THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, July 6, 1995                 TAG: 9507060006
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   29 lines

PROUD OF THOSE WHO SERVED

When I unfolded the June 15 paper and saw the headline, ``Vietnam: the dying hasn't stopped,'' I quickly refolded it, thinking I wanted to be in a more private place before reading it.

My father died in 1991 due to complications resulting from Hodgkins disease. Subsequently, it was deemed to have been caused by Agent Orange as he was in Vietnam during 1969 and 1970.

My feelings have run the gamut of which veteran O. B. Jones speaks: ``helpless, hopeless and `angry as hell,''' along with tremendous sadness. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Jones and his family.

For me, time has been a healer. I am consoled knowing that for 28 years my dad got to do something he absolutely loved - serving in the U.S. armed forces. I am very proud of all he did and all he was. And I am grateful to the men and women who give up so much in the name of freedom and democracy.

MARY E. BOUDREAUX

Norfolk, June 21, 1995 by CNB