Veteran posthumously honored by Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame brings toxic exposure to light

LANCASTER − A veteran who died due to toxic exposure is being honored for his post-military service.

Heath Robinson, a former member of the Ohio Army National Guard and Fairfield County resident, is being posthumously honored by the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. He has been named to the Class of 2023 for his post-military service.

Robinson served in the 285th medical support company for the Ohio National Guard and was deployed to Kosovo in 2004. He later deployed to Iraq from 2006 to 2007. When he returned home, he remained with the medical support company.

In 2012 and 2013, Robinson competed in and won the noncommissioned officer and soldier of the year Best Warrior competition.

Shortly after his performance in the Best Warrior competitions, Robinson began to experience trouble breathing. After seeing multiple doctors, he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and a rare autoimmune disorder. Despite only being given four to six weeks to live, Robinson continued to fight his battle for three years before he passed away on May 6, 2020.

According to his wife, Danielle Robinson, Heath had been around burn pits in Kosovo and Iraq. Exposure to burn pits has contributed to health complications for veterans across the country, which has led to Danielle and others becoming advocates at a nationwide level.

"During Heath's cancer battle we had come across an organization called Burn Pits 360," said Danielle. "We began learning more information about advocacy and trying to get legislation for veterans that were coming down with toxic exposure illnesses."

Burn Pits 360 is a non-profit Veterans organization. According to their website, their mission is to reintegrate, restore, and build resilience through facilitating the unmet needs of warriors and their families through outreach, advocacy, education and research.

After becoming more involved in Burn Pits 360 and advocacy around the issue in general,

"When Heath passed away, my mother and I vowed to carry on his fight and his battle and to go to Capitol Hill and be advocates for Burn Pits 360," said Danielle.

Danielle was brought to the State of the Union by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden as a guest. She said that her goal in advocating on behalf of Burn Pits 360 in Washington D.C. was to spread awareness about burn pit exposure.

"We wanted soldiers to learn more about some of their symptoms they were experiencing," said Danielle. "A lot of veterans that were coming down with toxic exposure illnesses were having a lot of respiratory issues and they were being diagnosed with asthma or being misdiagnosed. So, we wanted to educate other soldiers and veterans about toxic exposure side effects and symptoms."

Due to the advocacy of Danielle, Burn Pits 360, and more, legislation was passed to help veterans experiencing similar struggles to Heath. In his honor, the legislation was named TheSergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

Danielle said that it means a lot to the Robinson family to see Heath honored by the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.

"It honestly means the world to our family," said Danielle. "Heath wasn't able to be a voice and do as much as he would have liked to do. His dying wish was that his brothers and sisters be taken care of if anything were to happen to them like it did him. So, we wanted to carry that on for him."

"I would say he's just honored to know that his dying wish is getting fulfilled and that he's going to be remembered for the battle of a lifetime that he had to fight," said Danielle. "It means a lot for our daughter as well to see her daddy remembered as a hero."

Danielle said that she believes that Heath was selected for the Hall of Fame because of the incredible battle he fought against his illness over the years, as well as his strength to remain a helping hand through the sickness. She also said that his victories in the Best Warrior competitions most likely contributed to his induction.

"Even when he was sick and ill, he was still going into his unit and helping do extra stuff," said Danielle. "He still did tasks to help his other veterans and soldiers even though he was being medically separated."

With his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, there will be a constant reminder of Heath and the movement that came from his battle enshrined in the state's history.

All 20 members of the class will be honored during the annual Induction Ceremony at the Fawcett Center for Tomorrow (2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus) on the campus of The Ohio State University at 10 a.m., Nov. 9.

Aaron Burd is a breaking news and government reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him via email at AMBurd@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @AaronMBurd.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame honors man lost to toxic exposure illness