Life struggle continues, dedicated service to the United States at Enewetak Atoll Atomic Cleanup

Reading "From Pacific Paradise to Devastating Legacy" is a collection of words and stories from the lives of fellow military members who, for a brief period from 179 days to a year in paradise, served with honor. Yet, over that short period changed the course of their lives forever.  Without regard to personal safety, regardless of duty from the shores of a tropical paradise helped reclaim, assisted with removing highly contaminated atomic debris in comradeship with over 8,000 others returned Enewetak safety to its inhabitants within the Marshall Islands. 

What is a human life worth? How do we quantify life as a military asset? From 1977 to 1980, a significant reclamation project was underway in the South pacific conducted by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Defense Department civilians. The choice was simple, using the military reduced the government's liability and exposure for a job done with bare minimum safety precautions, lack of proper oversight, and a blind eye. Due to court action and policy – the military was a safer bet for future medical or compensation claims.

Regardless of the safety protocols, detonating over 43-atomic grade bombs will not leave an area risk free. It remains a hazard both for human exposure, as to food production and the living environment. The list of chemicals, atomic debris, and ongoing radiation have lived on for decades, even into hundreds of thousands of years. The extent of exposure and the underlying medical conditions it can produce spans decades after service. Yet, today, the government says the activity on Enewetak is no more hazardous as a few x-rays and everyday exposure as living in the United States.

Eight thousand thirty-three service members and countless civilians volunteered to assist the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense. Many civilian agencies return the islands' livability to its people with a $100 million dollar project, solely accomplished by the U.S. Army and supported by others. Little did we know that many would be dead in ten, 20, and 40 years later. Others, suffering from life-ending cancers, breathing, skin, and other medical issues that were being neglected by the government, void of care, refused recognition and failed in needed medical care – that this issue would be a silent political football between the government, the leadership in Congress, the Public and those who served to an ultimate stalemate, of no action.

We have told our story to the public, to Congress, to everyone who would listen. Outlined our personal information in three publications, "From Service to Sacrifice" (2017), "From Cleanup to Cover-up" (2018), and "From Pacific Paradise to Devastating Legacy" (2020), all complied the personal stories, struggles, and insights of those who have lived, served, dying and died in the effort of official recognition in this significant fight.  From the shores of Hawaii to the Golden Gate Bridge, to the Texas Panhandle, up to the Continental Divide, to the Boston Harbor, we have shared this story with news outlets, non-profit organizations, politicians of all parties, and to the President of the United States with no avail.

Yet, the Marshall Islands peoples and government have personally recognized these band or brothers and acknowledged their struggles, pain and efforts with appreciation, determination, and action to expand ideas and cause to get public attention. The service members have extended a great "Thank-You" to the Marshallese Government and its people. The road is long and the journey unending, yet through strength and determination, we that remain will not give up the fight with the memory of those who have fallen. Our cause is great, our resolve more significant, and we hope that our duty, service, and sacrifice will be acknowledged in time, and our plight recognized before it is too late for the remaining few.

Remember, we served our country, answered the call of duty, sacrificed with exposure to atomic-contaminated debris, suffered the annals of time, and are only asking for fair treatment and healthcare parity for the many still alive, yet suffering.  

There are hundreds of exposed contaminants some being Plutonium 238, 239, 240, 241; Cesium 137; Cobalt 60; Tritium not to mention ion-radiation. Again - What is a life worth?

Atomic Veterans - Social Media Information:

• Atomic Cleanup Veterans Website
• Personal Enewetak Veteran Website
• Atomic Cleanup Veterans Facebook
• Personal Letter to Congress and President from Enewetak Atoll Veteran
• H.R. 1377 Legislation Recap
• S. 555 Legislation Recap