Bill Thomason, a retired master sergeant, made a presentation Friday of the Order of the Silver Rose Medal to Robert (Bob) E. Atherton, of Mary Lamons Road, Afton.

"The presentation was held at his home because of his serious illness," Atherton said. "He was a Petty Officer 2nd Class in the U.S. Navy and served in Vietnam in 1970 and 1971. He received wounds and was awarded the Purple Heart," Atherton said.

The Order of the Silver Rose is an award presented to Vietnam Veterans who were harmed by the herbicide dioxin, commonly referred to as Agent Orange, Thomason said.

"Bob suffers from lung cancer and lymphoma," Thomason noted.

Attending the presentation was Dennis Cain, adjutant of Chapter 42, Disabled American Veterans, Greeneville, and his wife, Barbara, who was the chaplain at the presentation.

Also attending was Jerry Lane, service officer of Chapter 42, and his wife. Acting as the photographer and member of DAV Chapter 42 was Steve Adams who is the webmaster of Chapter 42.

The Silver Rose Medal was presented to Atherton and his grandsons, Douglas Shelton and Garrett Byrd, in honor of their grandfather.

Atherton's wife, Mary June, was present but did not participate in the ceremony.

"During my last conversation earlier in the week with Bob, he revealed great pleasure in the fact that he was getting the award but told me that he would be unable to attend a presentation outside his home," Thomas said. "I then coordinated the effort with Chapter 42, Disabled American Veterans."

The Order of the Silver Rose is intended to recognize our Vietnam Veterans who sacrificed their lives in honor and defense of our great nation and later have fallen victim to Agent Orange poisoning, according to Thomason.

"Our Vietnam Veterans are dying at the rate of 290 per day," he said. "There are just about 800,000 Vietnam Veterans still living, and dying at that rate, they will all be gone by Dec. 31, 2016."