CWP News:DENVER ― Cold War Patriots (CWP), a community resource organization providing information, advocacy and recognition to the thousands of nuclear weapons and uranium workers who served this nation, has announced Oct. 30 as the official Cold War Patriots’ National Day of Remembrance for nuclear weapons and uranium workers.
CWP’s official events observing the 8th annual National Day of Remembrance will be held at various locations across the U.S. and are open to all current and former nuclear weapons and uranium workers. The local event for current and former Los Alamos National Lab (LANL), Sandia Lab and uranium workers, their family members and friends is Oct. 31 in Los Alamos.
Cold War Patriots’ National Day of Remembrance Reception
- Monday, Oct. 31
- 10 a.m. to noon (food will be served)
- Fuller Lodge – Pajarito Room
- 2132 Central Ave.
This is the eighth National Day of Remembrance since its inception by CWP in 2009.
Since World War II, hundreds of thousands of men and women have served their country by building nuclear weapons in defense of the United States. Many of these workers paid a high price for their service, including developing disabling or fatal illnesses.
This includes workers like 66-year-old Michael B. who was employed at a nuclear weapons facility for seven years beginning in 1969. Twenty-three years after Michael ended his tenure at the facility, he was diagnosed with bronchitis, which developed into COPD, then emphysema.
Over time, doctors found cancer in his lungs and his kidneys, and learned Michael’s medical issues were a result of his exposure to radioactive particles at the weapons facility. Cold War Patriots helped Michael find the information he needed to file a claim through the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. Through this program Michael received monetary compensation as well as medical benefits, including free in-home care.
“These workers are the unsung heroes of the Cold War,” CWP Chairperson Tim Lerew said. “They worked tirelessly with hazardous materials that we knew little about at the time. The National Day of Remembrance ensures their valuable contributions to our country are not forgotten.”
Learn more about the 8th Annual National Day of Remembrance by visiting www.coldwarpatriots.org/events/category/national-day-of-remembrance/.
