A few months after Stephen's latest heart surgery, A yellow envelope contained a two-inch stack of documents: handwritten notes, old photographs, newspaper clippings, medical files and military service records of a father he hardly knew. A man he hadn't seen in over 20yrs but was an American Vietnam Vet-one of many who was responsible for the actual spraying of the chemical 'Agent orange' on the jungles of Vietnam.
At first, Stephen didn’t open the envelope, I mean, why would he want to rip open that old wound? He tossed the envelope onto a shelf in a closet, and there it sat for years, forgotten behind a pile of clothes but what Stephen didn't know was that it held information that would link his life – and health – to a war waged before our birth. It wasn’t until 2 becoming a father in 2012 that he pulled that envelope out, figuring someday he would want to tell his son where he came from... Only to find so many pieces to his life puzzle staring back at him.
Stephen had been to Vietnam prior to opening his fathers package and seen 1st hand the effects of the Vietnam war and Agent Orange over the country and it's people. He met with veterans and children of veterans, volunteered in orphanages and knows the locals are still suffering long after the rifles have been put down and their air strikes long stopped. The troupes are back home now for 40 years or more but the effects are still immediate in time. Being a photographer, Stephen caught some surreal images on his journey. (Some are available in this link.. but i'll include 2 below just to give you a taste.)
The story in the below link by Charles Ornstein shows a really holistic view of the post war effects with the help of Stephen Katz .
Take a moment to read and be prepared to see things from a new perspective!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW --> A sons toxic inheritance
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