The Silver Rose is presented to Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant used by American forces during the war in Vietnam. Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes more than 40 cancers and illnesses, including Type 2 Diabetes, as being Agent Orange related. In addition, thousands of Vietnam War veterans have died from illnesses connected to Agent Orange exposure, yet these veterans are not recognized by the U.S. government for those illnesses, despite the war-related origin, said Ken Thorp, one of the ceremony’s organizers.
The Silver Rose is awarded to Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange dioxins in an effort to give them the honor and recognition they deserve, said Thorp. “While victims of other combat injuries receive the Purple Heart, the soldiers who were exposed to Agent Orange and have suffered the medical consequences of that exposure receive no recognition from the government. The Silver Rose will continue to be presented to all eligible Vietnam War veterans or their surviving family members until our government decides to honor these victims,” he added.
In addition to the award, one of the missions of the Legion of the Silver Rose is to inform surviving Vietnam veterans of the importance of yearly medical exams to determine the presence and early detection of potential Agent Orange-related illnesses.
Those with questions about the ceremony can contact Thorp at (602) 622-1014.
Continue Learning:
