New highway sign special for Atomic Vets

Atomic Veterans are shown with the new sign that will designate a portion of US 400 in honor of

America’s forgotten veterans. A dedication ceremony was held at Bluestem High School in Leon

followed by a luncheon at the Leon Senior Center.

        It’s just a standard highway sign  - a KDOT green with white reflective lettering run-of-the-mill sign. But it’s the stretch of highway where it will stand that makes it much more than an ordinary sign. It is inscribed “Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway” and will designate a portion of US 400, where it runs together with US 54 from the junction of US 77 in Augusta east to the Butler County Line. On Friday morning in Leon, a group of Atomic Veterans, their families, and dignitaries gathered to take a look at the new sign and celebrate the step towards national recognition.

        Gary Thornton of Leon, an Atomic Veteran has worked for 6 years, along with his friend, Larry Halloran of Mulvane, in bringing recognition to the Atomic Veterans in Kansas and nationwide. In the dedication ceremony, Thornton thanked and credited the efforts of everyone who had helped the event become a reality.

        Hopes for an Atomic Service Medal, were boosted Friday morning with the news of U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt of Kansas introduced House Bill #HR 2553 and on the very same day U.S. Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas introduced companion bill Senate Bill #S1128. We’re reaching outside of Kansas now. We’re more hopeful than ever before and it’s our mission to tell everyone who you are,” Larry Halloran told the crowd.
 

The gathered veterans were also told that NBC is planning a documentary on the Atomic Veterans and they would most likely be contacted for their individual stories. Special Atomic Veteran guest, Albert “Smoky” Parish, 82, drove from Minnesota -- over 900 miles-- to speak to his fellow veterans. (He was part of the Army's 216th Chemical Company, who were trained together, went to Nevada together and all came home together. There probably is no other group which can provide a localized case study on the participants and the devastating effects their exposure had on them and their children.) Not being able to walk or stand without assistance, he steadied himself at the podium and spoke. He explained how he’s been working for recognition for the veterans since 1996 when the Atomic Secret Act was finally lifted. And with tears in his eyes, he told them what the dedication of small stretch of road in Kansas means. “Today the Atomic Veteran is not forgotten.”

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Note from us at the Web Site: In the photo above, an Atomic Veteran holds a photo of retired Army CSM Jim Trepoy of Salina, KS who suffered a stroke & congestive heart failure on May 17. He is home now but was unable to attend. Two of his daughters (Susan & Ginger) from Wichita represented him at the highway dedication.

 

We extend our best wishes and many prayers to Signalman First Class Norm Foster of Wichita who is suffering from congestive heart failure and is currently in the VA Nursing home at the RJ Dole Medical Center and to EVERY other Atomic Veteran suffering at home that were unable to attend today's event. All of you were very much on our minds and in our hearts. God Bless You!!!

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Atomic veterans get highway dedicated to them today

BY BECCY TANNER

The Wichita Eagle May 22, 2009

 

More than 50 atomic veterans are expected to attend a dedication for the Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway this morning in Leon.

 

The 18 ½-mile stretch of U.S. 400 west of Leon is the first in the nation to earn the designation in tribute to U.S. military veterans exposed to radiation during atomic weapons testing from 1945 to 1963.

 

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in the high school gym in Leon, about 30 miles east of Wichita. It will be followed by a luncheon at the Leon Senior Center.

Gary Thornton of Leon and his friend Lawrence Halloran of Mulvane began a grassroots effort to gain national recognition for atomic test veterans in 2004.

Thornton was exposed to alpha, beta and gamma radiation during four atomic tests in 1962, when he was a 19-year-old sailor on a minesweeper stationed 500 yards off Johnson Island, a nuclear test site.

 

The majority of veterans attending today's ceremony will be from Kansas, which has about 130 aging atomic veterans.

Thornton and Halloran started a petition and wrote letters to politicians seeking additional benefits to help atomic veterans deal with illness caused by radiation.

On July 16, 2004, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius recognized their efforts by declaring the day Atomic Veterans Day in Kansas. Other states have since had similar recognition days.

 

The stretch of U.S. 400 -- from U.S. 77 in Augusta east to the Butler County line -- received the designation in a bill introduced by Reps. Ed Trimmer of Winfield and Dave Crum of Augusta. It became law last year.

Since then, the veterans have raised $1,600 in private donations to pay for the two highway signs noting the designation.

The ceremony comes one day after U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, introduced companion legislation called the Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act.

 

The bill would authorize a Department of Defense Service Medal to recognize members of the military who were exposed to radiation as a result of atomic weapons tests or patrolling ground zero at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

 

Recognition has been hard fought, Halloran said. Until 1996, due to national security restrictions, atomic veterans were prohibited from discussing their actions.

"It's taken us that long to do it," Halloran said. "We are still working for national recognition."

Reach Beccy Tanner at 316-268-6336 or btanner@wichitaeagle.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2009

Senator Roberts & Representative Tiahrt Introduce Atomic Veterans Legislation

    WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) introduced the Atomic Veterans Medal Act, legislation to honor members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to atomic testing between 1945 and 1963.
               
    "These veterans showed courage and incredible personal sacrifice to further the cause of liberty and freedom and deserve recognition," Senator Roberts said. "Their work on the cutting edge of atomic sciences and the advancement of American military technology cannot be underscored. They answered the call to duty and they deserve the thanks of a grateful nation."
   
    "Atomic Veterans risked their lives and health in defense of our nation," said Tiahrt. "These veterans served from ground zero of the Nevada test sites, recorded and tracked atomic experiments, patrolled the ground at Hiroshima and Nagasaki-and for decades kept silent about their sacrifice. While we can never fully thank these brave heroes, this long-overdue military medal is one small way to honor their sacrifices and show our nation's appreciation for their service."

    Atomic veterans were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participating in a test of atomic weapons conducted by the United States between 1945 and 1963. The legislation introduced today calls on the Secretary of Defense to design and produce a military service medal to honor Atomic Veterans.

    Senator Roberts introduced the Atomic Veterans Medal Act of 2009, S. 1128, yesterday in the Senate and Rep. Tiahrt introduced the House of Representatives version of the bill, H.R. 2553.

    Senator Roberts is a former Marine and an outspoken advocate of our nation's veterans and men and women in uniform.

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Atomic Veterans proclamation signed

(L-R) Atomic Veterans at Monday’s proclamation signing

Everett Johnson of Augusta, Mayor Kristey Williams, Gary Thornton of Leon and Clarence Martinez of Augusta

 

Augusta Mayor Kristey Williams met Monday with three men who were involved with special testing during World War II.
 

She signed a proclamation calling for weeklong attention to their situation.
 

The week will culminate with a special event. A portion of Highway 400 in eastern Butler County will be formally dedicated in honor of the Atomic Veterans during a Friday ceremony in the Bluestem High School auditorium at Leon. That public ceremony will begin at 10 a.m.
 

The proclamation signed by Mayor Williams follows:
 

WHEREAS, The Atomic Veterans are a group of American service personnel that were subjected to nuclear testing from 1945 until 1962; and,
 

WHEREAS, these test site participants were utilized as test subjects to determine the effect of radiation; and
 

WHEREAS, the data and knowledge gathered during those 18 years provided the military with superiority in nuclear weapons deterrents, the safest nuclear power generating plants, fleet ships and advances in the field of nuclear medicines that all of us have benefited from; and
 

WHEREAS, site participants were bound to secrecy regarding any disclosures of test activities and no medical records were kept; and
 

WHEREAS, the side effects from these tests have caused innumerable types of cancers and other serious health conditions; and
 

WHEREAS, it is estimated that 75 percent of the original 225,000 participants have died; and
 

WHEREAS, this group has been working towards a public awareness of these veterans and attempting to pass legislation that would authorize the striking of a special U.S. Atomic Service Medal to honor these veterans; and
 

WHEREAS, there are several veterans in Augusta and the surrounding areas; and
 

WHEREAS, several Kansas government officials, including Rep. David Crum, Congressman Todd Tiahrt and former Rep. Everett Johnson (himself being an Atomic Veteran) have been instrumental in allowing a portion of US 400 to be dedicated to these veterans; and
 

WHEREAS, in conjunction with the above mentioned ceremony being held at the Leon High School at 10 a.m. on May 22, 2009;
 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Kristey Williams, Mayor of the City of Augusta, Kansas, do hereby proclaim the week of May 18 - May 23, 2009, as Atomic Veterans Awareness Week and do hereby encourage all citizens to keep these “forgotten victims” in their thoughts and help support them in their quest for recognition and honor for their service to America.