it isn't for a lot of people. I've adopted the Buddhist approach to life: live in the present. I visited I Corps in March 2016. What a great trip and a chance to see how far they've come in 50 years.

Response by MAJ Deanna Sinclair-Parker made Jul 13 at 2017 3:21 PM

MAJ Deanna Sinclair-Parker — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 15:21:03 -0400

Not only does AO affect the soldiers that were sprayed, it affects their offspring, and who knows what it did to their genetics (DNA)??
Then, we have Monsanto....they are selling ROUNDUP!! Please DO NOT spray this on your yards, its basic elements are what AO is composed of, it is killing our bee population!!! our butterflies, etc. Plus our lakes, streams, fish, etc. What they can no longer use in warfare, they find a way to use in agriculture!!! Read the labels.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2017 8:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 20:40:57 -0400

can any war that lasts that long really be over the effects will linger on for generations

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2017 10:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 22:15:53 -0400

It is over now for my uncle John Reynolds, a Marine who served in Vietnam, who died as a result of the effects of Agent Orange.

Response by SGT Hutch Dubosque made Jul 15 at 2017 1:37 AM

SGT Hutch Dubosque — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 01:37:17 -0400

I well know that hell that agent orange has wreaked on the Vietnam Veteran community. Just recently, something else has reared its ugly little head, and it may be a whole lot bigger than agent orange. "Liver Fluke"! Some of you may have heard of it; some maybe not. It has been coming out of its known dormancy in the Bile Duct and causing all sorts of Cancers. Only problem is that the Government doesn't recognize Liver Fluke as being "Service Connected", so you cannot file a claim even if you can prove that it is the source of your Cancer. The only Research Test group so far has come up almost 30% positive on this; and, that's just 50 Vietnam Combat Veterans from Long Island, New York. Keep an eye out on this!

Response by CW2 Michael Mullikin made Jul 16 at 2017 12:57 AM

CW2 Michael Mullikin — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 00:57:47 -0400

Hmmm, do you think the Korean War is over?

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jul 17 at 2017 5:20 PM

SFC William Farrell — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 17:20:43 -0400

I left Vietnam in 1972 and the war is still with me COL Mikel J. Burroughs. War kills us day by day Mikel with things you never knew would kill you.

Response by SGT Randall Smith made Jul 18 at 2017 6:51 PM

SGT Randall Smith — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 18:51:38 -0400

My younger brother has cancer from A/O and died 4 years ago. It is slowly killing me now.
My neighbor is suffering from cancer now also.
Over the years I have mellowed about the people of Viet Nam. They were soldiers for their county. But how long will they have to suffer from Agent Orange?

Response by SrA J King made Jul 19 at 2017 7:05 AM

SrA J King — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 07:05:12 -0400

No I see it daily the impact of the diases that this war ha e cause the 3 million men and women that has bore the wounds and scars of this failed policy. The industrial military complex at it worse.

Response by LTC Lewis Cox made Jul 19 at 2017 7:50 AM

LTC Lewis Cox — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 07:50:16 -0400

Not over so long as there are Survivors!!!

Response by Cpl John Barker made Jul 20 at 2017 12:06 AM

Cpl John Barker — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:06:34 -0400

Buddy of mine from Afghanistan was just diagnosed with pineal glan cancer, come to find out the millaria pills we were taking were actually aggression enhancers that have been linked to a whole host of neurological disorders affecting a growing number of veterans. That will likely be the agent orange of today's 30 something year old veterans.

Response by LCpl Kim Kroeger made Jul 20 at 2017 12:18 AM

LCpl Kim Kroeger — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:18:44 -0400

Yes, it still is raging on. The biggest BS is going through a system run by big business and big pharma. I never enrolled in VA until a few years ago and was denied because I made to much. Amazing since I was on disability. Got back to DAV who got it started in March. I'm still getting multiple tests and the system isn't a complete mess but worse than I ever thought. I have seen to many pass away from AO and more and more from suicide. No reason but politics and money in what politicians pocket. Saw it for 50 years, hasn't changed. Only hope it gets better. Semper Fi

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 5 at 2017 1:32 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 13:32:14 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Sir,Vietnam will never end for those of us suffering the effects of agent orange and the reception received on our return home.What followed that was 3 decades of being ignored by the government that put us there and the people we went there to protect.
Thank you,Sir, for allowing me to vent a little on this (to me) very tender subject.

Response by CW2 Fred Baker made Aug 8 at 2017 11:20 PM

CW2 Fred Baker — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 23:20:27 -0400

World view has the war over and in the past. I don't have any affects from AO yet. For years I would joke that if I made it to seventy, I broke even. Now that I am 69, it isn't a joke any more. I still have nightmares, but I recognize them (usually) and wake up before they get real bad. I have a disability for PTS. My life has been pretty good otherwise and I'm not complaining, but the war won't be over for me until my final rest.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2017 7:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 19:04:54 -0400

No never got checked for AO. But I know I was in areas where it was used. Its just sad that it took VA military to recognize thee side effects of using AO.

Response by SSG Ernest Gonzales made Aug 15 at 2017 11:23 AM

SSG Ernest Gonzales — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 11:23:49 -0400

In my opinion and the son of a Vietnam vet who suffered my whole life...my answer is it never is in the minds and bodies of the people who were there and the families they came home to. I can only hope that our service members in this day and age will take a lesson and get the help they need immediately after returning home.

Response by MSgt Thomas Mason made Aug 16 at 2017 1:29 PM

MSgt Thomas Mason — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 13:29:30 -0400

Vietnam was most definitely a nasty experience, however, I also believe our current soldiers, all branches, are the most significant we have ever had. All are volunteers who see their duty clear - to the very end. Over, and over again standing tall and facing-off against some of the worst people this world has ever seen. Anyone who has witnessed the crowds of veterans who spend time welcoming our new bred of heroes home will notice there are many in attendance who served in Vietnam, and those non-military who have come to realize what a sacred duty our grandsons have performed.
Hoka Hey!

Response by MSgt Thomas Mason made Aug 16 at 2017 1:33 PM

MSgt Thomas Mason — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 13:33:42 -0400

My apologies to the Ladies! They have become a very significant part of our efforts to defend Freedom. This is not to forget the WASP who served us so well during World War 2, let us not forget them!

Response by SFC Ssg Sabin made Aug 16 at 2017 8:36 PM

SFC Ssg Sabin — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 20:36:28 -0400

It's never been over in my mind. It's always been unfinished business. I was R.A. and wanted to go! Hell, we were there to help keep the South free from the Commies right? Well, ok, I was a little gullible when I got there, and my views have changed over the years; but I still can't shake that feeling that there was a job that we didn't finish that a lot of buddies didn't come home verticle from. The cost was too high! And then, pour salt into the wound and come home to be treated like we were some kind of disgrace to America. Even today, I bump into people that think we were all baby killers and rapists! Thankfully, God will sort them all out!

Response by SGT Hutch Dubosque made Aug 19 at 2017 9:27 AM

SGT Hutch Dubosque — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 09:27:19 -0400

No War will truly be "over" until our Government recognizes that taking care of Veterans and their Families is a cost of those Wars. Unfortunately, The United States has a rather dismal record on this end of the deal. We are a caring, generally empathetic, intelligent, and well educated Society. We should be able to figure this out!

Response by CW2 Michael Mullikin made Aug 19 at 2017 1:49 PM

CW2 Michael Mullikin — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 13:49:25 -0400

Inlight of the events of the last few weeks, do you think the civil war is over?

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 31 at 2017 12:01 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 00:01:10 -0400

I keep seeing this question and I don't know how to respond. Yes I have had cancer and other ailments a bad heart and COPD. I have had friends who have died of worse who never set foot in Vietnam. I'm in my 70s now and living day to day. I lost one career after another because of PTSD but I can't complain about where I wound up. I guess the Angel the Lord sent to care for me has done a wonderful job

Response by PO2 Robert Nichols made Aug 31 at 2017 2:20 AM

PO2 Robert Nichols — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 02:20:45 -0400

No, it is not over. I suffer from the effects of Agent Orange. My daughter, born 4 years after I returned, suffers from my exposure as does her children. My son, born before I went, does not suffer from any of the problems that Agent Orange causes, nor do any of his six children. When will the war be over? I fear that it will be many more generations to come and go, if it will ever end.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2017 8:29 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 20:29:14 -0500

Tha Vietnam War maybe over but not the results from it. Agent Orange and many other not to mention diseases that have now come to light. We All will never Forget this War that in my eyes our politicians are the losers, not our Military men and women who served during this time.

Response by 1stSgt Abel Aviles made May 13 at 2019 11:00 PM

1stSgt Abel Aviles — Mon, 13 May 2019 23:00:58 -0400

Info forwarded for Jon Mitchell, a British journalist and author based in Japan.
AGENT ORANGE ON OKINAWA
Dioxin. PCBs. Asbestos. CBWs. Depleted uranium. Pesticides...
If you are an active service member, veteran or dependant with information related to environmental contamination on Okinawa, I am currently gathering testimonies and, with authors' permission, publishing them here. You can contact me on- or off- the record via this form.
https://www.jonmitchellinjapan.com/agent-orange-on-okinawa.html

agent orange on okinawa

Dioxin. PCBs. Asbestos. CBWs. Depleted uranium. Pesticides... If you are an active service member, veteran or dependant with information related to environmental contamination on Okinawa, I am...

Response by CPL Jerrold Robin made Nov 18 at 2019 11:33 AM

CPL Jerrold Robin — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 11:33:01 -0500

I spent 3 weeks sleeping in a tent next to an Agent Orange storage and shipping area, Camp Holloway, Pleiku. Everything around us was orange, but we were told not to worry, the stuff is not harmful. And the VA said: "couldn't be from Agent Orange".
Now we know that we were poisoned by our own government - sort of like friendly fire from Washing, DC.
And the VA: Yes it is a problem. Too bad! We can't treat it now. Just try to live with it. Disability?? Ha ha! So we try to live on - so far, so good.
Jerry Robin

Response by SPC Kurt Hesselden made Dec 10 at 2019 8:59 PM

SPC Kurt Hesselden — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 20:59:43 -0500

It can stop giving anytime. Over the past 52 years i've had 2 AO related diagnosis and now as soon as I turned 70 I received a type 2 diabetes diagnosis with an AO connection. All the sleeping in the dirt, filling canteens from ground water etc. from defoilated patrol areas weren't a good idea it seems.

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made Dec 11 at 2019 10:23 AM

SGT Steve McFarland — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 10:23:14 -0500

It's not over for a LOT of our Brothers and Sisters. Two of my friends served in Vietnam, COL Joe Johnston, US Army -retired, and past DAV National Commander, is in treatment for his fourth AO-related cancer. Rick, a "brown-water" Navy Veteran, still struggles with
Crohn's, an AO-related disease.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Dec 11 at 2019 10:48 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 10:48:46 -0500

As long as service members continue to suffer from the effects of the Vietnam War it is not over IMO. I've posted before about a Ranch Hand pilot who came to B52s after his Vietnam tour. Great guy with lots of exciting stories for all us bomber pukes. Unfortunately he passed in the early 80s from exposure to Agent Orange so obviously even people who didn't directly handle the chemical were affected by it. I fear that we are beginning to see the lingering effects of exposure to burn pits from the Gulf wars as the next deadly lasting legacy.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 11 at 2019 3:21 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 15:21:39 -0500

Hell no, veterans still suffer, family members suffer. Some can't escape what their eyes have scene.

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Dec 11 at 2019 9:53 PM

SGT Robert Pryor — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 21:53:08 -0500

Granted, it's a slow, painful death. I had a very frank discussion with my former commanding officer (Detachment Commander) from Viet Nam as he lay on his death bed about ten years ago -- dying from his exposure to herbicides. I felt guilty as the engineer at our A-camp for spraying herbicides liberally to keep the jungle back and fields of fire open. He stopped me as I tried apologizing and said, "I'm not sorry. When you walk back into the waiting room, take a long look at my daughter. She means the world to me. She would have never been born had you not kept the bad guys from sneaking up on us. The trade-off was worth it to me." He died a few days later. I served on a nine man Special Forces A-team. Five of us were severely wounded. The other four have since died of exposure to herbicides and the VA determined that their deaths were all service connected. You pay your nickel and you take your chances.

Response by MSgt James Littlejohn made Dec 25 at 2019 7:20 PM

MSgt James Littlejohn — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 19:20:16 -0500

The war is over; the largest battle to have ever been fought in SEA is still going on with America's disable Vet survivors. Our Government has placed many roadblocks, some which cannot be over come, by our disable vets. Many of these roadblocks place the vet in difficult medical & financial situations for a life-time. America's disable Vets have endured to many tragic negative outcomes. The USA Government (Congress - The House & the Senate) keeps placing roadblocks so as to disapprove taking care of our disable Vets. Our Government speaks mostly fondly about our AD & Vets, yet they walk a different road. Our government gives billions to foreign governments, year after year, who would rather see American's dead than alive. With all of America's flaws we are still the greatest nation in the world. Maybe someday the American voters shall decide to elect to national offices, from our smallest village all the way to DC, women & men who want to serve their country as well as they serve themselves. Voters have & can make a difference in our country. As I see it "we need to elect doers not nice looking public speaking ladies & men who are sparing to see who can get their face in a news article on a paper or TV. Come to think of it - many of those polished speakers are not so "HOT" looking. Can anyone tell me, in good faith, why a vet who is disable due to servicing in the military must prove, to our government, their financial need before they can be medically taken care of. God Bless America!!!

Response by Sgt Vermland Robinette made Dec 25 at 2019 7:27 PM

Sgt Vermland Robinette — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 19:27:07 -0500

No, it is NOT over and probably never will be as our crooked elected officials will not allow it to be. and they will not help the veterans who spent time there defending the rights of the people and able body men of this Country who would not defend this Country.

Response by Sgt John Shumate made Dec 25 at 2019 8:43 PM

Sgt John Shumate — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 20:43:28 -0500

No. Each year gets worse

Response by SPC John Crandell made Dec 25 at 2019 10:55 PM

SPC John Crandell — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 22:55:45 -0500

I had to spray the damned stuff with a Hudson Sprayer at the northeast corner of the perimeter of Camp Enari, summer of '69. I removed the concertina, whacked down the water plants and then
sprayed AO. For the remaining ten months, each night I boiled water in a popcorn popper and soaked and washed my feet in a plastic tub. My job involved standing in a cage for nine hours a day. My boots were laced with the defoliant that day. We had no idea. I've been lucky, so far. But I once had hair on my lower legs.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 26 at 2019 11:28 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 11:28:18 -0500

I will give the Vietnamese perspective. The country has 3 million people who are disabled due to Agent Orange. It's part of the countries DNA. Caring for those disabled people usually relegates the family to poverty because they must take care of the disabled instead of being gainfully employed.

Response by SP5 Bruce Harvey made Dec 26 at 2019 1:17 PM

SP5 Bruce Harvey — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 13:17:55 -0500

On good days, the war is over. There are still issues from the cancer and the mental stuff, but I prefer to think I'm dealing with them in peacetime.

Response by LTC Gary Earls made Dec 26 at 2019 8:34 PM

LTC Gary Earls — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 20:34:01 -0500

I've got Type 2 diabetes and have skin cancer outbreaks. The VA is treating me for the skin cancer. some of the children have birth defects from us being exposed to Agent Orange. They haven't included all birth defects, just a few.

Response by LTC Gary Earls made Dec 26 at 2019 8:49 PM

LTC Gary Earls — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 20:49:49 -0500

I failed to write that after I returned from Viet Nam several years later my wife became pregnant and had a miscarriage. The child was so deformed that the doctors couldn't sex the child. A few years later we had a daughter who was born with a heart birth defect.

Response by LTC Lee Bouchard made Dec 26 at 2019 9:30 PM

LTC Lee Bouchard — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 21:30:51 -0500

Sorry to say, to ans. your question, the V.N. war is not over. Taking a page from more than one historian, the war, any war, is not over as long as a surviving veteran remembers his experience in that war. When that vet. passes on, the war is truly over.

Agent Orange has been used in the South Pacific Is. and in Panama Canal Zone from the 1960's thru the 1990's. Find the exact dates....Good luck unless you can break into any secret data base on the subject.

It was the V.N. veterans who broke down the V.A's. denial for treating both PTSD and Agent Orange.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2020 11:29 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 11:29:38 -0500

Everyone tends to forget South Korea and other places AO was used and for many years we were denied benefits as our men died because of our illness.