The Bigger Picture
At this time the investigation is still ongoing, and base officials are reluctant to release all of the data as it begins to trickle in. “I have tried to avoid providing incomplete or inaccurate information, which could have caused speculation,” states the MCAS Commander, who also resides aboard Laurel Bay.
Although it is understandable that installation officials don’t want to create further speculation, the only way to truly eliminate that is to provide information as it filters in. Much of the information that is already available is enough to create confusion without clarification or additional context. People often rely on assumption to fill in the blanks if they aren’t able to view a situation in its entirety. But as Melany states, “We’re not scientists, we’re just trying to get information.”
She is requesting that the raw data be released as it is received by officials. While this would typically stray from normal procedures, there really is nothing “normal” about a situation like this…especially as it pertains to families who have since moved from the area to fulfill their obligations to the military.
“As military families, we move from duty station to duty station, complying with the military orders given. Our military families diagnosed with childhood cancer are like any other military family who move.” She goes on to add that reports to state health agencies are made only in the state where the diagnosis is received.
In this case, “South Carolina would not have counted each of our diagnoses because another state has claimed it. The state and federal organizations need to recognize and clarify this” when they don’t see an increase in the cancer rate for that area. “Reporting otherwise, is disservice to all military families,” Melany states.
