Letter: Veterans suffer from asbestos

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Friday, July 8, 2005 | 4:54 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

July 9-10, 2005

How ironic that at a time when politicians in Washington are stepping over each other to show how much they support the troops, they are preparing to pass an asbestos bailout bill that would hurt veterans poisoned or killed by asbestos.

Asbestos was used extensively on Navy ships during World War II. Today, thousands of American Navy veterans and ship workers suffer from asbestos-related diseases because of heavy exposure. But the asbestos trust fund considered by Congress excludes many of them from ever receiving compensation for their medical bills or ever being able to hold the asbestos manufacturers accountable.

Those who served deserve better.

LARRY YORK

Editor's note: The writer is a Navy veteran.