Comments on: A Few Good Men and Bladder Cancer http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/10/24/a-few-good-men-and-bladder-cancer/ Military Veterans and Foreign Affairs Journal - VA - Veterans Administration Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:50:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bob O'Dowd http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/10/24/a-few-good-men-and-bladder-cancer/comment-page-1/#comment-29369 Bob O'Dowd Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:51:48 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/?p=9105#comment-29369 <p>Carol,</p>I'm sorry to hear of the death of your son-in-law.  When a 29 year old man dies of a very form rare cancer, it grabs your attention.  Although a number of studies were funded by the military, the Navy and Marine Corps have not addressed the health effects of exposure to the organic solvents in the Camp Lejeune water wells.  Jerry Ensminger, the Byrons, Mike Partain Terry and Karen Dryler and others have worked hard to spread the word on Lejeune's contaminated water. The latest rare form of cancer at Lejeune is the 50+ Lejeune veterans with male breast cancer. In a letter dated October 26st, twenty-eight Congressional representatives expressed their frustration and disappointment on the lack of a Navy strategy to address the health care effects of exposure to contaminants to both veterans and dependents in Lejeune’s wells to the Secretary of the Navy.  The Navy and Marine Corps need to accept responsibility for the contamination and support both health care and compensation to those injured. This issue will not go away. In the end, public outcry and Congressional support for justice will demand action.  Any military excuse such as "this didn't happen on my watch" will fall on deaf ears.  Semper Fi,Bob O’Dowd Carol,

I’m sorry to hear of the death of your son-in-law.  When a 29 year old man dies of a very form rare cancer, it grabs your attention.  Although a number of studies were funded by the military, the Navy and Marine Corps have not addressed the health effects of exposure to the organic solvents in the Camp Lejeune water wells.  Jerry Ensminger, the Byrons, Mike Partain Terry and Karen Dryler and others have worked hard to spread the word on Lejeune’s contaminated water. The latest rare form of cancer at Lejeune is the 50+ Lejeune veterans with male breast cancer. In a letter dated October 26st, twenty-eight Congressional representatives expressed their frustration and disappointment on the lack of a Navy strategy to address the health care effects of exposure to contaminants to both veterans and dependents in Lejeune’s wells to the Secretary of the Navy.  The Navy and Marine Corps need to accept responsibility for the contamination and support both health care and compensation to those injured. This issue will not go away. In the end, public outcry and Congressional support for justice will demand action.  Any military excuse such as "this didn’t happen on my watch" will fall on deaf ears.  Semper Fi,Bob O’Dowd

]]> By: Carol Hill http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/10/24/a-few-good-men-and-bladder-cancer/comment-page-1/#comment-29361 Carol Hill Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:34:39 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/?p=9105#comment-29361 My Son in Law was concieved and lived on Camp Lejeune as a child. He died at age 29 of a rare cancer that only strike 1 in one or two million. Adreanl Cortical Carcinoma. Since his diagnosis, I have been researching the water contamination and am astounded at the way this has been covered up for so long. The Byrons at tftptf.com and Terry Dyer at www.watersurviors.com have been working for years on getting the word out to sick and dying marines and thier families. If we had been warned and my son in law had been monitored more closely I believe he would be alive today. This is not a wait and see issue, we SEE and are tired of waiting. My Son in Law was concieved and lived on Camp Lejeune as a child.
He died at age 29 of a rare cancer that only strike 1 in one or two million. Adreanl Cortical Carcinoma. Since his diagnosis, I have been researching the water contamination and am astounded at the way this has been covered up for so long. The Byrons at tftptf.com and Terry Dyer at http://www.watersurviors.com have been working for years on getting the word out to sick and dying marines and thier families. If we had been warned and my son in law had been monitored more closely I believe he would be alive today. This is not a wait and see issue, we SEE and are tired of waiting.

]]> By: Bob O'Dowd http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/10/24/a-few-good-men-and-bladder-cancer/comment-page-1/#comment-29003 Bob O'Dowd Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:50:41 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/?p=9105#comment-29003 <p><font size="2">TL,</font></p><p><font size="2">Yes, MCAS Tustin was an EPA Superfund site.  <font face="Arial">See:  </font></font><a href="http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/rods/fulltext/r0900147.pdf"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#800080">http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/rods/fulltext/r0900147.pdf</font></a> [www.epa.gov]<font face="Arial"><font size="2"> for EPA Superfund, Record of Decision: TUSTIN MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, EPA ID: CA9170090022, </font></font><font face="Arial" size="2">OU 02. TUSTIN, CA. 09/28/2000.  Since you were in Nam, you may want to check with the VA about coverage under the Agent Orange presumptive disability umbrella for any medical condition you have now.  A quick check of the EPA ROD showed that the contaminants of concerns at Tustin were VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds like TCE).  Thanks for your service and good luck with the testing.</font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="2">Semper Fi,</font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="2">Bob </font></p> TL,

Yes, MCAS Tustin was an EPA Superfund site.  See:  http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/rods/fulltext/r0900147.pdf [www.epa.gov] for EPA Superfund, Record of Decision: TUSTIN MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, EPA ID: CA9170090022, OU 02. TUSTIN, CA. 09/28/2000.  Since you were in Nam, you may want to check with the VA about coverage under the Agent Orange presumptive disability umbrella for any medical condition you have now.  A quick check of the EPA ROD showed that the contaminants of concerns at Tustin were VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds like TCE).  Thanks for your service and good luck with the testing.

Semper Fi,

Bob

]]> By: Bob O'Dowd http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/10/24/a-few-good-men-and-bladder-cancer/comment-page-1/#comment-29001 Bob O'Dowd Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:25:28 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/?p=9105#comment-29001 <p><font size="2">Mike,</font></p>Thanks for your comments.  Sorry to hear about the renal cancer.  You may want to check out two Lejeune veteran websites.  See: The Few The Proud The Forgotten at <a href="http://www.tftptf.com/"> <font color="#800080">http://www.tftptf.com</font></a> [www.tftptf.com] and THE STAND at <a href="http://www.watersurvivors.com/"> <font color="#800080">http://www.watersurvivors.com</font></a> [www.watersurvivors.com].  Also, you may be able to file a VA disability for renal cancer for exposure to the Lejeune's contaminated water.  These two websites can give you more information on how to go about that process.  My opinion is that the military will never admit Lejeune's contaminated water caused any disease or deaths. For one the liability to dependents from any admission would run into the billions.  One dependent from Lejeune told me that "it's all about the GREEN."   Veterans can file a lawsuit against the government for injuries from active duty.  Our only recourse is to file a VA disability claim.  You can win a VA claim for a current disability but it's not easy and will require a nexus statement from a medical care provider linking your current disability to military service. Thanks for your service.  Good luck.Semper Fi,Bob <p> </p> Mike,

Thanks for your comments.  Sorry to hear about the renal cancer.  You may want to check out two Lejeune veteran websites.  See: The Few The Proud The Forgotten at http://www.tftptf.com [www.tftptf.com] and THE STAND at http://www.watersurvivors.com [www.watersurvivors.com].  Also, you may be able to file a VA disability for renal cancer for exposure to the Lejeune’s contaminated water.  These two websites can give you more information on how to go about that process.  My opinion is that the military will never admit Lejeune’s contaminated water caused any disease or deaths. For one the liability to dependents from any admission would run into the billions.  One dependent from Lejeune told me that "it’s all about the GREEN."   Veterans can file a lawsuit against the government for injuries from active duty.  Our only recourse is to file a VA disability claim.  You can win a VA claim for a current disability but it’s not easy and will require a nexus statement from a medical care provider linking your current disability to military service. Thanks for your service.  Good luck.Semper Fi,Bob

 

]]> By: Bob O'Dowd http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/10/24/a-few-good-men-and-bladder-cancer/comment-page-1/#comment-28945 Bob O'Dowd Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:56:13 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/?p=9105#comment-28945 <p>Willie,</p><p>Sorry to hear about your bladder cancer.  I've had it so I no it's not fun and games.  You may want to check with the VA to see if bladder cancer is covered under the Agent Orange presumptive disability umbrella.  Thanks for your service.</p><p>Semper Fi,</p><p>Bob   </p> Willie,

Sorry to hear about your bladder cancer.  I’ve had it so I no it’s not fun and games.  You may want to check with the VA to see if bladder cancer is covered under the Agent Orange presumptive disability umbrella.  Thanks for your service.

Semper Fi,

Bob  

]]> By: Bob O'Dowd http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/10/24/a-few-good-men-and-bladder-cancer/comment-page-1/#comment-28944 Bob O'Dowd Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:52:31 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/?p=9105#comment-28944 <p>Joseph,</p><p>You may be able to receive disability compensation from the VA for your hearing lost.  Thanks for your service.</p><p>Semper Fi,</p><p>Bob </p> Joseph,

You may be able to receive disability compensation from the VA for your hearing lost.  Thanks for your service.

Semper Fi,

Bob

]]> By: mike spies http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/10/24/a-few-good-men-and-bladder-cancer/comment-page-1/#comment-28934 mike spies Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:10:22 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/?p=9105#comment-28934 I was at Camp Lejeune from 84 to 88 at Hospital Point and the Naval Hospital. I was diagnosed with a stage 3 renal cancer in 2000 that almost killed me. Is th military waiting for as many of us to die off as possible before they admit liability. I was at Camp Lejeune from 84 to 88 at Hospital Point and the Naval Hospital. I was diagnosed with a stage 3 renal cancer in 2000 that almost killed me. Is th military waiting for as many of us to die off as possible before they admit liability.

]]> By: TL Vanderwal http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/10/24/a-few-good-men-and-bladder-cancer/comment-page-1/#comment-28888 TL Vanderwal Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:44:41 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/?p=9105#comment-28888 I served at MCAS Santa Ana (The old "LIghter Than Air base with the last wood built hangers to service dirigibles like the Goodyear blimp) which was supposedly part of MCAS El Toro. This was where the majority of the helicopter squadrons resided. I was there in 1967 to Jan. of 1968 as a H-46 helicopter Crew Chief in HMM-302 before heading for Vietnam and HMM-165. They have long since closed that base down and turned it over to the community for business development. Would that or should that former Air Station be on the listing? I am having problems now and thank you for the "heads up" concerning this. I will be going to get testing done. I served at MCAS Santa Ana (The old “LIghter Than Air base with the last wood built hangers to service dirigibles like the Goodyear blimp) which was supposedly part of MCAS El Toro.

This was where the majority of the helicopter squadrons resided. I was there in 1967 to Jan. of 1968 as a H-46 helicopter Crew Chief in HMM-302 before heading for Vietnam and HMM-165.

They have long since closed that base down and turned it over to the community for business development.

Would that or should that former Air Station be on the listing?

I am having problems now and thank you for the “heads up” concerning this. I will be going to get testing done.

]]> By: willie http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/10/24/a-few-good-men-and-bladder-cancer/comment-page-1/#comment-28843 willie Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:55:35 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/?p=9105#comment-28843 As a veteran of nam i was exposed to the agent orange, then come home and was at camp Lejeurne for 16 mo and drank,showered the poison water there. i now have bladder cancer. Kinda makes you wonder. As a veteran of nam i was exposed to the agent orange, then come home and was at camp Lejeurne for 16 mo and drank,showered the poison water there. i now have bladder cancer. Kinda makes you wonder.

]]> By: Joseph P Miller http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/10/24/a-few-good-men-and-bladder-cancer/comment-page-1/#comment-28807 Joseph P Miller Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:35:56 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/?p=9105#comment-28807 I served at MCAS El Toro, Santa Ana, Ca. from early 1955 to mid 1957. At this point in time, I have had no symptoms of anything serious in nature aside from being sterile possibly from radiation exposure. I try to keep an open mind and not place blame because the military was a good thing in my life and I am grateful for having served "My Country." I do have a hearing loss from jet engine noise both at MCAS El Toro and aboard the USS Wasp, CVA - 18 with Marine Fighter Squadron VMA 223 in 1956. At that time, there was no hearing (Ear-Muffs) protection provided for those of us who served on the flight line (and Flight Deck) during operations. In any event, it is something that I have learned to live with for the past 50 or so years. I served at MCAS El Toro, Santa Ana, Ca. from early 1955 to mid 1957.
At this point in time, I have had no symptoms of anything serious in nature aside from being sterile possibly from radiation exposure. I try to keep an open mind and not place blame because the military was a good thing in my life and I am grateful for having served “My Country.”

I do have a hearing loss from jet engine noise both at MCAS El Toro and aboard the USS Wasp, CVA – 18 with Marine Fighter Squadron VMA 223 in 1956. At that time, there was no hearing (Ear-Muffs) protection provided for those of us who served on the flight line (and Flight Deck) during operations. In any event, it is something that I have learned to live with for the past 50 or so years.

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