Agent Orange (Dioxin) Second Generation: Effects on children of Vietnam Veterans

The children of Vietnam Veterans are the innocent victims of Agent Orange Dioxin.

Agent Orange being sprayed in Vietnam.

(MEDIA, Pa.) - Some Vietnam veterans who have had or now has diseases brought on by Presumptive Exposure to Agent Orange Dioxin are not alone. Many children of Vietnam Veterans conceived during and after the War are also infected by Agent Orange Dioxin. This is the second generation. Will there be a third generation?

Some members of the Armed Forces are recognized by the Veterans Administration (VA). Members who served in the Vietnam War are those recognized as having Boots-On-Ground; as well as Brown Water forces. Blue Water forces (Navy) and Airmen (Air force), never having Boots-On-Ground are not recognized. Our Legislators need to enact provision for recognition of all armed forces who served in this war. This provision must include children of these Veterans, and may need to go as far as to include grandchildren.

Men and Women, who were in the armed forces of all military branches who served in country Vietnam or, at sea and in the air in the combat zone were exposed to the deadly herbicide, Agent Orange Dioxin. Some of these service members, unbeknown to them may have passed on in child conception, the effects of the infecting chemical Dioxin. Dioxin is the main ingredient in the herbicide Agent Orange which was sprayed as a defoliant in Vietnam. Our armed forces on land, sea and air were in contact in some form with this herbicide. We need two pending Legislative Bills passed: House Bill HR-812 and Senate Bill S.1629.

Dioxin is sometimes termed as second only to radiation exposure to nuclear weapons and nuclear fueled electrical energy generation plants.

We who wore the cloth of the armed forces, agreed to serve our Country in the name of Freedom, and provide for the defense of our boarders. If need be, die for our Country in that common defense. We did not agree to be poisoned by herbicides such as those used in Vietnam. We did not agree to pass on the effects of dangerous infectious herbicides to our children. I ask our Legislators, is this also the cost of War?

The children of Vietnam Veterans are the innocent victims of Agent Orange Dioxin.

Some of the diseases/illnesses can be passed on to children of Vietnam Veterans by conception are, but not limited to:

• Spina Bifida, Variety of Cancers, Diabetes,
• Learning and Developmental Delays,
• Endometriosis, Variety of minor to major Birth Defects,
• Immune System Abnormalities

As statistics are accumulated, birth defects associated with Agent Orange Dioxin begin to become common. Likewise, as children mature in age, diseases associated to Agent Orange Dioxin can be realized. Dioxin resides in fatty tissue of the body, until such time it may decide to show its ugliness. Much depends on the strength of an individual’s immune system. To avoid any misconception, not all children are infected by elements of Agent Orange.

We must urge our Legislators to pass health care benefits for children who are and those who may become infected. Infection due to secondary exposure by conception. Also, thought must likewise be considered for possible third generation exposure by conception.

John J. Bury is a retired US Navy Veteran who served in the Vietnam War.