Fred Benda Jr., writing from Westfield, Mass. I am the 2024-2025 commander of American Legion Post 124 here in Westfield.
Two years ago, I found out about the Orange Heart Medal and Foundation. I myself am dealing with two of the 18 elements caused by Agent Orange: a 2014 heart valve replacement, and high blood pressure. Since then, I have helped other Vietnam veterans dealing with those elements here in Westfield. Ken Gamble is the founder and president of the Orange Heart Medal Foundation. It's a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity foundation (orangeheartmedal.org). He even has a Facebook page (Ken Gamble). He has a lot of info on it. Ken also designed the medal.
I found out through Ken that there are 16 states now that recognize this medal. I asked him what I would have to do to get Massachusetts to become the 17th. He sent me some paperwork and told me to talk with my state representative, and first get a resolution written up and signed. Then you would need the governor to sign a proclamation. Last year I talked with my representative, Kelly Pease. He told me we would have to wait until January, and then he would sit down and write up the resolutions and take them to Boston to get signatures. That he did, and got 136 signatures, and in July he told me that it passed and the governor would be signing a proclamation.
On Aug. 8, 2025, Pease set up a ceremony at Post 124. People, members and the post's officers were all invited also. Sen. John Velis, Pease and Cory R. Ahonen from the Executive Office of Veterans Services were there also. Ahonen presented me with the proclamation signed by Gov. Maura Healey. Then Pease presented me with the official resolutions and signatures. It was a great morning!
Gamble, and a lot of us Vietnam veterans are hoping this medal gets recognized all over the country. It would be great to have all 50 states recognize it, and Aug.10 as Agent Orange Awareness Day. One of these days we're hoping it becomes a DoD federal medal.
Frederick R. Benda Jr.
Vietnam 1970-1971
Air Force 823rd Red Horse Combat Engineers
