Cold War Patriots is Working for You

By Tim Lerew, Cold War Patriots Strategic Advocacy, Emeritus

In 2007, a dozen very special people gathered with the leadership of Professional Case Management in Denver, Colorado. They came together from all parts of the country, former nuclear complex and uranium workers, advocates, activists, attorneys, doctors and community representatives. Over years some of the twelve, like Janine Anderson of Tennessee or Terrie Barrie of Colorado, passed away from illnesses related to their work exposure to toxic materials. Others are still working on behalf of the nuclear weapons and uranium worker communities today.

Their work in preceding years contributed to the passage and signing into law of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Some were even present when the law was signed by then President George W. Bush. As great a victory as that legislation was, a few years after it had become law too many former nuclear weapons complex and uranium workers who became ill from their work had not yet used the program. It was apparent to these early founders of Cold War Patriots that many former workers often needed assistance in understanding, applying for, and using the special benefits available to them under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). There was, and still is, a real need for those suffering from disabling or fatal illnesses, or their family members, to find a trusted source to connect them to the information and resources they need.

Over three days of shared meeting and meals, Cold War Patriots as a membership organization was born, and its mission created, to provide recognition and resources to the nuclear weapons and uranium worker community by connecting them with the monetary compensation and health benefits they have earned. The fulfilment of that mission has included several important outreach and informational resources. Among them:

In-Person Events

We offer an array of in-person events for workers to join to learn more about their benefits, hear from health experts about illnesses that affect nuclear weapons and uranium workers, and to socialize with others.

Access to EEOICPA can often seem challenging, with its many detailed provisions and complex structure. Many people who would benefit from the program simply don’t see where they ‘fit in’, or how to begin a successful claim, or overcome a previous “no” from the government. One solution created by Cold War Patriots are live, in-person social and educational events where an existing or new claimant can get their many different questions answered, specifically for their unique circumstances, from an EEOICPA expert. Our events are held all over the country, especially in communities that had significant numbers of workers employed in the nuclear complex or uranium industries.

The rotating Lunch and Learn educational series focuses on conditions workers commonly face, featuring expert speakers discussing Impairments, Living Well with Cancer, and Promoting Respiratory Health.

In addition, we host appreciation Social Events for all workers to stop by, pick up a special gift, and reconnect with old friends. Past giveaway items have included blankets, cutting boards, camping chairs, and BBQ grill sets!

You can likely find an upcoming event near you. We also host virtual educational events for those who are unable to attend in-person. Click here to see when and where they are planned.

Telephone Outreach Help Center

The convenience of being able to make a toll-free phone call and be connected to an experienced Cold War Patriots representative who has been trained on all aspects of EEOICPA is very useful. For example, a uranium miner from Grants, New Mexico can find details on free health screening, how to qualify for fax-free compensation and health benefits, and learn about recent legislation affecting the RECA program, of which he may be a part. A retired chemical operator who worked at the Fernald facility in Hamilton, Ohio might need to have an Impairment evaluation done after adding an additional condition to their existing EEOICPA covered illnesses. The surviving widow of a lab technician who once worked at Sandia National Lab in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has a question about survivor benefits under EEOICPA. These questions, and so many more, are good reasons to contact the Cold War Patriots Outreach Help Center at (888) 903-8989.

Customized Calendars, Legislative Advocacy with Congress

Each year, Cold War Patriots works with the United States Senate to pass an official resolution designating October 30^th as an Official Cold War Patriots National Day of Remembrance. The purpose is at least two-fold:  First, to honor the men and women and their families whose sacrifices made possible the national nuclear security of the United States. Just as important, it also ensures that current Congress members do not forget the contributions so many nuclear weapons and uranium workers made to the programs that defend American freedom. Cold War Patriots also works with Congress on program implementation and legislative amendments to improve access to earned benefits.

In addition to its legislative advocacy work with Congress, Cold War Patriots and its representatives also meet with leadership and staff at the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Energy to advocate for affected workers and their families, while also gaining more understanding of the intricacies of how to make EEOICPA work better.

A very popular tradition the last few years is the custom Cold War Patriots annual wall calendar, which often profiles and highlights former workers, their hobbies, lifestyle and perhaps most popular, their specialty recipes that they want to share. Dates of special interest to nuclear weapons and uranium workers are highlighted. The calendars and special commemorative items that are part of the official Cold War Patriots National Day of Remembrance are available free of charge to members. Just click www.coldwarpatriots.org or call (888) 903-8989.

Print & Online Newsletters

Each quarter, Cold War Patriots publishes a newsletter, featuring key updates to EEOICPA, useful “how to” articles, and key contacts for those workers and their families who use EEOICPA and the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). Current and past issues can be found here. The color print version of each newsletter is made possible from the support of Cold War Patriot’s founding company, Professional Case Management, the nation’s largest provider of in-home health care benefits under EEOICPA and RECA. It is itself an important resource for existing or future claimants—ask a Cold War Patriots member friend to share theirs, or just call and become a member of Cold War Patriots yourself—it’s free. (888) 903-8989.

Advocate Relationships

Many claims involving EEOICPA are complex. Many times, workers that take a “do it yourself” approach can become frustrated by the amount of effort required, only too often to receive a “no” to their claim. That’s when the services of an expert advocate in EEOICPA and RECA claims can make sense. Advocates have not just one, but hundreds of successful claims processed as a worker’s “Authorized Representative.” Reach out to the Cold War Patriots Outreach Help Center if you think an expert advocate might be appropriate for your situation. Should you choose to work with one, they will disclose any fee they may charge. Almost all advocates will speak with you initially at no charge.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the unique ability of Cold War Patriots to assist you has been made possible by its own success in growing to assist so many other workers like you. Since that humble beginning more than seventeen years ago, tens of thousands of your fellow workers and their families have joined Cold War Patriots — at no charge. The generous support of Professional Case Management has made not only the founding, but the ongoing work of Cold War Patriots possible. It has allowed the organization to gather an impressive wealth of information and resources, available throughout the country with just a click, an email, a phone call or at an in-person event.

A Heartfelt “Thank You” to Ray Malito

Ray Malito was there with me at Cold War Patriot’s first meetings. He spent 31 years at Rocky Flats in various positions, doing the hazardous work of fabricating plutonium into the “pits and triggers” that are essential parts of nuclear weapons. After retiring from Rocky Flats, he worked for five years as the Colorado Resource Center Manager, implementing EEOICPA before coming to Professional Case Management and Cold War Patriots as one of its first employees. This year, he’s marked his 18^th anniversary with Cold War Patriots —and you can still find Ray assisting more than a dozen other full-time Cold War Patriots employees as they work to assist you. Well done, Ray! That’s a legacy of service and sacrifice we can all be proud of.

A word from Ray, “Cold War Patriots was formed to honor and assist the many men and women who served our country not in the battle fields but in the many nuclear weapon facilities and uranium mines. These men & women helped to keep our nation safe but were forgotten and lost their health and lives due to the many hazardous and unknown materials which were used to build the nuclear weapons. I encourage my fellow brothers and sisters who worked in this industry to take advantage of the programs and organizations which are out there for them, you earned the benefits available and, in many cases, like our service men and women, have or will give up their health and lives for our Country. I am honored to help my fellow brothers and sisters in any way I can through the Cold War Patriots (CWP) organization.”