PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 26, 2024
Thousands trained for two weeks at a time at the Gagetown military base in New Brunswick, Canada. Decades later, they learned that the Canadian and American governments used Agent Orange near the base in the 1960s to control foliage growth and prevent forest fires. Dozens of National Guard soldiers contracted cancer or a serious respiratory disease – about 30% of one 110-member battery. A 10-member Gagetown Harmful Chemical Commission, which was formed by the Maine Legislature last year, is requesting that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs allow National Guard members who served at Gagetown and were exposed to Agent Orange or other harmful chemicals have access to Veterans Affairs medical care. Currently, National Guard members do not qualify.