Marking 50 years, we remember the tragedy and desperation of the people of Saigon. On April 30, 1975, the American military forces evacuated Vietnam, and the South Vietnamese Army collapsed, which left the Viet Cong in control. The prevailing anarchy particularly punished the South Vietnamese military, Catholics, and intellectuals. We mark this day of chaos, displacement, and failure with prayer that never again would we or the people of Vietnam experience that degree of violence and fear. Can we learn that war has no winners?
Since we just celebrated Earth Day, I am especially mindful that the effect of the Vietnam War continues today. Using 20 million gallons of Agent Orange, American Forces sprayed over 3 million hectares to defoliate forests and kill food crops. Huge areas of destroyed forests gave rise to invasive bamboo and conga grass, which also changed the natural habitat and eliminated many birds, insects, and larger mammals. The scorched earth caused by Agent Orange still today carries the highly toxic and carcinogenic dioxin, which has been proven to cause multiple forms of cancer, birth defects, skin disease, and mental disorders. See the photos of the effects below.
In the last report, published in 2016, it was estimated that 1 million Vietnamese suffer health problems due to Agent Orange, which has entered the food chain and water supply. Around former American Army bases, concentrations of Agent Orange are still 350 times what International Standards deem acceptable. Today, it continues to be found in breast milk and in the blood of those whose families live in Vietnam.
Justice demands that the United States Government take responsibility for the damage. They should clean up the most polluted areas and care for those affected. However, just as after other wars, the US Government's response has been completely inadequate. In 1991, Congress passed the Agent Orange Act, which provided compensation to Veterans affected by exposure. Vietnamese who sought compensation were denied. The Act sunset, or ended, in 2015.
Currently, the Vietnamese Government, NGO’s, foundations from the United States and Europe, the Vietnamese Red Cross, and US Veterans support victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam with small stipends and medical and psychological assistance. The need vastly exceeds the resources available.
Let us hold the people of Vietnam, our own veterans, and their families in prayer. May God, the most Compassionate and Merciful, hold the suffering, console their sorrows, and inspire donors and care providers to bring healing and new life to all those who still endure the tragedy of war.
In war, there are no winners.
The neglected U.S. victims of Agent Orange, The Washington Post, April 30, 2024
The Fall of Saigon, from the ITN Archives (3 minutes)
Thank you so much for this, Gemma. How utterly tragic and irresponsible of our country.
Gemma, thank you so much for bringing this issue before us after so long a time…’justice delayed , is justice denied’ , and that is not our way.
Even though the Agent Orange Act has ‘sunset’, and given the tone- deafness in DC at this time, remedial action seems unlikely during this administration. However, we must not allow ourselves to ever forget , and do what is ours to do when we can.
TY again, and peace, Kay
Thank you, Gemma, for helping us keep this tragedy in our consciousness and in our conscience. We must remember. It must never happen again. And yes our country must take responsibility and make amends. Lord have mercy.
Thank you, Gemma. A friend has a host of problems from being sprayed with Agent Orange. The child of Vietnamese students I taught has deformities from Agent Orange, and for a while, he lived in a home for Agent Orange kids. As you said, a truly horrible thing to do to a country, a person.
Thanks for such a great voice for justice!
Thanks, Gemma!
Gemma, thank you so much for bringing the truth of this war and this anniversary before us. How easy it is to see the horrors of Israel’s actions against the Palestinians and Russia’s actions against the Ukrainians, but how difficult it is for us to face and own the profound sin of our attacks on the people and the ecosystems of Vietnam – including even destroying their food sources and the soil that produces them. May we in his nation be graced with gradual and deep repentance so that we may eventually be converted to become a people of genuine peacemaking,