Area 51 Veteran Dave Crete on Government Cover-ups and Health Impacts

The Personal Toll of Service

• 💔 Dave Crete shares the deeply personal and emotional impact of his service, highlighting the genetic changes and lifelong health issues experienced by himself and his children due to radiation exposure.
• 😔 He notes that many fellow veterans he served with have already passed away, with the memorial list now exceeding 500 names, many dying at an average age of 62.5.
• 🩺 Crete details his own extensive health problems, including left brain atrophy, a brain cyst, vestibular issues, reduced lung function, and numerous tumors, stating that veterans often know their cause of death.

Government Secrecy and Denied Records

• 🚫 A significant challenge is that veterans' records from their service at the range are still data masked, leading to denials for treatment and benefits, with the Department of Defense claiming they were never there.
• 📜 Despite serving for years, veterans are told they cannot prove exposure to radiation, even when radiation sources were within walking distance of their living quarters.
• 🏢 The distinction between Department of Energy (DOE) workers and Department of Defense (DOD) veterans is stark: DOE workers at the same site receive presumptive exposure coverage and compensation, while veterans are denied.

The Discovery and Advocacy

• 🤝 The realization of shared health issues began at a reunion barbecue, where six out of eight veterans present reported having tumors, and others shared similar genetic conditions in their children.
• 📄 Crete discovered a document dated four years before his base was built, indicating that national security benefits outweighed future environmental liabilities, suggesting prior knowledge of risks.
• 🏛️ He is actively advocating for change, traveling to Washington D.C. and speaking with lawmakers, including Congressman Amodei and Senator Rosen, to push for legislation like HR1400 and S2220.

Legislative Hurdles and Hope

• 💰 A major obstacle is the cost of acknowledging these veterans' service, estimated at $115 million over 10 years, which is deemed too high by some, despite the vast defense budget.
• ⏳ Crete believes the government is