40 Years On, the Vietnam War Continues for Victims of Agent Orange

[marmar]

from truthdig:


40 Years On, the Vietnam War Continues for Victims of Agent Orange

Posted on Dec 16, 2015
By Marjorie Cohn


[font size="1"]Tran Thi Le Huyen, 23, in a wheelchair at her family home in Danang, Vietnam, in 2007. Her family once lived near the highly contaminated Danang Airbase; her father was a driver for the U.S.-backed South Vietnamese government during the war. (David Guttenfelder / AP)[/font]

The war in Vietnam resulted in the deaths of more than 58,000 Americans and more than 3 million Vietnamese. Twenty years ago, the United States and Vietnam normalized diplomatic relations in an effort to put the terrible legacy of the war behind them. But for the survivors—both Vietnamese and American—the war continues. About 5 million Vietnamese and many U.S. and allied soldiers were exposed to the toxic chemical dioxin from the spraying of Agent Orange. Many of them and their progeny continue to suffer its poisonous effects.

Agent Orange was a chemical, herbicidal weapon sprayed over 12 percent of Vietnam by the U.S. military from 1961 to 1971. The dioxin present in Agent Orange is one of the most toxic chemicals known to humanity.

Those exposed to Agent Orange during the war often have children and grandchildren with serious illnesses and disabilities. The international scientific community has identified an association between exposure to Agent Orange and some forms of cancers, reproductive abnormalities, immune and endocrine deficiencies and nervous system damage. Second- and third-generation victims continue to be born in Vietnam as well as to U.S. veterans and Vietnamese-Americans in this country.

There are 28 “hot spots” in Vietnam still contaminated by dioxin. These hot spots still affect the people who live there and eat the crops, land animals and fish.

On April 29, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee introduced HR 2114, the Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2015. This bill would go a long way toward remedying the humanitarian crisis among both the Vietnamese and U.S. victims of Agent Orange. .............(more)

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/40_years_on_the_vietnam_war_continues_for_victims_of_agent_orange_20151216

[Scuba]

1. When I came back from SEA, one of the first things I did was get a vasectomy.

My cancer didn't show up until I had been back for 13 years. Still in remission, but ...















Some days I'm ashamed to be an American.

[GGJohn]

2. So sorry to hear this Scuba.

2 tours in Vietnam and, AFAIK, I was never exposed to that shit, I'm still in perfect health for a man of my age.
I guess I was one of the lucky ones.

[democrank]

4. Stay strong, Scuba.

You`re sincerely in my thoughts.

[MANative]

12. Hugs, thanks, and deepest respect to you.

Hoping that remission holds.

[MANative]

3. My dad did two tours, '69 and '71, and was definitely exposed.

He had colon and lung cancer, to which he succumbed in 2011. His doctor said unequivocally that Agent Orange exposure was a factor, if not the only cause.

[democrank]

5. So sorry to learn about your Dad, MANative.

My best to you.

[MANative]

9. Thanks, democrank.

I work in Manhattan, and I'm stunned by the number of disabled Vietnam-era vets that I see forced to resort to begging in the subways. I help when I can, but I know so well how much they suffer. Breaks my heart daily.

[GGJohn]

7. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

[MANative]

10. Thank you, GGJohn.

I'll take that hug. Holidays without Pop are always sad. Miss him every minute.

[democrank]

6. Thank you for posting this, marmar.

Last edited Thu Dec 17, 2015, 06:10 PM - Edit history (1)

My beloved Vietnam Vet battled Agent Orange exposure until his death a few weeks ago. It took his lungs, his liver, his lymph nodes and his brain.

I live in a tiny Vermont village and personally know three other Vietnam Vets nearby who are devastated by Agent Orange.We must never forget.

The recent Republican debate almost made me vomit. Barco-Lounger hawks were trying to out-hawk one another. Funny thing....there was a lot of chest-beating in that lineup, but no vets. That`s how it often works. Someone else does the suffering, like in the case of many Vietnam Vets and many Vietnamese people.

I beg everyone....work for peace.

[GGJohn]

8. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

May you find peace and happiness through this tragedy.

[MANative]

11. Sending my condolences for your loss, too. I empathize with what you're going through.