CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — President Joe Biden recently announced more than one million PACT Act related claims have now been granted.
The President signed the PACT Act in 2022 to help connect veterans with burn pit exposure to resources. Since then, more than 880,000 veterans have had their burn pit related claims approved.
The president blames his son beau’s death from brain cancer in 2015 on his exposure to the pits when he deployed to Iraq in 2008.
“My son, Beau, was one of those veterans, so, this is personal to me and my family and to his family and his children and so many of yours,” said President Biden.
Staff from the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Hampton VA Medical Center hosted their fifth PACT Act Townhall in Chesapeake Saturday morning.
“We simply attract over 100 people each time that we have these types of events. So people are very thankful to know the information,” said Taquisa Simmons Ph.D., Executive Director VA Hampton Health Care.
Retired Navy Master Chief Marsha Burmeister is one of those people. Burmeister was exposed to burn pits in Kuwait and Afghanistan.
“I have had friends who have already passed and then have friends that are currently passing because of that exposure and the more we can educate people and get them the assistance and the proper screenings to make sure that we’re helping vets,” said Burmeister.
The 30-year Navy veteran is grateful for the screenings and the information.
“Coming in today, I found out that my husband is also eligible because his ship was in those areas. We didn’t know because of him not being boots on ground and being on the ship,” said Burmeister.
The information provided at the townhall is key for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals.
“As soon as we’re able to inform and educate them on those services, the sooner they can get treatment,” said Simmons.
The next townhall is on Aug. 3 in Hampton.
