My story is about my brother, but the full story affects hundreds of thousands of men, women and children daily. I'm talking about the mental, physical, and extreme financial burden that the use of Agent Orange (the death spray) in Vietnam has put on families, even 25 years after the fact.
Isn't it time someone got on the bandwagon and brought this horrendous story into the limelight? I hope someone does before my brother dies, but even if he does die I will continue to write letters to anyone I can think of until someone listens and gets public outcry so great that the Veterans Administration will have no choice but to stop giving these men and women and their children the VA shuffle. I've had a "Thanks but no thanks" from Gov. Leavitt and Rep. Hansen.My brother was born in Utah and it has been home to the Tolbert and Hamblin families for over 100 years. We are direct descendants of Jacob Hamblin. So is it in the best interest of this state to help a native son? No, it's his residential state's problem, which is Georgia.
He served in Vietnam in 1970 and 1971 and started his claim against Agent Orange-related problems in 1981. They told him this year his records were retired in Phoenix in 1986. Why? They don't retire records unless you're dead. Now he's being told they are lost, all records of his medical problems and his claim. He must start over. He doesn't have the time to start over, I fear.
These men and women who served or thought they served their country to defend and build a better world, have been ignored and shuffled ever since that government political fiasco ended. And they've paid and paid and paid. Someone needs to care.
Marie Welsh
Hinckley