Between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987, many thousands of Marines, Sailors, civilian contractors and their families were exposed to badly-contaminated drinking water at Camp LeJeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina.
The following quotes and links have plenty of information about the medical conditions and eligibility for compensation.
From the US Navy’s website:
“On Aug. 10, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022. Section 804 of this law is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (CLJA), which allows people — including veterans — previously exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to file a new claim with the Department of the Navy. Individuals may seek relief in Federal court for a claim that is denied or no decision is made six (6) months after a claim is filed.” (https://www.navy.mil/clja).
From the Veterans Administration:
“Camp Lejeune water contamination health issues
If you served at either of these locations between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, you may be eligible for disability and health care benefits:
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, or
Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina.
Keep reading on this page to learn more about these benefits and benefits for family members.”
(https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/)
There are also many law firms lining up to represent victims and their families; you can find them with a Google-search (PACT Act – Camp LeJeune). They offer large settlements, caution is advised. If you have no internet connection, I recommend that you see the VA representative available every first-and-third Thursday morning at the old Courthouse on Grand Ave at Walnut Street. Bring your DD-214.
Texas County veterans organizations:
•Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 473 has changed its meeting date to 6 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month at their Post Meeting Hall on Highway 63 north of Cabool.
•American Legion Post 559 will meet at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the VFW Post 6337 meeting hall in Licking. Post 559 has been revitalized by past members and will be looking for new ones.
•Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6337 in Licking meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at its Meeting Hall on Main Street just south of Highway 32.
•Fleet Reserve Association Branch 364 meets at 2:30 p.m. every fourth Sunday of each month at the American Legion Post 41 meeting hall in Houston. The FRA exists to serve all veterans and active-duty members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard.
•American Legion Post 41 meets at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at its meeting hall on the west end of Chilton Oil Company in Houston, (just north of Pizza Hut.) Changes to membership eligibility now allow U.S. veterans of all branches and periods of service to join the American Legion.
Houston resident Robert E. Simpson is a retired U.S. Navy chief electronics technician who served from 1969 to 1990. Email gfjjkaa@gmail.com.
