AGENT ORANGE QUILTS OF TEARS

By Larry Stimeling Staff Writer

I visited the Agent Orange Quilts of Tears today in Edwards Illinois. What I found was amazing to me. There was not one quilt of tears but several. Each had the name of several Vietnam Veterans who have been disabled by the effects of exposure to Agent Orange.

Of the dozens of names on the quilts, I knew…..

at least 3. This is a rather high number considering the over 2 1/2 Million Americans, men and women, who were exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

I then realized that there should be another square added to a quilt. A square with my name!

As I look at myself and the medical malidies I suffer, I see Diabetes, Peripheral Neuropathy, Hypertension, Urinary Frequency, Erectile Dysfunction, loss of bladder and sphinctor control, and, as of last Wednesday, occlusion of the retinal Artery in the right eye causing loss of all sight in that eye.

Each of these conditions is related to exposure to Agent Orange directly or secondarily.

I have seen other Vietnam Veterans in worse shape. I have seen some with nothing wrong with their health. Some days I ask myself why me? but then I realize that if not for having been diagnosed with Diabetes in 2001, I would not have become the active advocate I am today.

I am not looking for sympathy here. Not at all!

What I want to convey is :

If you are a Vietnam veteran have your health checked on a regular basis. AO can strike you tomorrow.

If you are a Gulf war vet or a vet of OIF/OEF, keep yourself aware of the latest news regarding Gulf War illness and depleted uranium. For the most part the government will not tell you there is a problem. It is up to you and the service organizations to let you know. That is why I recommend you join at least one Veteran Service Organization. It is your best way to keep informed.