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In August, Mission Roll Call focused on a vital but often overlooked group within the veteran community: underserved veterans. These include rural, tribal, and minority veterans who have played a significant role in the U.S. Armed Forces but often face unique challenges when accessing the care and support they need after their service. Our veteran members have identified this as a top priority, and throughout the month, we worked to shine a spotlight on these critical issues.

From the over four million veterans residing in rural communities to the Indigenous veterans who serve at higher rates than any other group, the need for comprehensive, high-quality care is immense. However, many of these communities face significant barriers, leading to disparities in health and well-being. At Mission Roll Call, we’re committed to amplifying the voices of these underserved veterans and advocating for the changes they need.

Stories and Articles Highlighting Underserved Veterans:

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Polls That Need Your Voice

As part of our mission to amplify the voice of veterans and their families, we’re excited to share our latest election poll. Your feedback is crucial in highlighting the issues that matter most to the veteran community.

We value your perspective and encourage you to lend your voice to this important discussion. Together, we can ensure that veteran priorities and concerns are front and center in the upcoming election and beyond. Join Our Poll.  

Mission Roll Call University

We recently launched Mission Roll Call University (MRCU), a new YouTube hub dedicated to providing veterans and their families with educational resources. MRCU offers expert-led video content designed to inform and empower the veteran community on a wide range of topics, from understanding VA benefits to navigating the disability claims process. Our goal is to equip veterans with the knowledge they need to advocate for themselves and access the care and benefits they’ve earned. Subscribe to our channel today and join us in empowering veterans and their families with the tools and information they deserve.

Latest Videos:

The Lasting Mission Podcast: Amplifying Veteran Voices

This month, we’re thrilled to introduce The Lasting Mission, our new podcast series that brings the powerful stories of veterans, their families, and Veteran Service Organization (VSO) leaders directly to you. At Mission Roll Call, our commitment to amplifying veteran voices is at the heart of everything we do, and this podcast is the latest extension of that mission.

The Lasting Mission is more than just a podcast—it’s a journey through the triumphs and trials of those who have served, providing inspiration, education, and a sense of community. Through candid conversations, we aim to foster resilience, understanding, and growth for veterans and their families.

We invite you to tune in to The Lasting Mission and join our growing community. Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or a supporter of our military community, you’ll find these stories both moving and motivating. Subscribe to The Lasting Mission on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform, and help us spread these important conversations by sharing the podcast with others.

Mission Roll Call in the News:

Join the Mission: Your support can help ensure that the needs of veterans and their families are heard loud and clear. By becoming a member of Mission Roll Call, you’ll be part of a community dedicated to advocating for the issues that matter most to those who have served and their loved ones.

Stay connected with us as we amplify these voices and drive meaningful change. Join us now.

On August 17, 2024, Mission Roll Call kicked off its series of veteran connection events with a gathering in Lubbock, Texas. Hosted by the Fraternal Order of Eagles (Chapter 4271) and led by Chapter President Rick Welch, this inaugural event set the tone for our ongoing mission to connect with and support veterans and their families across the country.

The afternoon began with a meet-and-greet where attendees had the opportunity to interact with veteran leaders from the Eagles Lodge. The attendees were engaged and responsive as we shared Mission Roll Call’s initiatives and plans, and many veterans and their families joined us to learn more about MRC, sign up for membership, and participate in our veteran polling —100% of attendees chose to get involved.

A highlight of the event was the delicious lunch provided by YaYa’s Place, a local small business. Guests enjoyed a choice of fish or chicken sandwiches, and the meal was well-received and helped support a local entrepreneur. 

This event marked the beginning of our monthly veteran connection events across the U.S. for the rest of the year, and the feedback from the veteran community and the Eagles Lodge was overwhelmingly positive. The heartfelt reception we received in Lubbock was a testament to the impact of bringing veterans together and fostering a supportive network. We look forward to continuing this journey and making a difference in more communities.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our hosts at the Fraternal Order of Eagles. We are excited about the future and eager to connect with more veterans across the country. Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming events!

At Mission Roll Call, we are deeply committed to ensuring veterans and their families are informed about resources that impact their health and well-being. The Burn Pit Registry is a crucial tool in understanding the long-term effects of toxic exposures, directly aligning with the goals of the PACT Act, which expands healthcare and benefits for those affected by these hazards. 

The VA has recently enhanced its Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, a crucial database designed to track and study the health impacts of burn pit exposure and other airborne hazards on veterans and service members. This registry plays a key role in improving healthcare and guiding policy decisions.

By raising awareness of this registry, we empower veterans to contribute to research that shapes future care and advocacy efforts, ensuring their voices are heard and their health needs are addressed.

Why the Burn Pit Registry Matters

The Burn Pit Registry is an essential tool for understanding the health issues faced by veterans exposed to hazardous conditions during their service. By collecting data on exposures, deployment locations, and demographics, the VA can conduct research that fuels advancements in medical care, informs policy on presumptive conditions, and provides more precise and preventative healthcare for veterans.

Key Changes in the Registry

In response to feedback, the VA has redesigned the registry to be more inclusive and user-friendly. Approximately 4.7 million veterans and service members who served in qualifying locations during specified time frames are now automatically enrolled, with the option to opt-out at any time. This expansion reduces the burden on veterans while ensuring that more data is available for critical research.

How to Participate

Veterans who were previously enrolled in the registry are automatically included in the updated version. New participants are also automatically enrolled based on their service records. To confirm your inclusion or learn more about eligibility, you can visit the Burn Pit Registry webpage or contact your local Environmental Health Coordinator.

Impact on VA Healthcare and Benefits

It’s important to note that participation in the registry is entirely voluntary and does not affect your individual VA healthcare or benefits. However, by participating, veterans contribute to a broader understanding of service-related health issues, potentially improving care and benefits for future generations.

Opting Out

For those who prefer not to participate, opting out is a simple process that can be done through the Burn Pit Registry webpage without any impact on VA healthcare or benefits.

Data Security and Usage

The registry includes non-medical data such as deployment locations and demographic information. This data is accessible only to authorized VA researchers and will be used to conduct studies that guide healthcare improvements and policy decisions over time.

At Mission Roll Call, we believe it’s essential for veterans to be informed and involved in efforts that could shape their future healthcare. By participating in the Burn Pit Registry, you can help ensure that the needs of veterans exposed to airborne hazards are understood and addressed.

For more details, visit the Burn Pit Registry webpage or reach out to your local Environmental Health Coordinator.

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