From: Richard U Conant rucon@juno.com
To: All Atomic Veterans
Date: Wed, 30 May 2001
Subject: Proclamation
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 ans 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 rembember 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
The forgoing was sent by VA Secretary Office to Rudy
Florentine via Fax and then sent via Fax to Dale Howard who forwarded it
to me. I had previously sent a letter to President Bush asking for an
"official and continuing Remembrance Day of July 16th." Many others have
sent similar requests to the President and we thank them for their
support.
Thanks guys for your untiring efforts.
Richard U. (Dick) Conant
2424 Venetian Way SW
Albuquerque, NM 87105-7236
Tp: 505-877-3707
Fx: 505-877-2119
E-mail: Richard U Conant rucon@juno.com