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My Husband had Agent Orange!!

My husband had Agent Orange, he was called a "Gunner" which means, he shot down the good & bad people. While in Viet~Nam he & his friend one morning had their bunker blown up, his friend died, my husband had head injury. Now, my husband had done 2 tours over there, to serve Our Country. What I'm getting to, is that he was giving full 100% disable payments but when he pass away 2yrs. ago, they gave me denial Widow's Pension from him!!! Out of our 26yrs. of marriage, I took care of him, even on the day he died at home!!! Where is this Goverment for ME or is it?? This man had so many hang up that came from serving over in Viet~Nam, the stories that he told me was unbelieveable! He had booby trap his room with knife's, clubs, which I didn't know about until I had to clean it out.
Now, I've been waiting for almost 2yrs. for an answer from my appeal to receive a Widow's Pension from my late husband, there's some wrong with this system.
I have lost my home (Short Sale), sold everything we had, lost $3,400. a month from my income from 2 of his penison!! But we can give money to other countries, and can't help the Widow's here in USA??? If anyone out there could help me, I sure would be greatful!!!
Thank You,
Nancy J. Fong

Nancy J. Fong
Marysville, WA

Welcome Home

I got my welcome home in 1971 at Callahan's Tavern in Quincy Massachusetts. I walked in just after I got back and the old bartender said, "You're Jimmy Hagan's boy aren't you?" I said "Yes". He said, "Haven't seen you for a while. Where ya been?" I told him I just got back from Vietnam and was a civilian again. He says, "Welcome home. This one is on the house. What are you drinking?" My answer was, "Beer ... the coldest one you got!" One advantage to growing up in an Irish/Italian working class neighborhood. Not much anti-war BS in Quincy.

Frank Hagan
Vernon, AZ

FMF-Doc aiding wounded Marine.

I was the FMF-Doc aiding the Mike CO. 3rd BN 4th Marine in 10/66 on Hill 400. In Operation Prairie.
After a fierce fire fight with 324B NVA Div. Standing next to us, was our Navy Chaplain Capt. Beach, he was
giving moral comfort.

Proud to have served in Nam with the US Marines in 66/67 and in the US Navy in 65/59.

David Hendrick Behrens
Eau Claire, WI

Rememberances

The Navy for me, although I did not realize it after graduating from high school in 1957 opened up a view of the world I never knew existed after growing up in a small Kansas town. After basic training I went to radioman school, then to a ship in Hawaii. What a wonderful place. I also was able to see and experience a lot of the far east.
During the Vietnam era my time was primarily spent on wooden hulled ocean going minesweepers. A great experience, although I feel Vietnam was a terrible waste of young mens lives. My entire career was spent on the Pacific side of America. I retired in 1979 and reside in San Diego.
I have the utmost respect for the young men and women of todays military. I support the VFW and USO.
God bless our troops.

Larry Wiens
San Diego area, CA

Viet Nam Vets MC

These are some of the men in the VNV MC (motorcycle club) in the Akron area.They are all Viet Nam veterans and are AWESOME men!!! Love each one of them and RESPECT all!!! These men get together and provide services to their community and for other Vets!!! They have scars and memories of some horrible times in their young lives...the war and the way they were treated by the country that put them through the disrespect,unjust treatment...the UNFORGIVABLE way they were greeted when they returned! But these men still give their time,their money (which isn't much...the government doesn't provide much for their PTSD...disability) and mostly their love.These men and ALL the Viet Nam veterans deserve respect!!! Thanks to all of our Veterans for their service and sacrifice

Marlea Frase
Barberton, OH

My hero wears combat boots

I met Captain Francis Desmond on an online dating site two years ago. I enjoyed our chats and began planning my day so we'd be online at the same time. After 3 months of these chats he declared his love for me and asked me to marry him. Since then we've shared many ups and downs. He's been shot and I've had 2 surgeries. Despite the distance our love has grown. His deployment to Kabul is very difficult but it's given me a new appreciation for his sacrifice and the sacrifice of his troop's families. He's never turned his back on me and never judged me by my disability. I know once he returns home he'll show me the same dedication and selfless service he's shown his country. There are many heroes we see in movies but my personal hero is this officer in Afghanistan

Svee
Vancouver, Canada

Even Single Moms Can Do It!!!!

This single Mother of a beautiful boy who had just turned 5 returned home from a 9 months, boots on ground, tour. She was deployed to Kuwait & was gone for just under one year. She joined the National Guard in 2010 & was deployed in 2012. SPC Michelle Dupree's parents cared foe her son while she was away and during her training. SPC Dupree's Father, MSG Ron Copley, has been in the FL National Guard for over 30 years and is in the Wounded Warrior Program. SPC Dupree's son is already following in their footsteps. He is a young soldier & can't wait to become a warrior. SPC Dupree deployed with the 2153rd FMD, finance unit out of St Augustine, FL. She is currently on orders and works for the Recruiting and Retention Program out of Orland, FL. SPC Dupree has a BA from UCF and plans on making the military a full time career. She is very proud to be an American Soldier.

Anonymous
Orlando, FL

The Impossible Dream (Sung at our Wedding in 1980) - A Vietnam Veteran's Widow's Story

My husband, Jim Caldon, was a Navy Seabee who served in Vietnam in the late 60′s. When our children were 2, 4, and 6 years of age it was discovered that my husband suffered from Stage IV non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The prognosis was “two years.” My husband lived for nine.
The VA classified my husband’s death in 1996 as “service-related due to his exposure to Agent Orange.” Our children are now 28, 30, and 32 years of age and live with the fact that their Father died for our freedom. I once wrote a speech for a group of young people on the impact of the Vietnam War on so many families - ours included. Because of the VA Claims System, the Vietnam War has not ended.
On behalf of all the families that are fighting their own battle with the VA Claims System, I am speaking to the public - my latest speech is now on YouTube at the links below.
Our oldest son said to me, “Mom, this is a small battle compared to the 'war' you have already won.” Our son was referring to the years we struggled watching my husband slowly die from his exposure to Agent Orange and our struggle financially following his death – which continues today due to our now 17 year battle - even after I received a very rare "Joint Motion for Remand" from the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. in September 2010. We still wait...... For our family, "Memorial Day" and "Veterans Day" are everyday. I often remember the lyrics to Lee Greenwood’s song, which says, ”I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” I know in my heart that my husband is smiling down from Heaven and is very proud of his legacy with our incredible adult children - our youngest a Naval Chief Petty Officer - who all live believing that one day "The Impossible Dream" will be possible.
YouTube Part I:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yte6Y8PRsns&list=PLvg8pV7uZkqoqNInDBBW2-3pF5-ZT_3Lg
YouTube Part II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ecs6aoCf-s&list=PLvg8pV7uZkqoqNInDBBW2-3pF5-ZT_3Lg

E. Denise Caldon
Macon, GA

My baby

This is my son, CPL. Severen James Coppola. At a very young age ( the fourth grade ) he decided he wanted to join the marines. He never waivered. Even though I was against it. We quarreled many times but he held firm. At the age of 17 he pre-enlisted. And at the age of 18 just two weeks after graduating high school he went for basic training. He is now 21 and I couldn't be prouder of him. He stood firm to achieve his goal and with much determination he achieved it. Because he loves his country. Semper Fi!!

Lisa Miles
Princeton, WV

heroes

I have 3 sons and 1 daughter, all three of my sons have or are serving in the armed forces. My Army son was deploying to Iraq and I said my boys, were my heroes. My son that was deploying said "Im not a Hero Im a soldier, Heroes come home in boxes". With that said, he did his tour and came home, only slightly damaged , he had no visible damage, but there were nightmares, hearing damage, and emotional issues.

My son in law, SSG Tyler J Smith, served in the Army also and was on his 3rd tour of duty, 1 in Iraq and 2 in Afghanistan. In following my son's definition Tyler is my Hero. I still have a son in the services, a Marine. I hope like heck I never have another Hero.

Tyler loved his country and knew by the age of 9 he wanted to serve his country in the Army. He loved being in the Army almost as much as he loved his wife and kids. According to my 6 yr old grandson,Wyatt his daddy is a golden eagle flying high in the sky.

My Marine and Tyler (Army) used to banter back and force about what branch was more awesome. My Marine flew to Dover to escort SSG Tyler J Smith home. Standing watch over his brother in the pouring rain and storm;

RIP Ty. To my sons... I love you all and Thanks for your serice

Anonymous
Palacios, TX