Looking past ceremony: Military Appreciation Month and the case for strengthened veteran health in northern Wisconsin

Communities across Northern Wisconsin are closely tied to military service — with countless residents and families shaped by generations of enlistment, deployment, and return. That connection takes center stage each May during the commemoration of the National Military Appreciation Month — an annual tribute that intends not only to highlight those who have served but also to encourage a deeper understanding of what their duty demands. While expressions of gratitude remain an important part of that observance, it must concomitantly highlight a less visible but critical concern: the impact of frequent exposure to hazardous substances embedded in naval vessels, airfields, tanks, trucks, vehicles, and even barracks. And as these challenges come into clearer view, so too does the need for more responsive policy frameworks, reflected in proposals such as the Veterans Exposed to Toxic (VET) PFAS Act, which aims to modernize the acknowledgment of related diseases and streamline the delivery of appropriate interventions.

The uneven legacy of toxic exposure in northern Wisconsin veterans

The dialogue surrounding military service in Northern Wisconsin is usually framed through sacrifice and determination. Even so, far less attention is given to the environment where they lived and worked for a long period. During that time, many personnel were oblivious to the fact that routine activities on their bases frequently involved exposure to materials once deemed critical for safety and performance but, in time, revealed to be extremely hazardous. For instance, at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant — roughly 190 miles from Oneida County — asbestos was extensively utilized in a myriad of components and infrastructure, being renowned for its exceptional fireproofing and insulating properties throughout much of the 20th century. However, it was only years later that the deadly health risks of such a natural mineral were scientifically proven and officially regulated. Consequently, between 1999 and 2017, more than 6,800 residents in Wisconsin tragically succumbed to asbestos-related illnesses, with almost 85 fatalities logged in Oneida County. 

Similarly, a parallel concern involves per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have also been integral to military operations, mainly because of their heat and water resistance. These very capabilities have, in fact, made such synthetic compounds indispensable in manufacturing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), widely used by the Department of Defense for its effectiveness in suppressing fuel-based fires. Disconcertingly, the heavy reliance on this firefighting tool has eventually resulted in contamination concerns affecting more than five military bases in Wisconsin, among which is the Hayward Training Site in the northern region. With this persistent reality, it is no longer surprising that numerous veterans in Northern Wisconsin may now be susceptible to developing debilitating illnesses, most notably non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia, as well as breast, endometrial, kidney, ovarian, prostate, thyroid, and testicular cancers.

Moving from recognition to responsibility

Military appreciation each May is meant to reflect not only gratitude for service but also a continuing responsibility to ensure veterans have meaningful access to care after their time in uniform. Fortunately, that commitment has already taken shape in federal policy through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Honoring our PACT Act, which expanded eligibility and benefits for retired service members dealing with health consequences of their contact with environmental hazards such as burn pits and airborne toxins. Fundamentally, the law marked an important step toward acknowledging that exposure-related illnesses can take years to surface and that veterans should not be left to navigate those outcomes without support. Yet notwithstanding this, the framework remains incomplete, as certain conditions have still not been incorporated into presumptive coverage standards — including those associated with PFAS — leaving many victims to rely on individualized documentation and prolonged claims processes when seeking recognition within the VA’s system.

Amid this, the VET-PFAS Act seeks to address that specific gap by bringing into clearer view the essence of acknowledging the diseases that may stem from PFAS-laden environments, especially those where AFFF was regularly used. Through the provision of presumptive privilege for these cases, the policy would reduce the evidentiary burden placed on veterans who would otherwise need to reconstruct decades-old exposure histories just to access care and disability benefits. At the same time, it reflects a broader effort to align VA processes with established exposure pathways, particularly in instances where the link between service environments and health outcomes has already been well documented. In practical terms, the measure is intended to create a more direct support for veterans whose exposure occurred as part of routine duties rather than isolated incidents.

Yet even with its clear intent, the VET-PFAS Act remains under consideration and has not yet moved into law. Pushing for its enactment at this stage carries particular weight as National Military Appreciation Month renews attention on how the nation translates recognition of service into tangible support. Moving the bill forward would help narrow a specific gap in current protections — ensuring that veterans in Northern Wisconsin and across the country are met with a system that responds to their service with clarity, consistency, and action.

Cristina Johnson serves as a veteran advocate at the Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit that raises awareness of veterans’ exposure to toxic substances.