“Hank Bolden is an 83-year-old undergraduate at the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut. He is also an atomic vet—one of thousands of soldiers exposed to secret nuclear weapons tests during the Cold War,” writes Diane Orson on Saturday (1/25) at Boston radio station WGBH. “Bolden is one of only a few African-Americans still here to tell the story.” He was exposed to nuclear fallout in Desert Rock, Nevada in 1955. “Bolden and the other soldiers had to swear an oath of secrecy…. As the years went on, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer, multiple myeloma and subcapsular cataracts…. Today, those who can demonstrate they’re atomic veterans and have developed one of several specific medical conditions are eligible for compensation…. Last year, after receiving his compensation, Hank Bolden decided to go back to college. When he got out of the Army in the ‘50s, he enrolled at the Hartt School of Music, but dropped out to go on the road playing music. ‘And I like to complete what I’ve started,’ he said.… So Bolden auditioned for renowned saxophonist Javon Jackson, director of Hartt’s Jazz Studies Division.… Bolden was accepted and awarded a scholarship.”
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