Fourth of July | Celebrating Veterans With Mesothelioma

The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate America’s independence. As part of this, it’s a good idea to remember U.S. veterans. Veterans put themselves at risk of serious injuries, illnesses, and death to defend America. Many older veterans are at risk of a cancer called mesothelioma due to military asbestos exposure.

Learn how you can honor veterans with mesothelioma this Independence Day.

Shared Histories: July Fourth and Military Asbestos Exposure

July 4, 1776, marks the day when the 13 original colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence and founded the United States of America. Ever since, Independence Day has been celebrated annually and became a federal holiday in 1941 — a year that also coincided with widespread military asbestos use.

The U.S. military started to use asbestos, a highly durable material, back in the 1930s. By World War II, every military branch heavily relied on asbestos in ships, bases, vehicles, and more. Military use of asbestos continued through the early 1980s.

The general public didn’t know the dangers of asbestos at first, as makers of asbestos-based products hid the risks for decades. However, asbestos is now known to cause mesothelioma, a life-threatening cancer, decades after exposure. A third of all mesothelioma patients today are U.S. veterans as a result.

During this year’s Fourth of July festivities, take time to celebrate with veterans in your life. All U.S. veterans deserve our respect for putting their lives on the line to protect our country.

We can also help U.S. veterans with mesothelioma access benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including monthly compensation and free or low-cost health care. Get started below.

Highlighting Aid for U.S. Veterans With Mesothelioma on July Fourth

July Fourth is a critical time to keep U.S. veterans in mind — especially those with service-related disabilities like mesothelioma. If you’re wondering how to help veterans, exploring their VA benefits is a good place to start.

Key mesothelioma VA benefits include:

• Disability compensation worth $3,946.25  a month
• Free or low-cost mesothelioma treatments from top doctors
• Survivor benefits for family members

Many veterans may already have VA benefits at the time of a mesothelioma diagnosis since this cancer doesn’t appear until 10-50 years after exposure. In these cases, we can help veterans maximize their VA benefits. This cancer is considered a 100% disability, meaning veterans can receive the highest payouts and lowest health care copays possible.

Veterans with mesothelioma can also pursue even more compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits, filed against makers of asbestos-containing products. These lawsuits can award over $1 million and don’t involve the government or military.

How to Honor July Fourth With Veterans

There are plenty of activities to help you celebrate the Fourth of July and honor the veterans in your life.

Some activities may include:

• Hosting cookouts: Barbecues with friends and family are a staple of Independence Day festivities. Celebrate veterans by simply thanking them, making their favorite food, or talking with them about their service.
• Seeing parades: Parades are often making their way through towns. Remember to bring plenty of sunscreen, water, and mobility aids so the veterans in your life can join in on the fun.
• Watching fireworks shows: Almost every city will have a special fireworks display for everyone to celebrate and remember America’s history. Check in with the veterans in your life to see if they would like to go. For those who may not be able to attend in person, livestreams of fireworks are available.

These are just a few ways you can celebrate and include veterans on July Fourth. This can help them feel loved and supported during the celebration.

We Are Here for U.S. Veterans With Mesothelioma

On July Fourth and every day, the Mesothelioma Veterans Center commends veterans for serving our country. Their service has given us the freedoms we have today.

We are proud to help veterans with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in any way we can. If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact us today to see how we can help you find treatment and apply for VA benefits.

We wish everyone a wonderful and safe Fourth of July.