A burning desire for help — and the truth

SANDUSKY — She enlisted herself for, arguably, the most important and difficult mission of her life.During the past two years, Sandusky resident Susan (Weber) Zeier has tirelessly campaigned to federal agencies — namely the U.S. Department of Defense and the VA — so they can recognize a connection between burn pits and diseases thousands of soldiers serving overseas in Middle East-based wars have contracted from them.But what are burn pits?And what stake does Zeier, a former New Departure employee, have in all of this?The severity of burn pitsA burn pit refers to an area on U.S. military bases, often in Afghanistan and Iraq, devoted to open-air combustion for various materials deemed unneeded or obsolete by a high-ranking officer."They burn military vehicles, human body parts, asbestos, biohazards, explosives, lithium batteries, paint cans, pesticides, cleaning supplies, fuel, trash and so much more," said Zeier, who has compiled hundreds of hours worth of research into burn pits.These items catch on fire for various reasons. Chief among them: A base's supreme commander doesn't want their enemies to somehow acquire these products."There are no landfills or recycling centers there, and the soldiers need to dispose of the waste somehow," she said. "They built some incinerators, but they cost too much money, so the military just uses burn pits."Many soldiers, including Zeier's son-in-law, inhaled this potent, ultra-toxic combination. The Register didn't name her son-in-law, honoring a request from him to keep his medical history private."He was deployed to Iraq from late 2006 through late 2007 and said he was only 70 yards from one of those burn pits," Zeier said. "At the end of 2016, he started having chronic nosebleeds. His nose would gush blood. Eventually, he started bleeding from his ears. He would have really bad coughs."Zeier's daughter, a licensed physical therapist doctor, grew overly concerned for her husband's well-being. They have one child together. It's also Zeier's grandchild.Within a few weeks, he saw about 10 acclaimed doctors — and none could properly diagnose him.Then, early on in 2017, he exhibited some terrifying conditions."His lymph nodes in his neck swelled up so bad that it was cutting out his airwaves," Zeier said. "He was rushed to the emergency room, where he was struggling to breathe. His larynx was being crushed by all the swelling."A doctor then asked a question no patient wants to hear: "What the hell have you been exposed to?" Zeier recalled from the conversation this doctor had with her son-in-law and daughter.Zeier's son-in-law somehow received stage four lung cancer without a primary tumor present."When you don't have a tumor, there is nothing to treat," Zeier said. "This form of cancer is so rare that they don't have statistics on it. He doesn't have a family history of smoking. It's only caused by toxic exposure. The doctor consulted with 20 oncologists to come up with a form of treatment, and not one had an idea."Doctors originally gave Zeier's son-in-law less than six months to live.Though, through extensive immunotherapy, which activates and/or suppresses the immune system, Zeier's son-in-law has, to date, fared quite well, living well beyond his predicted six-month lifespan. He still does face setbacks here and there but otherwise maintains good health."He is still battling the cancer. He is still undergoing treatments," Zeier said. "The treatments are what is keeping him alive, for now. They just don't know how long it will work."Overcome with emotionsAngered, depressed and frustrated with the situation, Zeier needed to somehow assist her daughter and son-in-law.So she would often leave Sandusky, traveling more than an hour to make herself available. When the pair went to doctors' offices and appointments, Zeier completed other tasks requiring attention."I was helping with their housework and chores and babysitting," she said. "But I wanted to do more. I needed to do more."And she did — right after reading an article appearing in an April edition of The Guardian. The British newspaper published one of the first non-military, widely distributed pieces on burn pits. The article contained a quote and statement greatly disturbing Zeier."The military claimed they had no responsibility for these burn pits or the diseases these soldiers suffer from," Zeier said. "They claim research doesn't show evidence of long-term health problems from burn pits and all these illnesses. I don't believe that. My whole family was so pissed off and so hurt about this."And then the VA's officials stance on burn pits, a two-paragraph entry on the department's website, further infuriated her."Burn pits were a common way to get rid of waste at military sites in Iraq and Afghanistan," the statement reads. "At this time, research does not show evidence of long-term health problems for exposure to burn pits. VA continues to study the health of deployed veterans.""That just shows their repetitive denial and continuation of turning a blind eye to what the government did," Zeier said. "They are spinning their wheels doing research to determine if they need to undergo more research, and, in the meantime, veterans are suffering and dying from serious medical conditions. These men and women don't have 'years' to wait for help."So she channeled all her negative energy into self-motivation: If doctors couldn't find a cure for her son-in-law, and if the VA — which barely acknowledges burn pits' existence, let alone their severity — wouldn't help, then Zeier believed she must step up and discover a solution satisfying victims.A one-woman mission for the truthZeier began reading every article she could on burn pits. She also subscribed to websites, such as Burn Pits 360, a nonprofit veterans organization dedicated to outreach and advocacy efforts related to burn pits. She then found comrades who shared similar stories, linking up with them to further her cause."The more I learned, and the more I connected with others, the more determined I became in knowing I needed to do something," Zeier said. "This became something more than helping my son-in-law. This is doing something for the thousands of veterans who are sick."Zeier's advocacy efforts reached beyond Sandusky: She's made four trips to Washington, D.C., since 2017 to raise awareness and rally support for burn pit victims.About two weeks ago, she finished collecting more than 1,000 signatures in support of federal officials hosting a congressional hearing, which, if approved, would allow impacted veterans suffering from burn pit-related symptoms, such as her son-in-law, to testify on Capitol Hill.To Zeier's knowledge, veterans have never been afforded an opportunity to speak in such a setting during an official on-the-record session."Our senators and congressional representatives aren't understanding the full impact of what this has done," Zeier said. "The VA tells them we have done research, and it shows there is no connection between the burn pits and all these illnesses. But if Congress can see these men and women, and hear their stories face-to-face during a public hearing, where they can present research that is not done by the government, that could help this cause and show a connection."Among one of Zeier's biggest supporters: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. Brown sits on the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which could establish this hearing."We will help your daughter, son-in-law and grandchild," according to a handwritten note written earlier this year by Brown addressed to Zeier. "Your voice matters."Earlier this year, when Zeier most recently visited Washington, D.C., she sported her son-in-law's Army jacket."I wear it because he can't be with me, at my side, when I'm fighting for him, so I'm carrying him on my back," Zeier said. "It's a sign for who this is about."Zeier's fully intent on ensuring all military personnel suffering from burn pit-related conditions receive fully funded care from the VA. She also wants the two federal departments, Defense and VA, to recognize the connection, which could open up funding streams and create more exposure for thousands of burn pit victims."I'd also like an apology," Zeier said. "As early as 2006, the military was aware that soldiers were being poisoned. It was documented in a leaked memo, and the military absolutely took no action. They continued to do it. It's illegal. It's criminal negligence. You can't have Ventra burning toxic substances and poisoning all the people that live in Margaretta Township. So why is this OK the military does this to American soldiers?"An outpouring of supportWhile, at times, Zeier feels like she's by herself advocating for burn pit victims, many people, both in and beyond Sandusky, support her efforts.Among a sampling taken from comments on threads from posts made by Zeier:• Ann Van Nort Your tenacity is amazing. Keep up the good work.• Daniel Weber: I appreciate how loving, supportive and (how) strong you are.• Donna Lasnowski: You are very brave, and I, as an American, are proud of what you are doing.• Belinda Tarter Price: It's beyond me how anyone could take offense at what you're doing. Frankly, your efforts affect not only those who've already served but those still serving as well as those yet to serve. Any injustice affects all.• Deborah Springstead Brown Susan, you have more supporters than not, so keep on keepin' on.• Sandy Keegan: You are a beautiful person inside and out. You have the fight in you for someone you love. You have the guts that others prayed they had. You are telling the truth, and this isn't just for your family. You are helping other families, too.• Rose Kurtz: Continue the work you are doing. You are a determined and courageous woman. God bless you for all that you are doing for your son-in-law and all the burn pit victims. Someone in that government needs to listen to you and do something about this.• Maryellen Hamernik: Susan, you are an inspiration. One strong and determined woman can move a mountain. All your letters and hard work. You are "SuperWoman," "SuperMother" (and in-law), "Super Grandmother" and "Super Activist." Thankful for all you do and wishing you strength to carry on.Want to sign a letter of support?Sandusky resident Susan (Weber) Zeier continues to collect signatures to raise awareness and rally support for burn pit victims. To sign a letter, email her at burnpits2018@gmail.com. She will attach documents people can print off and mail to the corresponding member of Congress.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Sandusky resident Susan (Weber) Zeier holds a poster board she created to show the impact of burn pits and how it has impacted her son-in-law, who served overseas in the military.For the past two years, Sandusky resident Susan (Weber) Zeier has led advocacy efforts to raise awareness for burn pits and their victims. Her son-in-law, who served overseas in the military, contracted a nearly lethal disease because of burn pits, a phrase when units engulf various hazardous materials.