Bruce Wagner’s safe return from Vietnam in June 1973 was cause for celebration among his family. Little did they know, however, that the danger he had faced was far from over.
Years later, Wagner’s family grieved the loss of their beloved member due to cancer. Doctors confirmed that his exposure to Agent Orange during his time in the jungle was the cause. Tragically, like many other thousands of other service members, he did not know that the herbicide he sprayed was a lethal toxin. In 2010, he passed away.
In June, Wagner joined the ranks of over 650 Vietnam veterans who were honored in Washington, D.C, for losing their lives due to complications from Agent Orange exposure, the effects of PTSD, suicide, and other related issues.
Lynn Wimmer, his sister, attended the ceremony to ensure that her brother’s legacy continues to thrive.
In an interview with WPR’s “Morning Edition,” Wimmer, a resident of Stevens Point, expressed her gratitude for the recognition of her brother’s bravery and selflessness after a long and arduous battle.
“I consider myself fortunate that my siblings, his wife, and I were all by his side when he departed from this world,” Wimmer expressed. “I feel blessed to have had the chance to express my pride in him and acknowledge his bravery. In my eyes, he will always be my hero.”
The transcription has been edited for the sake of brevity and clarity.
Shereen Siewert asked how it felt to witness the acknowledgment of my brother and other soldiers who were exposed to Agent Orange for their sacrifice.
Lynn Wimmer expressed that the recognition for these soldiers was long overdue. Upon returning home, they believed they were safe and that everything was going well. However, unbeknownst to them, their fate had already been sealed due to the effects of Agent Orange. Despite escaping physical injuries in Vietnam, they were unknowingly marked for death.
When my brother returned home, we were overjoyed to see him safe and sound. However, years later, he was unexpectedly diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. He underwent surgery and treatment, and the tumor was sent to Johns Hopkins for further analysis. The local doctors confirmed that exposure to Agent Orange was the direct cause. After undergoing radiation and surgery, he showed signs of improvement for some time. Unfortunately, the symptoms resurfaced, and the tumor returned.
Despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, over approximately two years, the cancer continued to multiply relentlessly. In addition to this, he also had a bothersome skin condition and diabetes brought on by exposure to Agent Orange. The adverse effects of this chemical were undoubtedly severe and unpleasant.
