MIDDLEBORO — Candles flickered at the Middleboro Veterans Memorial Park Sunday, Aug. 13 to shine a light on Agent Orange and its ongoing impact on Vietnam War veterans.

About 50 people attended the second annual event, which honored those who suffered with Agent Orange ramifications, some of whom died from their illnesses. 

Exposure to Agent Orange, which was used as a defoliant to clear trees and other vegetation during the Vietnam War, has been linked to a variety of health conditions, Paul Provencher, former veterans agent for Middleboro, told those in attendance.

Millions of gallons of the substance were sprayed from 1962 to 1971. Exposure has been linked to a variety of illnesses, including certain leukemias, various forms of cancer, early onset neuropathy, Parkinson’s disease, and type 2 diabetes, collectively called presumptive illnesses.

Veterans suffering from these conditions could receive government benefits, Provencher said, and their survivors could also receive financial support.

“Money is out there for you veterans if you have a presumptive illness,’’ he said. He encouraged those veterans to reach out to their local veterans agent. When Provencher held the position, the number of Agent Orange claims was “absolutely amazing.’’

The ceremony was held in conjunction with Agent Orange Awareness Day, which is observed nationally on Aug. 10. 

Middleboro’s service was hosted by the Rolling Thunder Massachusetts Chapter 2, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.