LOVME USA Mission Statement

Sharon is the widow of Vietnam veteran, Reuben ‘Bud’ C. Perry III, who lost his life due to exposure to Agent Orange. Sharon believes both of their children, Dee Reyes & Lisbeth Perry suffer the intergenerational affects of their father’s exposure to Agent Orange.

Sharon also believes that there are many other toxic military exposures used during the Vietnam war that are not recognized by VA or studied.  This not only effects our veterans who served but their children, grandchildren and successive generations.  Sharon realized after extensively researching Agent Orange and other military exposures thatpesticides are recognized as a military exposure during the Gulf war.  Yet they are not recognized for the Vietnam war even though they were used.  She believe this is one of the reasons there are so many veterans from the Vietnam war era suffering from cancers and diseases yet to be linked to Agent Orange.

Sharon holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine and worked as a town manager for six years. Her career in town management was cut short due to her husband’s illnesses. Sharon cared for her husband for six years prior to his death in 2005.

Sharon is one of so many Americans whose lives have been adversely affected by the effects of Agent Orange. Many people do not realize that dioxins sprayed on the jungles of Vietnam have the potential to affect future generations, her mission is noble and extremely important.

Dee is the daughter of deceased Vietnam Veteran, Reuben “Bud” C. Perry III. Dee lost her father to Agent Orange and his service in Vietnam in 2005. Throughout her life, Danielle has been plagued by mysterious and debilitating muscle spasms as well as other unknown illnesses. Ms. Reyes has also struggled with learning disabilities and more. Mrs. Perry, Dee’s mother, has been fighting for her daughter her entire life.

Dee now an adult with her own daughter, is still struggling with illnesses, some diagnosed and some remain undiagnosed. In their struggle to get proper medical intervention for Danielle, Sharon and Dee have become a team. They have been working together since 2007 to get support and services for the children of Vietnam veterans whose biological parent(s) have been exposed to dioxin during their service in the United States Military during the Vietnam War.

Dee has offered her voice to all of the children of Vietnam veterans, by speaking out and letting her voice be heard. In 2011, Dee and Sharon meet with Vietnam Veterans of America’s Director of Communications, Mokie Porter. Mokie interviewed Dee about Agent Orange and it’s effect on her life. Vietnam Veterans of Americas’ education campaign; Faces of Agent Orange produced a video of Danielle’s interview for Agent Orange Legacy.

In June of 2012 Dee traveled to Washington D.C. to speak at the IOM, Institutes of Medicines Agent Orange Update Committee. The Committee meeting was held at the National Academy of the Sciences building. Ms. Reyes raises awareness everyday by talking to people locally as well as online.

“I do not want my daughter or any other child to suffer as I have. ” ~ Dee Reyes~