Camp Lejeune Marine dying because of he was there

Willmar, Minn., vet, who avoided Vietnam, has terminal illness linked to water at Camp Lejeune
West Central Tribune
Tom Cherveny
August 6, 2013

WILLMAR -- John Woodman thought himself lucky

Serving with the U.S. Marine Corps and stationed from 1972 through 1976 at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C., he was ordered three times to Vietnam, only to have the orders rescinded each time.

On one occasion he made it as far as the Marine base at Twentynine Palms in southern California before being sent back to Camp Lejeune; on another, his plane was literally turned around in mid-flight.

This March he learned that he has a terminal illness linked to exposure to harmful chemicals that were in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune.

Woodman, 62, of Willmar, is urging other veterans not to rely on their luck.

Well aware of the backlog in claims being handled by the Veterans Association, Woodman is telling veterans to move quickly to establish their medical record with the VA.

In his case, he is worried that the medical costs he will incur due to his diagnosis with Myelodysplastic disorder will take a toll on his retirement savings before he can receive the compensation the VA is required by law to provide.

He is also urging veterans who were at Camp Lejeune to obtain physicals and learn about the illnesses associated with the contaminated water. Veterans and their families living or serving at the base were possibly exposed to contaminated water from the 1950s to the 1980s, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs.
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