'It's too late for me': Why dying veteran fights to end military burn pits

35-year-old retired Staff Sgt. Wesley Black has terminal colon cancer that his doctor says is linked to breathing in toxic fumes from burn pits used while serving in Afghanistan. CNN's Brianna Keilar reports on the effort to end their use and protect US military service members.
The VA website acknowledges the issue is being studied and that those exposed "may be at greater risk for longer-term health conditions."
In an email to CNN on Sunday, Veterans Affairs press secretary Terrence Hayes urgedveterans exposed to sign up for the burn pit registry and those feeling ill due to a possible toxic exposure to submit a claim.
"The more veterans who do so only helps us gather the information and research needed to provide the care they require."

#BriannaKeilar #CNN #NewDay

[glep]

People need to spend less time hugging flags and more time supporting vets.

[Bat_Boy]

When the chips are down, and facing certain death, I don’t know how this guy keeps it together. True patriot: courage and bravery. 🇺🇸

[Filippa]

Sorry to hear this. Soldiers must be treated better by the Military!

[jonenoh]

VA better Wake Up. We Vets Need to be Heard. Anything however short or long the deployed Can Relate to a Disability.

[blindmasterswag]

I wish there was something we could do. If not for him, for his family. I know they'll be taken care of, somewhat, but losing a Dad and a Husband is so hard and not ok.

[jerriarriola]

OMG …. He is dying literally from serving his country. He is so young. 😭

[Tommy_Mac]

This is horrific. We expect to send people into harm's way and then discharge them out into the world like nothing happened. It doesn't work.

[QuEsT_X]

This is absolutely horrific and many blessings to him and his family this is unacceptable and this is what angers Me as a progressive why is it that the men and women who serve our country have to " Wait" when the establishment dems and Republicans get whatever they want when THEY want it but our troops have to beg for this country to care for them and about them . I sware if we all unified and just don't show up to work, & refuse to pay our taxes and refuse give in to our politicians watch how quick things would get done i swear sometimes I'm so done with this country

[goingagainstthegrain]

This brought tears to my eyes listening to Sgt. Black. Our brother's in arms need better medical attention by the VA. Keep fighting the fight, sir! 🇺🇸🙏❤️

[johnnytampocao]

This is terrifying. I feel with this soldier who put their lives into danger serving the his country. RESPECT and PRAYERS FOR HIM, HE NEEDS MIRACLE FROM HEAVE. GOD BLESS YOU MAN🙏🙏🙏

[AfroChilanGringo]

OMG. This is crazy! This needs to be stopped immediately!

[DHAMPIR.STUDIOS]

They don’t care about Vets unless it’s falsely associated with someone kneeling for an entirely different reason that has nothing to do with vets.

[lilyalexi]

Why isn't military doing gas / toxic fumes mask use whenever they schedule a burning of trash for all area military members???

[AdeKingProductions]

The seemingly innocuous has become the most deadly killer. My heart goes out to this man and his family.

[cobramom]

We need better care of our soldiers and vets.

[godthesonhasilluminatedme]

When I think about complaining about my circumstances. Someone comes along and reduces my complaints into whinning. I hope this gets rectified quickly

[shyhumphreys]

This is infuriating and heartbreaking. SOMETHING has to be done our military men and women should not be used fking lab rats! They should have been protected. Absolutely heartbreaking

[Eyemallfunkedup]

This surprises no one. Ever heard of agent Orange? They couldn’t give him a respirator? This is disgusting.

[annemerevo]

My heart goes out to this veteran.
My father, a lifer with the USNAVY, exposed to asbestos, wasn’t given 100%
for his interstitial lung disease that killed him 5 years ago. We watched him struggle to breathe until the end.

[frankmccanna]

This has been going on way to long. Gunny Bill Chick, retired Marine, died the same way from Desert Storm burn pits. We called it Desert Storm Syndrome.