Community Hospice Veterans Partnership of Community Hospice & Palliative Care and the University of North Florida’s Military and Veterans Resource Center are partnering to present the “Agent Orange Town Hall” from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the Adam W. Herbert University Center, Building 43, located at 12000 Alumni Drive on the UNF campus.
“As time goes by, we’re realizing that the harmful effects of Agent Orange have touched more people and more generations than ever imagined,” said retired U.S. Navy Capt. Bob Buehn, UNF MVRC director. “It’s important to get the information out and to connect those who may be suffering from Agent Orange exposure with the services and benefits they are due.”
The featured keynote speaker will be Anthony “Tony” G. D’Aleo, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) and president of Vietnam Veterans of America’s Local Chapter 1046. A Vietnam vet, he was exposed to Agent Orange and still suffers health effects from it as does his granddaughter, who has spina bifida, which was caused by the Agent Orange detoxin. D’Aleo has cancer in his gall bladder, spleen, bladder and prostate.
There will be a subject matter expert panel, each of whom will discuss their area of expertise and how they can best support veterans and caregivers living with complications from Agent Orange and associated toxins. The panel includes:
- Shaneka Hall, Department of Veterans Affairs (Local)
- Marc McCabe, Vietnam Veterans of America (Regional)
- Dr. W. Patrick Monaghan, leading authority, Agent Orange (Regional)
- Mokie Porter, Vietnam Veterans of America, national director of communications
- Nancy Switzer, Association of Vietnam Veterans of America, national president
Several veteran service officers from Jacksonville and the VVA will be present to help with Agent Orange claims, and VA’s Mobile Vet Center will also be parked in front of the Herbert University Center to assist veterans and their loved ones.
Buehn and the United States Marine Corps’ Blount Island Command Color Guard will open the event, where breakfast will be served, and will conclude with a veteran recognition ceremony. Additionally, exhibitors will be on hand, including Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Office of Sen. Marco Rubio, Hardage-Giddens, Tricare, Veteran’s Administration and VVA.
Each registered attendee will receive a patriotic gift bag with materials from the VVA national headquarters and other resources from members of the Community Hospice Veterans Partnership. To register for the event, visit http://bit.ly/2JVKmCJ.
The Community Hospice Veterans Partnership of Community Hospice & Palliative Care was founded in 2007 to serve active duty, veterans, and their families. CHVP is a select group of veteran leaders who serve as brand ambassadors, both for the organizations they represent as well as CHPC, whose advanced illness and end-of-life care services for veterans and their caregivers date back to the organization’s founding in 1979.
During its 38-year history, Community Hospice & Palliative Care has served nearly 200,000 adults and children in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties and recently expanded its service area to include 11 counties in North Central Florida. Through the support of more than 900 employees and 1,000 volunteers, the organization helps approximately 1,600 patients per day to live better with advanced illness—at home, in long-term care and assisted living facilities, in hospitals and at its eight inpatient care centers.
UNF’s Military and Veterans Resource Center’s mission is to provide a broad range of student services and resources focused on the unique needs of today’s military veterans, service members and their families to enhance their smooth transition from the military environment to campus life, leading to academic success and post-graduation employment opportunities. UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
