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
Macon, GA