Veterans suffer from service related asbestos exposure

In 1967, I joined the Navy after graduation at North Rowan. Vietnam affected many young lives. I spent 17 months, mostly at sea on the oiler USS Nantahala, steaming all over Europe and Latin America. As Navy recruiter promised, “Go Navy, see the world.” At 18, I had never heard of asbestos. My bunk was on top, with bunk No. 2 and 1 below me. My ship, a WWII relic, and most Navy ships before the ’80s were hazardous, as I sadly found out. Three feet from my head, asbestos-wrapped heating and pipes dropped asbestos on me as I slept.

Over 55 years later, a CT scan in late February revealed I have asbestosis, a spot on my right lung and thyroid gland. I have lost some weight also. Luckily, friends at The Forum gym, where I work out regularly, are very supportive.

Many vets I see often at the VAMC face similar diagnoses as mine. Most of them are former Navy and USMC men who spent time at sea. I’ll be exactly 3/4 of a century old April 30. I will soon be a human pin cushion, many tests on my old body.

God bless the USA!

— Fred Moore,
Salisbury

Moore is a disabled American veteran.