Toxic Paradise - Enewetak Atoll cleanup project veterans

Crystal white sand, clear blue water and coconut palm trees. Add tropical weather, and you have an atmosphere more suited for a cruise-liner destination than a carcinogen. Yet for thousands of veterans who participated in atomic cleanup operations in the late 1970s, Enewetak Atoll was no Fantasy Island.
“Invisible bullets entered our bodies, and we carry them with us daily,” says Paul Laird, a three-time cancer survivor from Otisfield, Maine. The 58-year-old Army veteran operated a bulldozer on Enewetak for the 84th Engineer Battalion in 1977. “We were told to do a job. You either did the job or you faced Leavenworth (federal prison).”
Video by Lucas Carter/The American Legion. Photos provided.

[@terrytidmore4849]

I was there 1979 January til May lived on Lojwa and worked on Runit dome on top of all the radiation buried in in the tomb.

[@LabRat6619]

First rule of joining the military.
You are expendable to them.

[@765kvline]

--Especially if you are Enlisted.

[@ashforkdan]

I was on a bouy tender there in 1970. 5 years before the clean up. Covered head to toe with bouy shit. My captain came out to the bridge and he had the only badge detector and it turned black within minutes. That was the last time we saw him untill we got back into port. And the first one off the ship. Know one told us it was radioactive. I didn't find out untill the 80s and the VA ignored it.

[@fredericksmith3105]

WAS THERE IN 1979, HOW CAN I BUY SOME OF THE T - SHIRTS

[@georgesamson2098]

I was a sergeant equipment operator on annaweta on the island of runit help build the dome Where do I sign the says I was there I know there's a scroll on the very top embedded in concrete

[@ThePhantomPatriot76]

One of my friends was involved in this operation. He's collecting signatures for your guys petition. I never heard of this until he told me tonight.

[@bigboydrz]

New news on this. This is one history lesson that I don't forget....
Maybe they will get some justice. Spread the word?
th-cam.com/video/8qNkMWTmOc8/w-d-xo.html

[@paulhelit2096]

I lost my Buddy Alford to cancer he went to the clean up in my place because my son was born premature in 1979

[@2real4tvv]

Found my Mom 1st cousin in that group pic also sent him the link thanks for uploading.

[@tonysalmail]

everyone please pass the word

[@noriivey6934]

I served with the 84th Engr Bn in Hawaii. I also served two TDY tour on Enewetak. August 78 to Apr 79 and Sept 79 to Feb 80. I worked in the Battalion headquarters. SP4 and then SGT/E5

[@motorhead6763]

I am EEOICA victim. We are recognized by VA and DOE.
I will send email to my Congressman and am sure all Atomic Vets will as well. Contact them. This is wrong!!

[@randyrodriquez889]

Interesting. I was in one of the first group over there with the Navy hauling nuclear waste on the LMC's (Maggie 8 to be specific) and was fairly well screened prior to departure from the atoll and so far have not encountered any symptoms of nuclear exposure.

[@mamella76]

Hay quien tiende el sistem inmune mucho más fuerte y es capaz de no desarrollar ningún cáncer gracias a unos linfocitos y leucocitos fuertes

[@stoshbeast1]

"It's a dirty job" - Mike Rowe

[@robertw4230]

Anyone here served in the 20th engineer brigade ?

[@RawLu.]

Clean up your mess America.

[@dantae666]

Cant a lawye r be found get some justice at least

[@joganse1]

So was there not a nice place to be or see