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On a warm August summer evening recently, approximately 100 people gathered to commemorate National Agent Orange Awareness Day. The ceremony was a reminder for many Vietnam veterans, families and friends, the cost of war did not end when all the veterans returned home. Decades later many continue to live with the lasting effects of Agent Orange exposure.
The ceremony was held at the soccer fields across from Isothermal Community College and it provided an opportunity for loved ones and friends to honor those whose lives changed forever due to Agent Orange.
Lynn Hegeman of Rutherfordton talked about her husband Dan Hegeman who passed away due to Agent Orange exposure. Melissa LeRoy of Forest City shared the story of her father who also passed away from complications of Agent Orange.
Dan was diagnosed with terminal cancer in March 2020 during the Covid Global Pandemic. He was given a life expectancy of five years after his diagnosis and lived 4 1/2 years.
Lynn said her job during that time was keeping Dan as comfortable and happy as possible, but Covid restrictions kept him from spending time with family and friends at the time.
During his sickness, Lynn said there was no time for thoughts about Agent Orange causing his cancer, but after his death she said she became somewhat settled into her new normal as "anger" crept in about Agent Orange. She said it was a personal struggle not to allow the anger to control her and "lose the happiness or peacefulness she had begun to achieve."
When Lynn was asked to become involved with "The Wall That Heals" that will be brought to Rutherford County in November, she knew the decision could bring even more sadness, but instead, "it started a healing process."
Lynn said she was able to realize the importance of creating more awareness about Agent Orange and to add Dan to the memory program with Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
She said far too long many veterans and families have faced unanswered questions about illnesses, disabilities and the connection between their military service and health.
"Today we know more than we once did, but awareness remains essential," Lynn continued.
Lynn said education is not only about medical information but about understanding the full human impact.
"It is about the veteran who may have suffered quietly for years...it is about the spouse who became a caregiver," she said.
"It is about the children and grandchildren who grew up seeing the lasting effects of service within their own family.
"When we speak openly about Agent Orange, we honor the truth. We replace silence with understanding. And we help make sure that veterans and families who may need support know that they are seen, heard, and valued," Lynn concluded.
Melissa LeRoy read her 2021 published poem:
My Dad, my Hero
Our Dad was a Father, Daddy, Grandpa, friend and a hero.
He was the type of man that taught and deserved respect; disrespect in his book was a zero.
His style was strong, quiet and he had a mighty work ethic.
His tone was sometimes taken as gruff or rude; however everything he said was true and authentic.
As a Vietnam War Veteran he was never fully understood.
All he wanted was for someone to love him, for despite the PTSD demons and Agent Orange side effects his intentions were good.
Many accused him of having a mausoleum and being a hoarder.
This was not the case, his emotional attachment to family helped him keep his life in order.
The love he had for us, his daughters, never wavered.
The more his daughters learned about him in his last few months, they realized they favored.
A Hero, my Dad, our Dad is down.
He made me promise his last days to help the
3%; now stand back and watch as I prepare and adjust my crown.
Melissa told the crowd, "we gather in remembrance, but we also gather with purpose."
"National Agent Orange Awareness Day calls us to honor the Vietnam veterans who served our nation, to remember those who are no longer with us, and to stand beside the families who continue to carry the effects of that service," she said.
The day also reminds everyone that sacrifice is not always visible, sometimes it is carried in a diagnosis received years later; sometimes it is carried in the quiet strength of a spouse or caregiver, "It reminds us that sacrifice is not always visible," Melissa said.
"Sometimes, it is carried by a family that has spent decades seeking answers, support, and recognition. As a community, we have the opportunity to make sure that these stories are not forgotten. We can listen. We can learn. We can share resources," Melissa said.
"We can teach future generations that the cost of service may continue long after a war ends. And we can ensure that our Vietnam veterans receive the respect, compassion, and recognition they have earned," Melissa continued.
"As we look ahead to The Wall That Heals coming to Rutherford County in November, let this gathering be the beginning of a continuing commitment: to remember the fallen, honor those who served, educate our community, and support the veterans and families among us.
"To our Vietnam veterans, we say: thank you. To their families, we say: thank you. And to everyone here tonight, thank you for choosing to remember, educate, and honor. Together, we remember. Together, we educate. Together, we honor," Melissa said.
"Because no veteran, and no family, should ever have to walk this journey alone," she added.
Following the brief ceremony, people remained at the property and shared stories.
"Tears were shed and hugs were shared with perfect strangers," said Lynn. "Healing began or continued for many of those attending."
"At the heart of this ceremony is a simple mission: remembering those who are no longer with us, honoring those who are still with us, and educating future generations on why this still matters," Lisa Marie Barrett, Director & Co-Chair of The Wall That Heals Rutherford County, NC Committee, said in her opening remarks at the ceremony.
"I was especially touched to see Patricia Price there in honor of her brother, Lieutenant Colonel Doug Price, who grew up in Spindale and devoted much of his military career to defending the freedoms we enjoy today. A Huey helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, he survived being shot down three times and also served as a Green Beret with U.S. Army Special Forces. After surviving so much during his service, Lt. Col. Price passed away in 2025 from complications related to his service in Vietnam. Patricia's presence was a meaningful reminder that behind every veteran is a family who carries their service, their sacrifice, and their legacy forward," Lisa said.
"Seeing Patricia...was a powerful reminder of exactly why this ceremony matters." she added.
Agent Orange was a blend of tactical herbicides used during Operation Ranch Hand, a military program conducted in Vietnam from 1962 through 1971. It was used to remove dense vegetation and forest cover. Agent Orange contained traces of TCDD, a form of dioxin.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes a number of diseases as associated with qualifying herbicide exposure, including certain cancers, Type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, Parkinson's disease, and other serious conditions.
