112th Congress, 2011–2012

[quote]A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an open burn pit registry to ensure that members of the Armed Forces who may have been exposed to toxic chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits while deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq receive information regarding such exposure, and for other purposes.[/quote]

In the next 10 years, over 1 million veterans will be at risk of exposure to burn pits. Without aggressive legislation mandating documentation of these burn pits, veterans will struggle with the VA in documenting any disabling condition and linking that condition to their military service.

Legislation like this will help to prevent a repeat of Agent Orange exposure from Vietnam and it must be actively pursued.

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Letters Already Sent by Other Supporters

S. 1798 – Open Burn Pit Registry Act of 2011

Support S. 1798: Open Burn Pit Registry Act of 2011

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Dear Sen. Richard Durbin and Sen. Mark Kirk:

I support S. 1798: Open Burn Pit Registry Act of 2011 because..

My little sister, retired Air Force Sondra Thornton-Batey, is sufferring from being there and is down to 40% lung capacity with no, with no type of cure in sight! She is 51 yrs old and has served her country well these past 21 yrs. She leaves in Panama City, Fl. but was born in Cairo, Il and raised in Mounds and Mound City, Il. She still works (VA Clinic) because she has no insurance and uses oxygen at night. Her lung capacity was 86% last yr. a 46% drop. She has had tumors since Iraq and now this so called Constrictive Bronchittis is slowing taking her energy.

She said cremation is 10-12,000 dollars and she doesn’t have the money for it. So my courageous U.S. Veteran has to take a loan out or rather- our family hero- has to plan for her departure without the governments assisstence.

janetlee
Illinois’s 12th district

[/quote]

This letter was delivered to Sen. Mark Kirk [R, IL] and Sen. Richard Durbin [D, IL] on 08/09/12.

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Support S. 1798: Open Burn Pit Registry Act of 2011

[quote]

Dear Sen. Bill Nelson and Sen. Marco Rubio:

I support S. 1798: Open Burn Pit Registry Act of 2011 because I served in the USAF for 21 yrs. I am very ill with ONLY 42% level of oxygen, constrictive broncholitis, 2 nose surgeries, 1 – 1/2 football size tumor removed after being exposed to the burn pits at Kirkuk, Iraq in 2004 & burn pit in/prison in Bagram, Afghanistan. I am NOT expected to live. I served my country honorably. Congress, DoD/VA medical has known since 2008/2009 of serious/life threatening health hazards. There is no cure for me, no effective treatments for me. Stony Brook VA lung conference 2/12 no cure. Vanderbilt Medical Center said that Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans life expectency 5-10 yrs. 80,000+ have been effect. I cannot get life insurance to cover my funeral. I had to quit my MSW program 3 classes short of finishing my life dream because I do NOT have the oxygen level to memorize things for testings. And I am within weeks of having to quit my job. I don’t know how I am going to pay my bills. I never thought that I would be at this point in my life at 51 yrs old and my country has chosen not to support me/other Veterans now that we are sick. I am at a loss. MSgt Sandra D. Thornton, USAF, Retired

SandraThorntonMSgtUSAFRetired
Florida’s 2nd district

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This letter was delivered to Sen. Bill Nelson [D, FL] on 08/07/12. This letter was delivered to Sen. Marco Rubio [R, FL] on 08/08/12.

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Support S. 1798: Open Burn Pit Registry Act of 2011

[quote]

Dear Sen. Thomas Coburn and Sen. James Inhofe:

I support S. 1798: Open Burn Pit Registry Act of 2011 because…I (MSG Ret USAR) was in Balad Iraq in Dec 2003 until Dec 2004, Went there in very good health,We lived within 1/4 of a mile from the north gate burn pit in (LSA ANACONDA) Balad, Iraq which was the biggest on base, and after going to the V.A. (Muskogee Ok) they ran test on me, And even now they say my breathing, aches and pains ,And the dry spots or patches that itches and burns,I’m now 65 years old,then I was 57 and turned 58 while there, they say it’s was just because of my age all this is happened,I say the Burn pit was the cause!!! then and the infects now. thanks for reading if you can help it will be much appreciated!!

LeroyRGartrellSr
Oklahoma’s 1st district

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This letter was delivered to Sen. James Inhofe [R, OK] and Sen. Thomas Coburn [R, OK] on 06/21/12.