Remember when Agent Orange was "No big thing"? Vietnam vets link Agent Orange to children's illnesses

2015-06-25T08:45:41-04:00

Army veteran Bernard Edelman spent much of 1970 in Vietnam as a combat correspondent, producing radio broadcasts transmitted worldwide. Years later, he was diagnosed with illnesses connected to Agent Orange.

He worked with several lawmakers to draft the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015, a bill to create a national research center to study medical conditions that arise in the descendants of those exposed to toxic substances during military service — not only in Vietnam, but also in the first Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The bill was introduced in April by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Reps. Dan Benishek, R-Mich., Mike Honda, D-Calif. and Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., the second time lawmakers have moved to promote research on illnesses stemming from service exposures.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/veterans/2015/06/24/vietnam-vets-link-agent-orange-to-childrens-illnesses/28939139/

Vietnam vets link Agent Orange to children's illnesses

Forty years the end of the Vietnam War, the controversial Agent Orange still casts shadow on the life of Vietnam veterans in America. Now in their 70s and 80s, the fading generation wants to make sure that their kids won't suffer from the unacknowledged illnesses because of their exposure.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 25 at 2015 8:48 AM

2015-06-25T08:48:45-04:00

I wonder how many children of Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange are now sick as a possible result of secondary exposure? Thanks for sharing SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S..

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 25 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-06-25T12:38:06-04:00

I will admit to being one of the skeptics at the time. Agent Orange was a defoliant that made it harder for Charlie to hide; it didn't seem that some of the worries expressed about effects many decades later would override the survival of our troops in the next weeks or months from ambush.

Today one of my men that I am still in contact with has diabetes from exposure to Agent Orange, and I have it as well.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 21 at 2017 9:40 PM

2017-11-21T21:40:57-05:00

Did any of you read the article in stars and stripes in regards to a VA study shows parasites from Vietnam may be killing Veterans that served there.

I suggest anyone that served in country there read this.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/parasite-from-vietnam-may-be-killing-vets/

Peace!

Slow-killing parasite from Vietnam may be killing veterans, VA study says

Test results show some men may have been infected while fighting in the jungles of Southeast Asia

Response by MSgt Msgtroy Foster made Mar 20 at 2018 8:43 AM

2018-03-20T08:43:06-04:00

I am DYING FROM AO. I have 42 autoimmune diseases. I am unable to live properly anymore. I fought the VA for 31 years. I am now as of DEC 31 2017 390% SERVICE connected disabled caused by my military DUTIES HANDLING, MIXING, and power SPRAYING AGENT ORANGE including SILVEX on GUAM at ANDERSEN AFB. FOR 10 YEARS.

Response by MSgt Msgtroy Foster made Mar 20 at 2018 8:46 AM

2018-03-20T08:46:08-04:00

H.R. 809 THE FOSTER ACT NAMED AFTER ME.