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24 Million Thanks this Independence Day
Our forefathers were quite a ragtag group of militia back in 1775. Only 20,000 were regulars, the remaining 230,000 were untrained and even typically lacked uniforms. They were farmers and business people from around the 13 colonies that were so passionate about their country that they served and led this country to its freedom.
234 years later, the numbers have grown. We have 24 million veterans living in the United States. Each of those Veterans served their country and has fought for independence around the globe. From Turkey to Grenada to Iraq, our Veterans have served in some of the most incredibly challenging conditions and climates.
On a cloudy day in July, 1989, I was on board the USS Coontz at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyards at its decommissioning ceremonies. Walking through the ship at that time, I remember the clouds of dust and crews of workers ripping out the asbestos from her boilers. The Coontz was commissioned in 1961 and thousands served on board her for the next 28 years.
I can’t help but wonder all of the crew that may have been subjected to asbestos during that time – surely in the hundreds, maybe in the thousands… on a single ship. Multiply that by the thousands of ships – and you’re multiplying the numbers of Vets that were exposed and at risk for mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is quite rare, and less than 3,000 individuals are diagnosed each year. It is a serious and all too frequent health issue for veterans, however. The majority of veterans that are diagnosed with an asbestos cancer have developed pleural mesothelioma, which manifests within the pleural lining of the lungs. There is no cure for this disease, and sadly, the majority of sufferers lose their battle with mesothelioma in less than two years following diagnosis.
Mesothelioma isn’t the only illness impacting and taking the lives of Veterans. I have another friend, Kenny, who suffered a broken back doing a nighttime parachuting in the Army. There are countless retired Chiefs out there with arthritis from a career of walking on metal decks and climbing ladders. Too many Gunnies have hearing loss from years and years of combat training.
Desert Shield and Storm Vets like myself may have been exposed to airborne neurotoxins that may be a source of Gulf War Syndrome. I served on board the USS Spartanburg County, LST 1192, for the duration of the War. Sadly, even the vaccinations (Anthrax) may have caused complications that continue to plague Vets.
My point is this - the sacrifices that our veterans have made didn’t stop with their service to our country, and wasn’t limited to combat. Their sacrifices are not limited to the risk of developing certain diseases, including mesothelioma, long after their service is over. Most Veterans continue to suffer from issues that started when they served. Not to mention the losses and the physical and mental scars from combat – those are the heroes I look up to.
I’m proud of my service in the military and in the Gulf War. I also don’t have any expectations that I’m owed anything by our government. There are many Veterans returning from combat today that need our governments’ full attention.
What I do hope, though, is that folks who haven’t served think about the sacrifices that Veterans make long after their tour was over. They kept us free, and many continue to feel the aches and pains today from their service. They’re still fighting for their country, even today. And some are still paying with their lives.
Douglas Karr, Petty Officer Second Class, USN Veteran
July 2, 2009