Dublin VA plans PACT Act Summer VetFest June 29

The Carl Vinson VA Medical Center will host a PACT Act SummerVetFest event on its front lawn June 29 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. to inform veterans and others about the benefits available through the 2022 PACT Act. 

The general public is welcome, and the event will include information, a resources fair, eligibility representatives and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) claims clinic, so that veterans can file their PACT Act or other claim on the spot. 

There will also be games for adults and children, food, a car show and musical performances.

Event coordinator Keith Griffin, Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) chief for the Dublin VA, encourages veterans to file their claim and the public to come and learn more about their local VA.

“This is not only a chance for veterans and their families to learn more about this important addition to their benefits, but it’s a chance for community to get to know us and have some fun at the same time,” he said.

Griffin noted that VBA staff will be on hand to accept new claims or offer follow-up on existing claims for VA disability.

“This is an excellent chance for veterans to drop a new claim or get the latest on an existing one. No phones or emails, just sit down with a VBA rep and get it done,” Griffin said.

Griffin was especially enthusiastic about the entertainment that will be available.

“We’ll have car show that folks can compete in, and the Warner Robins Veterans Corvette Club will be there to show off their beautiful cars. And we are very pleased to host singer Rebecca Howell, who competed on the Voice, and country music sensation Kori Spires. They are both remarkable performers, so we encourage all of our friends in the community to come out for this unique opportunity to see them,” Griffin said.

Griffin said that the community event will have entertainment for all ages.

“We’ll have food trucks and fun and games for everyone, so we really want our community to join us.”

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic exposed veterans in more than 30 years.

The PACT Act expanded VA benefits for millions of veterans, making more than 300 health conditions “presumptive” for service connection. 

This means that if an eligible veteran has one of these health conditions, VA automatically assumes that the condition was caused by the veteran’s service and provides compensation and care accordingly. VA encourages veterans and their survivors to apply for these benefits now at VA.gov/PACT. 

More information on eligibility for the special enrollment period can be found at VA.gov/PACT. 

For more information about how the PACT Act is helping veterans and their survivors, visit VA’s  PACT Act Dashboard. To apply for care or benefits today, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411. 

The Carl Vinson VA Medical Center is located at 1826 Veterans Blvd. in Dublin.