From IAVA:
Encourages Allies in Congress to Continue to Protect Veterans Exposed to the ‘Agent Orange’ of Post-9/11 Veteran Generation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 11, 2020
CONTACT: press@iava.org
New York, NY – Unwilling to wait any longer for overdue action by the Department of Veterans Affairs, comedian Jon Stewart will lead a bipartisan coalition of veterans, members of Congress and civilian supporters to leverage the transformative energy we possess as veteran advocates and allow us to work together as a united front. The group includes veterans, veteran leaders, first responder unions, non-profit organizations, and influencers who have dedicated their time and efforts to support veterans. Step one, kicking off today on Veterans Day, is the announcement of a National Outreach Campaign to compile personal impact videos from veterans and their families.
“When you see veterans diagnosed with rare cancers at young ages you know something is wrong. When the VA estimates that over three million veterans are eligible to participate in its Burn Pits Registry you know Congressional action is necessary,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA. “This campaign is about bringing this issue into the mainstream, and hoping our allies in Congress hear our call. I want to thank Jon Stewart, John Feal, Burn Pits 360, and all the organizations and Americans who are taking action to ensure veterans are protected and receiving quality care.”
“Saying thank you for your service will no longer suffice! The only true way to say thank you is to pass vital legislation that ensures ordinary people who do extraordinary things 24/7 to keep this Nation safe from harm’s way and now suffer from the toxic aftermath of Burn Pits. Anything less, then we failed as a Country,” said Jon Stewart & John Feal.
Millions of veterans alive today were exposed to an incredible range of dangerous substances, often unknowingly, as a result of their military service. From burn pits to radiation to chemically-laced IEDs and other toxins, these exposures have resulted in deaths, illnesses, and disease to a large and rapidly increasing number of veterans across the country yet the Department of Veterans Affairs waits for more research and data and is doing nothing to treat the sick and dying.
WHO:
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America;
Jon Stewart, comedian;
Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand;
Office of Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D.
John Feal of the Feal Good Foundation;
Burn Pits 360;
Other Veteran Support Organizations
WHAT:
Launch of National Outreach Campaign to highlight illnesses from toxic exposures, including burn pits.
WHERE:
Video announcement here and more information coming soon at www.warfighters2021.com
WHEN:
Website launches on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11th
Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the planned Veterans Day rally in Washington, DC to launch the national campaign was postponed. Instead, this virtual launch is the start of a major initiative to raise awareness of the issues, alert Congress that urgent action is required, create an opportunity for affected veterans to share their stories, and to give the American public an opportunity to truly thank those who served by joining in the fight to bring them the health care they earned.
IAVA is the voice for the post-9/11 veteran generation. With over 400,000 veterans and allies nationwide, IAVA is the leader in non-partisan veteran advocacy and public awareness. We drive historic impacts for veterans and IAVA’s programs are second to none. Any veteran or family member in need can reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist. IAVA’s The Vote Hub is a free tool to register to vote and find polling information. IAVA’s membership is always growing. Join the movement at iava.org/membership.
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