Faye

My name is Faye. My stepfather SSgt. Norman Hill was stationed at George AFB from approx. 1962 to 1965. I don’t remember the squadron only that he worked on the flight line. My mom worked on base at the exchange. We lived in Victorville, I believe it was Hesperia Rd. I came to live with them around 1963 when I was a teen. Swam at the base pool often. Drinking water quality… I couldn’t really say since it tasted different from where I came from, but that happens when one moves from place to place. No one ever said don’t drink the water. Adults never spoke a lot about much to kids, but I do remember mom having problems with her vision and a scar across her hairline (ear to ear). I didn’t stay long very long with them, since they were reassigned to Clovis, N.M., but I did remain in the area.

I met my former husband who was also stationed at GAFB. He was in Headquarters Sq. We lived in Adelanto just off the main thoroughfare. The water was a little different than in Victorville. Lived in Adelanto for about a year, then moved to Tracy St. in Victorville. I had 2 miscarriages, only one was documented at the base hospital. I do not have military medical records for miscarriage or the birth and death of my son. Steven was born May 17th, 1969 at GAFB and was almost immediately airlifted to March AFB in Riverside My son died May 22nd, 1969, after having surgery, because he was born with his abdominal organs outside of his body [Gastroschisis]. I have his birth certificate and a death certificate from Riverside County. I wouldn’t know how to get medical records from the AF after all these years. The Coroner of Riverside county listed the cause as a ruptured omphalocele. The mortuary was very helpful in getting the certificates.

We were never told anything at any time about possible exposure or any risk concerning toxic anything at George AFB. We left GAFB shortly after my son’s death and were stationed at RAF Bentwaters. Some marriages survive the loss of a child; some never heal afterward. My marriage to TSgt. Charles Grammer did not survive.

I have been monitored regularly by doctors for masses detected by many MRIs for many years. The masses are on almost every organ in my body. Kidneys, liver, pancreas, ovaries, etc. I have almost all of the radiology reports detailing the sizes and locations of the cysts(?) as well as dates and changes.

It took me a year to write this down for the registry. I just couldn’t believe what I was reading. The pain mentally is indescribable.

Frank Vera sent me an email last year after I had left a comment about the death of my son, telling me to seek out an attorney. I did. I was asked, “so what do you want?” He wasn’t interested in my story. They wanted to hear from my ex-husband. Charles died many years ago so I’m on my own trying to get over this deep anger and get on with the life I have left to live.

The attorneys’ office only contacted me again to ask if we were ever stationed at Camp Lejune.

What do I want? I want to feel some peace with that part of my life.