Salisbury VA PACT Act Summer VetFest draws hundreds of attendees for family fun, VA resources for Veterans

The Summer VetFest campaign is a VA-wide outreach initiative to educate Veterans about the PACT Act (Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act), the largest expansion of Veteran health care and benefits in generations. 

The PACT Act specifically benefits Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras and were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. PACT Act also extends eligibility to survivors of these exposed Veterans.

Salisbury VA’s four-hour PACT Act Summer VetFest was jam-packed with outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy, including a dunk tank, bounce house, food trucks, a live DJ, and various yard games at building six’s green space and parking area.

The Summer VetFest also offered on-the-spot enrollments in VA health care, while toxic exposure screenings were provided to several dozen Veterans by Salisbury VA care teams.

The excitement, anticipation, and appreciation were palpable as Veterans and their families were greeted as honored guests as they arrived.

Attendees had the opportunity to explore over two dozen VA and community vendors and informational booths in building six’s gymnasium and corridor.

Many Veterans, like U.S. Army and Vietnam War Veteran Carl Barnes, came to receive answers to their questions and concerns and were able to leave with those questions answered.

Barnes attended the Summer VetFest to get more information on disability benefits from the Veterans Benefits Administration. 

“[Veterans] are missing out on a wonderful opportunity to find out if you can get other assistance or medical care,” said Barnes of Veterans who may not yet have taken advantage of VA events like the Summer VetFest. 

A mother-daughter Veteran duo also attended Saturday's event; they were excited to meet and connect with fellow Veterans and receive more information on the VA health care and benefits they earned through faithful service to the nation.

Toya Cade and Imani Troy both served in the U.S. Army and decided to attend the Summer VetFest to learn more about what VA can offer them. 

Cade said she has put off taking advantage of VA benefits due to becoming a busy wife and mother after leaving military service. 

“My youngest is 19 and now maybe I have a little me-time to focus on myself and that’s what I’m trying to do,” added Cade. 

“Getting needed information, along with hearing fellow Veteran's survival stories, where they’ve been stationed, and how long they served has been great,” said Troy about the event.

Veterans and their families also had a chance to voice their concerns and comments to the Salisbury VA executive leadership team during the question-and-answer portion of the agenda. 

“I think it's very important for us to continue to provide different opportunities for the Veterans to come out and get that additional information that they are looking for,” said Kevin Amick, executive director of the Salisbury VA Health Care System. 

Amick, a U.S. Navy Veteran, added that he received countless positive comments on the event from fellow Veterans and wants to encourage all Veterans to take the time to invest in themselves and visit their local VA’s Summer VetFest events and other outreach efforts. 

To see a full list of upcoming VA VetFest events around the nation, click here. 

For more information on the PACT Act and future events, email the Office of Strategic Communications & Public Affairs at salisburyvapublicaffairs@va.gov.

At the Salisbury VA Health Care System, our mission is to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors. 

Learn more at www.va.gov/salisbury-health-care.