We've got a very special program lined up this Friday night. We're examining the one man's transformation from Marine to activist in "Semper Fi: Always Faithful." Our very own Lawrence O'Donnell hosts the award-winning doc, which makes its MSNBC debut on Friday at 10pm ET.
Marine Corps Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger was a devoted Marine for nearly 25 years. As a drill instructor in the Marine Corps, he was responsible for training thousands of new recruits. But, when Jerry's nine-year-old daughter Janey passed away from a rare type of leukemia, his structured world began to collapse around him. As a grief-stricken father, he spent years struggling to make sense of what had happened — how could an otherwise healthy nine-year-old suddenly become so fatally ill? His search for answers led him to a shocking discovery: the Marine Corps base where his family had lived for years was the site of one of the largest incidents of water contamination in U.S. history.
For 30 years, the drinking water at North Carolina's Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base was highly contaminated by toxic chemicals, with some chemical levels at nearly 280 times the legal amount. Years later, it is estimated that nearly one million Marines and their families may have been exposed to extremely high levels of carcinogens through the water. But even now, 25 years after the wells were finally closed, only a fraction of the former residents are even aware of their exposure to the toxic chemicals.
"Semper Fi: Always Faithful" unfolds like a detective novel, tracking the discovery of the contamination and taking viewers to the foreground of Jerry's fight for justice. It's not a Hollywood movie — it's a true story, and we'll get a personal look into the lives of those who have lost children or are sick themselves from the contaminated water.
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I am so glad to see someone on television is going to air this terrific documentary. I have a special interest, because I have done the research and happen to know that over 2000 children were adopted in Onslow County during this time frame. The reason this is significant is because now that they are adults, they will NEVER know they may have been exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Due to sealed record laws for adoptees in North Carolina, these people who are now adults maybe having children, who are experiencing these problems, and not know the reason behind it.
It is time the legislators of North Carolina step up and do the RIGHT thing and have these adopted people notified that they may have been exposed to these water contaminants.
Thank you again for showing this documentary.
Thanks to all who made that show, and all the hard work you put into it. Its so sad to know that this happened and it seems nobody cared. Why would it take so long for them to admit that there is a problem? Congress needs to step up and pass this bill. This is more important than the pill and all the other non important issues they are spending their time on.
No, I think it is equally important.
I did watch and this is still processing in my brain.... sigh
I am one of the children. My mother was a nurse at the Naval Hosp in the 50's She tell me many children were dying. My brother was blind for 6 months. All 5 of us kids now 52-61 have had unusal medical issues. Most of us have nerve disorders of some kind. My sister had a very unusual cancer about 10 years ago. We are a typical family from the 50's at Camp Lejeune. Today I have MS my living Brothers have forms of muscular distrophy Two brother gone now One with Cerebelar Ataxia and One with Cerebral Palsy that started at age two. He had lung disorders, and physiolgic issues. My father a WWII, China, Korea, Viet Nam Marine Died of an unknow lung disorder. My family has paid a lot to support this country. We do not reget it. However, my mother and father had no idea they were exposing their children.
ALSO During this time DDT was sprayed on us on a regular basis. The DDT trucks would come by with a WHITE FOG As kids we would all play in it for the 5-10 minutes it floated around us. No one knew! So we played We would come in the house with oil all over us. Mom would have us take baths and wash our clothes.
My mother is 84 and she remembers all the sick children. Fine one day, dead the next. She remembers a nieghbor carrying his daughter out of their home She never returned. She remembers the doctors were puzzled why these kids were getting sick. They didn't know what to do but they knew something was wrong.
It killed my dad to bury two sons!!! I have lost my two closest brothers. I just developed A Fib at 58 but I have no heart disease Is this stuff still in me? Who knows?
O'Donnell, I'd just like to thank you for your great closing comments regarding Ron Paul last night. It's small-minded, uninformed, paid for by the "machine" crap like that which reminds more and more people to continue to move away from the MSM and get some unsponsored news. If you care so much about the Marines, why don't you enlighten them as to whom is receiving more monetary support than the rest of the candidates? Oh yea, your sponsor's forbid it. Get a real job and have some dignity. Semper Fi...Carry on!
Just watched this. I'm an NC resident and have driven through Camp Lejeune many times in the past. This breaks my heart, along with so many issues of community contamination...but it's especially upsetting knowing it's happening at so many military bases and wasn't the exception. I just went to the site of the janey ensminger bill and weighed in. could you direct folks to that site on your show Lawrence? Will you be re-running this? MSNBC should.
I would love to see this show, but it conflicts with two other shows I want to record at the same time (my DVR only can record two shows at a time). And, oddly enough, "Orange County Lockup" is on three times and "Lockup Raw" is on twice over the next five hours. Can't you people re-run this program at least once instead of re-running other shows two and three times in the same night? Your programming sucks.
It does. Doesn't it?
We are a USMC Camp LeJeune family who lived on base during the toxic dumping time period. I learned about this incident by chance about a year ago. My siblings and I will all be watching tonight. Including the brother who has kidney cancer. And the brother with a skin disease. And the brother and sister with other health issues. Finally, we have some answers about why we are all suffering with health issues that don't run in our family. Thank you, Laurence O'Donnell and MSNBC for airing the documentary.
You should continue this as a series and next do an investigative piece about all the soldiers who were affected by toxic poisoning at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Monsanto and the Army Chemical School contaminated the soil, the air and the drinking water. They already settled with the town of Anniston but they are ignoring the thousands of troops (including me) who were trained, schooled and served there. A majority of the McClellan vets are suffering (and some have died) from the same issues as the Camp LeJeune victims. The more these issues are researched and publicized, the less the military can continue to deny that the knowledgeable contamination never happened.
this sounds like the military version of the Love Canal neighborhood in Niagara Falls, New York. I'm not the least bit suprised.
when I was in the Navy in Norfolk, Virgina in the 1960's we had an aircraft overhaul shop across the ramp from our squadron hanger. breathing the fumes that came out of that place would burn your nose and throat. I'm sure some of the lung problems, including emphysema, I have had over the years is directly related.
the Defense Department needs to investigate this and if the allegations are true, pay compensation. on second thought, maybe it better be the EPA investigating the problem.
I have pictures and video of something going into Stillhouse Hollow lake, one of the water sources of Fort Hood.
There is crime. There are criminals...and then there's the moral equivalent.
- TK
I sent my videos to the local media. They were not interested. I was confused.
So sad to see how how badly America's fighting men and women are being treated by those who they served...my father is a Vietnam vet and I know that he was exposed to Agent Orange. These sorts of things have happened in Canada, where I live...for example, the defoliants used during the Vietnam were actually mixed in Canada and many ex-military personnel were exposed to Agents Orange, Red, White and Purple. They have suffered illnesses; and this is going to keep happening until we get people in our governments accountable! God Bless you in your fight for compensation.
LARRY: You are such a petty little bitch. The Marine Corp has a RICH history of heroic deeds, and the only thing your pansy ass can find to write about, is tainted water. I see by the posts, that all 12 of your viewers saw this inept hunk of doo-doo, and ONE of them even liked it. You are pathetic. Even your fatter, LESS-gay sister Rosie would thank a marine (at least a drunk one...he might bang her).
And you are one sick puppy. You know nothing about anything.
All you want to do is put people down and call names. Typical radical right winger. If you don't like it, nobody is forcing you to watch. Go back to Fox lies anf get some education you can understand.
You are correct, Larry. I am sick. I'm sick of the libtard establishment foaming at the mouth and sporting wood every time they think they have a "gotcha" moment against the military, religion, conservatives or non- gay, non- liberal or non- NAACP blacks. I spew my hatred because I (unlike Larry and Ed) dont have any other forum in which to do so. If you think they don't "put people down" like I do, then I suggest you take the SAP button off of your remote, because you obviously cannot (or will not) hear the venom these clowns are spewing. Have a great day, K Oh, and i wasnt calling you a sap, I was talking about the Spanish Language Button
lol some people need things explained to them. Also, I just realized you might of thought I was referring to YOU in earlier posts, for which I will further explain: I wasnt calling LARRY74 any names....I was talking about Odonell....Lawrence..."larry"....get it???
I doubt this bird "Kalvis" ever SERVED in the military. sounds like the typical tough talking, Fox watching, Limbaugh listening NUT that talks "support our troops" (BUT NOT if it costs ME any money).
ten years, dip@!$%#...Don't know what it's called NOW, but in MAY 1986, I was a 95BRAVO at fort mclellan AL. That was Anniston, by the way. I was also Airborne, but that came later. If you are willing to send me your email, I'll send you my DD214, if you know what that is. Don't talk to me about service, libtard, chances are VERY GOOD i got you beat. I will not brag, but I served quite well... 66th MP cp, Flak Kaserne, Karlsruhe Germany...LEA/USAG, Ft SAM HOUSTON, TX....34th General Hospital Karlsruhe, Germany....226th MEDSOM, Pirmasens Germany.. On the "airborne side", I'm what they call a 5 jump-chump...never was assigned to an airborne unit, but i went to the school and got my wings...@!$%# you, what did you do?
still waiting for your email address.... tell you what, gimme a couple hours, and I'll post it on facebook. My name is Kevin Jacques
okay, you little prick...it's up
Nonsense...this is right up there with waving the flag because we are so great and by god if we did something wrong...oh wait we never do anything wrong. I suspect the real fear here is the people will figure what a crock we have been sold on all counts. I served in the Corps, CLNC, 1979-1984. This story needs to be told and those responsible for the cover up held accountable. Thank you Lawrence...!
In the documentary, one caption noted that there might be 130 domestic military bases with toxic spills and contamination (my paraphrase). Is there a list available? I have a reason for asking.
Google
"Military Sites on the EPA Superfund List"
Frank Vera
GeorgeAFB.Info
Thank you Pancho3-1. My concerns were confirmed.
The EPA Super Fund sites are listed at the EPA
Totally superb and informative Doc. Greatly appreciate all of the work on this by msnbc and, of course, the lives within the story. Thank you!
Been drinkin'? Not paying attention? Perhaps Republican? Jarhead? Just stupid? Maybe even all of the above?
I thought you were saying those things about yourself. Sounds like it all fits.
Thank for for this documentary. I was born in Camp Lejeune in 1964 and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. I am unsure where to begin at this point, but I appreciate the information and hope that I will be able to contact the two gentlemen who have led this fight to find out how I can help.
Great reporting, Lawrence. Wonder why they haven't passed H.R. 1742 yet? What's the hold-up. I thought the report said it was originally introduced in Feb 2010.
It was originally introduced on Feb. 2 2010 as H.R. 4555. Don't know why but has now been submitted as H.R. 1742 on May 5, 2011 and it was referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs then referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. The last action was on May 25, 2011.
Our do nothing Congress needs to act!
HR 4555 had to be resubmitted because a new session of Congress began without any action on it.
You are correct that it is now referred to as HR 1742 and is being held up in subcommittee chaired by Rep Runyan R(NJ). Is it a coincidence that a bill that could hold chemical companies responsible is being held up by a congressman from the petrochemical state (NJ)?
I wonder who his campaign contributors are.
His DC office phone is (202) 225-4765, if anyone wants to try and find out. I wish Lawrence would use his significant connections in congress to find out if they are just hoping all these people will hurry up and die so they won't have to do anything, like most Republicans do.
It seems if Congress has time to hold hearings on whether women should have access to birth control, they should have been able to moved on HR 1742.
HR 4555 had to be resubmitted because a new session of Congress began without any action on it.
You are correct that it is now referred to as HR 1742 and is being held up in subcommittee chaired by Rep Runyan R(NJ). Is it a coincidence that a bill that could hold chemical companies responsible is being held up by a congressman from the petrochemical state (NJ)?
I wonder who his campaign contributors are.
His DC office phone is (202) 225-4765, if anyone wants to try and find out. I wish Lawrence would use his significant connections in congress to find out if they are just hoping all these people will hurry up and die so they won't have to do anything, like most Republicans do.
HR 4555 had to be resubmitted because a new session of Congress began without any action on it.
You are correct that it is now referred to as HR 1742 and is being held up in subcommittee chaired by Rep Runyan R(NJ). Is it a coincidence that a bill that could hold chemical companies responsible is being held up by a congressman from the petrochemical state (NJ)?
I wonder who his campaign contributors are.
His DC office phone is (202) 225-4765, if anyone wants to try and find out. I wish Lawrence would use his significant connections in congress to find out if they are just hoping all these people will hurry up and die so they won't have to do anything, like most Republicans do.
The former George Air Force Base, CA, has similar problems with the water supply, health problems, and cover-up.
Did the Department of Defense, Army, and Air Force misrepresent the nature and extent of the contamination at George AFB? I believe that the answer is yes.
The Air Force is/was required by law to deny the existence of any environmental contamination that is/was the result of classified activities.
The DoD and Air Force inserted an interesting clause in the “Federal Facility Agreement for George AFB” that gives them the right to withhold records [pertaining to contamination] at the property. Page 43, 23. RELEASE OF RECORDS
The Air Force admits that it routinely withheld records about contamination from regulators, contractors, and the public. “Buried Radioactive Weapons Maintenance Waste”
Furthermore, The EPA and the Government Accountability Office found that the Air Force has no idea of what radioisotopes, the amount it buried, or the locations of the radioactive waste dumps on its bases. “Nuclear Regulation - The Military Would Benefit From a Comprehensive Waste Disposal Program”, “Better Data Needed For Radioactively Contaminated Defense Sites”, “Lost AEC Records”
Dr. Sabol was the Chief Environmental Officer for George AFB. However, I can find no evidence that Dr. Sabol was interviewed by any of the contractors involved in the Installation Restoration Program (IRP) or by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) for the Health Assessment of George AFB, and none of his environmental reports / investigations are in the George AFB Administrative Record (AR).
Frank Vera
GeorgeAFB.Info
My husband and I just watched this program. We knew nothing about this. Thank you for showing it. Our eldest son took part in a 6week training program at Camp Lejeune in1979/1980. We are worried about him. What should we be on the lookout for? How can we get more info on the dangers?
Fantastic documentary Lawrence!!!! Thank you for bringing this to our attention!!!
I just finished watching the show on TV and I am appalled that the military has covered this up for so long and has done absolutely nothing to help the victims. And that there are still contaminants on our bases that are causing cancers and other illnesses. This is WRONG!!! This needs to stop!!! The US Military needs to take responsibility and fix the contamination issues that are still present -AND- provide adequate help to the men, women and children who are ill from their inability to contain these very toxic contaminants.
On the show, there was a spokeswoman for the military at a hearing and she gasped at the request to find the people who were exposed, and said that it was too hard to find everyone - how lame is that!? We have computers and everything is in them and surely the military can make an effort to find them all. However, I say... LET'S MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM!!! Let's make this go viral so those who are ill can contact the military and declare they were there and are a victim so they can get the help they need and deserve.
Let's also make sure the military cleans up these bases so millions more do not get cancer, suffer and die. Let's not let them sweep this under the rug again!
I'm headed over to both my Facebook account and Twitter page to get this news out to as many people as I can. This is not right and it's needs to stop!
Thank you to Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger and all the others for your time and devotion over the past 12 years and not letting this go. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Bless you all.
@Wanda My thoughts exactly. The bill that is named after Jerry's daughter is still in Congress since 2010? This emotional documentary needs to aired again in prime time. Thank you Lawrence.
Rodney Rhodan The act of hiding the water contamination toxins, and the seriousness of the toxins effects, to include death is a serious civil liberties and civil rights violation by our government on it's own people. The government violated the 4th, 5th & 14th Amendment to the constitution, by the knowing and willful act of suppression of vital life saving information. Our president can compensate these marines and their families, through and executive order using HR442. Tonight I would like to ask any and all members of the public, that review this documentary to contact your representative in support of these veterans. I would love to help organize a march on Washington, D.C in support of these sailors, soldiers, and marines also. President. Obama, use your executive power provided through HR442 to do what's right. With all due respect sir, time to man - up sir.
Semper Fi was an excellent presentation. It depicted the personal tragedies suffered by many, including the immediate families of those ex-Marines so dedicated to bringing the facts to light. It also showed how a huge bureaucracy managed by nameless, ever rotating officials can easily stiffle an investigation and prevent facts from being discovered or released. Shame on the Corps and such gutless lifers for failing to protect their own and the Camp Lejeune community in general.
I had a close HS friend who served as a Navy Corpsman during and after Vietnam who later died of male breast cancer. I don't know if he passed through Camp Lejeune during his enlistment, but I certainly wonder about it now.
I fear that the broken US Congress will fail to pass the worthy Janey Ensminger bill due to fiscal concerns. Meanwhile, the GOPers never fail to spend taxpayer money, funded or not, to promote foreign military actions on behalf of their financial backers from the powerful industrial-military compex. That shameful behavior should be the source of an entirely new documentary. Thanks MSNBC for airing Semper FI.
Thanks Larry. I watch your show as well as Rachael and
Ed. Always enlighting. The Semper Fi touched home. My other half dealt with radiation and agent orange in his long military career. It took years for the gov't to admit to the health consequences of this exposure. He sucummed to some of the health issues caused by them. He was a dedicated militaryman for his country. It is time for the gov't and military to step up to the plate and do what is right and AMERICAN. Our young people need to know they are protected when they serve thier country!!!!!
Georgia Water Science Program
Atlanta, Georgia
U.S. Geological Survey
W.M. Grayman Consulting Engineer
Cincinnati, Ohio
It's to my understanding that in 2005, the Bush administration assigned ATSDR to conduct research into the Camp Lejuene water contamination that occured at Camp Lejuene Marine corps base from 1957 - 1987. The research was conducted, the final report that was released by ATSDR was faulty and the agency purposely excluded several important vital toxin from the report. The toxin that was found in the water after a reassignment of this research to The National Academy of Science, was TCE, PCE, Benzene, Vinyl Choride and fuel from the military tanks or track vehicles. ATSDR, excluded benzene, vinyl choride, and fuel from the initial report, that was revamp by the national academy of science. ATSDR, claimed that there agency performed the research and report themselves, but the research and report was actually performed by the private contractors and subcontractors hired by atsdr. This information was never revealed in the report nor on the marine corp website that the report was actually not conducted, by the Agency for toxic desease registry to the marines, sailors or civilians that worked on Camp Lejune, military base in North Carolina. This information was and still is being kept away from the public, military personnel, and there families that worked and lived on the military base and was exposed to these toxin that was found in the base water well system. Under the freedom of information act, this information should have been included in the reports and on the military website to keep the marines, sailors, and civilian works informed. I've requested and investigation through GAO, Epa, Oig, Senate, Congress, Inspector Generals Office, DOD, The Department of the Navy and the White House. My allegation is contract Fraud, and a direct conflict of interest. I haven't heard anything about the investigation I requested so I would ask you the public to voice your opinion to this article and to congress, senators and even the White House, in regards to compensation for these military personnel, there families and the civilian works. Here is some of the contractors on the list, I would love to have the full contractors list from 2005 - 2007 that was used by ATSDR.
Thank you for contacting the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). You requested a list of contractors that are assisting ATSDR with its health studies investigations, including the water modeling/study, at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Please note that ATSDR permanent staff, federal government employees, are leading this investigation and are intimately involved with the day to day activities of the investigation. The contractors listed below are assisting ATSDR in this effort.
Eastern Research Group
Boston, Massachusetts
Georgia Tech Research Corporation
Atlanta, Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia
Watermark Numerical Computing
Australia
U.S. Geological Survey
National Research Program
Reston, Virginia
WESTAT
Rockville, Maryland
NORC University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
(currently no longer an ATSDR contractor for this investigation)
Additional information concerning ATSDR’s activities at Camp Lejeune can be found at:http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/lejeune/index.html
Please note that ATSDR identifies what contractors assisted in its health activities whenever a report is released. For example on page ES18 of the Historical Reconstruction of Drinking-Water Contamination at Tarawa Terrace and Vicinity, U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, we list what contractors worked with ATSDR to develop that report. Also the Camp Lejeune Community Assistance Panel (a citizens panel that advises ATSDR) is fully briefed on how ATSDR is conducting the investigations. Information regarding the Camp Lejeune Community Assistance Panel can also be found at the web site listed above.
Sven
Sven E. Rodenbeck, Sc.D., P.E., BCEE
Deputy Branch Chief
CAPEB/DHAC/ATSDR
Mailstop F58
1600 Clifton Road, NE