Relying on an independent study by the Institute of Medicine, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki has established a service-connection for Vietnam War veterans who have three specific illnesses that have an association with the herbicides referred to as Agent Orange.

The illnesses are: B-cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease.

Used in Vietnam to defoliate trees, Agent Orange left a legacy of suffering and disability that continues. Between January 1965 and April 1970, an estimated 2.6 million military personnel who served in Vietnam were potentially exposed to sprayed Agent Orange, according to the VA.

In practical terms, veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a “presumed” illness do not have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service. This simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits. The secretary’s decision brings to 15 the number of illnesses recognized by the VA. Other illnesses previously recognized as being caused by exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War include: acute and subacute transient peripheral neuropathy; AL amyloidosis; chloracne; chronic lymphocytic leukemia; diabetes mellitus (Type 2); Hodgkin’s disease; multiple myeloma; non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; porphyria cutanea tarda; prostate cancer; respiratory cancers; and soft tissue sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or mesothelioma).

Additional information about Agent Orange and VA’s services for veterans exposed to the chemical are available at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange, or on the VA’s toll-free helpline, (800) 749-8387.

R.I. Aviation Hall of Fame

The Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame will have its annual induction and dinner on Nov. 21 at the Varnum Armory and Military Museum, 6 Main St., East Greenwich, beginning with a 6 p.m. cocktail hour and guided museum tours.

This year’s honorees include a father-and-son team of U.S. Air Force three-star generals and all Rhode Islanders who served with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

LTG James Keck, a World War II bomber pilot who rose to command the 2nd Air Force and finished his career as vice commander of the Strategic Air Command, and his son, LTG Thomas Keck, who flew B-52 combat missions over North Vietnam and later commanded the 8th Air Force, are the Air Force generals who will be inducted. The Kecks, Rhode Island natives, will attend the ceremony.

A silent auction and raffle will benefit the Hall of Fame. Dress is semi-formal. Tickets are $45 or $80 per couple, and a table of 10 may be reserved for $400. Patron tickets are available at $100 and include a private reception with the honorees and an event program listing. For more information or to reserve tickets by Nov. 12, call Frank Lennon at (401) 831-8696 or Irina Albee at (401) 398-1000, or send an e-mail to RIAHOF@aol.com. Tickets will not be sent by mail and a registration list will be used at the door.

VA offers informational session

The Providence VA Medical Center on Chalkstone Avenue in Providence will sponsor an informational session for veterans on the topic of erectile dysfunction on Nov. 18, from 1 to 2 p.m. The presentation will be led by Certified Urology Nurse Eileen Kirshenbaum in classroom 3 on the fifth floor of the main building. For information and to register in advance, call (401) 273-7100. ext. 2926.

American Legion Balfour-Cole Post 64, 170 Pleasant View Ave., Smithfield, will meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Italian American War Veterans of the U.S. Department monthly meeting will be on Wednesday at the VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Ave., Providence, at 7:30 p.m. in classroom 3.

Jewish War Veterans of the USA Post 23 will meet Thursday at 11 a.m., at 1 Rhodes Place, Cranston; lunch reservations must be e-mailed by Tuesday to Steve Musen at musensth@cox.net

Military Order of the Purple Heart, Oliver Hazard Perry Chapter 1812, will meet Thursday at Middletown VFW Post 4487, at 2 p.m.

43d Infantry Division Rhode Island Winged Victory Division will meet on Saturday at 1 p.m., at the Arsenal, 176 Benefit St., Providence.

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Rhode Island Chapter 9-1, will host its annual chicken dinner fundraiser on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., at the South Seekonk Rod and Gun Club, 61 Reed St., Rehoboth, Mass.; tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children. For more information call Andy Martel at (401) 323-8649 or Don Benoit at (401) 465-4323. All proceeds will benefit the chapter’s events.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 78 will conduct a boating safety course from Nov. 3-12 at the Aspray Boathouse in Pawtuxet Village, Warwick, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 7 to 9 p.m.; visit www.a0130708uscgaux.info or call (401) 597-5863 for details.

Send veterans’ meeting and news items to George W. Reilly at VeteransColumn@verizon.net or write to The Veterans’ Journal Column at The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902. Veterans’ meeting and feature items can be read and posted for free at http://projothebeat.com/.