Comedian Jon Stewart is most well-known for manning the desk of The Daily Show from 1999 to 2015. However, stepping away from the Emmy-winning show, Stewart has set his sights on activism.
Recently, video of his impassioned, and ultimately successful, plea to members of Congress to continue providing funding to help 9/11 first responders made the rounds on the internet.
Now, Stewart has his sights set on helping veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who are struggling with the effects of toxic burn pits.
A new PSA released by the organization Burn Pits 360 features Stewart discussing the initiative.
The PSA itself has a connection to the Lebanon Valley: the script for the PSA was written by Sovanna Mam, a graduate of Annville-Cleona High School, and current resident of Dauphin County.
Mam and his producing partner, Palmyra grad Mike Sanchez, spent time working on the campaign at Mam’s family business, The Union Beer House on Cumberland Street in Lebanon.
Mam is the executive producer on a documentary about the toxic burn pits.
You can see the PSA below:
Currently, Burn Pits 360 is the only non-profit veterans organization that is advocating for those affected by toxic exposures during deployment.
“We are so grateful and honored to have such a powerful and influential voice to advocate on behalf of the millions of US Vets who are suffering from this silent and debilitating illness,” said Rosie Torres, founder of Burn Pits 360, in a press release about the PSA.
“Jon’s fight to get the 9/11 first responders the appropriate funding to cover their health-related issues was powerful, and we hope his voice will do the same for our post 9/11 war heroes.”
Burn Pits 360 has a registry of over 6,000 affected veterans.
For more information visit www.burnpits360.org.