Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 939 will host a town hall meeting concerning Agent Orange and its long-term effects.

The meeting will at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Fort Hays State University in the Stouffer Lounge, second floor.

According to a new release, specialists from national VVA headquarters will present new information and study results during the first part of the meeting and then have a question-and-answer session.

They also will be compiling data concerning birth defects and diseases in children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans.

Agent Orange is the name given to the defoliants sprayed throughout Vietnam and on some air bases in Thailand. It also was used on the Korean DMZ in 1968 and 1969.

Any veteran who served in those areas are presumed to have been exposed and should be registered on the Agent Orange Registry. Diabetes, Parkinson’s, ALS, Ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, many other forms of cancer, and leukemia are just some of the conditions for which a veteran can be compensated.

Widows of Vietnam veterans who died as a result of one of the conditions could have the ability to file a back-dated claim for the cause of death. A representative from Kansas Commission on Veteran Affairs will be at the meeting to answer questions concerning possible claims for veterans and surviving spouses.