CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System held its Clarksville VA PACT Act Summer VetFest for veterans, their families and service members on Thursday. The event is part of a nationwide campaign to encourage veterans and families to apply for benefits.

The event at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center, which drew more than 350 veterans, recognized the one-year anniversary of the PACT Act which was signed into law by President Joe Biden on August 10, 2022. The PACT Act law expands health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.

Hundreds of local veterans and their families sought benefits at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Hundreds of local veterans and their families sought benefits at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Hundreds of local veterans and their families sought benefits at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Volunteers at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Hundreds of local veterans and their families sought benefits at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Hundreds of local veterans and their families sought benefits at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Veterans John Clement & Chris Lancia at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Hundreds of local veterans and their families sought benefits at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Hundreds of local veterans and their families sought benefits at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Dan Moore & Randall Johnson at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Hundreds of local veterans and their families sought benefits at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Hundreds of local veterans and their families sought benefits at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Hundreds of local veterans and their families sought benefits at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Hundreds of local veterans and their families sought benefits at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Hundreds of local veterans and their families sought benefits at the VA Tennessee Vally Healthcare System PACT Act Summer VetFest at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Aug 11, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

 

Veterans who attended the event had the opportunity to enroll in VA health care, get screened for toxic exposures and file disability claims. Hannah McDuffie, Department of Veterans Affairs Acting Public Affairs Officer said over 700 people stopped by the event, with 190 veterans completing a toxic exposure screening, 119 vets filing claims, and 25 vets enrolling in VA health care.

McDuffie added that the event featured a mix of federal, state and community partners. The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization, Montgomery County Veterans Coalition, Operation Stand Down Tennessee and Team RWB-Red, White, & Blue, were some of the local veteran support groups on site.

VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Executive Director Dan Ducker called the event an opportunity to serve those who have served.

“We’re here with VBA, the benefits side of VA and VHA, the healthcare side of VA, for the approval of the PACT Act which opened up benefits for veterans related to toxic exposures and things of that nature. We’re here today to interact with veterans and their families to help them get the benefits that they have already earned,” Ducker said.

It was also announced Thursday that veterans and survivors who apply, or submit their intent to file, for PACT Act benefits by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 14 will be eligible to have their benefits backdated to August 10, 2022.

All veterans and their survivors are encouraged to apply or submit their intent to file for pact Act benefits by visiting VA.gov/Pact.