Norman Laws of Branson served in Vietnam. Following his years overseas, he was stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois in 1973, where he said he was exposed to multiple chemicals, including Agent Orange. The base has since closed, and the state of Illinois has acknowledged ground contamination.
“I’ve got friends that died from Agent Orange exposure from cancer, and they didn’t get their benefits until after they died,” Laws said.
Since his time at Chanute, this soldier has battled heart problems, emphysema, and more. On one occasion, he was he sent to a cardiologist in Little Rock.
Laws has this advice for his fellow veterans going through the same battle.
“Don’t give up. That’s what they want you to do. The way I look at it, I don’t know if it will help me any, but if it helps a fellow vet then that’s all I ask,” Laws said.