General Discussion

nolabear

(43,693 posts)

7. My father died of Agent Orange exposure.

Wed Oct 15, 2014, 06:03 PM

Oct 2014

We really don't know what happened. After our mother died (we were kids) in '68 he volunteered to go to Thailand to support the war. We have no idea how he was exposed, or even knew that he was until the cancers started, first bladder, then lungs, then spine and brain. The government let my stepmother know after his death in 2002 that she would be getting an extra benefit as a result of a settlement for Agent Orange victims.

God knows what that stuff did to how many people. We should have known then that killing our own people in pursuit of a goal wasn't really a problem for the war machine.

Your account is moving, and human, and humane. You treated these people as valuable, as citizens and as soldiers. I hate war, but we need to take care of our people in all ways. Thank you for that.

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Yesterday at the White River Junction, Vermont VA [View all] democrank Oct 2014 OP

DU Rec In_The_Wind Oct 2014 #1

Yea oldandhappy Oct 2014 #2

Thanks for that post. As a Vietnam vet I am lucky upaloopa Oct 2014 #3

Thank you for your service. n/t eggplant Oct 2014 #4

Thank you so much for your post. Both of my parents were WWII veterans and Dad served in Korea. japple Oct 2014 #5

Thank you, democrank. nt sarge43 Oct 2014 #6

My father died of Agent Orange exposure. nolabear Oct 2014 #7

And on it goes.... and on... and on.... Bigmack Oct 2014 #8

A friend died of exposure to agent orange. Enthusiast Oct 2014 #9

A Vietnam Vet I know is recording a CD of songs based on his experiences Beaverhausen Oct 2014 #10

It's something of an urban legend that vets were 'shit on' when they got back. Certainly, they KingCharlemagne Oct 2014 #19

They absolutely were shit on when they came back whopis01 Oct 2014 #25

This message was self-deleted by its author KingCharlemagne Oct 2014 #28

Got you. Agree 100% that government treated vets mighty shabbily KingCharlemagne Oct 2014 #29

I didn't mean literally. But they were taunted and called baby killers Beaverhausen Oct 2014 #30

Really? Would your friend or you be receptive to academic studies that KingCharlemagne Oct 2014 #31

IT HAPPENED TO HIM!!! Beaverhausen Oct 2014 #32

I remember those days pretty well. They were crapped on, and then they weren't. MADem Oct 2014 #37

Pentagon Papers leaker and now fervent antiwar activist Daniel Ellsberg says KingCharlemagne Oct 2014 #38

I wish we'd stop putting shit on the mall, myself. MADem Oct 2014 #39

In war, peace and when they're injured ffr Oct 2014 #11

Oh dear, I have something in my eye... cry baby Oct 2014 #12

Thank you. For those of us at home, the battle ends. For many brave souls ... CaptainTruth Oct 2014 #13

Incredibly moving, democrank Iwillnevergiveup Oct 2014 #14

VA takes really takes good care of me. marble falls Oct 2014 #15

I support the vets (I'm one myself, though I went through nothing like some have). ladyVet Oct 2014 #16

Seems to me the best thing we can do for our veterans is not to make more of them. calimary Oct 2014 #17

Thank you, Democrank. You make the world a better place. mountain grammy Oct 2014 #18

I love that part of Vermont. elleng Oct 2014 #20

I worked for many years on we lawyers called the "Dust Docket," which was usually made up Dustlawyer Oct 2014 #21

Love and Peace to you and your companion pinboy3niner Oct 2014 #22

Thank hou for being there for those vets. No Vested Interest Oct 2014 #23

Thank you for this post, demorank. My husband is a disabled Vietnam veteran. Silver Gaia Oct 2014 #24

K&R n/t intaglio Oct 2014 #26

Never was in VN, but our friend's brother was, and died from Agent Orange DFW Oct 2014 #27

I am a military brat demigoddess Oct 2014 #33

kicking…. dhill926 Oct 2014 #34

Thank you for your post. Our Serviceman suffer during and after wars. The physical and mental glinda Oct 2014 #35

HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!! WillyT Oct 2014 #36