Remembering veteran exposed to burn pits while serving overseas

ABC News' Stephanie Ramos revisits her interview with Marine Corps veteran Kate Hendricks Thomas, who died this week from breast cancer stemming from exposure to toxic burn pits while serving in Iraq.

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[yellowskittle]

She was my professor at CSU. She was so strong. It hurt me when I found out about her diagnosis and knowing that she had such a young son. She is and will always be amazing, brilliant, strong, and a great person to know.

[antoniomontana]

My deepest condolences to her family, may she rest in peace 🙏

[Midwestmonster]

What a beautiful person inside and out! God bless your family I hope they know how lucky they are to be apart of your life

[Stilliriseles]

I just had a meeting with the VA last week speaking on behalf of us female veterans Where I live… female VA health care needs a serious spotlight.
This breaks my heart because I’m tired of losing sisters 😢❤my she rest in paradise

[MrFreshEdition]

Awesome and Extrodinary Woman. The VA needs to do more for All Veterans, but especially for those who served in Expeditionary Campaigns

[keithfagan]

This is sad how Vets are treated over this, I'm a Vet but was a contractor in Afghanistan supporting those active duty, so far nothing is being said or even considered for 100K plus contractors that served the military while there, I myself can't even register on the VA's web site burn pit register.

[LIVINGINWASHINGTONDCNOW]

Her funeral was beautiful today. Love you Kate. I will miss our chats/ lunches/ dinners/ breakfasts.

[vetmom]

OIF 2003-2004. I worked at those burn pits for 5 months straight. The shitters were no better. No protection at all. Prayers to my fellow vet.

[lynnper]

RIP. My prayers are with her loved ones

[walkerdarin]

Deployed to Fallujah feb 2006 to feb2007. I’ve got a brain tumor roughly 1 year according to my doc. Get checked out folks.

[Onus]

I’m glad the president talked about this earlier this year in one of his speeches

[sharonisaac]

My Sincere Condolences to Dr Kate's Family, May she Rest in Paradise❤💎👑

[Steve-xtze]

The military only takes care of their own. Once you're out. You are no longer one of them. My wife is a veteran and was one of those assigned to burn pits. And the VA doesn't help us. Thank God she doesn't have anything yet. But did lose the majority of her hair while serving Operation Iraqi Freedom.

[JayAr]

The development of systemic disease and subsequent injustice as a result of respirable particulates and toxic hydrocarbons is not confined to service personnel but affects civilian war workers, aerospace, and defense contractors, as well.

[sdsurfgirl]

Write Mitch McConnell and ask why he voted against the burn pit bill after assuring us he was supporting the bill.

[tim]

My unit was there in the same place in 03-04 we experienced these pits. Now I’m kinda worried.

[RealityAudits]

anyone know if burnpit rating allowed if you handled clothing and equipment returned from Qutar?

[TheOgrande]

I think I was exposed to burn pits during my deployment in Iraq.

[mute]

I mean what could wrong burning chemicals and plastics and whatever else in an open area 🙄 I wonder who came up with that bright idea..

[qmrn]

I hope this didn't effect any innocent Iraqi civilians.