VA hosts 3,500 people for VetFest in southwest Florida

VA knocked it out of the park during a joint PACT Act VetFest event Aug. 5.

More than 3,500 Floridians traveled to St. Petersburg to receive one-on-one assistance from a joint partnership by Bay Pines VA, James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital & Clinics, VA Sunshine Healthcare (VISN 8) Network and the Veterans Benefits Administration’s (VBA) St. Petersburh regional office.

“Every Veteran deserves to receive the best care, and the PACT Act really puts all of this together,” said Bay Pines VA Chief of Staff Dr. Amin Elamin, who served as one of the toxic exposure screeners for the event. “Today was an outstanding turnout with engaging discussion about the PACT Act and what these benefits mean for those who apply. Veterans have waited a long time for this opportunity.”

Air Force Korean War Veteran Marshall Duncan was one of many who were appreciative of the opportunity to move closer to qualifying under the PACT Act. “Everybody worked really hard for us today and did a great service for all of us who were here. We appreciate VA and what they’re doing,” Duncan said.

“We were able help them get the service and care they need.”

“We’ve been able to take a lot of intent-to-file claims today, and we look forward to working more closely with those Veterans and families,” added VBA St. Petersburg RO Executive Director Juliana Boor. “We saw a lot of people today, and we know there are more out there who qualify, so please come see us so we can work with you to get you the benefits you’ve earned.”

Over the past 11 months, Boor said that more than $1.7 billion has been awarded across the country to Veterans and survivors under the PACT Act, through VBA.

Leaders projected 500-700 attendees for the event, but the long lines formed more than an hour before the 10 a.m. start. “We’re simply amazed by the turnout,” said James A. Haley Director David Dunning. “The employees here were locked in and eager to help Veterans. It’s great that we were all able help them and their families get the service and care they need.”

The organizations also used VetFest as an opportunity to bring awareness about key services for Veterans including women’s health, mental health, social work services, the Clinical Contact Center and partnerships with Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Cemetery Administration.

Learn more about the PACT Act, applying for benefits and the continuation of support for Veterans, families and survivors with information provided in English and Spanish here.

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To read more stories from the Bay Pines VA, visit VA News and Information.