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Spouse of a Vietnam Vet?


kimblanchard

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KarHart brought up a good topic over in Financial Issues, you should check it out - but short form - if your spouse set foot in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975 for even one day, even on leave, and later died of lung cancer and some other conditions, you may be able to get a survivor's benefit from the VA, even now. It is enough to be worth applying for. It has to do with herbicide exposure, Agent Orange. Contact your local VA and if you get a bad answer, call back and ask someone else. Margaret

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Hi Margaret.

This is very interesting to me. I have often wondered about this issue with my family. My Dad was an aerial crop duster/sprayer/ applicator since I was in diapers. We played around his chemical barrels that would be considered a toxic waste site by today's standards. My brothers and I helped Dad at the air strip loading pesticides, herbicides, defoliants and fungicides into the hopper. And we would on occasion flag for him. I washed his work clothes that were soaked with chemicals and smelled to high heaven. And on occasion flagged for him.

It just seems so odd to me that my brothers who were most in contact with Dad's business were the two brothers who died so young from lung cancer. Among my sisters, I am the one who loved to spend time anyway that I could to be near my Dad. I loved him to pieces. I used to wash his planes from noses to tails after a days work.

I am wondering if the same chemicals in Agent Orange were some of the same chemicals that he used in his business. I know what he used was toxic. But, at the time, we didn't think about it too much. It was his business.

Three kids out of nine with lung cancer in their 30's and 40's ...wow....too young.

Just rambling now. If my Dad could hear me he would not like it. He was very defensive about his business.

Anyway, Margaret, I must say, I think about you and Jim everyday. I am glad that you have this time together. Very precious time.

Cindi o'h

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