SEEKING JUSTICE FOR THE UNKNOWING, UNWILLING, AND UNCOMPENSATED INNOCENT VICTIMS OF THE JULY 16, 1945 TRINITY BOMB
A Message From Tina
The DOJ is now accepting claims and has provided guidance on the claims process. They will only accept mail in claims at this time. They have indicated that an electronic process will be implemented by the end of the year. For more information you can go to the DOJ website at: https://www.justice.gov/civil/reca
Please be careful when supplying documentation via the regular mail. If you decide to file this way you may want to send the documents via certified mail. Once the electronic process begins it will be easier to assure that your documents are safe and being handled properly with little to no risk.
There are organizations/attorneys who are soliciting people to file claims with them. They use all sorts of tactics to get people to believe their services are necessary and often guarantee results. Please be aware that if an entity files a RECA claim on your behalf they will charge a fee. They receive the check, deduct their fee, and then pay you.
There will be Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP) clinics in our State that will assist people with claims. The claims process is not necessarily difficult and we’ll be training people to assist with the application process when needed. We’ll also be looking to government agencies to cooperate in locating necessary documentation for the application process. PLEASE DO NOT TURN OVER YOUR RECORDS TO ANYONE THAT YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT. You can remain updated about the application process, the training we’re going to organize or other questions you might have by going to our website at: www.trinitydownwinders.com
What does the expansion of RECA do?
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act program has been re-authorized and extended through Dec 31, 2028 but the application deadline is Dec 31, 2027.
Downwinders who lived in New Mexico for one year from 1944 through Nov. 1962 will be eligible and family members can apply on behalf of a deceased loved one.
There are 19 cancers that are covered by the expansion.
The cancers covered are:
Leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic Leukemia); Lymphoma (other than Hodgkins); Primary cancers of the Thyroid, Breast, Esophagus, Stomach, Pharynx, Small Intestine, Pancreas, Bile Duct, Gall Bladder, Salivary Gland, Urinary, Bladder, Brain, Colon, Ovary, Liver (unless cirrhosis/Hepatitis B present), and Lung.
Compensation for downwinders will be increased to $100,000 and Downwind coverage is expanded to cover the entire state of New Mexico
Coverage for uranium miners and workers would be expanded:
To workers through Dec 31, 1990
To core drillers and remediation workers
To cover additional kidney disease for uranium miners
To allow for combined work histories
What does this mean?
This is the biggest expansion of RECA in the history of the program and it wouldn’t have happened without the tireless advocacy of Senator Lujan, Representative Leger Fernandez, Senator Heinrich, Representative Stansbury and Representative Vasquez.
While it is a significant win, it still leaves out many impacted communities, including the parts of Nevada and Arizona not previously covered, along with Montana, Colorado, and Guam.
The 2-year extension will likely not be adequate time to get all the people in New Mexico who qualify enrolled and this bill does not have health care benefits for Downwinders. We will continue to fight for a longer extension and the addition of healthcare benefits. This is an important first step because it reinstates the program keeping it operational so people can continue to apply for benefits and get the help they need, and it shows that expansion is possible and provides an opportunity to address concerns raised about the cost of expansion.
We are grateful for the win and consider this a big step in the right direction. We look forward to the day that claims are successfully filed and the people of New Mexico begin to see the benefit of the expansion of RECA. Stay tuned for updates and many thanks to all of you who have stood together with us in this fight!
CALL TO ACTION
The TBDC is going to host a training session soon for those people who want to learn more about the application process for the RECA benefits. The training will be held in person in Albuquerque and via Zoom. We are hoping to have people sign up for the training from all across the State so that there will be people available in many locations that can assist with the application process when necessary. If you are interested in participating in the training please contact Tina Cordova at tcordova@queston.net or call her office at 505-897-6787 and speak to Michelle about signing up. Thanks.
TBDC Hosts Events In Tularosa To Commemorate 80th Anniversary of Trinity Bomb
Trinity Site Prayer Service
On July 16, 2025 Most Reverend John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe, Most Reverend Peter Baldacchino, Bishop of Las Cruces, Most Reverend James Wall, Bishop of Gallup, Conrad Rocha, Stated Clerk/Synod Executive, Synod of the Southwest Presbyterian Church, Sharon Jones, Executive Assistant to Bishop Baldacchino, US Army Staff Sergeant Maduro, Leslie M. Radigan, Director of Communications, Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Allen Sánchez, Executive Director, New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bernadette Zamora, Director of Social Justice & Respect Life, Archdiocese of Santa Fe attended a private prayer service at the Trinity Site. The service was held on the 80th anniversary of the Trinity bomb. It was the first time a group of faith leaders has come together to pray for peace and nuclear disarmament.
Archbishop Wester emphasized the ongoing relevance of the gathering: “I think it’s important to remember that what we commemorate here today has not stopped. When we talk about the chain reaction of that first nuclear bomb, it is continuing, and we need to pray that it stops.
These photos and others we are using are from Leslie M. Radigan, Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Sign Dedication
Members of the TBDC were elated when more than 100 people turned out for the sign dedication at the Stallion Gate entrance to the Trinity Site on July 16, 2025, the 80th anniversary of the Trinity Bomb. It was a very hot day but that didn’t deter the crowd that gathered to hear remarks presented by State Representative Joanne Ferrary (who passed the Memorial to establish the sign), Lt. Governor Howie Morales, Jay Coghlan from Nuclear Watch New Mexico, Melissa Parke from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017), Tina Cordova from the TBDC, and staff members/representatives sent by Senators Lujan & Heinrich, Representatives Vasquez and Stansbury, and State Representatives Gail Armstrong and Rebecca Dow. Also in attendance were members of the TBDC Steering Committee who shared their thoughts on what the sign meant to them as people who’ve lost so many family members and friends through the years. Students from Polk Middle School along with their teacher Travis McKenzie were present for this historic sign dedication. Members of P&M Signs Inc. the creators and sign manufacturers joined in the celebration along with special guest Bryan Kendall who developed the 150 Mile Radius Map featured on the sign. When you drive along highway 380 east of San Antonio please stop to see the sign that after 80 years finally acknowledges the sacrifice and suffering of the people of New Mexico.
Mass at St. Francis De Paula Catholic Church followed by dinner at the Parish Hall
It was standing room only as people gathered at St. Francis De Paula Catholic in the town of Tularosa for mass to be prayed by Archbishop Wester of Santa Fe, Bishop James Walls of Gallup, Father Patrick Montogomery of Tularosa, and Father Emmanuel Eche Stephen of Ruidoso. The church was dedicated in 1868 and has been a beacon of faith and resilience for the community or over 150 years. The church is a testament to the steadfast faith the people of Tularosa have developed over the years as they have encountered the challenges of their lives as Downwinders.
After mass everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by members of the parish. As special thanks to the ladies of the parish who worked so hard to make certain there was enough food to feed the large crowd that attended. The hospitality was remarkable. Many thanks also to Father Patrick, Deacon Melendrez, and all the staff at St. Francis De Paula Church. These special events were made possible by your generosity and kindness.
A special guest at the mass and dinner was Secretary Deb Haaland who delivered supportive remarks. Other special guests were our sisters and brothers from Laguna Pueblo and the uranium mining community lead by Loretta Anderson. There were many others who attended the mass and dinner traveling from the sign dedication to be part of the full day of events.
Candlelight Vigil
On the evening of July 16, 2025, many people came together in Tularosa for a Candlelight Vigil to again recognize the family and friends we’ve lost to cancer from our communities. This year marked the 16th time that we’ve gathered to light luminarias in memory of our deceased loved ones and to call out each of their names. The Vigil is a solemn remembrance of all that has been lost since the bomb was detonated at the Trinity Site. Special thanks to Larry and Tresa VanWinkle who have been at every Vigil playing the tuned bowls and drumming. Thanks to Mayor Debbie Cooksey and the Village council for all the support they gave to the events that were held in Tularosa. Thanks to Joaquin Lujan, Travis McKenzie, Alheli Caton-Garcia, and SWOP who organized the Youth many from Polk Middle School in Albuquerque as they attended to writing the names on more than 1000 luminaria bags and then making certain the luminarias were placed beautifully in the field. Thanks to Kathy Tyler, Adolph and Doris Walters, Ray and Louise Sanchez for their many years of constant support of our events. Without them we could not have put all of the July events together. Thanks to the members of the TBDC Steering Committee that attended to all the details of the many events we held on July 16th. Their dedication to every detail is why the events were so memorable. And thanks to Archbishop Wester and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe who supported all of our efforts to make certain that the 80th anniversary events were a worthy tribute to the people of New Mexico.
To view some of the news coverage about the 80th anniversary events of July 16, 2025 see links here:
NEWS COVERAGE