As lung cancer was diagnosed, my doctors kept asking me if I smoked. They were very surprised when I said no. I started doing research on the Internet to discover alternative causes for my disease. Studies have been done on the relationship between Agent Orange and disease. Nine diseases are presumed by the VA to be related to exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides.
Lung cancer is one of the diseases.
I spent my first six months in Vietnam at Quang Tri, which was one of the most concentrated spraying areas in Vietnam. I am just one of many who are going to die prematurely, and have to also endure the pain of loved ones who have to face a much less certain future. As I read the many stories of people in similar situations, I wept. The way my brothers in battle and their families have been treated is a national disgrace. As I went through test after test, I was disheartened, as each test result had an unfavorable outcome.