Veterans Guest House Helps Raise Awareness of 'Agent Orange'
Posted: Nov 11, 2014 12:01 PM PST
Updated: Nov 11, 2014 1:46 PM PST
By Landon Miller
CONNECT
Dozens of people gathered at the Veterans Guest House Tuesday to reflect on
the impact the chemical, “Agent Orange” had on Vietnamese people and
American soldiers alike.
“We try to make it a point to let the soldiers know we care,” said Michele Adkins,
a mom who brought her husband and four kids. Adkins' father served in
Vietnam. “He has health issues that they are saying did come from ‘Agent
Orange.”
The chemical wasn't used to target the Vietnamese people directly; instead, it
targeted the vegetation and agricultural systems. It came, though, with
devastating consequences on everybody's health.
“Everything started with cleft palates, Spina Bifida, and now to a whole list of
ailments they didn't realize back then,” said Richard Shuster with Vietnam
Veterans of America Chapter 989.
Those who gathered also released orange balloons into the sky as a way to
reflect on the victims.
“It gives them an opportunity to think of them for a moment as they release the balloons,” said Shuster. “If we can
change the way of thinking about such things here, then we may have an opportunity to share that understanding
anywhere in the corners of the world.”