Since their first encounter with nuclear weapons test in the 1940's, U.S. service members (millions) have been guinea pigs and have been exposed to atomic radiation, tosic defoliants, contaminated water and choking burn pits, while slower-acting, are often just as lethal as bullets and bombs. In each of these situations, the government response to afflicted veterans needs for information, acknowledgement and health care has been even slower-decades of denial, followed by begrudging but limited acceptance and bureaucratic skepticism says The American Legion.