Pearl Harbor: 75th Anniversary & Future Asbestos Dangers for Veterans

Seventy-five years later, Dec. 7, 1941, still lives in infamy. Wednesday marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The surprise Japanese military strike killed 2,403 Americans and wounded another 1,178, devastating the U.S. naval base and dragging the nation into World War II. But the death toll continued to rise decades after the attack because more than 10,000 veterans who served in Pearl Harbor were exposed to deadly asbestos released at the shipyards on the day of the attack. As we remember the lives lost in the attack and honor the survivors still with us today on Pearl Harbor Day, it is important to also reflect on what all U.S. military veterans sacrifice to keep our nation free and safe. Former U.S. Army Capt. Aaron Munz, who serves as director of the Veterans Department at The Mesothelioma Center, said the anniversary of Pearl Harbor “speaks to the incredible selflessness and the willingness of veterans to serve and protect their families and friends during a time of war.” “Today, men and women of our military continue that self-sacrifice around the world in order to keep our country safe at home,” Munz said. The ‘Unforeseeable’ Threat of Asbestos for Military Veterans Munz knows that sacrifice as much as anyone. He served nine years in combat and strategic planning and received the Bronze Star Medal for Valor in 2004 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Both grandfathers served in World War II, one in the Navy and the other in ...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: 75 years after pearl harbor pearl harbor 75th anniversary pearl harbor attack pearl harbor attack anniversary veterans exposed to asbestos Source Type: news