"The gray dust settles on everything: people, machines, dogs, food. By the time you reach the end of the chose line, you have a heavy coat of dust covering your chow. Take a shower, and by the time you finish, dust is in your ears, eyes, nose and throat...
...Go on a mission -- come back and you are so covered in dust people don't even recognize you. When [we have been here] long enough, it will definitely affect our lungs.
But don't worry: the rains will soon drive us out of the rice paddies, and in the dry season we'll be fine."
--Undated letter home from an Anonymous US Army "Phoenix Team" Officer to his father during the Vietnam War.
*****
The author of this quote died in 1991, of complications from diseases that were caused by exposure to Agent Orange.
The above-quoted Army Officer describes what it was like to be sprayed with Agent Orange. Veterans that served in Vietnam, and her Brown and Blue Waters, on Royal Thai Air Bases, encampments and listening posts in Laos and Cambodia, the Korean DMZ, the Philippines and many other places during the Vietnam era were exposed to this horrid poison.
Today, they pay the price, and suffer from diseases ranging from unpronouncable cancers, to diabetes, to Ischemic Heart Disease - and more.
For those Veterans, the Vietnam War still rages.
The VA, with its obtuse rules and regulations, muddled interpretations of clear laws, and its focus on only the newest cadre of combat Veterans, has left many of these Veterans to fight the war on their own.
If you were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, and are having difficulty service-connecting the medical conditions you believe were caused by Agent Orange, call or email the Attig Law Firm.
We want to see if there is anything we can do to help you fight this ongoing battle.
Here are some posts for you to check out on the Veterans Law Blog:
Were you exposed to Agent Orange in Korea during the Vietnam War?
Were you exposed to Agent Orange in Okinawa during the Vietnam War?
Were you exposed to Agent Orange in Thailand during the Vietnam War?
Were you a Brown Water Navy Vet?
How do you compute Effective Dates under Nehmer in Agent Orange appeals?
VA discriminates against Veterans in the application of Nehmer Effective Dates.
Chris Attig, an Accredited Veterans Benefits attorney and Founder of the Attig Law Firm, PLLC is responsible for the content of the site. The principal office of Attig Law Firm, PLLC, is located in Dallas, Texas. Chris Attig is NOT Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. - Please view our website disclaimer.
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