Nationally, we have over 9.2 million military personnel who served on active duty during the Vietnam era.  An estimated 3.1 million veterans served in the Southeast Asia Theater, which includes Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, flight area based in Thailand, and the South China Sea.  An estimated 2.6 million personnel served within the borders of South Vietnam and in adjacent waters.

Agent Orange was a name given to numerous herbicides transported in orange striped barrels that were used suing the Vietnam War to defoliate trees and remove cover for the enemy.  Spraying missions were conducted in Vietnam between January 1965 and April 1970.

Once it was determined that the herbicide was a possible cancer-causing agent, the spraying operations were terminated and an investigation was initiated to determine the depth and breath of the spraying operations.

The greatest problem encountered was the severe lack of information about the exposure of individual Vietnam Veterans to the herbicides.   Except for particular groups, such as individuals directly involved in spraying operations, information on the extent of herbicide exposure among veterans is practically nonexistent.  Because of this, the VA presumes all military personnel who served in Vietnam or on the water off the area, or  were periodically required to serve or to visit the area were exposed to these possible cancer-causing herbicides.

The conditions recognized as service-connected for Vietnam Veterans and automatically presumed to be based on exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides are:

Chloracne
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Hodgkin's Disease
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Multiple Myeloma
Respiratory Cancers (including cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus)
Prostate Cancer
Peripheral Neuropathy (transient acute or subacute)
Spina bifida is a condition recognized in children of Vietnam Veterans.

If you are a veteran who has one of these conditions, a veteran's off-spring with spina bifida, congenital birth defect of the spine, or the widow of a veteran who passed away because of one of the above conditions, you should contact the Carteret County Veterans Services Office at 728-8440 or e-mail at ccvso@coastalnet.com.

Veterans who served in Vietnam who claim exposure to Agent Orange are provided with free comprehensive medical examinations, including laboratory and other diagnostic tests deemed by an examining physician n4ecessary to determine health status.

Results of the examinations are entered into special computerized data bases.  These databases assist the VA in analyzing the types of health conditions being reported by veterans.  Registry participants are advised of the results of their examinations  in personal consultations.

Veterans wishing to participate should contact the nearest VA health-care facility for an examination.  The Carteret County Veteran Services Office will gladly assist you in getting an Agent Orange physical examination.

VA also provides medical treatment to any veteran who, while serving in Vietnam, may have been exposed to dioxin or to a toxic substance in a herbicide or defoliant used for military purposes, for conditions related to such exposure.

Respiratory Disease in Former Navy Deck Grinders

According to a letter from Dr. Kenneth Kiser, Under Secretary for Health, some Navy veterans who served aboard aircraft carriers from 1970 through the present and whose duties involved grinding down antiskid materials on the carrier's flight deck may have unrecognized or misdiagnosed occupational lung disease.

This letter alerts all VA Medical Centers of this problem and the special needs of those veterans who may have respiratory symptoms related to military service.

For a copy of the internal VA document, contact the Carteret County Veterans Services Office at 728-8440 or e-mail at ccvso@coastalnet.com.  The office will provide you with a copy and will assist you in getting in contact with the appropriate VA medical center.

Attention Korean War Veterans

In preparation for the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Korean War, veterans of that conflict are being encouraged to register with the U.S. Korea 2000 Foundation Inc.

According to VA statistics, less than 20 percent of Korean War veterans belong to a national organization such as the AMVETS, American Legion, DAV or VFW.  The Foundation wants to locate the remaining 80 percent and notify them of the events that will mark the anniversaries 2000 - 2003.

If you were on active duty between June 25, 1950 and July 27, 1953, please contact the address below.  Include your name, complete mailing address, phone number, fax numbers, and e-mail.  Also include your dates of military service in Korea and the branch of service and the units(s) you served with.   Immediate family members of deceased Korean War Veterans are also invited to participate.

You can write to:

U.S. Korea 2000 Foundation Inc.
4600 Duke St., Suite 416
Alexandria, Va 22304-2517
Fax:  (703) 684-0193, e-mail:
USKorea2K@aol.com