I saw a story on the news this evening about naval personnel stationed at McMurdo Naval Station in Antarctica in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Apparently a large number of these men were exposed to radiation to the extent that many of them have since died of cancer. Many of them are also now fighting cancer. These men served their country proudly and when they turned to their government for help, their government turned its back on them. The VA said that according to government reports, the radiation that they were exposed to was always as safe levels. This of course is the direct opposite of witness statements about alarms in the facility because of high radiations levels.
I seems sad that when these men were told to do a specific job and they are injured for it, someone should be held accountable. This is much like Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. At first, the VA denied claims, then after pressure and facts, they slowly began looking into claims. The VA now is taking a more active part is caring for disabled veterans. The VA now recognizes many diseases that were caused by Agent Orange and veterans are being treated for them... well at least most of them.
However, the men stationed in Antarctica were denied care because the government didn't want to acknowledge unsafe conditions.
With the assistance of the reporter who gave this story, and Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, the government, specifically the VA is now going to begin studies to determine who, what, when, where, why, etc. etc. The study is expected to take around 9 month. I believe that 9 months for a study like this is very reasonable. I just hope its not too late for many of these men who are now sick.
I served with two individuals who were recently each given a 100% disability. Sadly, this took over 45 years. This is something that should have been done in a matter of months instead of years.
I know that there are those who will disagree with me and say that its just one of those things that we have to deal with. However, if I am wounded in battle, I fully understand it and don't expect anything more than medical treatment. Thats because I know the risk and I know the truth. But when the government exposes people to radiation, exposes people to nuclear explosions, and exposeds people to poison chemicals without their knowledge, then the government has to be held accountable. I applaud the actions that the VA is now taking. I just hope its not too late.
Many former sailors suffer from radiation related diseases from as far back as soon after WWII when experiments were being done with the bombs at places like Bikini in pacific. These same people have spent years and years suffering from those ill effects with very little acknowledgement from Va or other government entities. This is absolutely disgusting. Everyone joining the military was promised free medical care for life as one of the benefits of serving and that has been changed as well, except for those with provable service related conditions. They should at least care for those that were actually harmed and own up to their responsibilities.
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