please review my latest ltte on Camp Lejeune's polluted water supply before I submit

[w8liftinglady]

as always,your help with spelling,punctuation and content is greatly appreciated



I have been commenting weekly for years on our government's poor regard for it's troops and veterans. This week,the disregard is extended to the families,volunteers and civilians as well as active duty Marines based at Camp Lejeune,North Carolina from 1955-1985.

Camp Lejeune is one of the busiest Marine camps in the United States.It was especially busy during The Vietnam War,and has seen over one million Marines,their families and civil service employees pass through their gates. Camp Lejeune has also seen a disproportionate amount of troops,families and unborn with cancers,diseases and birth defects. One common denominator-they were all assigned to Camp Lejeune during this time period. It appears the cause has been known for some time.


In the late 1950's,the Government installed Hadnot Point Fuel Farm,Rifle Range Chemical Fuel dump and ABC Dry Cleaners on the outskirts of Camp Lejeune. The Tarawa Terrace Well Field and subdivision were built near these. Through the period of the Vietnam War,the camp expanded,the water system was spread to cover more housing,golf courses,and a hospital. Multiple fuel leaks from Hadnot as well as suspected chemical disposal from the chemical dump and dry cleaners began to be reported in the mid-70's. Toxic levels of TCE,DDT and Benzoin were found,as well as other documented carcinogens.

Over the years,the trend has been to deny that cancer and birth defects are related to exposure to this environment despite overwhelming statistics that have proven otherwise. The VA has refused disability payment,health care or survivors' benefits to those stationed at Camp Lejeune during this period.

Recently,Congress has begun to research the camp anew. U.S. Rep. Brad Miller leads a Congressional panel that is studying the actions by the Government and VA during this time.
In the meantime,veterans and their families need some assurance that they will be taken seriously . The Few,The Proud,The Forgotten-a support group for these Marine families-has an extensive resource list,disease information,and Congressional information.You can view it at:

http://www.tftptf.com/5801.html

If you or your family member served at Camp Lejeune from 1955-1985,I encourage you to stay updated. Hopefully,the nation won't leave you behind this time.

[Swamp Rat]

1. Good job w8liftinglady!

:kick:

[onethatcares]

2. great article in the St. Petersburg Times a while ago about this.

there are so many marines that don't even know what they were exposed to and of course the crotch isn't gonna let on.

spread it as far as you can ma'am.

[mmonk]

3. Two thumbs up.

[w8liftinglady]

4. thanks,everyone...it's on it's way....