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DEL.ICIO.USCrusade for war veterans continues
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For years, Lawrence T. Hess had helped William S. Burton Sr. research cases of military personnel who may have been exposed to asbestos while serving.
But in mid-2000, Hess, a World War II Navy veteran who also served as a Secret Service agent, was diagnosed with asbestos-related pleural disease. Burton encouraged him to file a military compensation claim.
“When he was dying in the hospital, I told him, ‘Larry, sign this so you can file for disability,’ ” Burton told me. “I told him it would help his wife out.”
Hess of Snellville died in Nov. 2006. He was 79. Today, his wife Suesan Hess receives “dependency and indemnity compensation” for his years of service, Dec. 1944 to July 1946.
When I met Burton three years ago, he’d just self-published the second edition of a book, “Asbestos — The Silent Killer of Navy Veterans.” The book explains the disease, its causes, the difficulty in correctly diagnosing it, and steps veterans should take to prove their compensation claims for war-related illnesses.
It took Burton several years to prove his own claim — that asbestos exposure while in the Navy had caused him to contract a lung disease. So he wrote the book to help veterans navigate the maze.
“I printed this book to get the help out to the people,” the Lilburn resident said. “It doesn’t matter who you are or what you did, you have to work through the system.”
Burton admits he’s toned down his combativeness and criticism of the Veterans Administration. He had to, if he wanted to succeed in his crusade to help as many veterans as possible get disability compensation. He also has learned to collaborate, notably with the Georgia Department of Veterans Service.
“Bill Burton is a true veterans advocate,” wrote George Langford, the state director of claims, in an e-mail. “His book is informative and useful to veterans service officers. The Claims Division has won asbestos-related cases before the Department of Veterans Affairs using the information learned from Mr. Burton and his book.”
Asbestos-related diseases, Langford told me, are difficult to prove. Veterans needs to have a “military occupational speciality” that’s been approved for claims by the Department of Veterans Affairs. They also must show specific symptoms and a diagnosis to file a successful claim.
Here’s what troubles Burton, 83; Many veterans don’ even know about the dangers of asbestos exposure, much less what’s required of them to seek compensation. That’s one reason he decided to self-publish his tome again. About 600 boxed copies sit in the garage of his home in Lilburn.
“The VA just can’t pass out money to people who don’t qualify for it,” he said. “With the help of Langford, we’ve gotten over $7 million in claims. I’m looking to help the veterans and their wives.”
Wives like Suesan Hess, whom I met one recent morning at Burton’s home. She is Taiwanese and speaks several languages, but admits English isn’t her best.
“He knows everything,” said Hess, patting Burton on the shoulder. “He’s my hero. I can’t say enough.”
For information about “Asbestos — “The Silent Killer of Navy Veterans,” visit asbestos-silentkiller.com or call William S. Burton Sr. at 770-381-5395.
Today marks the end of the print edition of the AJC Gwinnett News section. You can now find your local community news in the Metro section of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Rick Badie, your Gwinnett columnist, will be a regular contributor to a Community Voices page that will appear in the AJC on Saturdays. You also can see what he and readers have to say online. Beginning this week, Badie will update his blog daily with comments, questions, news bursts, tour information, as well as full columns. So visit www.ajc.com/gwinnett and click on Badie. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
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By Faye
August 9, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
What a tragedy that he died from an asbestos-related disease. And yet, asbestos is still not banned in the United States. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an estimated 1,820 tons of asbestos was imported and used in the U.S. in 2007. The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill to ban asbestos (it is already banned in 40 countries) and provide funding for medical research into asbestos related diseases so effective treatments can be found. To read about the bill and to tell your representative to support it, go to http://www.curemeso.org/c.kkLUJ7MPKtH/b.3091043/k.8B0A/Action_Center/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=kkLUJ7MPKtH&b=3091043&aid=10321
By Tammy
August 9, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
We was very lucky. My father was in the navy during the Koran war. We finaly got him to apply for his asbestos. He recieved it the first time, at 100%. This is going to make a big diffrence in his life. He is 77 years old and was told 4 years ago he had it. His question is should he try to get a settlement or just be thankful he gets this money the rest of his life? He is on oxegen and may not live that much longer. He now is up to 6 liters. He has had cancer and now has other related problems. It has really had a large effect on his health. He can no longer live by himself. He is not trying to be greedy, but deserves all he can get for what he did for this country. We thank every person out there who has served in the service.
By LT5000
August 10, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
IS Badie racist or just borderline illiterate. Take a look at this statement.
Wives like Suesan Hess, whom I met one recent morning at Burton’s home. She Taiwanese and speaks several languages, but admits English isn’t her best.
Is he mocking the Asian in the second sentence?
By the way people. Asbestos claims are about 500 per year. Surely Badie could address some of the real issues of Gwinnett. Such as the ever skyrocketing murder rate.
LT5000
By Michael H. Smith
August 10, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Do you “Get It”?
Protest is war conducted by words, War is protest conducted by weapons.
The one who carries the sword assures the one who wields the pen. The one who wields the pen assure the one who carries the sword. As it is written, the pen is mightier than the sword. As seldom is questioned, it is the sword that makes mightier the pen.
If the pen lays silent, derelict in duty to serve the sword, only then does the sword fall in vain.
We need to “get down” on serious, America. We are confronting major challenges in the days ahead. Taking care of our veterans and serving soldiers is one of those major challenges. Only 19% of us approve of what our Congress is doing with our country according to the AP/Ipsos poll dated 7/31 - 8/4/08.
Me thinks we protest too little.
By LT5000
August 10, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Mike,
I know you think you are being poetic and thought provoking, but really your rantings are just confusing.
Surely you don’t think the pen of Badie serves any purpose. All it is is a waste of ink and paper.
LT5000
By Michael H. Smith
August 11, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this
LT,
Rant as you wish. Is it possible you might be confused? Your attacks on Mr. Badie are probably having the opposite affect on the management of the AJC. If they didn’t have someone like you around to attack Mr. Badie the management of the AJC would probably have to hire somebody for the task. Ah, but since you volunteered to do it for free, why should they pay you to boost his online readership?
By Mark
August 11, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
Michael H. Smith Leave LT be. He simply hates nogs, which I can understand.
By LT5000
August 11, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
Mike,
The AJC management will probably keep Badie, they are that inept.
How much has the circulation dropped in the last 5 years?
They dropped 9% just in the most recent quarter. I guess they need another rap start to get killed or another sports star convicted of a crime.
It certainly isn’t going to be the insipid musing of Rick Badie that increase circulation. Not many people want to hear about his coffee klatches with old ladies or his glee with human trumpets.
LT5000