The Poisoned Legacy: Agent Orange at Fort Ord
As a young soldier at Fort Ord in California, Dean Osborn spent countless hours navigating woodland trails and gulping down water from streams and aquifers – only to discover decades later that these water sources were contaminated with lethal chemicals.
The Shadow of Vietnam
Fort Ord, an active military base from 1917 to 1994, became a silent battleground for soldiers like Osborn. Investigations have uncovered compelling evidence that, starting in the 1950s, the Army experimented with and sprayed Agent Orange – a potent herbicide infamous for its use in Vietnam – in an effort to combat the invasive poison oak plant.
The herbicide, a deadly concoction of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, was not just a wartime poison but also a hazard to soldiers and civilians alike. The infamous chemical, 2,4,5-T, contains a highly toxic dioxin known as TCDD, linked to devastating diseases, birth defects, and even conditions like Alzheimer’s.
Despite its devastating consequences, Agent Orange was widely used not only in Vietnam but also at numerous military bases across the US, including Fort Ord. Tragically, these actions have had far-reaching repercussions for veterans who served at these bases.
The Lingering Effects
As the years turned into decades, Osborn and his fellow Fort Ord veterans began to face a disturbing pattern of illnesses. One after another, they battled cancer, hypothyroidism, and prostate disease – ailments commonly associated with Agent Orange exposure.
The VA acknowledges prostate cancer as a “presumptive condition” for Agent Orange compensation, recognizing its connection to exposure at specific locations. However, Osborn’s claim for benefits was denied, despite overwhelming evidence, on the grounds that his cancer was “more likely due to age.”
Meanwhile, other harmful chemicals like trichloroethylene have been found at Fort Ord, landing it on the EPA’s Superfund site list. These contaminants enter the body through water, soil, or the air, potentially taking years to manifest as diseases.
A Complicated Legacy
The VA’s reluctance to extend presumption of exposure to Fort Ord veterans highlights the complex nature of Agent Orange’s legacy. While it’s undisputed that the herbicide was used at the base, determining the extent of exposure and its connection to specific illnesses can be challenging.
Environmental activist Pat Elder and a team of experts have compiled extensive documentation, including journal articles, Army reports, and cleanup assessments, all pointing to widespread Agent Orange use at Fort Ord.
The Pentagon maintains that the Agent Orange it deployed in Vietnam was more potent than commercially available versions. However, research suggests that even the “commercial” forms of 2,4,5-T contained significant amounts of dioxin.
Seeking Accountability
Veterans like Osborn and his comrades are determined to hold the military accountable for the health repercussions they continue to face. They plead for recognition of Fort Ord as a presumptive Agent Orange exposure site, which would ease their burden of proving their illnesses’ origin.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry is currently investigating potential chemical exposure at Fort Ord, but their focus excludes Agent Orange. Veterans are understandably frustrated, as they endure the long and often arduous process of seeking compensation and acknowledgment for their service-related health issues.
A Broader Problem
Fort Ord is not an isolated incident. Dozens of other military bases have been linked to Agent Orange use and contamination. The Pentagon’s list of potential exposure sites has come under fire for being outdated and incomplete, leaving many veterans at risk of being denied benefits.
Vietnam veterans have been recognized for their Agent Orange exposure, but the same recognition is still lacking for those who served at other contaminated bases like Fort Ord. As more evidence emerges, the VA must act to provide justice and support to all who were harmed by this toxic legacy.
Data sourced from: dailynews.com
