By NIKKI WENTLING | STARS AND STRIPES Published: April 29, 2021 WASHINGTON A contingent of Democrats and Republicans is working to reform how the Department of Veterans Affairs handles claims of military toxic exposure, taking advantage of what the lawmakers call a historic opportunity to make comprehensive change. During this congressional session, lawmakers have introduced two dozen bills to help veterans suffering from illnesses believed to be caused by toxic exposure during overseas deployments. These veterans face difficulty securing benefits through the VA, often having to fight through multiple rejections. Some of the bills focus on veterans of certain eras; others address specific illnesses believed to be caused by toxic exposure. Senators Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., leaders of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees, intend to combine many of the bills into one large piece of legislation.
Sweeping health and benefits changes could come soon for vets suffering toxic exposure ills April 28 A service member watches over a the burn pit in Al Anbar Province of Iraq in May 2007. (Cpl. Samuel D. Corum/Marine Corps) Lawmakers on Wednesday launched their latest effort to piece together comprehensive legislation on veterans’ toxic exposure illnesses with the goal of providing a clear path forward by the start of the summer. At a hearing on the issue before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mont., said he wanted to mark up the package “before Memorial Day” and promised a “bold” new approach to getting more medical care and benefits to veterans suffering from illnesses connected to burn pits, chemical exposure and other potential poisoning while on duty.
102nd annual Memorial Day Parade replaced by patriotic convoy and dinner; watch last year’s event here!
Updated 9:41 AM;
Today 8:00 AM
Lee Covino waves to the crowd in the Memorial Day patriotic convoy as it lined up along Forest Avenue on May 25, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Jason PaderonJason Paderon
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In an effort to spread awareness about the real meaning of Memorial Day and build on last year’s success, parade organizers have once again converted the annual event into a “Patriotic Convoy,” explains Lee Covino, treasurer of United States Veteran Organization, Inc.
The patriotic presentation is Monday, May 31, and will start at noon at Forest Avenue and Hart Boulevard in Randall Manor.
Puerto Rican veterans honored for their service at National Borinqueneers Day ceremony
By Caroline Enos Globe Correspondent,Updated April 10, 2021, 5:03 p.m.
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Veterans made sure that their flags were uniform before the ceremony at the Puerto Rican Monument Plaza.Erin Clark/Globe Staff
A small crowd gathered at the Puerto Rican Veterans Memorial in Bostonâs South End Saturday afternoon to honor a group of soldiers who, for the first time, will be recognized with a national holiday.
The 65th Infantry Regiment of the US Army served in both World Wars and in Korea. Made up of mostly Puerto Rican soldiers, the regiment was dubbed âThe Borinqueneersâ in honor of Borinquen, Puerto Ricoâs original TaÃno name meaning âland of the brave lord.â
‘Sense of urgency’: Lawmakers introduce several bills to aid vets exposed to toxic fumes
A burn pit at Balad Air Base, Iraq, in 2008.
MICHAEL GISICK/STARS AND STRIPES
By SARAH CAMMARATA | STARS AND STRIPES Published: April 9, 2021 WASHINGTON Michigan Reps. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, and Peter Meijer, a Republican, introduced a bill Thursday that removes a key barrier to health benefits for veterans exposed to toxic fumes while serving overseas. It is the seventh piece of legislation introduced in Congress in recent weeks designed to help veterans who were exposed to fumes from burn pits while serving on military installations. On both sides of the political aisle, lawmakers in Washington are ramping up efforts to expand care for veterans who became sick after breathing the toxic fumes. And the litany of bills illustrate the growing appetite in Congress to address the issue, especially with President Joe Biden believing his son died from toxic exposure.