Flaco Guapo Media 

Staff report

SAN ANGELO– A United States Congressman invited one local Del Rioan, and current San Antonio resident, Ms. Alejandra Hernandez, a former Amy veteran and other U.S. veterans to a community “Conversation on Veterans’ Burn Pit Exposure with Congressman, Joaquin Castro”

The “Conversation on Veterans’” which occurred on February 21, was “to address issues facing veterans exposed to toxic burn pits that were used by the military for waste disposal in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Alejandra, also known as Alex, a former Army veteran who was deployed to Iraq and Bosnia, served in the Army from 2001 – 2011.

In his remarks, Congressman, Castro, the chairman of the Hispanic Caucus, stated. “The gap is that if a service member passes away; or is too sick to register himself or her herself, a family member is not allowed to go and register for that person.” “So, this legislation would simply allow family members then to go register service members who have been affected by burn pits exposure.”

As a lawmaker, Castro believes it was his “moral responsibility” to take the lead and make sure that military service members and veterans were taken care of, “just as they cared for and protected U.S. national security abroad.”

Congressman,  Castro recently introduced several measures. The first one was The Family Member Access to Burn Pits Registry Act of 2019 (H.R. 1001). The second one was the Burn Pits Veterans Revision Act of 2019 (H.R. 1005).

Left-to-right: Tomas Larralde, Chief of Staff for State Senator, Jóse Mendez, U.S. Congressman, Joaquin Castro, Ms. Alejandra Hernandez, a former U.S. Army veteran and Anthony Amesquite (veterans). Mr. Larralde from Senator Mendez office, supports veterans also.

Castro personally met with Hernandez to get her views as well with others to discuss his proposed legislation. Hernandez is also personally involved in helping veterans. “We are asking that all veterans register and write letters to their congressman so this bill can get approved,” she said.