Camp Lejeune with Jerry Ensminger

 

Camp Lejeune 

: with Retired Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger  

"At first I had all the faith and confidence that the Marine Corps that I knew would do right by its people.  What I found was, not only were they not doing what was right by their people, they were doing everything in their power to do wrong by their people."

 

     Jerry's daughter Janey died of Leukemia in 1985: she was nine years old.  12 years later, he heard a news broadcast about water contamination at Camp Lejeune being a possible link to childhood cancer.  Jerry lived and worked at Camp Lejeune for much of his 25-year career in the Marine Corps until his retirement in 1994.

     That day in august 1997 Jerry made finding the truth about the water contamination his full-time job.  

     I picked him up at 10 am and we drove to Camp Lejeune where he gave me a tour of the base and showed me the locations of the contamination, the water wells and the treatment plant that supplied drinking water to Camp Lejeune's Marines, residents and civilian employees from 1957 to 1987. (ATSDR)

     Jerry has been on this mission now for 14 years; for his family, and all families who were exposed to the contaminated water.  

     Semper Fidelis means 'always faithful' he reminded me many times.  He says he won't stop until he gets to the truth and until the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps live up to the same motto he lives by - Semper Fidelis.

     "..the obligation to serve our troops doesn't end when you get your discharge papers." he said.

Thanks Jerry for your time, the information, the laughs, and your patience with Bessie.