It's been more than four decades since James Henry Brahney flew 200 rescue missions in Vietnam. Three years ago, cancer likely brought on by exposure to Agent Orange claimed his life, his family said.

Today, his service and sacrifice will be recognized during a ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., as part of a Flag Day observance.

"This took many years. But this is an honor for my husband and an honor for me. It is a way to give a tribute to men who did so much for their country," said Brahney's wife, Carolyn Brahney of McCandless, who will announce her husband's name at the ceremony.

James Brahney is one of 96 Vietnam veterans being honored at today's In Memory Day ceremony. He died in September 2009 at 69 of complications from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. His wife, three children and eight grandchildren all will attend the ceremony.

Nine other Vietnam veterans from Pennsylvania also will be honored.

In Memory Day, held each Flag Day, commemorates America's concern for Vietnam veterans -- particularly those who faced daily difficulties caused by their service and died prematurely, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, which manages the wall.

The ceremony is popular with families and friends of veterans who have died from exposure to Agent Orange. The Department of Defense has never recognized health complications from Agent Orange as a combat fatality, a requirement for veterans to be placed on the Wall.

"We wanted these people to be honored. They are heroes," said Lee Allen, a spokesman for the memorial fund.

Agent Orange was a blend of herbicides the military sprayed for nearly a decade to remove dense tropical foliage that provided the enemy with cover. More than 19 million gallons of it were used, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"Agent Orange was everywhere there. This ceremony is a validation of his service and the government's recognition of it," said Mary Roche, Brahney's daughter, who lives near Philadelphia.

Roche first learned of In Memory Day last year from a young girl she met at a Washington, D.C., hotel swimming pool.

"Her grandfather was being honored. I had never heard of this program," she said.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Brahney worked as an aerospace engineer on NASA's Apollo Program and joined the Air Force in 1963.

After his military retirement, Brahney began a second career with The Society of Automotive Engineers in Warrendale, where he developed and managed aerospace technical conferences. Brahney served on the McCandless Town Council and on the North Hills Youth Ministry Board of Directors.

"He was confident, bright, a hard worker, had a lot of friends and had a good sense of humor. He was always optimistic and upbeat, which is why he did not become bitter about getting lymphoma," said Carolyn Brahney.

An inscription on his tombstone at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies reads: "Life is Good."

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