{"id":71542,"date":"2022-11-11T13:59:33","date_gmt":"2022-11-11T13:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2022\/11\/11\/will-biden-award-the-medal-of-freedom-to-burn-pit-activists\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:02:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:02:11","slug":"will-biden-award-the-medal-of-freedom-to-burn-pit-activists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/veterans\/2022\/11\/11\/will-biden-award-the-medal-of-freedom-to-burn-pit-activists\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Biden award the Medal of Freedom to burn pit activists?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A prominent senator has joined numerous veterans advocates in their push to get the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to key figures in last summer\u2019s fight for expanded benefits for victims of burn pit smoke<\/a> and other military toxic exposure incidents<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a letter to the White House on the eve of Veterans Day, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand<\/a>, D-N.Y., asked President Joe Biden to consider granting the nation\u2019s top civilian honor to Burn Pits 360 founders Le Roy Torres and Rosie Torres<\/a>, as well as entertainer Jon Stewart<\/a> and activist John Feal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause of [their] tireless work, millions of American veterans and service members are eligible for life-saving care for injuries that occurred as a result of their service and sacrifice,\u201d she said. \u201cBecause of them, millions of Americans may have more precious time on this Earth with their loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey have shown how a small group of like-minded and passionate citizens can overcome any obstacle to transform millions of lives for the better, demonstrating the power of possibility that can only exist in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t