Tampa Bay Rays, VA Partner for VetFest Event at the Trop

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the Tampa Bay Rays, will host a PACT Act VetFest event, Saturday, Aug. 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Veterans and families do not need to sign up or register for this event ahead of time.

VetFest is being held to educate and inform Veterans about the PACT Act and to provide onsite services to include VA health care enrollment, toxic exposure screenings, VA claims assistance, VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center, women’s health, mental health, whole health, Vet Center and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to enter drawings for free game tickets and branded items, compliments of the Rays.

Representing VA at the event will be personnel from the St. Petersburg Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office, along with teams from the VISN 8 Network Office, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and Vet Center. 

“When we think of partnership, community, and Veteran support, no one does it better than the Rays,” said David B. Isaacks, FACHE, Director, VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8). “We’re honored to have Tropicana Field host this event, and just like the Rays have done all season, we’re looking to make some noise and put some large numbers on the scoreboard.”

VA is making a big push as the one-year anniversary of the PACT Act approaches on August 9. VA and Tampa Bay Rays leaders alike are hopeful the VetFest event at Tropicana Field will rally Veterans and families to take advantage of the opportunity to enroll for VA health care, submit claims related to toxic exposures, and benefit from other services.

 “The Tampa Bay Rays are grateful to the many active duty service members, Veterans and their loved ones for their commitment to serving our nation,” said Tampa Bay Rays President Matt Silverman. “We are honored to host this event in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help share information about the PACT Act and help provide access to health care resources.”

More about the PACT Act

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act, signed into law in Aug. 2022, expanded Department of Veterans Affairs health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. It is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. To learn more, please visit: www.va.gov/pact

VISN 8 Office of Communication and Stakeholder Relations