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Walks the Talk

The U.S. Congress passed the Agent Orange Act of 1991 providing Veterans Administration (VA) benefits to Vietnam-era Navy veterans who had been exposed to the toxic chemical dioxin during their tour of duty. The legislation compensated the veterans for subsequent illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy, and a form of heart disease.

A decade after the bill’s passage, the Veterans Administration changed its interpretation of the act. The result was the exclusion of the sailors known as “Blue Water” vets from compensation.

With his demonstrated sense of fairness, and commitment to veterans, Dave Yaccarino, ranking member of the Connecticut legislature’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee, took action. He supported the bi-partisan Connecticut House of Representatives Resolution Recognizing Blue Water Navy Veterans. This called for the president and vice-president of the United States, the Veterans’ Affairs chairpersons of both Houses of Congress, and all members of the Connecticut congressional delegation to restore these VA benefits to Blue Water Navy veterans. These vets had been exposed to Agent Orange in the coastal waters of Vietnam between 1962 and 1975.

This is just one example of many in which Dave walks the talk and tirelessly advocates for Connecticut and U.S. veterans.

I encourage your readers who appreciate our veterans’ selfless service to our country to join me in voting for Dave Yaccarino on Nov. 8. Let’s make sure he can continue to fight for not just our veterans, but for all of our citizens.

Layton Price

North Haven