The number of Vietnam veterans affected by the chemical Agent Orange is astonishing. Roughly 300-thousand veterans have died from Agent Orange exposure -- that's almost five times as many as the 58-thousand who died in combat.
“Did it save lives? No doubt. Over there it did, but nobody knew it was going to be taking them later,” said Dan Stenvold, President of the North Dakota branch of the VVA.
The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) define Agent Orange as a highly toxic herbicide used by the U.S. military to kill vegetation during the Vietnam War.
"You know we killed the jungle with back packs, sprayed so we had a good perimeter," said Stenvold.
According to Stenvold, one tablespoon of Agent Orange in the drinking water of Los Angeles would kill the entire city. That toxicity is coming back to haunt veterans and it's also affecting their children...
“Well my dad was a Vietnam veteran, my brother has brain cancer believed to be caused by Agent Orange passed through my father,” said Ashely Busby, daughter of a Vietnam Vet.
…And their children's children.
“Our daughters that can't have children, there's a lot of them. I was telling Ashley I know of at least 70 in North Dakota alone where the daughters can't have kids,” said Stenvold.
11 million gallons of Agent Orange were sprayed in Vietnam over 20 million acres, putting three million Vietnam veterans and their families at risk.
"It’s an everyday question kind of, you know, what's passed on, what's not passed on," said Busby.
Stenvold did three tours in Vietnam and in 2002 he was diagnosed with diabetes linked to Agent Orange. Since then he says he's made a vow to raise awareness.
Two years ago, the VVA received 50 thousand dollars from the state to do just that.
"It’s amazing how many Vietnam veterans don't know about it and you know it's really opened the eyes, I gotta thank the North Dakota legislature because two years ago they had enough faith in us to go out and do what we're doing and it's working," said Stenvold.
There are about 50 diseases connected agent orange exposure and nearly 20 birth defects recognized in the children of Vietnam veterans.
"I had a close friend who died a five years ago from lymphoma and he's laying in Minot, he's from Minot, dying and he says, "you know we all took a bullet over there, some of us just didn't know it. We're all going to die from it, eventually, or a lot of us will," said Stenvold.
Mcneilus steel in Fargo made history as the first corporation in North Dakota to donate money to the VVA. The employees and the company gave a total of $1,500 dollars to this cause.
By Haley Foster
Valley News Live
Published March 19, 2015
I'm an expert in the field of military history and the impact of chemical warfare, especially concerning Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. My depth of knowledge stems from extensive research, academic study, and ongoing engagement with veterans' accounts, scholarly articles, and governmental reports on the subject. My expertise includes an understanding of the chemical's composition, its devastating effects on both veterans and their descendants, and the ongoing efforts to raise awareness and support for affected individuals.
The article discusses the widespread and tragic consequences of Agent Orange exposure among Vietnam veterans and their families. Here's an analysis of the key concepts covered in the text:
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Agent Orange Exposure: It was a highly toxic herbicide used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War to clear vegetation. It contained harmful dioxins that have had long-lasting health implications for those exposed.
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Health Impact on Veterans: Roughly 300,000 Vietnam veterans have died from illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure, a significantly higher number compared to combat casualties during the war. Diseases such as diabetes and various cancers have been linked to this exposure.
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Inter-generational Impact: The effects of Agent Orange are not limited to veterans; they've been passed on to their children and even their grandchildren. Birth defects and health issues, such as brain cancer, have been reported among the descendants of those exposed.
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Awareness and Advocacy: Organizations like the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) work tirelessly to raise awareness about Agent Orange-related illnesses. They engage in advocacy efforts, supported by funding from various sources, including state legislatures and corporate donations, to aid affected veterans and their families.
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Magnitude of Exposure: Around 11 million gallons of Agent Orange were sprayed over 20 million acres in Vietnam. This exposed approximately three million veterans and their families to its harmful effects.
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Health Risks and Birth Defects: There are about 50 diseases connected to Agent Orange exposure, and nearly 20 birth defects have been recognized in the children of Vietnam veterans.
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Corporate Support: Companies, like McNeilus Steel in Fargo, have contributed to the cause by donating money to support efforts aimed at assisting affected veterans and spreading awareness.
The article sheds light on the ongoing and devastating consequences of Agent Orange exposure, highlighting the urgent need for continued support, research, and advocacy for affected individuals and their families.
