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COVID prompts virtual Veterans Day event; Agent Orange stone dedicated

Wicked Local Northwest - 11/3/2020

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CHELMSFORD -- The coronavirus crisis means a virtual Veterans Day ceremony -- with dedication of a stone at Chelmsford Veterans Memorial Park to honor veterans exposed to the defoliant, Agent Orange.

Veterans Agent Regina Jackson announced the virtual program will be presented by Chelmsford Telemedia, and will posted on Nov. 11 on the town website. Jackson said all are welcome to visit the park on their own.

Michael Kendrick is president of the Chelmsford Veterans Memorial Park, and treasurer of the Merrimack Valley Vietnam Veterans. Kendrick and his wife, Debbie, are founding members of the park committee. They have worked actively in both organizations for many years, raising awareness of veterans' issues.

Deadly effects

Kendrick said the Agent Orange stone will be unveiled as part of the virtual program. "The stone is to memorialize the men and women who are going through the process of Agent Orange conditions," Kendrick said.

Agent Orange was a group of herbicides and defoliants used by the U.S. military to clear vegetation during the Vietnam War. Agent Orange exposure has been linked to a host of illnesses and injuries, including several varieties of cancer, among civilians and military personnel, as well as to victims' children.

Following public efforts to raise awareness and fight before benefits, the Veterans Administration acknowledged the impact of Agent Orange, and lists information and compensation eligibility.

Stone of remembrance

At last year's ceremony, participants unveiled two additional pillars the Chelmsford Veterans Memorial Park. The pillars collectively bear the names of military personnel, with five years or more of residence in town, who served in active duty.

"When we added the last two pillars there, I decided we needd an Agent Orange stone, to remember those men and women have been affected by the chemical process of that," Kendrick said.

An A-frame was installed at the park, with a sign seeking donations for a stone to placed at the A-frame site.

Colors of service

A dream is now a reality, and the stone has been placed in the park, covered up until the unveiling as part of the virtual Veterans Day program.

"Because of COVID, the effort took quite a long time," Kendrick said. "We've been going through the process since the beginning of the year." The memorial firm that provided the stone held onto it, cut and polished it, and made it ready for the engraving. "They hung onto it, because of COVID, and a few weeks ago, ended up etching the stone."

Kendrick added, "The stone is in color. There are colors in the stone -- it's not a black-and-white type stone."

The repercussions of Agent Orange persist, the Kendricks said. "We had a few veterans passed away due to cancer problems," Kendrick said. "One gentleman has Type 2 diabetest and has lost sight in one of his eyes, and we have another one who has lots of skin problems, and now has internal problems."

To learn more about veterans services, visit the Veterans Agent page on the town website, or call 978-250-5238.

Pastry for vets

A grab-and-go pastry for veterans is set for Nov. 6, 10-11 a.m. at the Chelmsford Senior Center.

Participants are asked to wear masks and stay in their vehicles while pastries are distributed.

For more information, and to register, call 978-251-0533.

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