The Agent Orange Medal Project presents medals to local veterans
Local Vietnam veterans receive Agent Orange Medal at G.I. Joe’s Military “Living History” Museum. Photo: Kristy Bock/Neuse News
Some veterans of the Vietnam War came back home with more than the traumas of war. On Monday, October 11, 2021, at G.I. Joe’s Military “Living History” Museum, local area veterans were given the Orange Heart Medal by members of The Orange Heart Metal Foundation. The Orange Heart Medal Project’s purpose is to bring recognition to veterans who served in the Vietnam war and who were affected by exposure to Agent Orange
Vietnam veteran Eric Cantu speaks at G.I. Joe’s Museum for The Agent Orange Medal Project presentation. Photo: Kristy Bock/Neuse News
“It’s very exciting to see things happening in society today that are taking the time to honor all veterans for all periods of war,” said Vietnam veteran Eric Cantu.
Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide used by the U.S. military to reduce vegetation and increase visibility. The military sprayed Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides during the Vietnam War.
The Orange Heart Metal Foundation creator Ken Gamble said, “It just brings tears to my eyes of all the veterans that have called me with their stories. It's unreal what we’re going through with no recognition from our government.”
Agent Orange impacted the agents exposed to TCDD, a toxic dioxin classified as a human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Office of Veteran Affairs also extends benefits to children whose veteran parents may have been exposed while serving.
“Come to find out my children got Agent Orange, I have two kids with Agent Orange,” said Vietnam veteran Bobby Tyner. “Then my grandkids got Agent Orange, I have three grandchildren with Agent Orange.”
The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act Of 2019 extended the presumption of herbicide exposure, such as Agent Orange, to veterans who served in impacted areas during 1962-1975.
“They did this to us, I grant you their intentions may have been great, but they never ever thought about the after-effects,” said Gamble.
The United States military sprayed nearly 20,000,000 gallons of Agent Orange. In addition to the damaging environmental effects, Agent Orange has also caused major physical injury to the 2.6 million American soldiers who were exposed.
Vietnam veteran Allen Hoffman speaks at G.I. Joe’s Museum for The Agent Orange Medal Project presentation. Photo: Kristy Bock/Neuse News
“The four guys I went to Vietnam with, we called ourselves the 4 horsemen,” said Vietnam veteran Allen Hoffman. “We all ended up coming home together. One of our guys has died from Hodgkin's disease, one of our guys has cancer, and one of our guys has heart trouble. It shows how close we are and what we’ve lost.”
Vietnam veterans Hoffman and Donnie Stafford were given The Orange Heart Medal, and Merideth Craig accepted on behalf of her father. Craig’s health was also impacted by Agent Orange as the daughter of a veteran who had Agent Orange.
“We will not be forgotten,” said Gamble. “We are going to get our honor for our sacrifices.”
