Collage of Manhattan Project historical photos with a central seal reading

CWP Blog | CWP

Remembering the History of NDR and Our Fallen Heroes

October 26, 2022

CWP

CWP Blog

Did you know in 2009 the first Official Cold War Patriots National Day of Remembrance™ was held? But the journey for nuclear weapons and uranium worker recognition began decades before this.
A group of people outside holding signs advocating for health and compensation for Rocky Flats workers on the National Day of Remembrance; snow covers the ground and trees, honoring Cold War patriots.
In the late 1990s, groups of sick workers traveled to Washington, D.C., to educate Congress on the need for a federal program to compensate workers who developed serious illnesses through their exposure to radiation and other toxic substances at (U.S. DOE) nuclear weapons facilities and the uranium mining and processing industry.

Their advocacy, along with national media coverage and support of the workers’ unions, resulted in the congressional passage of EEOICPA, which President Clinton signed into law on Oct. 30, 2000.

One of the worker advocates, the late Janine Anderson, who worked at the K-25 plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, wanted the country to honor these civilian workers. She gathered petitions from across the country, asking the Senate to designate October 30 as a National Day of Remembrance for nuclear weapons and uranium workers.

In 2009, the United States Senate passed a resolution for the first National Day of Remembrance. Anderson didn’t live to see it happen. She died earlier that year from illnesses caused by her work at K-25. The Cold War Patriots (CWP) community is grateful for the efforts of Janine Anderson, a former nuclear weapons worker, who led the effort to create the first National Day of Remembrance for Nuclear Weapons Program Workers. Click here to learn more about Janine’s efforts and her last interview before her passing.

Two women converse in front of a display about the National Day of Remembrance for Nuclear Weapons Complex Workers; one is seated, while the other—standing and holding papers—discusses honoring Cold War patriots.

Three men in business attire stand in front of the U.S. Capitol building under a clear blue sky, honoring national day remembrance for Cold War patriots.

Three people in business attire stand and pose for a photo outside the entrance of a House Office Building, honoring Cold War patriots on this national day of remembrance.

Two people stand smiling next to a large National Day of Remembrance banner for Cold War Patriots nuclear weapons complex workers, with information from the U.S. Congress.

Close-up of a framed U.S. Senate resolution document designating a National Day of Remembrance to honor Cold War Patriots—workers from the nation’s nuclear weapons programs.

We hope you can join us this year in honoring our fallen heroes and living legends at this year’s Official Cold War Patriots National Day of Remembrance™. Click on the link below to register for the event. Registrants will receive a commemorative 3×5’ Made in America, United States flag.

CLICK TO REGISTER

A large group of adults pose indoors, some wearing red shirts in honor of national day remembrance, others in business attire, standing and kneeling in front of a dark geometric wall sculpture.

An elderly man in a military honor guard uniform plays a bugle at an outdoor event under a tent with string lights, honoring patriots during a national day of remembrance.

People stand in a wooden hall as color guards carry American and yellow flags toward the front during a formal national day remembrance ceremony honoring patriots.

Photos from Cold War Patriots over the years: trips to Washington D.C., advocating at the Colorado State Capitol, and the first National Day of Remembrance.