Jack Durish 
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Let me tell you a story...

Short stories, long stories. True stories, fictional stories. I love a good story. If you love them too, this is the place for you.

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Should the U.S. acknowledge its Atomic Veterans before it's too late? Most are dead and gone

10/4/2015

2 Comments

 

Veterans

Click to readClick to read "The Atomic Veteran"
Almost 300,000 veterans witnessed atmospheric tests of nuclear devices: Atomic Bombs and Hydrogen Bombs. They are known as Atomic Veterans. Most, if not a majority, are dead as you read this. Many died young of cancers and tuberculosis induced by their exposure to the deadly radiation emitted by these detonations. Those fortunate enough to survive such early onsets of fatal diseases are now dying of old age. Sadly, the United States has never officially acknowledged their participation as what many would characterize as guinea pigs. There is not even a ribbon to wear on their chests among the other campaign medals they may have earned.

Dick Latham is an Atomic Veteran. I am honored to call him comrade. We serve together as members of VFW Post 6024 in Mission Viejo, California. Dick shared his story with me and granted me permission to share it with you. Hopefully, it will spread until the United States Congress is inspired to complete the task of honoring these men and women.

Inasmuch as it is difficult to retain the attention of Internet readers much beyond 800 words, I had to keep Dick's story short. I couldn't include his duty as a Marine Security Guard at the American Embassy in Rio de Janeiro where he met his wife, or his service during World War II or Korea. Even so, when I stopped paring away words to reveal the final product, Dick's story included more than 1,200 words. I decided to take my chances and test my readers' patience for a good story.

Now, I've already spent almost 300 words in this preamble to warm you to the task. Sit back. Take a breath. Get something to drink. Go the the bathroom. Then dive in and learn about these Atomic Veterans. Hopefully you'll agree that they deserve recognition.

2 Comments
Caleb Pirtle link
10/5/2015 12:01:12 am

Don't worry, Jack. Even the true stories sound like fantasy. I had not thought about it, but we are in danger of losing the boys who beat the odds and built the atomic bomb. Several years ago, I was in Carrizozo, New Mexico, and asked an old man what the was the most important thing to ever happen in his little town. He said it was the day the bomb exploded. The test for the atomic bomb took place only fifty miles away, the sky caught fire, and no one knew what was happening. His father the end of the world had come, and maybe he was right.

Reply
Jack Durish
10/5/2015 12:38:19 am

It was the end of the world for those living in Japan when two were detonated there. It will be the end of the world for many more once terrorists get their hands on them. God forgive those who are now facilitating proliferation...

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    Jack Durish
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