The Marshal Islands were used as nuclear testing grounds back in the late 1940s. In the 1960s, members of the Army were called in to clean up the waste. Under federal law, there is funding for veterans who were exposed to radiation, known as "Atomic Vets." However, those who cleaned up on the island of Enewetak are not considered a part of that category and therefore are not able to get help with their medical bills. The Enewetak Atomic Clean-up Veterans group wants the Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize those who served and include them in the Atomic Vets category. If you served during the Enewetak clean-up or want to get involved, visit the Atomic Cleanup Vets website at www.atomiccleanupvets.com.
For more on veteran programs, visit the Military.com Benefits Center.
