As a soldier, Sgt. Chris Armstead of Edgecomb is familiar with burn pits. Beginning with his training at Fort Drum in New York to deployments in Haiti, Afghanistan and Kuwait, his duties included tending burn pits. 

Trash, animal carcasses, plastics and other hard to eliminate waste is placed into a barrel or an area designated for burn pits. The soldier then lights it on fire (I was taught to use diesel fuel to burn human waste in Haiti). After 20 years of military service, Armstead was declared 100% medically disabled after being diagnosed with colon cancer. For years, Armstead would wear heavy protective equipment in temperatures over 100F tending to the toxic burn pits. 

“My job was to stir it until it went away,” he said. “It was an indescribable smell. Dead carcass, burning plastic and diesel fuel.” 

In 2013, Armstead was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. His duties included working with students at a local school when he learned of an illness. His doctor called him on the phone: “I’m sorry, but you have colon cancer,” his military doctor said. 

This resulted in Armstead’s military retirement and 100% disability designation. In the past 50 years, Armstead’s story isn’t typical for other veterans afflicted with illnesses resulting from burn pits, Agent Orange and other overseas-related diseases. He said that these veterans haven’t received the health care support from the Veterans Administration or federal government to care for lingering illnesses. 

That was until Aug. 10 when President Joe Biden signed the PACT (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxic) Act. It expands veterans’ health-care eligibility to about 3.5 million people exposed to toxic burn pits while serving overseas. The VA has taken care of Armstead’s health care since his cancer diagnosis. He is ecstatic for his fellow ailing veterans, many who’ve fought the battle since returning home.

“This won’t impact me, but it makes me happy because it helps so many people, especially Vietnam veterans,” Armstead said. “They and their families have been fighting this for decades. This is going to fix a lot of problems, and it’s way overdue.” 

So who does Armstead praise for getting this legislation passed? It’s not a politician. “Jon Stewart for President! That’s all I gotta say.” Armstead credits Stewart’s passionate activism in bringing awareness to ailing veterans battling service-related illnesses. “None of his direct family is affected by this, but his passionate anger elevated this, and got it over the finish line.” 

Armstead believes the issue also educates the public about veterans’ health care. Prior to his illness, he believed veterans’ health care was 100% covered by the VA. “That is something a lot of people believe. I didn’t know otherwise until I became sick,” he said. 

As a veteran, Armstead would like to see the federal government expand health care benefits for all combat veterans. “If you have defended this country you deserve health care. All we have accomplished going back to World War 1 through Afghanistan was accomplished by our soldiers. When they return they have to fight for their benefits. It’s not right,” he said. 

Armstead praises the VA for his health care. He is especially grateful for the care he received at Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta. “I believe it’s the best in the country. I go there, and it’s great care. I don’t pay anything except for the gas to get there,” he said. 

Armstead would like to see other veterans receive the same treatment. “Look at what the politicians get for health care. Many never served in the military and they get the best benefits. It’s not right,” he said. 

Armstead is a Massachusetts native. After receiving post-surgery cancer treatment and surgery, he moved his family to Edgecomb. “My wife and I are both from New England. We wanted to return and took a three-week road trip to Edgecomb, and have been here ever since.”