By Cristina Johnson, guest columnist
When the nation prepares and equips its service members for the demands of war, it simultaneously assumes a solemn responsibility to care for them as veterans once they return home. That is why every November, communities unite to commemorate Veterans Day and the National Veterans and Military Families Month, honoring the bravery of those who served and their families who supported them during long deployments.
Yet these observances — as meaningful as they are — represent only a fraction of the commitment owed, as genuine gratitude still demands more than ceremonies. It strongly calls for sustained action to confront the challenges veterans continue to face, including the lasting effects of toxic exposure.
And in Lehigh Valley, this commitment carries particular weight. Given its legacy of service, it is very proper that veterans and their families in the area receive the care, protection and justice they rightfully earned.
Military service has long shaped the Lehigh Valley, where nearly 12,000 residents from Lehigh and Northampton counties have answered the call to defend the nation. Yet for many veterans in this area, the effects of that service extend far beyond active duty, as they develop illnesses that often appear only years later. However, these health concerns rarely result from combat itself but from exposure to harmful chemicals during training and routine operations, such as the use of Agent Orange to remove battlefield cover andburn pits for debris disposal.
Considering these long-term risks, it is perhaps unsurprising that several military facilities in the region have been documented to have immense pollution. Reports confirmed that the Naval Reserve Center in Allentown, as well as the former Marine Corps Training Center in Freemansburg have registered hazardous and radioactive wastes, which highlights the potential ongoing exposure encountered by personnel working here and the surrounding communities.
Besides these, veterans also faced significant risks from asbestos, a natural mineral long valued for its durability and heat resistance throughout much of the 20th century. Its properties made it a common feature in Navy ships, aircraft hangars, maintenance buildings and military facilities, including the Tobyhanna Army Depot, located roughly 62 miles from the Lehigh Valley. However, what was not understood at the time was that prolonged asbestos exposure can cause fatal illnesses.
Over time, the consequences of this crisis became increasingly apparent nationwide, including in Pennsylvania, which recorded 17,717 asbestos-related deaths between 1999 and 2017. Of these, Lehigh County accounted for approximately 481 fatalities, while Northampton County recorded around 500.
Worse, the danger extends beyond the veterans themselves as this toxic legacy can follow service members into their homes. This reality clearly demonstrates that the consequences of military service are not confined to the battlefield — they ripple through their families and communities long after their deployment has ended.
Honoring the courage of veterans in the Lehigh Valley is crucial. But acknowledgment alone cannot fully resolve the lasting health challenges that many of them face decades later. Responding to this issue, federal lawmakers enacted the Honoring Our PACT Act in 2022 to provide comprehensive access to health care as well as other disability benefits to those harmed by hazardous chemicals during their active duty.
Since its passage, over 2.9 million claims have been filed nationwide, with nearly 2 million approved, and more than $6.8 billion in compensation distributed in 2024 alone. In Pennsylvania, the law has already reached over 82,000 veterans — offering hope to the state’s military community, which needs care, support and recognition.
Complementing the PACT Act, the federal government recently introduced major reforms to survivor benefits to assist the families of deceased veterans and service members. In addition, the VA Home Loan Program was established to provide timely support to former military personnel struggling to pay their housing mortgages.
Yet despite these programs, many veterans and their families still struggle to access the care and resources they need. To truly fulfill their promise, the federal government must work closely with state agencies, as well as health care providers and community organizations, to expand the reach of these programs and ensure that all veterans and their families receive timely medical care and other vital resources they rightfully deserve.
We cannot afford to delay. The nation’s promise must remain steadfast — they fought for us, so we must also fight for them. And such can only be achieved if we prioritize lasting protections for the well-being of veterans and their families.
This is a contributed opinion column. Cristina Johnson is a Navy veteran advocate for Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit whose primary mission is to raise awareness and educate veterans about the dangers of asbestos exposure on Navy ships and assist them in navigating the VA claims process. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication. For more details on commentaries, read our guide to guest opinions at themorningcall.com/opinions.
