Vietnam vets impacted by Agent Orange given new recognition
A special pinning ceremony will be held 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5 4-6 p.m. as part of Agent Orange Awareness Day at the Vietnam Wall display in Kinder. The names of medal recipients will be read during the ceremony, and those in attendance will be pinned.
Valarie Trahan, of the Allen Parish Tourism Commission, said the medal and ceremony aims to recognize veterans who were exposed to, affected by and continue to suffer from the effects of Agent Orange, a herbicide and defoliant used during the Vietnam War.
'We want the medal and the ceremony to be our way of letting these veterans know they were not forgotten because this was a tragedy for our veterans,' Trahan said, noting that many veterans are still suffering from the side effects of being exposed to Agent Orange. 'Hopefully this will help heal their heart and somehow let them know they are not forgotten.'
There are 18 medically acceptable conditions for the medal, including amyloidosis, non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, prostate cancer, Parkinson's seaside, respirator cancers, multiple myeloma, hypertension.
Applications for Agent Orange Medal are being accepted through Aug. 25. Applications are available at the Allen Parish Tourist Commission Office on U.S. 165 in Oberlin or by calling the Tourism Commission at 337-639-4868.
Over 60 applications have been received so far.
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute, a replica of the national memorial in Washington, D.C. will be on display Nov. 3-7 next to the Inn at Coushatta on U.S. 165 in Kinder.
This eight-foot-high, 360-long-foot wall serves as a powerful tribute to those who served in the Vietnam War and the more than 58,000 who lost their lives, according to Allen Parish Tourism Director Adagria Haddock.
'These men and women gave their all and for the ones who survived, this will be a welcome home,' Haddock said. 'This is our time to honor and love them and show them the respect they deserve.'
Special crosses will also be on display to honor Allen Parish soldiers who died in the war.
The wall will be escorted from I-10 along U.S. 165 to Kinder at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, by a motorcade of police and emergency vehicles, motorcycles, and vintage cars. Local Vietnam veteran and Coushatta of Louisiana tribal member Lovelin Poncho will serve as grand marshal.
The wall will officially open at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3 with a ceremony and will remain open to the public 24 hours a day through 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7.
The exhibit will also feature the Cost of Freedom Wall, a 72-panel exhibit listing all wars, including the 9/11 attacks and the names of fallen soldiers. A Vietnam War museum will also be on display.
Daily ceremonies will include guest speakers, wreath laying and other presentations, a Farewell to Soldiers ceremony, candlelight vigil and sounding of Taps each evening. A special Nightingale ceremony will be held at 6 p.. on Thursday, Nov. 6 to honor nurses who served during the war.
For more information, to volunteer or to make donations, contact the Tourism Commission at 337-639-4868.
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American Press
7 hours ago
- American Press
Vietnam vets impacted by Agent Orange given new recognition
Applications are now open for Vietnam veterans eligible to receive an Agent Orange Medal. A special pinning ceremony will be held 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5 4-6 p.m. as part of Agent Orange Awareness Day at the Vietnam Wall display in Kinder. The names of medal recipients will be read during the ceremony, and those in attendance will be pinned. Valarie Trahan, of the Allen Parish Tourism Commission, said the medal and ceremony aims to recognize veterans who were exposed to, affected by and continue to suffer from the effects of Agent Orange, a herbicide and defoliant used during the Vietnam War. 'We want the medal and the ceremony to be our way of letting these veterans know they were not forgotten because this was a tragedy for our veterans,' Trahan said, noting that many veterans are still suffering from the side effects of being exposed to Agent Orange. 'Hopefully this will help heal their heart and somehow let them know they are not forgotten.' There are 18 medically acceptable conditions for the medal, including amyloidosis, non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, prostate cancer, Parkinson's seaside, respirator cancers, multiple myeloma, hypertension. Applications for Agent Orange Medal are being accepted through Aug. 25. Applications are available at the Allen Parish Tourist Commission Office on U.S. 165 in Oberlin or by calling the Tourism Commission at 337-639-4868. Over 60 applications have been received so far. The American Veterans Traveling Tribute, a replica of the national memorial in Washington, D.C. will be on display Nov. 3-7 next to the Inn at Coushatta on U.S. 165 in Kinder. This eight-foot-high, 360-long-foot wall serves as a powerful tribute to those who served in the Vietnam War and the more than 58,000 who lost their lives, according to Allen Parish Tourism Director Adagria Haddock. 'These men and women gave their all and for the ones who survived, this will be a welcome home,' Haddock said. 'This is our time to honor and love them and show them the respect they deserve.' Special crosses will also be on display to honor Allen Parish soldiers who died in the war. The wall will be escorted from I-10 along U.S. 165 to Kinder at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, by a motorcade of police and emergency vehicles, motorcycles, and vintage cars. Local Vietnam veteran and Coushatta of Louisiana tribal member Lovelin Poncho will serve as grand marshal. The wall will officially open at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3 with a ceremony and will remain open to the public 24 hours a day through 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. The exhibit will also feature the Cost of Freedom Wall, a 72-panel exhibit listing all wars, including the 9/11 attacks and the names of fallen soldiers. A Vietnam War museum will also be on display. Daily ceremonies will include guest speakers, wreath laying and other presentations, a Farewell to Soldiers ceremony, candlelight vigil and sounding of Taps each evening. A special Nightingale ceremony will be held at 6 p.. on Thursday, Nov. 6 to honor nurses who served during the war. For more information, to volunteer or to make donations, contact the Tourism Commission at 337-639-4868.
CBS News
30-07-2025
- CBS News
North Texas military veterans face sharp cuts to VA-funded in-home care
Veterans in North Texas who depend on federal funding for in-home care are seeing major cutbacks, forcing some to give up the independence of living in their homes. The CBS News Texas I-Team first reported in April that many veterans were receiving fewer approved hours through the Department of Veterans Affairs' Homemaker Home Health Aide (H/HHA) Program. The program is designed to help veterans live independently by sending aides to assist with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing and housekeeping. While the number of North Texas veterans enrolled in the H/HHA program has increased in recent years, the percentage of veterans who receive more than 20 hours per week of in-home care has steadily gone down in the past year, according to an analysis of data provided by the VA. Veterans enrolled in the program who receive more than 20 hours a week of in-home care has dropped from 37% in June of 2024 to 11% in June 2025. A VA spokesperson told the I-Team there had been some confusion about the scope of the program. To fix that, the VA North Texas Health Care System recently rolled out a new system to make sure hours are being approved consistently and correctly. One of the veterans affected is an 80-year-old Marine veteran from Denton who is suffering from cancer linked to exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. He asked not to be identified out of fear of retaliation. The VA determined his disability rating was 100%, which represents how the disability impacts overall health and ability to function. The rating also determines what level of benefits veterans are eligible for. The Marine veteran had been receiving 37 hours of in-home care each week. The support allowed him and his wife, who has Alzheimer's disease, to remain in their home. But last summer, without warning, the VA cut his in-home care to 13 hours per week. With less help, the veteran said he had no choice but to move into assisted living. "I can't take care of my wife because I can't get help for me," he said, holding back tears. "That's what's hurtful about it." Nagraj Venkataraman, owner of BrightStar Care of Denton, a home health care agency, said all his veteran clients in the program — more than a dozen — have seen similar cuts. "If there is one segment of the population that needs help, it's our veterans," he said. "It's our duty to give back to them. That shouldn't be a cliché. It should be real." Marine veteran James Carey of Heath, Texas, also knows firsthand how devastating the cuts can be. Fifteen years ago, a training accident at Camp Pendleton left him with a traumatic brain injury. Now 38, Carey is blind, unable to move his body and suffers from dementia. Until this year, Carey had been receiving care from the VA around the clock. But in January, the VA reduced it to 16 hours per week. After multiple appeals, his hours were raised to 50 — still far less than what he had been receiving. His mother, Kim Carey, has been his primary caregiver. But she said she can't do it alone. "Why do we have to keep paying that price every day?" she said. "Why do we have to beg the VA to give him the benefits he earned?" The VA insists that no national policy has changed. In a statement, the VA told the I-Team there was some confusion about what the program was supposed to cover, stating the H/HHA is "not meant for housekeeping or 24/7 care." But the VA's own website lists housekeeping in a video as one of the services the program can provide — and does not mention any limits on hours. The VA North Texas Health Care System provided H/HHA services to 7,939 veterans in 2024 and 8,196 so far in 2025. The VA also pointed to other services available to veterans, including the Caregiver Support Program, medical foster homes and nursing homes.
Health Line
22-07-2025
- Health Line
What Are the Causes of Parkinson's Disease?
Key takeaways Parkinson's disease is a nervous system disorder impacting movement and balance, with the exact causes still under investigation, though it's known to involve the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain. Genetic factors, environmental exposures (such as pesticides), and the presence of Lewy bodies (abnormal protein clumps in the brain) are all potential contributors to the development of Parkinson's disease. Age and biological sex also influence Parkinson's risk, with advanced age being the most significant risk factor, and individuals assigned male at birth showing a higher susceptibility to the disease. Parkinson's disease is a chronic disorder of the nervous system, which is made up of pathways of cells and neurons that send and receive signals throughout your body. As of 2017, around 1 million people lived with Parkinson's in the United States. And, according to the Parkinson's Foundation, that number is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030 — each year, approximately 60,000 new diagnoses occur in the United States. Parkinson's disease is caused by the loss of nerve cells in a part of your brain called the substantia nigra. These cells control the production of the chemical dopamine. Dopamine helps control movement in your body. But when the cells are impaired, less dopamine is produced. This condition isn't fatal, but it can cause severe symptoms that impact everyday movement and mobility. Hallmark symptoms include tremors and trouble with gait and balance. These symptoms develop because the brain's ability to communicate is impaired. Researchers aren't yet certain what causes Parkinson's. Read on to learn more about several factors that may contribute to the condition. The genetics of Parkinson's A 2020 study including 1,676 people with Parkinson's in mainland China suggested that genes play a role in the development of the condition. An estimated 10 to 15 percent of people with Parkinson's have a family history of the condition. In fact, a number of specific genes have been linked to the development of Parkinson's. How do genetics factor into Parkinson's in some families? According to Genetics Home Reference, one possible way is through the mutation of genes responsible for producing dopamine and certain proteins essential for brain function. Some newer research from 2021 indicates that treatments could potentially be tailored to a person's specific genetic background. However, more research has to first be done on genetic forms of the condition. Environmental causes of Parkinson's disease There's some evidence that your environment can play a role in Parkinson's disease. Exposure to certain chemicals has been suggested as a possible link to the condition. These include: pesticides such as insecticides herbicides fungicides It's also possible that Agent Orange exposure may be linked to Parkinson's, according to VA Health Care. Parkinson's has also been potentially linked to drinking well water in some older studies, such as one from 2009. However, a nationwide study from 2020 suggested that may not be the case. More research needs to be done to determine if well water is associated with increased risk. Some research, such as a 2020 study performed in Morocco, also links consuming excessive manganese, a necessary trace mineral, to an elevated risk of Parkinson's disease. Not everyone exposed to these environmental factors develops Parkinson's, though. Some researchers, such as the author of a 2017 study, theorize that a combination of genetics and environmental factors causes Parkinson's. Lewy bodies Lewy bodies are abnormal clumps of proteins found in the brain stem of people with Parkinson's disease. These clumps contain a protein that cells are unable to break down. They surround cells in the brain and, in the process, interrupt the way the brain functions. Clusters of Lewy bodies cause the brain to degenerate over time. This results in decreased motor coordination in people with Parkinson's disease. Loss of dopamine Dopamine is a neurotransmitter chemical that aids in passing messages between different sections of your brain. In people with Parkinson's, the cells that produce dopamine are impaired. Without an adequate supply of dopamine, your brain is unable to properly send and receive messages. This disruption affects the body's ability to coordinate movement and results in trouble with walking and balance. Age and sex factors Aging also plays a role in Parkinson's disease. Advanced age is the most significant risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease, according to a 2014 research review. Scientists believe that brain and dopamine function begin to decline as your body ages, per a 2016 review. This makes a person more susceptible to Parkinson's. A person's sex can also play a role in Parkinson's. According to 2014 research, people assigned male at birth (referred to as 'men' in the study) are more susceptible to developing Parkinson's than those assigned female (referred to as 'women'). The disease also seems to be more aggressive in males, per a 2020 review. Some researchers, including the authors of a 2015 research paper, are looking into whether sex-specific differences decrease with age. Occupations affecting risk Research from 2009 suggested that certain occupations may put a person at greater risk for developing Parkinson's. In particular, Parkinson's disease may be more likely among people who have jobs in welding, agriculture, and industrial work. This may be because they're exposed to toxic chemicals. However, study results have been inconsistent, according to 2010 research. Ultimately, more research needs to be done. Future research Experts have some clues as to why Parkinson's disease develops, but there's still a lot that's unknown. Early detection and treatment are key in minimizing symptoms of Parkinson's. Advanced technologies such as genetic research, stem cell research, and using so-called neurotrophic factors to revive brain cells show promise in exploratory research. Though treatments can help you manage Parkinson's symptoms and improve your quality of life, a cure hasn't yet been found. And more research is needed to identify the exact role that genetics and environment play in causing this disease.
