In April 1999, Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month—a time to honor the sacrifices of service members, veterans, and their families. Genuine appreciation, however, goes beyond ceremonies. It also means acknowledging the health risks they face due to environmental toxic exposures, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. 

For decades, the military used hazardous materials like asbestos on Navy ships, bases, and other equipment, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) , chemicals used in maintenance. Consequently, communities like Santa Clara, California—home to over 60,000 veterans and military families—continue to feel the repercussions even today.

To address this, the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 was passed and even expanded to cover over 20 presumptive conditions. Yet illnesses linked to asbestos and VOCs remain excluded, leaving numerous individuals with insufficient help. The National Military Month is a timely reminder that these gaps must be closed to ensure all service members receive the care they deserve. 

About the Author

Cristina Johnson is a Navy veteran advocate for the Asbestos Ships Organization, a non-profit educating veterans about the risks of asbestos exposure on Navy ships.