Letter: A fitting tribute to Utah Agent Orange veterans
When it comes to paying tribute to Vietnam veterans in Utah, one group remains relatively marginalized. This group is known as Agent Orange veterans.
These veterans were exposed to a toxic herbicide called Agent Orange that was used in Vietnam to remove tree leaves and other foliage that provided concealment to enemy forces.
To remedy the lack of recognition given to Agent Orange veterans in the Beehive State, a nonprofit organization called the Utah Agent Orange Veterans Foundation was established about one year ago.
The mission of the foundation “is to build a memorial that will recognize the sacrifice of veterans who were sent to Vietnam and now suffer from Agent Orange exposure.” The effects of Agent Orange exposure include multiple forms of cancer and other types of serious diseases.
The hazardous health effects associated with Agent Orange were not recognized by the Veterans Administration until many years after the war in Vietnam. Such recognition has been beneficial for many veterans, but came too late for some.
Another downside of Agent Orange exposure is that in some cases, generational transmission of hazardous health effects has occurred. The grandson of Larry Kerr, chairman of the Utah Agent Orange Veterans Foundation, for instance, is one such case.
The Utah Agent Orange Veterans Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on financial donations to accomplish its mission. The foundation’s Facebook page provides information about making donations as well as compelling stories about Agent Orange veterans.
We owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to Vietnam veterans for their service. The national Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one significant way they have received some recognition, but much more is needed. Another appropriate form of recognition is a memorial for Utah Agent Orange veterans.
Nelson Thibault, Salt Lake City