tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625761760764553832.post1609320799477816245..comments2023-09-30T09:03:23.640-04:00Comments on <b>Veterans Administration into the 21st</b> <center><b>Century</b></center>: VFW {yawn} In St. Louis for National ConventionAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17064064985967986971noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625761760764553832.post-21947367490005942152014-07-27T13:02:14.904-04:002014-07-27T13:02:14.904-04:00Subject: Dioxin (Agent Orange) Long Term Residual ... <br /><br />Subject: Dioxin (Agent Orange) Long Term Residual Effects Korean DMZ<br /><br /><br /> Four months ago, I found out that I have Adult Diabetes Type 2, which is one of the many side effects of Dioxin exposure. I already knew many veterans who have served in Vietnam and Korea suffer from not just this side effect but many others. I have discussed with other veterans who have also served in Korea, in particular those who have also served up on the DMZ north of Freedom Bridge/Imjin-gak (River). Many of these veterans also suffer not only from Diabetes, but many of the other side effects of Dioxin exposure.<br /><br /> Agent Orange was used in Korea from approximately 1968 to 1971. Those that served in Korea at that time are the only ones who are acknowledged to have had exposure to Dioxin. It does not cover those that were exposed afterward, where it resides in the dirt for many years to come. From 1971 to 1991 we still had Troops running patrols, manning Guard Posts, and Observation Posts in the American Sector (11 Mile Stretch) after the use of AO. <br /><br /> Our final troops exited Vietnam by 1975 and they are covered in the Zone for Agent Orange. But, in Vietnam we did not naturally get a chance to see the effects of Dioxin exposure in the ground to those Veterans. In Korea, many of us believe we were exposed to it through the 70s and 80s due to aliments we now suffer from. <br /><br /> The US Government/VA needs to look at supporting and caring for these Veterans who are suffering from the side effects caused by exposure to Agent Orange. The Government needs to determine and accept that Dioxins remained in the area/ground well after its use and not just during. We exposed these Troops to an unsafe environment and now they suffer from it in sickness/illnesses, and in some cases death. I believe you will find in most cases, it has taken several years for the illnesses to appear, quite similar to those who were exposed to Agent Orange when it was used in Vietnam. Also, many Korean DMZ veterans do not know that A.O. was even used there. <br /><br /> From 1972 to 1991, approximately 50,000 troops have served in the American Sector of the DMZ, and that is a conservative number! For the VA to see an issue/trend here is very limited due to relatively small number of veterans who have served there. With DMZ veterans spread in 50 states, territories, working, living, and retired overseas, and in some cases have passed on, it is hard to see that there is a trend/issue especially if veterans don't know they were exposed.... The VA and the Federal Government has not taken any measures to notify these veterans either. “Hide the information, nobody knows”. <br /><br /> My son John H. Lucken suffers from Spinal Bifida, a birth defect from those who were exposed to Agent Orange and it's Dioxins. A birth defect that is define by the VA. As of a recent C-Scan on John, he is found to have 2 ½ kidneys also! This C-Scan is on record with the Pana, IL Hospital.<br /><br /> John was born on July 17, 1989 at 121st Evac Hospital, Yongsan, Korea. John's mother is Korean from the north part of the ROK. Her name is Mun, Yong-Cha!<br /> <br /> John's spinal bifida is on record with the VA besides dealing with PTSD from Afghanistan 2009. Would I know that my service would come back to haunt him even more, then me!<br /> <br /> My info is: 831 W Jefferson, Vandalia, IL 62471; phone: 618-204-8391; email: lucken13@nwcable.net.<br /> <br /> Thomas J. Lucken<br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <br />Kimchimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05652098583908135415noreply@blogger.com