The United States Navy birthday is a national holiday held on October 13 to celebrate the establishment of this military branch and honor those who served. The birthday of the Navy is an important time to remember veterans with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos. Learn how you can celebrate the 2024 Navy birthday and help veterans with mesothelioma.
When Is the Navy Birthday?
The Navy will celebrate its 249th birthday on October 13, 2024. The date was first designated as a holiday in 1972, and ever since, it has been a day to honor Navy veterans and those currently serving.
As part of this birthday celebration, it’s important to honor U.S. Navy veterans with mesothelioma. Roughly 33% of mesothelioma patients are Navy veterans.
Many U.S. Navy veterans developed this cancer decades after working with or around asbestos-containing materials while serving.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center stands ready to help veterans with mesothelioma on the Navy’s birthday and throughout the year. Get a Free Veterans Packet to see how we can assist you or a loved one.
Navy Veterans and Mesothelioma Risks
Navy veterans have a very high risk of mesothelioma since ships, shipyards, and bases all used asbestos for decades.
Between the 1930s and early 1980s, asbestos was used by the U.S. Navy as insulation and fireproofing. Service members did not know of the risks as private manufacturers hid the dangers.
Almost all U.S. Navy ships used asbestos-containing materials for decades due to government mandates.
Anyone serving on a ship could’ve been exposed to asbestos from:
- Boilers
- Engines
- Electrical wiring
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Lagging
- Ropes
- Tile
“Asbestos was used throughout Navy ships to insulate pipes and boiler systems.”
— Eric Hall, VA-Accredited Attorney & U.S. Marine Corps veteran
Renovations removed asbestos from military ships, bases, and vehicles when the risks came to light. However, it was too late for many Navy veterans who had already been exposed.
Hear From a U.S. Navy Veteran With Mesothelioma
Walter Twidwell is just one of many U.S. Navy veterans affected by mesothelioma. He served in the U.S. Navy for nearly 20 years, working with asbestos-containing boilers for much of this time.
“I asked what material they were made out of and they told me it was asbestos. It didn’t kill anybody on the spot, that’s for sure. It took years later. That’s when it started catching up with us.”
— Walter Twidwell, U.S. Navy veteran with mesothelioma
After Walter’s diagnosis in 2018, the Mesothelioma Veterans Center’s legal partners helped him secure a significant financial payout to cover his expenses.
Get a Free Veterans Packet to see how we can assist you or a U.S. Navy veteran you love, too.
Ways to Celebrate Navy Birthday 2024
Veterans with mesothelioma deserve to be honored as part of U.S. Navy birthday celebrations. Find ways to recognize this special day and include veterans in your life below.
Post a Photo or Share a Memory
Celebrating the U.S. Navy’s birthday can be as easy as posting a photo of a loved one in uniform or sharing a story of their service. Use hashtags like #NavyBirthday to reach others also celebrating online.
Donate to Mesothelioma Organizations
Many organizations help raise awareness about mesothelioma and support those diagnosed. Donating to them is a good way to honor a U.S. Navy veteran with mesothelioma.
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) and the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) are just two groups doing great work to help those affected by this cancer.
Helping U.S. Navy Veterans With VA Benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers significant benefits to veterans with mesothelioma.
Notable mesothelioma VA benefits include:
- Disability compensation often worth $4,044.91 a month
- Free or low-cost cancer treatments through VA health care
- Survivor benefits, such as help with funeral expenses
U.S. Navy veterans may not know they can increase their disability rating to 100% after a mesothelioma diagnosis to get maximum benefits. Work with the Mesothelioma Veterans Center to file for or increase your VA benefits now.
U.S. Navy Veterans With Mesothelioma Deserve to Be Honored
We can honor U.S. Navy veterans, especially those with mesothelioma, by celebrating the 249th Navy birthday and helping them pursue benefits.
Navy veterans with mesothelioma may be eligible for:
- Compensation and free health care through the VA
- Extra money from mesothelioma lawsuits
- Support to help navigate life after a diagnosis
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help you or a U.S. Navy veteran you love access all the benefits you deserve. Get a Free Veterans Packet to learn more.
On behalf of our entire team, we thank all Navy veterans for their military service.
