Interviews

Daniel Fruik: The Poisoning of our Military Men & Women… Kadena Air Force Base

An interview with Daniel Fruik: The Poisoning of our Military Men & Women… Kadena Air Force Base  on August 11, 2024.

 

Biography

 

I completed a 29-year Law Enforcement in August of 2010, when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease with more than 50,000 other Americans that year. During my career While in the Air Force working a Law Enforcement Specialist, I spent time honing the skills of my passion.

 

I went to work in 1993 for the Department of Justice/Correctional Officer working in Federal Prisons from Texas to Virginia where I only speak about it when ask too.

 

I have received certified training in a number of areas, including:

 

Officer Safety and Survival,

Communications and Interviewing, Constitutional and Federal Criminal Law, Arrest Techniques, Defensive Tactics, Drugs of Abuse, Terrorism, VIP Protection, Physical Security, Firearms.

 

In 2005 I became a Federal Law Enforcement Officer working for the Department of Homeland Security FEMA. I was awarded a “Life Saving in Award” 2008.

 

 

Credentials

 

FEDERAL POLICE OFFICER (TOP SECRET CLEARANCE)

 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY/ FEMA

TRAINED AND CERTIFIED AT THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER GLYNCO.

 

FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICER DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE/FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS

TRAINED AND CERTIFIED AT THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER GLYNCO

 

LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIALIST / MILITARY CUSTOMS INSPECTOR

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TRAINED AND CERTIFIED AT THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BASE LACKLAND TEXAS

 

In 2020, I was made aware of multiple report of Contamination at Kadena Air Base:

 

One of Okinawa’s most serious environmental incidents in recent memory is the discovery of 108 barrels of toxic waste between 2013 and 2015 buried on Kadena Air Base. The FOlA-released documents shed new light on the military’s role in the incident and USAF attempts to downplay its severity.

 

Okinawa’s pollution shares many similarities with contamination discovered on military bases in the U.S. In 2014, the EPA listed 141 Pentagon installations as Superfund sites in need of remediation and Department of Defense reportedly ranked Okinawa third among the worst polluters of U.S. waterways.

 

In my opinion, Myself and my family list above are victims of Contamination at Kadena Air Base Japan during my assignment to Kadena.

 

Can you tell me more about your organization?

 

I bring awareness to all people effected by Parkinson’s Disease.  While emphasizing the right to disability compensation for all Military personnel and their family members (Firefighters, EMS workers and Police Officers). who contract Parkinson’s disease in the line of duty.

 

What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?

 

When I’m physically able to I try to utilize my experience as a law enforcement officer investigating the Department of Defenses documented history of illegal dumping Chemicals of War….

 

What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?

 

Most are lost in their own mind set.  I tell them to own it. Focus on the solutions to mitigate the symptoms of PD.

 

What type of training and how long are the programs? 

 

Lifelong Physical and mental fitness

 

What effect can it have on an individual with Parkinson’s?

 

Help him or her stay afloat through the journey.

 

What would you like to see as a future goal for your programs? 

 

Help motivate One Million People with PD.

 

What events do you participate in?

 

Speaking when asked.

 

How does this also assist the caregivers?  

 

Helping gets the Tools they need.

 

How can someone get in touch?  

 

Contact info:

 

daniel215029@gmail.com

 

What is your website?

 

https://www.facebook.com/ParkinsonsDiseaselntheLineofDuty?mibextid=JRoKGi

 

 

How can others also become advocates for awareness?

 

Research PD organization/Non-profits

 

 

In your opinion what is the key to effective advocacy? 

 

All I know is PD is low on the list of medical concerns worldwide.  And that needs to change…

 

How can we better fundraise to support a cure for Parkinson’s?

 

More Awareness on TV and Social Media….

 

 

What other activities do you undertake to help improve and support your daily living Eg exercise and alternative remedies?

 

Lots of human interaction.  Not hiding inside my mind and home.   Force myself to get outside one move.

 

Why should people who don’t have Parkinson’s care about this? 

 

Because odds are someone in their family will be diagnosed.

 

Have you had any family members or relatives affected by Parkinson’s disease?

 

None

 

If you had one song that would tell us more about you or represent your life, which song would it be?

 

Help Me Remember by Hayes Carll

 

https://youtu.be/aNYoY6k_sAI?si=G2MoNq4U-KO2D5b8

 

If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?

 

DON’T RETREAT!!!

 

If you have Parkinson’s Disease, it’s easy to retreat to the inside of your home.  You shouldn’t care about people seeing your tremors.  Stay active… exercise, stay social with family and friends.

 

And if someone stares at you, tell them it’s ok to look.  Tell them I have Parkinson’s Disease.  Then you can say I educated the Public on what it looks like to have PD.

 

 

 

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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Dr. George Ackerman or TogetherForSharon®. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. Dr. George Ackerman or the TogetherForSharon® name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific speaker, organization, product, or service.