My father was stationed at George Air Force Base in 1973. I’m assuming he lived in the barracks at that time. He got married and had me in 1976. We move to Germany shortly after and then moved all over from there. We moved back to Georgia Air Force Base in 1986 and we lived in temporary housing for about six months. I went to school at Sheppard Elementary and George Elementary. My father worked as a crew chief on the F-4 Phantom for the Wild Weasels. I’m not sure what chemicals he was exposed to but he did die at the age of 52 of cancer about 12 years ago. My mother has been diagnosed with [chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy] CIDP and [chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy] CIPD about 10 years ago. My mother has always had some sort of bronchitis shortly before we left the base when my dad retired in 1992 if I remember correctly. I have always had bronchitis since I was younger as well. I’m not sure if this has anything to do with the chemicals on the base but I have always had some sort of reading problem. I do remember having to move to a new house because they were doing asbestos removal in the houses.
Joseph Cox
I am not a doctor, Veterans Service Officer (VSO), or attorney; therefore, I cannot provide medical or legal advice.
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My name is Dennis J. Smith. I was stationed at the 39th TFS from 1981-85. I was unaware of the chemicals and Radioactive waste in close proximity and upstream from the drinking water. I was diagnosed with CIDP in 2009 and have never understood why. It’s a rare illness and has been a personal journey I wouldn’t wish for anyone. I believe that I may have contracted this while stationed there. The illness can lie dormant for years before taking over your life. I hope if there are others that have had a similar diagnosis can come forward.
I have recently been diagnosed with CIDP, as Dennis Smith, above. I was stationed at New River, part of the Camp LeJeune water contamination 1978 to 1982. I am looking for studies to link the CIDP to trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, benzene, or vinyl chloride, which are the compounds in our drinking water.