U.S. Senate passes bill to provide health care for Camp Lejeune water exposure

The U.S. Senate has approved a bill that will require the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide health care to veterans and their family members who have certain diseases and conditions as a result of exposure to well-water contaminated by human carcinogens at Camp Lejeune.

The Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act is included in the Honoring America's Veterans Bill.

North Carolina Republican U.S. Senator Richard Burr wrote the Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act. He says, "This has been a long time coming, and unfortunately, many who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune over the years have died as a result and are not with us to receive the care this bill will provide. "While I wish we could have accomplished this years ago, we now have the opportunity to do the right thing for the thousands of Navy and Marine veterans and their families who were harmed during their service to our country. I am encouraged that the House will pass this bill quickly and it will go to the President's desk for his signature."

North Carolina Democrat U.S. Senator Kay Hagan said, “This bill will ensure that those who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune will receive the health care they need and deserve. I applaud the efforts of Chairman Murray and my colleague from North Carolina, Senator Burr, who has worked tirelessly on this issue. Since I joined the Senate, the issue of water contamination at Camp Lejeune has been close to my heart, and I have been working to help provide answers to veterans and their families who have lived or worked on the Marine Corps Base. The push for answers continues, but in the meantime, veterans and family members are suffering. Many need treatment today and cannot afford to wait while studies are completed. The Marines and their family members affected by this tragedy have sacrificed to keep this country safe. After decades of denial, this country owes it to them to ensure they are taken care of in their time of need.”

An estimated 750,000 people may have been exposed to probable and known human carcinogens in the base's water supply between the 1950s and 1980s. To date, this is the largest recorded environmental incident on a domestic Department of Defense installation. 

---- Jerald Terwilliger National Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act

A bill proposed in the 111th Congress, that would have provided medical care to members of
the military exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune was never acted upon.

Senator Richard Burr R-NC has once again taken up the challenge. He has introduced S.277 that
will provide hospital care, medical services and nursing home care to veterans and their families who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina while the water was contaminated.

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Kay Hagen of North Carolina, Chuck Grassley of Iowa and
Bill Nelson of Florida.

Studies have shown that the water was contaminated with several chemicals including VOCs
(volatile organic compounds) known as PCE  including
(Tetrachloroethylene aka Perchloroethylene), TCE (Trichloroethylene), DCE (Dichloroethylene), Vinyl Chloride and BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene).

These chemicals are known or suspected human carcinogens.

Many Marines, Sailors, their families, and civilian workers have been affected by contamination
in many forms including breast cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer,
prostate cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, liver disease,  miscarriages, leukemia, non Hodgkins
lymphoma, birth defects (cleft palate, heart disease, Choanal atresia, neural tube defects, low
birth weight and small for gestational age).

Sadly, many of those affected by these diseases have not been informed of the danger of this
exposure.

Sen. Burr said "We now have another shot at doing the right thing for the thousands of
Navy and Marine veterans and their families who were harmed during their service to our
country." "While we continue to seek more answers, we can minimize further suffering by
allowing Lejeune veterans and their families to receive the care they need and deserve."

The Navy and Marine Corps maintain that the Camp Lejeune water contaminates have not been
conclusively linked to the illness and cancer that former residents and workers are now facing.

Sen. Kay Hagen (D-NC) said "Since taking office, it has been a priority for me to ensure that
the veterans who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to get the answers
and care they deserve." "I will be working with Senator Burr to see that this important
bill gets passed so we can make sure we keep our promises to our veterans."

If you were stationed at Camp Lejeune between the 1950's and the 1980's please visit the Marine
Corp website Camp Lejeune Toxic Water, The Few The Proud, The Forgotten by going to
http://www.tftptf.com/

It is time for our country to stand up and admit the problem, and ensure that the thousands
of veterans and their families finally receive the truth. Time to allow these brave men and
women to receive proper and just care.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Camp Lejeune Drinking Water

For anyone who was at Camp Lejeune from the 1950's through 1987. You may have been exposed
to toxic chemicals in the drinking water. Possible effects from the contaminated water include: Cancer,
 Reproductive disorders, Birth Defects, Neurological Problems, Liver and Kidney disease.

An informational meeting will be held Nov. 6, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel located at 107 6th Street Pittsburgh, PA.

This is very important if you or someone you know was at Camp Lejeune during that time period more information can be found http://bit.ly/cXhAph

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"

---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996