Agent Orange Legacy changes name in fight to bring families together whose children are affected by the veterans exposure to toxic military exposures

Legacy of Our Veterans Military Exposures (LOVME) was built on the experiences of a widow of a Vietnam veteran exposed to Agent Orange and their daughter. Their daughter, Dee Reyes, has been ill all of her life due to her father’s exposure while serving in the ‘brown water’ Navy from 1966 – 1969.

Sharon L. Perry and her daughter, Dee Reyes founded Agent Orange Legacy in 2007. After years of researching Agent Orange, Sharon and her daughter, Dee, learned Agent Orange was just one of a multitude of military exposures affecting our veterans and their families.

This understanding was the foundation for expanding their existing efforts.

Today our troops are exposed to an onslaught of harmful toxins at a magnitude never before seen. We have learned from the Vietnam war that harmful toxins such as TCDD (Agent Orange) will not only affect the veteran it will also affect the veterans’ descendants for seven (7) generations.

The DOD has been irresponsible and reckless in the disposal of harmful toxins. The problem is so immense that the EPA listed 130 military installations as Superfund sites. Our veterans, left in the dark, about the chemicals many have been exposed to and their health effects. During the Cold War Era our veterans, many without their knowledge, were exposed to chemical and biological warfare materials such as nerve agents, blister agents, hallucinogens and biological agent testing.

Americans are also affected by these U.S. military installations added to the Superfund site, by the manufacture and testing of war time weapons such as Agent Orange along with other biological and chemical warfare agents. We are all affected when war time technology is transferred to the commercial sector. Nuclear power plants and Genetically Modified crops resistant to Roundup (a herbicide) are a couple of examples of war time technology being transferred commercially.

Not only are our veterans and their offspring being poisoned so are all Americans. We have an epidemic of cancers, autoimmune diseases, learning disabilities in our children such as Autism (1 in 160) and ADHD, food sensitivities and food intolerance to food additives such as gluten and soy.

As Americans we need to reassess how our way of life affects the world we live in. We can no longer afford to be wasteful and turn the other cheek. There are many changes we can make in order to insure our children’s future.

LOVME asks all Americans to begin this journey and help us to protect our veteran’s children because protecting our veterans’ children will also protect your children.

You can visit our website at this link>>>http://lovme.org/

VA Moves to Prevent Veteran Violence Over Disability Claims

To curtail confusion, the department wants to change when veterans can view the results of their disability exam online.

 Veterans Affairs officials want to change when veterans can view some of their medical records online, fearing that some could become violent if they see negative comments and think their disability claims will be denied.

A group of department officials said Monday that they fear some veterans could see the notes from the exam, assume from this partial picture that their claim is being denied, and take out their anger on local VA officials. They voiced their safety concerns Monday to members of the department's Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation at their meeting this week in Washington.

Source:  http://www.nationaljournal.com/defense/va-moves-to-prevent-veteran-violence-over-disability-claims-20141021

US, Japan agree on access to bases following environmental incidents

Lack of acceptable protocol over environmental issues has long been a point of contention in Okinawa, the strategic island where about half of all U.S. military personnel in Japan are stationed.

Concerns rose after empty chemical drums excavated on former U.S. military property this year were suspected to contain Agent Orange, a Vietnam War-era defoliant associated with severe health hazards and birth defects. A Japanese government report found no evidence of Agent Orange or local health risk, though it did find common herbicide compounds in the soil.

Source:  http://www.stripes.com/news/us-japan-agree-on-access-to-bases-following-environmental-incidents-1.309198

North Central Veterans Stand Down

A few North Dakota corporations teamed up to host the third annual "Stand Down for Veterans" at the Armed Forces Reserve Center here in Minot. A free haircut is one of the many, many services there were available to veterans.

15,800 of those North Dakota veterans fought in the Vietnam war. The state legislature recently granted $50,000 dollars for education and outreach regarding Agent Orange and the health risks Vietnam vets still face from their exposure to it. Today's Stand Down featured round tables to discuss agent orange.

 "Hopefully it's just gonna open their eyes to what's gonna happen to their children, and grandchildren, and their grandchildrens' children," says President of North Dakota Vietnam Veterans of America Dan Stenvold. "It's not gonna go away."

Source:  http://www.kfyrtv.com/story/26809970/north-central-veterans-stand-down

First Agent Orange conference to be held in Virginia

What: Agent Orange Town Hall Meeting

When: 9 a.m.-noon, Oct. 18

Where: American Legion Post 16, 1301 Greenview Drive

Information: Contact David Stokes, (434) 993-2916

“I believe some people are still unaware of what Agent Orange has done to them and the benefits they could be receiving,” Caler, who said he served three stints in Vietnam with the Air Force. Caler flew 300 missions in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and then worked in jungles assisting Americans with secret missions on the border of Cambodia and Vietnam.

The first signs he had been affected by Agent Orange appeared before he’d even left the country but it wasn’t until 2002 that he was diagnosed and began receiving treatment.

He suspects Agent Orange played a role in his daughter’s illness as well and on Saturday he hopes to advocate for two pieces of legislation that call for continued investigation into the affects of Agent Orange.

TAKE ACTION NOW

• CLICK HERE:  Justice for the Innocent Victims affected by the use of Toxic Substances in War Time Support S. 2738 Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014

 

• CLICK HERE:  H.R. 5484 Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014

Source:  http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/first-agent-orange-conference-to-be-held-in-virginia/article_dc7c15cf-8cb1-5fa8-90c2-cbcbdff976e2.html

VA Awards Contract for Independent Assessment of Health Care to Non-Profit Firm

Choice Act Requires Third Party Assessment of Processes; Firm Will Serve as Program Integrator

Washington – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced that the MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit company that operates multiple federally funded research and development centers, has been awarded a contract to support the Independent Assessment of VA health care processes, as required by the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (“Choice Act”). MITRE Corporation will serve as program integrator.

Section 201 of the Choice Act directs VA to enter into one or more independent, third-party contracts for an assessment of the hospital care, medical services and other health care processes in VA medical facilities. The program integrator will be responsible for coordinating the outcomes of the assessments conducted by the third-party entities according to the scope of the contracts. The program integrator is required to report the independent assessment results to Congress within 60 days of the assessment’s conclusion.

“This independent assessment is a key element in our effort to rebuild trust with Veterans and our other stakeholders,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald.  “It will provide the Department a way to transparently review our vital programs, organizations, and business practices to make us a better and more accountable VA for the Veterans we serve.”

Working with Congress, Veterans Service Organizations, and other stakeholders, VA has taken steps to implement Choice Act legislation, including:

• Establishing a Program Management office to oversee planning and implementation of the legislation across the Department.
• Putting in place the mechanisms to execute the outlined facilities with the authorization provided to carry out major medical facility leases.
• Working through the contracting process to extend the pilot program called Project ARCH to ensure the continued expanded access for Veterans in rural areas provided by that program.
• Holding Industry Day to seek input on how best to provide administrative support including issuing Veteran Choice Cards.

JBLM tells Vietnam vets ‘it's never too late’ to say welcome home

Stephen Stribling looked wide-eyed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on Thursday as he walked into a column of uniformed sailors waiting to thank him for his service in the Vietnam War.

The 66-year-old grinned as he took in the appreciation of active-duty troops. It was nothing like the lonely homecoming he experienced at the end of his combat tour in 1968.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/10/09/3424119/jblm-tells-vietnam-vets-its-never.html#storylink=cpy

Stribling’s new Vietnam homecoming — 46 years in the making — unfolded at a JBLM salute to Vietnam-era veterans. It was meant to recognize a generation of military service members who too often felt scorned by the public after serving overseas.

“It is never too late, never too late, to pay tribute to the men and women who served and continue to serve our country,” said I Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, the senior Army officer at JBLM.

Welcome Home>>>hhttp://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/10/09/3424119/jblm-tells-vietnam-vets-its-never.html

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/10/09/3424119/jblm-tells-vietnam-vets-its-never.html#storylink=cpy

The VA embraces technology to better care for veterans

Mobile healthcare is one of the hottest topics in the news right now, especially since the unveiling of Apple Watch, iPhone 6 and iOS 8. With its newest gadgets, Apple is hoping to integrate all sorts of features through its Health app that will let you do everything from track exercise to store your healthcare documents.

Apple's Healthbook app is still a work in progress, but you can be sure that they and other tech companies are trying to come up with ways to integrate all of your healthcare information into your gadgets. This brings up some serious privacy concerns, but if these companies can pull this off, your healthcare might never be the same.

Continue Learning>>>https://www.komando.com/happening-now/271658/the-va-embraces-technology-to-better-care-for-veterans/all

VVA supports H.R. 5484 the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014

September 19, 2014

Legislative Alert – Ask your Representative to Support H.R. 5484  the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014

Representative Dan Benishek, (MI-1), has introduced H.R. 5484, the Toxic Exposure Research of 2014 formerly H.R. 4816, the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family Support Act of 2014, VVA strongly supports this bill, which reflects positively on one of our foremost legislative goals. Not only would it help achieve a measure of justice for the innocent victims of the use of toxic substances in times of war, but it offers unlimited possibilities for scientific research into the effects of these toxic chemicals.

This comprehensive legislation will construct a common mechanism and procedures that will encompass all past and future toxic wounds, as needed.

VVA urges you to go to our Legislative Action Center site athttp://capwiz.com/vva/home/  and Take Action NOW by entering your zip code and sending the prepared letter to your U.S. Representative, asking them to please join their colleagues Brownley, (CA-26), Conyers, (MI-13) Honda (CA-17) and Rahall (WV-3) to co-sponsor H.R. 5484, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of  2014.

Veterans’ Bellingham town hall meeting to discuss impacts of Agent Orange

IMAGE by The NAM

The Bellingham Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 165, and Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 19, are sponsoring a Faces of Agent Orange meeting from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at the Health Education and Community Conference Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway. With the largest Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter in Washington and a county veteran population higher than the national average, a large turnout is expected. This meeting is being coordinated with Vietnam Vets in Canada, Chapter 75, and American Legion, Post 75, also in Canada, as a number of Canadian veterans were exposed to Agent Orange. Panel participants for this town hall include the founder of the Association of Vietnam Veterans of America as well as local, state and regional officers of the organization, each with Agent Orange-related conditions themselves or in their families.

The goals of the town hall meeting are to reach out to affected veterans and their families, raise awareness on medical conditions tied to Agent Orange, reach health practitioners and disability-related service agencies, develop a fresh approach to research and back legislation that facilitates research, care and compensation and to direct local services to veterans and their families.

In addition to information on Agent Orange, there will be information for newer veterans and their families including the effects of modern chemicals, “burn pits,” and depleted uranium ammunition.

It is also important to note that some veterans may not have served in Vietnam, but were exposed to Agent Orange by working with equipment and aircraft used to produce and distribute Agent Orange, or in the facilities used to store Agent Orange. This exposure may have come even after the war ended.

Continue Learning>>>http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/09/04/3828720/veterans-bellingham-town-hall.html?sp=/99/122/

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/09/04/3828720/veterans-bellingham-town-hall.html?sp=/99/122/#storylink=cpy

Agent Orange Awareness Bracelet>>>Agent Orange We Survived and Came Home but Death Followed Close Behind by Ed Travis, Disabled American Vietnam Veteran

Ed Travis is a disabled Vietnam veteran affected by exposure to Agent Orange. Ed wants to promote Agent Orange Awareness by making and selling Agent Orange bracelets.  

Description:

The bracelets sport an engraved dog tag and are made of heavy orange and black para cord with a heavy duty shackle closure. 

 The engraving reads as follows:

 Agent Orange
"We Survived and Came Home but Death Followed Close Behind" 

Contact Ed:

Please email Ed Travis at eftforester@gmail.com for more information or if you would like to order a bracelet .

Donations:

**One-third (1/3) or $5.00 from the sale of each bracelet will be donated to an Agent Orange charity 501 3-C. 



Absolutely no funds will go to Agent Orange Legacy.  Agent Orange Legacy's only role is to help Ed get the word out.  

Thanks for your continued support...Sharon & Dee

Agent Orange Awareness Bracelet

Agent Orange and VA battles Wife recounts years of struggles for late husband to finally receive benefits

Over the following decades, he suffered from cysts and boils on his body and post traumatic-combat stress that nearly tore his family apart. He sought disability benefits for exposure to Agent Orange — a blend of chemicals used by U.S. armed forces in Vietnam to eliminate foliage that provided cover for the enemy — but theDepartment of Veterans Affairs repeatedly rejected his claims until days before he died, according to records.

"He was denied so many years until he was on his deathbed," Francesca Cesare said from her home in the Luther Forest development. "What good is that? At the end of his life, they finally admit it."

Continue Learning>>>http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Agent-Orange-and-VA-battles-5727316.php?cmpid=fb

Some Vietnam Vets Left to Wonder Whether Agent Orange Made Them Sick

To date, researchers blame Agent Orange for causing 14 illnesses in veterans, who are eligible for federal compensation and health care.

But some Vietnam vets are sick with conditions not on the official list, but insist Agent Orange is the cause.

However for many purported connections, there is no proof, at least so far.

Continue Learning>>>http://wuwm.com/post/some-vietnam-vets-left-wonder-whether-agent-orange-made-them-sick

Agent Orange Legislation 2014...for families of U.S. veterans exposed to Agent Orange

S.2738 TOXIC EXPOSURE RESEARCH ACT OF 2014

S. 2738 Toxic Exposure Research Act is supported by Agent Orange Legacy, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA) as many other group do as well.  
ACT NOW>>>http://capwiz.com/vva/issues/alert/?alertid=63293526&type=CO

Learn more about S. 2738 Toxic Exposure Research Act 2014>>>
http://www.agentorangelegacy.blogspot.com/2014/08/update-s-1602take-action-now-ask-your.html

VVA PRESS RELEASE S. 2738 Toxic Exposure Reserach Act 2014>>>
http://www.vva.org/PressReleases/2014/pr14-018.html

Do not confuse H.R. 2519 with S. 2738.  Our families should be united in supporting the legislation that best serves our veterans and our families.  Support S. 2738 Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014.

H.R. 2519 WILL NOT SERVE OUR FAMILIES BEST
H.R.2519 -- Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2013 Does Not Cover VVA’s Objectives>>>
H.R.2519 -- Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2013

Does Not Cover VVA’s Objectives

It has come to our attention that Rep.  Lee of California has introduced legislation about Agent Orange.  Although Rep.  Lee’s legislation is meant to help many, it unfortunately does not cover Vietnam Veterans of America’s objectives for American service members and our children, grandchildren, and future generations.

Thank you for your consideration.

Herb Worthington, Chair 

Agent Orange and Other Toxic Substances Committee
hworthington@vva.org 

Source>>>http://agentorangezone.blogspot.com/2013/10/hr2519-victims-of-agent-orange-relief.html

Take Action NOW ask your Senator to Support S. 2738, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014

Senator Richard Blumenthal, CT  has introduced S.2738 the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014 formerly S.1602, the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family Support Act of 2013.

Among the so-called invisible wounds of war are those brought home by troops that may not manifest for a decade or more.   And most tragically, they may pass on genetically to the progeny of our nation’s warriors.

If enacted into law, this bill would establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs a national center for the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during service in the Armed Forces.

TAKE ACTION>>>http://capwiz.com/vva/issues/alert/?alertid=63293526&type=CO

Navy veterans need help getting politicians to act: PennLive letters

The main item that needs to be addressed by Congress when back in session is House Bill HR543, The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Act. We vets need the American people to call their members of Congress and urge them to support this bill.  

Navy Vietnam veterans are the most-often denied for VA benefits because they served at sea not on land, yet are still infected and sick with Agent Orange. The deadly herbicide was in the air and in our drinking water at sea, a proven fact by the Institute Of  Medicine, which the VA ignores. 

Continue Learning>>>

http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2014/08/congress_navy_agent_orange_bil.html

Put action behind empty veterans honors

Do folks personally apologize for the way Vietnam veterans were treated, being spit on after returning from a war they didn’t start? How do folks assist veterans suffering from poisoining in Vietnam by Agent Orange, the chemical the public was told would do no harm to humans, who are on oxygen?

Who helps the World War II veterans we see returning from the Honor Flights when they need snow shoveled or lawns mowed, ensures they receive one nutritional meal every day or takes them to a doctor or vision appointment?

Continue Learning>>>http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/story/opinion/2014/08/05/put-action-behind-empty-veterans-honors-column/13610825/

Vietnam veterans speak on effects of Agent Orange

Jim Hackbarth was a helicopter door gunner in the Vietnam War.

“Some people asked me one time, ‘Were you ever in contact with Agent Orange?’ ” he said. “I said, funny you mentioned that. We landed in it, we breathed it, we got sprayed with it.”

“I’ve seen forests of dead trees,” said Hackbarth, of West Bend, Wis. “On guard duty at night, we’d be on the perimeter and there would be no vegetation for 200 yards out beyond the perimeter. You ever ask the question why?”

Hackbarth has diabetes.

Continue Learning>>>

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2014/08/07/3586919/vietnam-veterans-speak-on-effects.html#storylink=cpy

R“I’ve seen forests of dead trees,” said Hackbarth, of West Bend, Wis. “On guard duty at night, we’d be on the perimeter and there would be no vegetation for 200 yards out beyond the perimeter. You ever ask the question why?”

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2014/08/07/3586919/vietnam-veterans-speak-on-effects.html#storylink=cpy

ead more here: http://www.kansas.com/2014/08/07/3586919/vietnam-veterans-speak-on-effects.html#storylink=cpy

Meeting scheduled to gather comments on Agent Orange impact

Next month, the Spokane Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of American is organizing a town hall meeting to collect testimony from veterans and their families about the health consequences of Agent Orange.

In an announcement Saturday about the meeting, organizer Bob Raymond said that the Department of Veterans Affairs needs to do more research on the birth defects linked to Agent Orange and to compensate those affected by the defoliant’s widespread use during the Vietnam War.

Continue Learning>>>http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/2384939-8/meeting-scheduled-to-gather-comments-on-agent-orange

Monsanto in bed with DOD over Ebola can't be good

Monday, Fox news reported that "The experimental drug used to treat two American aid workers who have been infected with theEbola virus has never been tested on humans before and was only identified earlier this year as part of an ongoing research program backed by the U.S. government and military."

Fox also said, "The Defense Department has long had a hand in researching infectious diseases, including Ebola. During much of the Cold War period this served two purposes: to keep abreast of diseases that could limit the effectiveness of troops deployed abroad and to be prepared if biological agents were used as weapons." It was also stated that the U.S. military currently has no biological weapons program

Continue Learning>>>http://www.examiner.com/article/monsanto-bed-with-dod-over-ebola-can-t-be-good