Thanking Navajo uranium miners

Cold War patriots

Uranium miners, widows get warm reception

By Cindy YurthIt was a very belated thank-you, but appreciated nonetheless.

Some 300 former uranium workers and their family members braved an icy wind Oct. 30 to gather at tiny Cove Chapter and celebrate the first ever National Day of Remembrance for the nation's "Cold War patriots."

Cove was one of 13 communities selected from across the country to host the historic celebration in response to a Senate resolution in March setting aside Oct. 30 as a day to honor those who worked in the country's uranium mines and mills.

The House has yet to pass similar legislation, but is being lobbied heavily by the Cold War Patriots, an organization that advocates for uranium workers of the 1940s-70s.

From the reaction of the crowd at Cove, it was apparent the special day was needed. Widows of miners cried; strangers hugged each other.

Many of the former miners and millers who sacrificed their health working with the radioactive ore have been financially compensated under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, but it seemed they still needed to hear "thank you."Below:  "Pearl Esplain, from Shiprock, hugs a widow from Sanostee, N.M., Oct. 30 during the National Day of Remembrance, Honoring Cold War Patriots event in Cove, Ariz." (Special to the Times--Donovan Quintero)