Vietnam vets meet about Agent Orange

Town hall meeting discusses health concerns

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Vietnam vets trying to get the word out to help other veterans and their families held a town hall meeting on the Southside to talk about how Agent Orange is still causing health problems for them and others.

The veterans showed up to talk about the chemical so many of them were exposed to half a century ago and that is still affecting them, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"They're starting to recognize all the different types of cancer caused by the Agent Orange," Vietnam veteran Tony D'Aleo said.

D'Aleo was exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Today, he still suffers health effects from it and so does his granddaughter.

"She has spina bifida, which was caused by the Agent Orange detoxin, and I have cancer in my gall bladder, spleen, bladder and prostate from Agent Orange," he said.

Similar stories came from other veterans, including Blane Wilson, who was exposed and passed on the health effects to his son.

"When I had my son in 1980, he ended up in ICU with immune problems similar to mine and he almost died. Basically what happened after that, this is his first year of life and he had ear infections and respiratory infections for the first 15 years of life," said Wilson.

The veterans travel around the state and country with this message for other vets and their families who have no idea why they're having all these health problems.

"The bottom line is there's a lot of people who have no medical background at all, no idea what's going on," Wilson said.

Not only do the programs explain to the vets and families what's happening to them physically, it shows them how to deal with the Department of Veterans Affairs to help get their sometimes-extensive medical bills paid.

Veterans told News4Jax that if you're uncertain about whether you or your family have been affected, most Vietnam vet groups and the VA are good places to contact.

Rose Claridydavis, Clay County Veterans Service officer, urges veterans living in the county who need assistance to call her for assistance at her office: 904-269-6326.


About the Authors:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.