Atomic Testing Museum
remembers science, sacrifice

November 2, 2009 by Danielle Decuir 

Sen. Reid, Reps. Berkley, Titus observe first Day of Remembrance at Desert Research Institute

In the process of creating weapons of mass destruction to serve the purpose of warfare, many scientists and lab workers unknowingly gave their health and in many cases, their lives, for the cause.

The first annual Day of Remembrance ceremony was held Oct. 30 at the Atomic Testing Museum to honor those men and women who worked on test sites and in labs all over the country and who sacrificed their health, time and lives to develop nuclear weapons such as the atomic bomb during the Cold War.

The ceremony commemorated the lives of those men and women who worked at the Nevada Test Site and developed disabling cancers and other diseases from exposure.

“Thousands and thousands of men and women worked on test sites and in national labs,” said Troy Wade, president of the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation. “Not only were their lives impacted, but their health was impacted.”

Wade emphasized the significance of Day of Remembrance and what he believes these people contributed to the development of nuclear weapons.

“[The Day of Remembrance] recognizes a true group of heroes,” Wade said. “These men and women helped make this country as secure as it is today.”

Wade went on to say that he believes these contributions helped the country in the broader scheme of things.

“What the nuclear weapons workers helped to make ended the war,” Wade said. “We would not be standing here today if they had not made[them].”

Among the elite who were involved with the Day of Remembrance ceremony were Sen. Harry Reid and Congresswomen Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus.

Berkley shared a few words about her interpretation of the importance of the day.

“Earlier this week, we were able to pass the Day of Remembrance resolution in the house, to honor those men and women who worked in test sites all around the nation,” Berkley said. “It was passed unanimously among Democrats and Republicans to honor those who gave their lives for the development of nuclear weapons.”

Berkley explained her experience with the Nevada Test Site growing up and what it meant to the Las Vegas community during that time.

“The test site, the test site! It was so much a part of our community during the 1950s,” Berkley said. “They were building an arsenal to keep us safe in an unsafe time.”

Berkley also talked about what she believes workers at the Nevada Test Site and other test sites sacrificed for the safety of future generations.

“Not only did they give up so much of their family lives for us,” Berkley said, “but they gave up their health and in some cases, their very lives.”

Berkley said she believes it is important for an annual Day of Remembrance celebration to take place every year.

“I don’t think they have been honored enough,” Berkley said, “our fellow citizens and their families, for the sacrifices they made.”

Though Reid and Titus were unable to attend the ceremony, they shared their thoughts about Day of Remembrance via telecast from Washington, D.C.

“We gather to remember the workers who, unknowingly of all the dangers, worked on test sites and in labs to create nuclear weapons,” Reid said. “What a great opportunity this is to honor the unsung heroes who served this nation.”

Titus also praised Nevada workers in their field for working in such a dangerous field.

“More than half a million people worked to create America’s nuclear arsenal before the full extent of the dangers were known,” Titus said. “Their service to our nation was instrumental in our technological and war efforts.”

Among those who attended the event was pastor Roger Snyder, who performed the opening prayer at the Day of Remembrance Ceremony. He gave his perspective of what the Day of Remembrance is all about.
“When we pause to remember those who in some cases gave their all for us to live safely, it is a bit of thanksgiving,” Snyder said. “It is worthwhile.”

Snyder discussed what he said he believes is the most important contribution that nuclear weapons program workers made in their line of work.

“Many of them didn’t know that their health was in danger,” Snyder said. “If we could develop the weapons, then we would have peace and it worked.”

Snyder elaborated on the hopes he said he has for the future of the nation and the Day of Remembrance ceremonies to come.

“I would like to think that humanity will get to a point where we don’t need to use weapons to solve our problems,” Snyder said, “but until then, we should continue to give thanks to those people who sacrificed so much for us and who are still sacrificing for our safety.”