Local Disabled American Veterans chapter to hold meeting to discuss the PACT ACT

The E. F. Gilmore DAV Chapter of Swampscott/Lynn will be holding a discussion on the PACT Act at it’s September meeting on September 24th. The meeting will begin at 9:30 A.M. and will be held at the Veterans Crossing building, 8 Pine Street, Swampscott. On August 10, 2022, the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act was signed into law. This is the largest bill in American history to address service members’ exposure to burn pits and other toxic substances. On Saturday September 24th, the E. F. Gilmore DAV chapter will be holding a seminar about this bill and how it affects veterans. This bill is a game changer for veterans according to Jeffrey Blonder, Commander of the local DAV chapter. This bill is the largest expansion of benefits for veterans in 30 years, Blonder added. The bill which passed both houses of Congress with overwhelming bi-partisan support will provide expanded access to health care and disability benefits for veterans harmed by certain toxic exposures, whether in the jungles of Vietnam or the mountains of Afghanistan. It will also let the Department of Veterans Affairs move more quickly and comprehensively in the future to determine if illnesses are related to military service, and it will offer critical support to survivors who were harmed by exposures, including from water contamination at Camp LeJeune. Importantly, the bill includes the tools and resources to ensure that the VA can effectively implement it. We also will have Service Officers available to assist veterans if they need to file claims with the VA, Blonder said. The meeting is open to all veterans and a complimentary breakfast will be served. To RSVP or to receive further information on the PACT ACT, you can contact Commander Jeffrey Blonder at 617-967-6892 or e_f_gilmore_dav_chapter64@yahoo.com