Sen. Peters Visits Traverse City Highlights New Benefits for Veterans

Senator Gary Peters stopped in Traverse City Friday to highlight new benefits available for veterans.

The new benefits are for veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic chemicals during their service. Their a part of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, or PACT Act.  The new law will give benefits to any veteran affected by burn pits, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Senator Peters held a press conference at the American Legion Post 35 along with local veteran affairs leaders and the mother of a veteran affected by burn pits. Senator Peters calls the new law historical.

“This piece of legislation that has now passed and been signed into law is perhaps one of the most significant veteran benefits bills in several decades,” Senator Peters claims.

The Charlevoix County Associate Director of Veteran Affairs, Joshua Galle, struggles with raspatory issues due to burn pits. He says the new law is long overdue.

“Thank you, Senator Peters, as well as other elected officials that have stood strong passing this bill. For me it feels like forever, 14 years,” Galle states.

The new law will also put additional resources into the veteran’s administration in order to streamline application and claims processes. In total, the new law is expected to help roughly 3.5 million veterans.

Lori Florip is the mother of a veteran that was exposed to toxic chemicals. Sergeant Erik Florip enlisted in 2006 and served in Afghanistan until he was honorably discharged in 2014. This past June doctors found a lemon-sized tumor in his brain. He is currently on his second round of chemo and needs special cancer fighting equipment. She says the new law will help him get that equipment.

“This is why the PACT Act becoming law is so important because it will ensure all veterans exposed to the toxic substances can receive not only medical care through the VA, but also critical disability benefits that are needed by my son who can no longer work,” Florip explains. “Thank you, Senator Peters, so much for helping pass this important bill into law.”

Veterans who think they qualify can click here for more information or to file a claim.

“I want to just stress that as important as this act is and as good as I believe that it is. It’s only good if people actually take advantage of it,” Senator Peters states.