In Loving Memory...

Melton E. Baker, Jr.

My father, Melton E. Baker, Jr., enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 16. He served in theSeabees, which is the acronym for the Construction Battalions (CB) in the U.S. Navy. The Seabees have a rich history of building bases, paving roadways and airstrips, and many other construction projects dating back to WWII. The official motto of the Seabees is Construimus, Batuimus – which translates into We Build, We Fight.

While serving in the Navy, my father learned to weld, do mason work, run heavy equipment and perform all kinds of mechanic work. He also learned to design mechanical devices to make jobs easier and the work more efficient. He was a hard worker, talented in his skills, an intelligent man, and very dedicated to the country he loved so dear.

After leaving the service very sick and in a lot of pain from what the military called "jungle rot", my Dad went on to raise a family at his home in Arizon. He became very sought after by construction companies and corporations such as Caterpillar due to his exemplary service in the Seabees. My father went on with his life without knowing what exactly happened to him while proudly serving his country.

I was born with all kinds of health problems and I have struggled with my health my entire life. It was not until later in my life that my father came across a book about military nuclear testing and the affects on the soldiers and their children. Only then did we start putting the truth together. Only then were we able to understand what was happening to us and why.

Learning the truth

While stationed in the South Pacific in the U.S. Navy's Construction Battalions, my Dad was responsible for constructing the facilities which were used for nuclear testing. After the facilities were destroyed by nuclear weapons, my Dad was responsible for cleaning up the aftermath. My father spent a considerable amount of time at 'Ground Zero' in the periods immediately following the blasting.

For years the military denied my father was even in the service or that these tests ever occurred. After years of fighting we were able to get the Defense Department and the VA to acknowledge the responsibility of what they had done to my father.

At that point, my father was dying a very slow and painful death. The years of negligence left us with no options but to try to manage the pain as best we could. Each new phase was another battle with the VA. It was so demoralizing and heartbreaking to watch my Dad crumble from the rejection from his government he loved and served with such pride.

My Dad taught me to respect, honor and love my Country even with all of what we were going through as a family. He taught me to never give up on what our Country represents and what it stands for. With his last words he still loved his Country and said he would serve all over again.

A Daughter's Promise

When he died, his request was that I never give up, never let go, and to do all I could for the Vets and the VA. I promised!

My Dad is forever my Dad and I am so grateful for his service to my Country and his sacrifice; along with all of the other men and women who have served. We owe them our entire way of life and all we have been blessed with. I will be keeping my promise to my Dad. Failure is not an option.

I believe that my promise to my Dad is also a promise to the brave men and women in our armed forces who have served their country in the past; those who are fighting for our freedom today; and those who may be called to arms in the future. My promise to my Dad is that I serve our fighting forces to ensure that their needs are fulfilled, and that they are not faced with the hardships which my family has had to endure. My promise to my Dad is that our servicemembers are given adequate funding so that their military resources are not depleted. My promise to my Dad is that our veterans continue to receive the level of care they receive today through organizations such as the Veterans Administration; and that when they have grievences, they will always have an outlet to seek the justice which they deserve. This is my promise to my Dad. It's what he wanted, and it's what I want. Failure is not an option.