Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Should Vietnam Vets Exposed to Agent Orange get the Purple Heart? Read more at Suite101: Should Vietnam Vets Exposed to Agent Orange get the Purple H

Should Vietnam Vets Exposed to Agent Orange get the Purple Heart?

YES!! YES!! YES!!

With the injury these service members received in Vietnam as a result of their exposure to Agent Orange now recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the question has to be asked if these veterans, suffering from their exposure to Agent Orange, should be awarded the Purple Heart.





9 comments:

melody yurchison said...

ABSOLUTELY THEY SHOULD GET A PURPLE HEART. MANY OF THESE MEN LOST LIMBS AND SO FORTH . JUST BECAUSE THY CAME HOME WITH LIMBS DOESNT MEAN THEY WERENT INJURED. THEIR LIVES HAVE BEEN RUINED BY THIS CHEMICAL. IT HAS ALSO RUINED THE LIVES OF THE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. THEY ABSOLUTELY SHOULD GET THAT MEDAL, EVEN IF THEY ARE GONE IT SWHOULD BE SENT TO THE FAMILY.

Anonymous said...

I disagree. Agent Orange Victims and let me say that I'am also a victim do not deserve the purple heart. This award was issued for those who died or shed blood in defense of there country. Agent Orange Victims ashould be given a award I agree but the purple heart is not the award. I was awarded the Silver Rose which is a award given to Agent Orange victims but this is a private award. The United States Government needs to have a special award to honor Agent Orange Victims and hopefully they will consider this but the purple heart I must disagree

Anonymous said...

As a Vietnam Veteran and legally blind veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange I believe the Purple Heart should not be awarded to those who suffer from AO. The purple heart is a award for those who shed BLOOD and or died for this country and there is a private award called the Silver Rose that is given to those who died and now suffer from Agent Orange. The United States Government should create a special award for Agent Orange Victims but the Purple Heart is not the award for this as it was not created for non-blood wounds or death due to death after returning to the U.S.A.

Anonymous said...

Tilson was killed by his own men, given a silver star and a purple heart. Agent Orange was an act of war to the enemy, to destroy the foliege, and to sicken the enemy. We too were killed by friendly fire. The men in ww1 were finally given wound medals for exposure to Gas warfare. The people that are strongly aginst agent orange vets getting the purple heart are the veterans who got them for wounds.

Anonymous said...

I am also in The Order Of The Silver Rose, and being that is a private organization, there should be a special award for Agent Orange victims ftom the US Gvt.

puernatura said...

Another combat Vet and Purple Heart holder with AO here. I agree with my brothers above. As wounded as we often feel with this poison in our veins and organs, another purple heart would provide us nothing.

A strong protest from the American people directed @ Congress and the VA to help heal us, or provide physical, emotional, and financial assistance would be of more help. Many of us have illnesses they've yet to accept as valid for an AO claim, yet a majority of us deal with symptoms not shared with any other family members or friends. ..unless that friend happens to be another Nam Vet. We remain saddled with huge medical debts, lose our jobs, friends, health and often lives, while we wait..

Anonymous said...

jst one question, did WW1 victims of mustard gas get purple hearts?

ladybug3187 said...

I,being a victim of AO, say no to the purple heart. That is significant of blood shed and sacrifice and well deserved. We should have our own medal of recognition. Maybe the "Orange Heart"(with a tiny red heart in the center). I believe this would help some of us Vietnam Veterans heal the invisible wounds that we have been carrying for over 40 years.

stephenie ackerman said...

My husband died this past September due to being exposed to agent orange. He went and fought a war for his country not knowing what he was or might be exposed to.
He had bladder cancer which spread to his lungs and bones. He had to put up with so very much. Medications, Chemo and so much pain. In the eand it spread to his brain. I think when he died he didn't know me anymore.
He didn't die in combat but only came home to die 40 years later. This has to stop.
What are our boys going to come home with from this war. Another war that makes no sense.