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General News
07-14-2006 08:17 AM
Oregon's Atomic Veterans to be honored this Sunday
Atomic Veterans Day is July 16th
By TIM BURLESON
The testing of the first atomic bomb on July 16, 1945, in Alamogordo, New Mexico, later prompted President Ronald Reagan, in 1983, to declare July 16th as National Atomic Veterans Day.
This July 16th is the first anniversary of Oregon legislation that designates July 16th of every year as Atomic Veterans Day in the state. The date was chosen to honor Oregon's Atomic Veterans, military members who participated in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in the United States, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans during and after World War II.
Oregon's Atomic Veterans will be honored at an event this Sunday, July 16, at the Linn County Fairgrounds and Expo Center between 12-4pm. Guest speakers during a ceremony that begins at 1 p.m. will include State Senator Ted Ferrioli, State Representatives Donna Nelson and Jeff Kropf, and Jim Willis, the Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs.
In 1996, atomic veterans were released from their military oaths of secrecy. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) then formally recognized atomic veterans. They were then eligible to receive VA medical treatment. The VHA reports that between 1945 and 1962, approximately 195,000 U. S. service members participated in the post-World War II occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan following the atomic bombings there.
Approximately 210,000, mostly military members, are confirmed participants in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests prior to the 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty. Others were nuclear technicians responsible for the operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants on aircraft carriers or submarines. Additional veterans were exposed to depleted uranium munitions during and after the Gulf War.
The Linn County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Albany, is located off of Interstate 5 at exit 234A. For more information call Fred Schafer at 541-258-7453 or Frank Farmer at 541-259-1559.
An Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs press release was used to write this story.
Reach reporter Tim Burleson at 761-0195 or tim@grantspassclimate.com Copyright © 2006 Grants Pass Climate Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. |
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