HUNTSVILLE – The Gentry-Isom Veterans Of Foreign Wars or VFW, Post 2702 will conduct a “PACT Act Awareness Open House” on Sept. 16.

This training and information-sharing session will run from noon to 2 p.m. at VFW Post 2702 at 2900 N. Memorial Parkway in Huntsville. The open house will especially interest military veterans who were exposed to toxic substances.

“Veterans can get answers about the new PACT Act. We will discuss enrollment in Veterans Administration Health Care, screening for toxic exposure and applying for VA benefits, and more,” Bobby E. Lee Jr. said.

Lee serves as Commander of the Huntsville VFW Post and coaches American Legion Baseball.

At this session, Wendy Crosby from the VA Medical Center in Birmingham in the Veterans Benefits Administration Office or VBA will present information relating to the PACT Act and its ramifications, Lee said.

“This session is free of charge, and we’ll have light refreshments,” Lee said. Individuals who plan to attend need to RSVP by calling Kenneth J. Garcy at 206-468-5789 or emailing kgarcy@hotmail.com.

‘PACT’ abbreviates “Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins, Act of 2021.” This law expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances. (va.gov, accesstocare.va.gov)

In addition, the PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that toxic substances are assumed to cause. This law helps provide generations of veterans and their survivors with care and benefits. PACT extends eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam War, Gulf War and post-9/11 eras.

PACT also adds 20-plus presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic exposures. The act adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation and requires the VA to provide a toxic-exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care.

For more PACT information, call 800-698-2411.

VFW preserves and strengthens comradeship among its members, perpetuates the memory of deceased military personnel and maintains true allegiance to the U.S. Government.

Gentry-Isom VFW meets monthly on third Saturdays at 10 a.m. For information about the VFW post, call Kenneth J. Garcy at 206-468-5789, email kgarcy@hotmail.com or visit vfw2702.org.