Recently many people visited the Vietnam Traveling Wall at Eastview Christian Church. This was a very heartwarming experience for the veterans as well as for families and friends.

There was another memorial that was not advertised and people missed it. It was behind the Wall and was called the Quilt of Tears.

This is a memorial to recognize and honor our veterans who have died and are diagnosed with diseases caused from Agent Orange exposure.

This was an emotional visit for me as well as for family members. Agent Orange was a chemical sprayed in Vietnam and along the DMZ in Korea to kill vegetation and foliage. Our soldiers were exposed to this not knowing what would occur later in life. We did what we were ordered to do to survive.

Our government has covered this up for years. It took me over two years to get into the VA for my screening. I know of one family that has lost two brothers from Agent Orange. Their pictures and stories were placed at the Wall for viewing.

There are many stories similar to this family's.

The sister told me she felt like she was spending time with her brothers.

We lost over 58,000 in Vietnam. We have lost as many to Agent Orange since the war. I will always honor our casualties but we have to look to our veterans that are dying daily from this disease. Their names are not added to the Wall.

Check out the Agent Orange Quilt of Tears Web site. In closing, freedom is not free. Again the soldier pays the cost. Thank a veteran for his or her service to our great country.

Roger Dyson

Bloomington

The writer is vice president, Manchu Association - 9th Infantry Regiment Association.

Do you agree?