“Serious questions need to be asked of the senior leaders in charge”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
June 1, 2023
CONTACT: press@iava.org

Washington, DC- “The jaw-dropping investigative report that came out today around the Navy ship USS Boxer’s regular fuel dumping practices which ended up poisoning its own crew’s water supply in 2016 is outrageous and needs the immediate attention of all those who claim to care about our troops.” 

“The fact that the concerns expressed by numerous Sailors and Marines about the potential impacts of drinking and showering in the contaminated water went unheard and unaddressed over the past seven years is unconscionable. This, in addition to there being knowledge of health problems, they reported immediately after exposure to the toxins, including gastrointestinal issues, skin rashes and burns.”

“Concerns about long-term conditions reported by the crew over the years such as irritable bowel syndrome, reproductive health issues, lung cysts and even lung cancer have also shamefully fallen on deaf ears as the VA doesn’t recognize that they may be connected to their service.” 

“Congress and the Department of Defense should immediately conduct a comprehensive investigation of what happened aboard the USS Boxer in 2016. The VA also needs to begin to view any veterans who were a part of the crew in a different light, as many of their claims in response to this incident were previously rejected by the institution.”

“Serious questions need to be asked of the senior leaders in charge, and the continued lack of vigilance and accountability around toxic exposure by our military needs to finally come to an end. We shouldn’t have to watch more veterans die from cancer to get them the care and support they deserved all along.”

IAVA is the voice for the post-9/11 veteran generation. With over 425,000 veterans and allies nationwide, IAVA is the leader in non-partisan veteran advocacy and public awareness. We drive historic impacts for veterans and IAVA’s programs are second to none. Any veteran or family member in need can reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist. IAVA’s The Vote Hub is a free tool to register to vote and find polling information. IAVA’s membership is always growing. Join the movement at iava.org/membership.

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