Carbon County is known for working for its veterans.

That’s why it was so important when the PACT Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden.

Earlier this month, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey visited Carbon County for a roundtable discussion with veterans and officials on how this will impact the county.

The goal was that Casey and Carbon County “could gain a firsthand understanding of the importance of the act and the challenges its implementation will present to the Veterans Administration and County Veteran Service Officers who serve as the proverbial bridge between veterans and the benefits they earned.”

It is estimated that up to 25% of the county’s veteran population could be applicants based on analysis of periods of service.

In recent weeks, Carbon County became the first county in the nation to sign on as an Operation Green Light for Veterans County, which is a new nationwide campaign at raising awareness of this new veteran benefit.

The PACT Act expands eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras; adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures, and more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation.

It also requires VAs to provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care, as well as help improve research, staff education and treatment related to toxic exposures.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said that the roundtable was a great engagement opportunity for all parties involved.

Four veterans, as well as Christine LeClair, Carbon VA director, spoke about the issues veterans are facing regarding the burn pits and the problems they now have as a result of the exposure.

LeClair said that the burn pit where she was stationed was about three to four football fields in length.

“I think we certainly have to step up to the plate and ensure that these people that sacrifice every day, spend their whole lives sometimes serving our country, that they are properly taken care of,” Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said.

He added that they also spoke about the suicide prevention programs, new outreach opportunities and other initiatives Carbon County has implemented to engage with its veterans.

Nothstein also commended Lukasevich for his speech regarding Operation Green Light at the recent County Commissioner Association of Pennsylvania conference.

For more information on the PACT Act, visit va.gov/PACT.