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U.S. Navy exposure

Veterans Day is a National Thank You to All Who Served

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While Veterans Day began as “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’,” we now set aside November 11th as a time to honor our military men and women as a national thank you to all who served and are serving our country.

The history

1919

Armistice Day was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in a message one year after the end of World War I. In it he stated, “To us in America the reflection of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service, and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of nations.”

1924

In June, 1924, Congress requested a resolution from President Calvin Coolidge to deliver an annual proclamation for the observance of November 11th with “appropriate ceremonies.”

1938

Congress approved an Act on May 13, 1938 making each November 11th a legal holiday, “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’.”

1945

In 1945, Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, determined all veterans, not just those who served in WWI, should be celebrated. He led a delegation to Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who also supported the idea of a national Veterans Day. In many ways, Mr. Weeks is the “Father of Veterans Day” as we know it today.

1947

The first national celebration was held in Alabama and led by Mr. Weeks.

1954

On May 26, 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill establishing Armistice Day as a national holiday. Just a week later, Congress amended the new law by changing the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

1971

In accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. However, seven years later it was returned to November 11th, but celebrated on either Friday or Monday if it occurs on the weekend.

How can we say thank you to all who served?

Many who served, especially those on ships, were exposed to asbestos in addition to the dangers of their service. From WWII through Vietnam, veterans faced this unseen danger. Many ships continued in service long after Vietnam. In fact, of the almost 3,000 Americans diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma annually, a significant percentage of them served in the U.S. Navy.

Though the asbestos fibers were unseen, they were throughout the ships: fireproofing, steam lines, pumps, boilers, condensers, evaporators, distillers, turbines, deck material, and electrical equipment.

Since there can be 50 years between exposure and diagnosis, service men and women still suffer from diseases brought about through exposure on ships. In those same years, those at home were also exposed through building materials or other occupations.

Banning asbestos in the United States is long overdue. Let your voice be heard by contacting the EPA and letting them know you want a ban. There is no safe level of exposure. While we can’t turn back the clock for our military men and women who suffered exposure, we can say “thank you” by working to prevent exposure to their children and grandchildren. Click here to find out how you can be heard.

To Those Who Served

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veteran-flag

On this day we salute you who served and protected this great country. Those of us who have not served in the military will never fully know your sacrifice, but realize that you are greatly appreciated. Your gift to our country of time away from family, education, or career is worthy of more than one day of remembrance each year, but know this day of appreciation is heartfelt.

May you feel the love and respect of your country today and every day. God bless you and God bless America!

Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) Announces New Program in Cancer Fight

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The VA, Washington University, and the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) have joined to initiate a new Radiation Oncology Practice Assessment (ROPA) program. For the first time, radiation oncologists will be provided continuous feedback on the headway made in cancer therapy through new and innovative information technology techniques.

There are three major treatments for cancer: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Approximately 60 percent of patients undergo radiation. This program plans to use the information gathered to improve cancer treatment for our Veterans who comprise a large portion of cancer victims. The first year will concentrate on the review of treatments for prostate and lung cancers, including mesothelioma.

Bruce D. Minsky, MD, FASTRO, chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors, stated, “ASTRO is deeply committed to improving the quality of cancer care for our Veterans and all Americans. Our cancer experts are enthusiastic about this new opportunity to better measure and enhance radiation delivery with the goal of producing high quality patient outcomes.”

With this assessment, a more complete determination of a patient’s therapy and their response to it can be provided to the oncologist. The goal is the ability to more closely pinpoint therapies that succeed in the fight against cancer.

A Salute to Our Armed Forces

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Veterans  DuBose Law Firm remembers our veterans on this Veterans’ Day.  We recognize the great sacrifices the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces have made to protect our freedoms in the United States of America and for others throughout the world.  The deadly danger from our enemies was not their only threat; danger also lurked aboard their own ships, aircraft or other machinery.

U.S. Navy veterans serving from World War II through Vietnam faced a toxic threat from the asbestos aboard their own ships.  Many decades later that exposure surfaced in the form of asbestos-related diseases.  Of the 2,500 to 3,000 Americans diagnosed annually with malignant mesothelioma, a significant percentage of those individuals served in the U.S. Navy.  Still more veterans may suffer from asbestos-related lung cancer.

From the 1940s through the 1970s, asbestos was used in virtually every area of naval ships in hundreds of applications including: fireproofing, steam lines, pumps, boilers, condensers, evaporators, distillers, turbines, deck material, and electrical equipment.  Veterans who served below deck such as machinist mates and fireman are at particular risk for the development of asbestos-related diseases.

Aircraft mechanics also had exposure from performing brake repairs on certain military aircraft as well as in the engine and exhaust systems of certain planes.  Similarly, motor pool mechanics from the 1940s through the 1970s may have had exposure to asbestos performing brake jobs and other maintenance work on jeeps, trucks and other equipment.

Both lung cancer and mesothelioma develop 30, 40, 50 years, or longer after an individual was exposed to asbestos. So, even though asbestos was finally removed from most active naval vessels by the 1980s, service men and women who served decades ago are being diagnosed today with these deadly cancers.

If you served in these occupations you should inform your doctor that you were likely exposed to asbestos while serving in the military and ask them to monitor you for asbestos-related disease.  Diagnosing these illnesses early can truly save your life.

To all current members of our armed forces and to all of our veterans – thank you for serving in harm’s way in the defense of freedom and liberty.  God bless you and God bless America.