Agent Orange survey to help vets

Dick Phenneger is on a mission to assist his fellow Vietnam veterans and their families.

The Post Falls man, who served as an Air Force pilot and started a nonprofit called Veterans Services Transparency, has launched a North Idaho survey of Vietnam vets in hopes of increasing awareness about those who were exposed to the Agent Orange herbicide during the war.

“We’re doing this survey to get the word out on exactly what happened to these guys and gals so we better understand,” said Phenneger, who has a background as a business analyst.

Agent Orange was later discovered to be contaminated with a toxic dioxin compound that resulted in deaths, illnesses and birth defects. The herbicide was intended to defoliate forest, depriving guerrillas of cover.

Phenneger said all Vietnam veterans in the region — regardless of whether they believe they were exposed to the herbicide during combat or not — are encouraged to participate. Information from the survey could lead to an expansion of the cancer and disease list tied to Agent Orange that is recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

There is no cost to participate in the survey, names will be kept confidential and the live interviews are expected to take 15 to 20 minutes.

“They’ll have a release form that they sign that will protect their information,” Phenneger said.

Veterans are encouraged to contact Phenneger or a survey volunteer at rep@vstnow.org or 457-VET2 (8382) before June 16 with questions or to participate. Among the information that is being sought is confirmation of being a Vietnam veteran, their unit number and approximate dates in Vietnam.

Forms can be mailed or emailed to veterans or they can be filled out during live interviews at various area locations. More information on the nonprofit is at www.VSTnow.org.

Phenneger has presented his project, which is being assisted by Columbia University Scientist Jeanne Stellman, to local veterans’ organizations that have, in turn, offered to provide volunteers for the survey.

The survey information will be submitted into a computer statistical model developed by Stellman. Results will be submitted to Idaho’s congressional members and others.