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Links to other important issues for Atomic Veterans, their families and the public

Our primary purpose at Thank You Atomic Veterans is to inform and educate the public of the Atomic Veterans and their service to our country. By informing the public, we hope our fellow citizens will join our effort to Honor these forgotten veterans. We receive many questions from Atomic Veterans, spouses, widows and family members that are beyond our scope or exceed our level of expertise on the subject, especially with regard to claims issues. Many are unaware of the veterans groups out there working hard on their behalf. They have perhaps never heard of NAAV or Radvets. They are unaware of the presumptive cancer laws passed by Congress and the opportunity for health care related to these cancers through the VA. The following links cover a variety of areas important to the atomic veterans and their affected family members and include legislation pending in Congress, historical information related to the atomic experience and groups directly associated with radiation exposure. Our goal is to Honor the Atomic Veteran; they deserve much more. Please help them where ever you can.

Legislation currently in the US Congress

These bills like any other legislation require wide public support if they are to pass

Your Senators & Representative Need to Hear from YOU Specifically

To view status of this legislation Click > [ current update ]

HR 2553 Introduced in the US House by Rep Todd Tiahrt (KS) 5/21/09 Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act : To authorize the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances. Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
S 1128 Introduced in the US Senate by Sen Pat Roberts (KS) 5/21/09 Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act: A bill to authorize the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
HR 2573 Introduced in the US House by Rep. Neil Abercrombie (HI) 5/21/09 Atomic Veterans Relief Act: To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the eligibility criteria for presumption of service-connection of certain diseases and disabilities for veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during military service, and for other purposes. Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Atomic Veteran Health Care & Compensation Programs

Just because these programs exist - does not mean Atomic Veterans will be cared for or compensated for their suffering. Many have waited a decade or more for a denial and those few actually receiving a service connection rating are often listed at ZERO - 10%.

http://www1.va.gov/vhi/docs/Radiationfinal.pdf 2004 VA pdf "Veterans and Radiation" This pdf covers a wide area of Radiation Exposure and is not limited to just Atomic Veterans.

Sections of particular interest to Atomic Veterans:

Main Content Sec 14: Adjudication of Veterans Ionizing Radiation Claims - starts on page 43

Appendix 1: VA Radiation Programs Information for VHA Environmental Health Clinicians/Coordinators - starts on page A1-1

Appendix 2: Ionizing Radiation Examination program - starts on page A2-1

Appendix 5: List of Agency Points of Contact for Dosimetry Information - starts on page A5-1
Department of Justice - Radiation Exposure Compensation Program web site:

http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/torts/const/reca/

 

 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990 - Department of Justice Contact Information Click here to view listed cancers and Department of Justice 800 number

Click here to view DOJ Claims Summary as of 1/15/2009 Note: Atomic Veterans are the ones listed as "On-site participants" only 45% approval compared to other groups - this list does not include civilian workers at plants - their claims are administered by the Department of Labor

Click here to view: Civil Division, Department of Justice, Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Trust Fund FY 2009 Performance Budget Congressional Submission. We found the highlighted sections on Page 1 of particular interest. If our Congress can apologize to some - Why can they not say "Thank You" to all that participated? Also - Just how is the DOJ meeting their mission statement with regard to educating the PUBLIC about the Act.
If you are an Atomic Veteran you will need this certificate in connection with any claim you might submit ----->>>> Getting ( Official ) Proof that you are an Atomic Veteran

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 Atomic Veterans wishing to obtain an ( official )  letter of participation in an atmospheric ( or underwater )  Atomic Weapon Test, from July 16 1945 to November 4, 1962  may obtain such a letter by calling the Defense Threat Reduction Agency

(DTRA ) at  800-462-3683.   

You will then have to give the ( DTRA )  person, who will be assisting you,  your  full name,  service number, social security number, branch of service,  name of ship ( or unit attachment ) and the date or name of the test (s) you may have been a part of.  Given this, DTRA will send you a letter of confirmation

Links to Veterans Organizations specific to Radiation Exposure

http://www.NAAV.com National Association of Atomic Veterans The mission of the National Association of Atomic Veterans is to assist these veterans in obtaining government recognition and Department of Veteran Affairs health care and financial assistance. The National Association of Atomic Veterans (NAAV), a non-profit, tax exempt, veterans organization, was founded in August, 1979 by the late Orville E. Kelly, and his wife, Wanda, of Burlington, Iowa.
http://www.radvets.org Radiated Veterans of America Radiated Veterans of America, Inc. (RVA) is a Nevada non-profit corporation approved by the United States Internal Revenue Service as a Section 501 (c) (19) Veterans Service Organization on a primary mission to aid, by public education and endorsing legislation, those past, current and future members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America who, beginning with the Manhattan Project in 1945, were or will be exposed to ionizing radiation, from weapons tests, storage, accidents and deployment.
www.atomicvetkin.com

This site is no longer active although historical information can still be viewed

 Children of Atomic Veterans  CAV Help site for Atomic Veterans and the surviving families of nuclear test participants. Info on military and human radiation experiments and more.

                  

Links to Atomic Veteran Historical Sites & Information

www.aracnet.com/~pdxavets

This site is presently inactive

 

 Atomic Veterans History Project The Atomic Veterans History Project contains personal narratives about the military duties and activities of the US Servicemen who witnessed the atomic and hydrogen weapon tests. Many veterans have sent photos, certificates and newspaper articles which we have added. There are over 500 photos from declassified DOE atomic test films.

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