Milwaukee VA to host PACT Act Summer VetFest on lakefront to encourage Veterans to apply for new health care benefits
PRESS RELEASE
July 13, 2023
Milwaukee , WI — On July 22-23, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, in conjunction with the Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office and the War Memorial Center, will host a Summer VetFest to inform Veterans, their families and survivors about the PACT Act and encourage them to apply for the toxic-exposure-related health care and benefits they have earned.
Coinciding with the Milwaukee Air and Water Show, the event will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23, outside the War Memorial Center, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive.
The event will be a casual summer gathering along Milwaukee’s lakefront featuring Veterans, their families, Veteran advocates and the VA health care and benefits professionals who serve them.
At the event, VA and VBA staff will be ready to help Veterans apply for PACT Act-related benefits (or submit an intent to file), enroll in VA health care, get screened for toxic exposures and even apply to come work at VA. There will also be food and refreshments sold by Kegel’s Inn, music, and excellent views of the air show.
In addition, representatives from other services provided by the Milwaukee VA will be on hand to answer Veterans’ questions. This will include Enrollment/Eligibility, Mental Health, Human Resources, Post 9/11 Military to VA Case Management, Minority Veterans Program, Whole Health and Chaplain Services. The Mobile Vet Center also will be on site.
VA encourages all eligible Veterans and survivors to file a claim — or submit their intent to file a claim — for PACT Act-related benefits now. Most Veterans who do so by Aug. 9 will have their benefits, if granted, backdated to Aug. 10, 2022, the day that President Biden signed the bill into law.
"There are millions of Veterans and survivors across America who are eligible for new health care and benefits, and we will not rest until every one of them gets what they’ve earned,” said Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “That’s what this Summer VetFest is all about: educating Veterans, their families, and survivors — and encouraging them to apply today.”
NOTE TO MEDIA: If you are interested in covering this event, please RSVP to Milwaukee VA Public Affairs Specialist David Walter at 414-382-5176 or David.walter@va.gov. VA and VBA officials will be available both days for interviews. The Milwaukee VA also welcomes any pre-event promotion of this event.
David Walter, Public Affairs Specialist
414-384-2000, ext. 45176