Vendor Writing: Jen A.

A Military Mom's Call to Action

BY JEN A., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

I don't like writing when I'm angry. Anger generally doesn't serve the writing or the subject I'm writing about. But this is too important to let it go.

On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, our US Senate voted to refuse to provide medical benefits to our service men and women through the "Honoring our PACT Act" who suffer from the toxic effects of exposure to burn pits and other chemical contaminates they were exposed to during their service to America.

My son, Will, served in the military for many years in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was subjected to the toxic fumes from burn pits In both countries. Because of this exposure, he sleeps with a CPAP machine strapped to his face every night to ensure that he doesn't stop breathing in the middle of the night and die.

His name is on the burn-pit registry. Even getting that far along on the complicated process the military requires to access VA medical coverage for his wounds is almost miraculous. Medical professionals believe that neurological damage, such as PTSD, is caused by the fumes from the pits also. Will suffers from that as well.

Our government is responsible for the harm done to the men and women who stepped up to serve in their wars. When I sent Will a text to tell him I was sorry the Senate had disappointed him again he texted back: "I'm used to the government not taking care of their toys they send to war and break. The government sends us to war and doesn't give a shit about us when we return." That's how our veterans feel. It's next level disillusionment.

That breaks my heart. Veterans of our wars have fought the military for decades in the attempt to get care for these war wounds .When the lofty members of our government play games with the lives of our honorable sons and daughters I can't help but be disgusted. And I'm not taking this slap to the face of my baby and his compatriots lying down. I'm mobilizing for action!

Sen. Jon Testor, chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs said, "We've got to get out. We've got to call. We've got to have your friends in the military and veterans call, your civilian friends call."

You don't know him, but you know me. Please help me draw attention to this travesty. Please take one small action to get our sons and daughters the care they deserve. We owe them! PLEASE CALL!

Both Tennessee Senators voted against the "Honoring our PACT Act" on Wednesday. Please let them hear from you and encourage them to make this right ASAP. Please contact them today...CALL!, WRITE!, EMAIL!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Senator Bill Hagerty Nashville Office: 3322 West End Avenue Suite 120 Nashville, TN 37203 615-736-5129 hagerty.senate.gov

Senator Marsha Blackburn Nashville Office: 3322 West End Avenue Nashville, TN 37203 Suite 610 Nashville, TN 37203 629-800-6600 blackburn.senate.gov

They started our wars. It's their responsibility to make sure the men and women who returned damaged from them get the best care we can offer.

Every military mom will be beholding for your kindness!

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Less than a week after Senate Republicans voted to delay passage of the Honoring our PACT Act, they came back to pass it with numbers even greater than they had passed it initially.

I can only guess why their flip-flop came so swiftly. Maybe it was because of the tireless media blitz a visibly frustrated Jon Stewart went on. Maybe it was because of the backlash to the juvenile celebratory fist bump Texas Senator, Ted Cruz, gave Montana Senator, Steve Daines, when he cast his no vote. Maybe it was because of all the military mom's and dad's who called and emailed those Senators who betrayed our soldiers.

Whatever it was, I'm grateful for how quickly it finally resolved itself. When I texted, Will, my congratulations, he texted me back, "Fist bump, Mom, fist bump!"