Congress designated the month of May to be the National Military Appreciation Month in April 1999, creating a unique opportunity for communities nationwide to show their appreciation to our more than 1.3 million active-duty military men, women, their families, and approximately 15.8 million veterans of the US Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force, Space Force, National Guard, and Coast Guard.
It’s also a special occasion to recognize the contributions of military spouses and families during the Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 9, along with other notable observance days, including Loyalty Day on May 1; Memorial Day on May 26 to remember those who lost their lives while serving their country; VE Day on May 8, remembering the end of World War II in Europe, and Armed Forces Day on the third Saturday of May paying tribute to the military personnel currently serving.
Moreover, May is the perfect occasion for raising much-needed awareness of the military community’s challenges. Toxic exposure and related disabilities affect thousands of active members and veterans, and the associated health risks are among the most severe dangers these courageous men and women have to face. Military personnel and their families living on military bases were exposed to several contaminants, ranging from air pollutants (burn pits, sand, dust) and toxic chemicals (Agent Orange, industrial solvents like PFAS) to radiation and occupational hazards, like asbestos.
Many of these toxic materials are silent and unknown enemies lurking in military facilities’ air, soil, landfills, groundwater, and drinking water nationwide. Asbestos, for instance, is one of the most hazardous substances to veterans, especially those who served during WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Exposure to asbestos, a heat-resistant, durable, and cost-effective mineral, was common in all branches of the US Armed Forces, especially in the Navy, which relied on large amounts of asbestos between the 1920s and 1980s. Even if EPA regulated asbestos use, its microscopic mineral fibers still damage the health of service members, causing malignant asbestos-linked conditions such as mesothelioma, a type of cancer exclusively linked to asbestos exposure. This disease affects veterans in a disproportionate manner: about 30 percent of all mesothelioma patients in America are veterans. Furthermore, family members of veterans and active military members are also in danger due to indirect contamination, while the health of those living on military installations is undoubtedly at risk.
In 2022, the Senate passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act) to acknowledge toxic exposure as a significant occupational hazard in the US Armed Forces. The PACT Act expanded VA health care and benefits for veterans, adding 20+ more toxic chemicals and related illnesses to the list of presumptive conditions. The new law brought significant change for those exposed to harmful substances by making the application process for disability benefits and health care services more straightforward. However, despite evidence linking contaminants like volatile organic compounds to severe health conditions, the Act leaves behind veterans suffering from exposures not included.
Additionally, the VA faces challenges and bureaucratic shortcomings in handling the many compensation claims, leading to significant delays. Many veterans live with aggressive or incurable conditions, and for them, appropriate care and compensation are the only options for spending their last years with dignity. The National Military Appreciation Month could and should be a platform for fostering awareness and dialogue about the experiences and challenges of military members, veterans, and their families with toxic exposure.
