GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Attention all Vietnam Veterans! On Thursday, Oct. 20, a town hall will be held in conjunction with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Florida State Council, VVA Chapter 1059 and the Clay County Veterans Service office. The town hall will be at the Board of County Commissioners meeting room at the Clay County Administration Building, fourth floor, at 477 Houston St. in Green Cove Springs. The meeting will start at 5 p.m.

There will be presentations, guest speakers and information regarding Agent Orange. There will be Veteran Service Officers on hand to schedule appointments for Vietnam Veterans and all Veterans to obtain VA benefits.

The recently signed PACT Act added two additional presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation -- high blood pressure (also called hypertension) and Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).

Agent Orange is a highly toxic herbicide and defoliant chemical, one of the tactical use “Rainbow Herbicides” used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. It was highly effective in defoliating hiding places used by the Viet Cong, decimating rice paddies and fields that provided them with food and clearing the perimeters of military bases to give U.S. service members an unobstructed line of fire. Although colorless, the chemical is known as “Agent Orange” because of an orange band painted on the drums used to store and transport it. After the war, Agent Orange’s effectiveness was overshadowed by the unanticipated repercussions of its use: debilitating and often lethal health consequences for those exposed and for their children and grandchildren, as well as hugely damaging environmental effects.

Come learn more about the effects of Agent Orange and why you should file for VA benefits.

There also will be information available on the PACT Act Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War and post-9/11 eras.

Please call (904) 529-4256 to register for the Agent Orange Town Hall.

For more information, please contact David Treffinger at dtreffinger433@msn.com or call (609) 320-1723.