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.