With Memorial Day coming next weekend, we remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. While we honor our fallen heroes, we also renew our commitment to all men and women in uniform every day. It is our duty as a nation to ensure that our servicemembers and veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned, and that their voices are heard.
Last week, I traveled across the central and northwest Connecticut to learn directly from veterans about the issues that are important to them.
On Monday, I attended a roundtable discussion with veterans and advocates to hear about how the federal government can better address military sexual trauma. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1 in 4 female and 1 in 100 male veterans report having experienced military sexual trauma—and that’s just the number who have come forward to seek assistance.
At an event in Simsbury, I heard from veterans about the critical support family caregivers provide. In 2010, Congress recognized the importance of caregiver support services for veterans when it created the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. However, only veterans who have served after September 11, 2001 are eligible for this benefit. I’m working on legislation to change that, because these essential programs should be available for veterans of every service eras by broadening eligibility to cover all veterans.
On Friday, I met with veterans at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury to discuss the consequences of exposure to burn pits while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The military regularly uses burn pits to incinerate waste – batteries, pesticides, tires, human waste, asbestos, even munitions – releasing dangerous toxic smoke across the base. I was inspired to introduce legislation, the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act, H.R. 2237, after veterans from across northwest and central Connecticut informed me of the negative health effects they suffered.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with your questions, concerns, or if there’s anything I can do to help you and your family. I can only do my job effectively if I hear from you. Please share your thoughts with me on Facebook or you can tweet me a question using @Rep Esty. I hope you will stay in touch.