MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES

Fifty years ago the United States tested nuclear weapons while the full effects of radioactive fallout on the human body were still unknown. From 1945 to 1962, groups of American servicemen were exposed to nuclear radiation near atmospheric nuclear test sites, sometimes marching onto ground zero after the all-clear signal. Unprotected, they stood at sites awash with airborne poison from the detonation.

In this way, it is estimated that 200,000 Americans were subjected to unknown levels of radiation. An additional 195,000 members of our Armed Forces in Japan, who were either held as prisoners of war or served as part of the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, were also placed at radiation-risk.

Today, we know the extreme sacrifices their service engendered. Like troops wounded on the battlefield, they too have been wounded by the array of lethal medical conditions that sometimes take as long as 30 years to appear. More compelling is the fact that the effects of genetic damage can go undetected for generations.

July 16, 2001 marks the birth of the Atomic Age with the 56th anniversary of Trinity Shot, the first atomic detonation. I urge all Americans to remember the service of the men and women who in their exposure as test subjects or otherwise, faced potentially deadly effects for themselves and for their descendents. We honor their contributions, service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States of America.

George W. Bush

• Message from The President - The forgoing was sent by the VA Secretary’s Office, to Rudy Florentine via fax & then sent via fax to Dale Howard who forwarded it to Richard U. (Dick) Conant - Former Commander for NAAV. Dick was our honored dinner guest and speaker at the 2002 Curtiss Atomic Marine fifth reunion held in Albuquerque, NM.

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