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

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

Moran Introduced Legislation to Research Health of Descendants of Vets Exposed to Toxins

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has introduced legislation to research the health conditions of descendants of veterans who were exposed to toxins during their military service. The Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014, which is supported by the Vietnam Veterans of America and AMVETS, would establish a national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions stemming from exposure to toxins such as Agent Orange in Vietnam, Gulf War neurotoxins, burn pits in Iraq and other chemicals from recent overseas conflicts. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined Sen. Moran in introducing the legislation.

Continue Learning>>>http://www.hayspost.com/2014/08/04/moran-introduced-legislation-to-research-health-of-descendants-of-vets-exposed-to-toxins/

VVA PRESS RELEASE>>>Sen. Jerry Moran Joins With Senator Blumenthal To Introduce Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family Support Act of 2014

“We applaud Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) for joining forces to introduce The Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014, said VVA National President John Rowan. “Among the so-called invisible wounds of war are those brought home by troops that may not manifest for decades. And most tragically, the damage done by the toxins may pass on genetically to the children and grandchildren of our nation’s warriors. Our children are the innocent victims of our military service.”

This bill, (S.2738), instructs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the descendants of veterans exposed to toxins during service in the Armed Forces. Further, S.2738 calls for the establishment of an advisory board to oversee and assess the work of the center; to determine health conditions that result from toxic exposure; and to study and evaluate cases of exposure. The advisory board will advise the Secretary of VA on issues related to research conducted at the National Center and the particular benefits and services required by the descendants of individuals exposed while serving as members of the Armed Forces.

Toxins, such as Agent Orange, have been shown to cause birth defects in the children of military personnel who came into contact with them, either during the Vietnam War, in the storage and transportation of those toxins, or by riding in aircraft that had been previously used to transport the toxins. For Gulf War veterans, the exposure was to chemical weapons that were in an Iraqi ammo dump that was blown up by U.S. Forces at the end of the Gulf War, to oil fires, and possibly to tainted vaccines. This is comprehensive legislation that will construct a common mechanism and procedures that will encompass all past and future toxic wounds, as needed.

We thank Senator Blumenthal and Senator Moran for constructing this bi-partisan bill, and we thank Senator Begich for being an original co-sponsor. We look forward to many additional co-sponsors, and to the support of many of our colleagues in other veterans organizations. We also look forward to quick action by the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs when Congress returns in September.

Source>>>http://www.vva.org/PressReleases/2014/pr14-018.html