Agent Orange: An Insidious Legacy

by Raymond Gustafson, Devin Wright (Illustrator), Elizabeth Brundage (Editor)

With an economy of words, the author presents us with a story about one of the most consequential aspects of the long war in the use of a pesticide, Agent Orange, to deny cover and food to the enemy. It is both a memoir and a demand for social justice. From a humble beginning that saw tragedy at an early age, Ray Gustafson rapidly moves forward through time providing glimpses of his life as he matures, until fate steps in and transports him into the heart a jungle war in a far off land. There, in Vietnam, he is thrust into numerous, bloody battles, which tests his mettle and finds him worthy. His fearless leadership is an inspiration to the men who follow him. But there was another enemy, this one silent and invisible. It hitched a ride home with him and others like him. It waited a long time before it suddenly struck with devastating effect. For him, it manifested itself as Parkinson’s Disease and Type 2 diabetes, for others the varied consequences often proved no less debilitating. Except, Agent Orange was just getting started. After the veterans, their children and then their grandchildren would often develop one or more of a large assortment of life-threatening birth defects and diseases. With firsthand knowledge of this unfolding tragedy, Ray’s goal is to alert Vietnam veterans, their families, and the public to the ongoing danger that Agent Orange represents and to implore them to get involved.

Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2020