My Father,
MSG. Alphonso Pickett
My father was a Master Sergeant in the United States Army. He was stationed at one of the top military installations in this country: Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Home of the 82nd Airborne. He also served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In May of 1989, my father died. He developed cancer from exposure to the chemical Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War. I was only eight years old when my father passed away, so I didn't get to know him as well as my brother and sisters did. I dedicate this page to his memory. I love you Dad.
Little Bit About Agent Orange, and contact info
LINKS:
Between January 1965 and April of 1970, over 80% of Vietnam was sprayed with Agent Orange. Agent Orange was an herbicide used to destroy plant life and kill leaves off trees that might provide cover and protection for the enemy. It got its name from the orange stripe on the 55-gallon barrels that it was contained in. Agent Orange was a mixture of chemicals containing two active ingredients (2,4-D) and (2,4,5-T). The chemical 2,4,5-T had small traces of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Also known as TCDD or Dioxin. It has been shown that the chemical may have caused cancer and other disorders. For more information, contact your local Veterans Affairs Medical Center or the Department of Veterans Affairs Headquarters,810 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20420. The phone number is (202)273-8580.
