Memorial Day

Today is the day after Memorial Day.

I would like to remember the trusting soldiers that were required to endure the testing of these bombs. There were many tests and many people exposed to these tests.

So for all the people who remember, or that have family that went through these tests, I wish you the best and hope we finally get some recognition.

A new link to the right, “Mike” Detonation, shows pictures and info about the 10.5 megaton “Mike” that was detonated on November 1, 1952, completely removing an entire island from the atoll. I am glad I was nowhere near when that went off.

Although 25 years later, I was cleaning up the mess caused by the bomb that shares my name.

A Sunday Afternoon at The Hangout

This was the engineer bar built out of sheer need to blow off steam.

Interesting Study

Summary Report, April 2000.

“The Tribunal also found that on Runit, the fifth largest island in the atoll, the residual Plutonium 239 from the tests exceeds the established limit and the island remains quarantined from use. Stating that, “Techniques now exist to clean up this plutonium, utilizing soil sorting methods applied at Johnston Atoll,” the Tribunal awarded $10 million for that activity. The Tribunal also awarded $4.51 million for characterization surveys to provide information as to the exact location and nature of the contaminated soil to be removed and to ensure compliance with the prescribed cleanup standard.”
(Please see link in column at right for complete summary.)

I thought it was interesting that this study, done April 2000, shows that the Island of Runit, the one many of us worked on, ten to twelve hours a day, six days a week, is still uninhabitable 25 YEARS LATER!!!

This means that, for six months at a time, we military guinea pigs were virtually living on that island from 1977-1980, completely unaware of the danger and the high levels of radiation we were exposed to daily. Has any U.S. military serviceperson been awarded even a minor compensation, much less $14.51 million?

I know I haven’t.

Also check the link to the right—a wonderful person has written about our plight.
Link -- Local Newspaper Column

One Beautiful Sunset

First Thoughts

Hello to all.

I am setting up this blog to get the input, feelings, stories and information about one and all who were stuck on this wretched Atoll for the cleanup.

I was stationed on Lojwa from Aug. '78 to Feb. '79 with the 84th Engineer Battalion from Schofield barracks, Hawaii. I was volunteered 8 months before my departure from active duty. Had no choice in the matter, go and do my duty.

I lived on the Island of Lojwa, with all the other "Animals", but took a boat ride to Runit every morning. On Runit I worked as a debagger, Mike "the debagger" Dager. Busted my ass for 6 months, actually 5 months then got a double hernia and spent the last month resting, spent a wonderful Christmas and New Year with a bunch of good guys, partying our butts off.

If any of you remember the Engineer Bar, Steve McKee and I were the driving force in building this oasis away from civilization. Spent many nights hanging out and telling stories.

I have been experiencing some strange ailments as of late, Osteopenia, bone density loss, thin skin among other more serious problems. Wondering if anyone else has had similar problems. Looking into trying to get disability rating from the VA. We will see how that goes. Hope to hear from some of the hardworking guys that were there before, during and after my stay.