VETERANS
Enhancing the Legacy of Military Service in Pima County Veterans’ Survivors and the Enduring Need for Improved Benefits By Cristina Johnson, Veteran Advocate, Asbestos Ships Across Pima County in Southern Arizona, over 79,500 residents have bravely enlisted in the armed forces, despite the potential long-term health repercussions that may emerge along the way. Yet while this dedication is widely recognized, what frequently goes unnoticed is that the journey of military service extends far beyond the personnel themselves. Spouses, parents, and children frequently step into roles that demand extraordinary resilience, providing critical care as well as navigating bureaucratic systems while extending practical support day after day. These families, who shared in the sacrifices of service, experience a deeper toll when a veteran gets diagnosed with a toxic-related condition: confronting disrupted careers, reduced income, and their own health challenges. More tragically, when the patient passes away, that burden does not disappear and instead endures for an extended period. Understanding this dynamic is vital to ensuring that survivors receive support that is both meaningful and sustainable, reflecting the full scope of their contributions and devotion.
Survivors Confronting Serious Repercussions After a Veteran’s Passing Nearly 10% of Pima County’s residents are veterans. Most of these personnel were deployed during the Vietnam War, while a substantial portion also fought during the Korean and Gulf Wars. Across these periods, many were unknowingly exposed to hazardous substances silently lurking in naval vessels, tanks, trucks, weapons, equip- ment, and even barracks. Numerous Vietnam-era troops encountered herbicides like Agent Orange, while more recent deployments exposed service members to burn pit emissions, industrial chemicals, and other airborne toxins. Beyond these exposures, those stationed at domestic facilities such as Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Pima County may have likewise experienced routine contact with asbestos as well as a wide range of volatile organic compounds, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and heavy metals. The consequences of these exposures are far-reaching, as countless veterans have developed chronic illnesses including cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neurological conditions, immunosuppression, and hypertension. One navy boiler technician who served aboard the USS Henderson and Charles S. Sperry recalled how his duties during major shipyard refurbishments ultimately compromised his health. Spending years in engine and boiler rooms surrounded by
asbestos-insulated systems, he revealed he has consequently suffered from a respiratory disease, struggling to breathe even during short walks. “We tore out all the steam lines, and the older stuff was insulated with asbestos. My health right now is breath-short. I breathe heavy, and it’s hard walking from the house to the mailbox,” he said. For families, these health outcomes translate into new responsibilities. Oftentimes, spouses or parents become primary caregivers, as they coordinate complex medical regimens as well as managing specialist visits and long-term rehabilitation. These obligations usually coincide with lost wages or career interruptions, while additional expenses like hospital transportation, home modifications, and ongoing treatments keep growing. By the time a veteran succumbs to the disease, many households have already borne years of economic and emotional strain, emphasizing the immediate need for bolstered support. Boosting Benefits and Services for Veterans’ Survivors Providing meaningful support to veterans’ survivors requires more than recognition; it means establishing measures that can tackle their financial and practical needs head-on. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) has already begun making strides by providing a tax-exempt monthly payment of $1,699.36 to spouses of veterans whose demise occurred on or after
Page 18 | May & June 2026, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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