Local News

Asbestos exposure may still have an impact on North Carolina veterans’ health

7World War II sparked an unprecedented asbestos demand in the U.S. military as affordable materials were highly sought for equipment production. All five branches resorted to durable asbestos products, and it put many service members at risk of asbestos exposure, especially those of the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Today’s growing number of veterans' toxic exposure cases mirror the health risks they assumed aside from the challenges of service.
Asbestos was widely used in most industries, so nobody considered asbestos dust a health threat.
It is why asbestos diseases still are a concern for all veterans who might have asbestos fibers in their lungs, including those in Cumberland County's veteran community and Fayetteville’s veteran population. Because ships needed insulation from bow to stern, the Navy required vast quantities of this fire-resistant material.
Thus, personnel of vessels built before the 1980s were at a very high risk of asbestos exposure. This fact, however, doesn't diminish the exposure risks of military base personnel throughout the state. Toxic contaminants are health and environmental risks on military sites, and exposure to these dangerous substances is a severe issue requiring more attention, investigation, and, in most cases, immediate action after discovery. North Carolina hosts eight active military bases from all the branches except the Navy.
Among them is Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, an infamous case of decades-long unabated contamination. Even if the toxins in the water aren’t related to asbestos, the hazardous mineral insulated facilities throughout the base.
Veterans’ slowly declining health after asbestos exposure
Vets worked and lived near asbestos products while in the military, unaware of these materials' danger. Wear and tear breaks asbestos into microscopic particles that can float in the air for hours. It’s the white dust many veterans remember. Asbestos fibers are easily inhaled or ingested, and their sharp edges cause irreversible damage to organ tissue. Furthermore, asbestos-related diseases produce symptoms only after decades beyond the initial exposure.
While veterans may not have health issues during their service, some of them have to face the effects of asbestos exposure when diagnosed with severe illnesses linked to it, like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
Those routinely in contact with asbestos products during service must continuously fight for their health. Many must acknowledge that their disease will shorten their lives, as no existing treatment can reverse the damage done by asbestos fibers. Today’s medical procedures can only slow the evolution, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications.
With North Carolina ranking 39th nationwide for the rate of new lung cancer cases and 13th highest in the country for deaths related to asbestos exposure, veterans should protect their health with regular medical examinations. Timely detection is crucial in asbestos-related diseases because it considerably improves treatment results and prolongs life expectancy.
That is why vets should proactively attend periodical check-ups and stay informed by learning their legal rights.
Being open with doctors about military service and potential asbestos exposure is vital in receiving a correct diagnosis. Inhaled asbestos fibers injure the lungs first, so veterans should take chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests to reveal any damage caused by them. These tests are also reliable tools in diagnosing benign and malignant asbestos conditions.
Veterans who know they’ve served in a contaminated environment or those who suspect they’ve been exposed to asbestos should know their rights and options. Compensation programs and legal avenues are available through asbestos trust funds and Veterans Affairs to help those affected by asbestos exposure, and veterans need to be informed about these resources.
Help for North Carolina veterans and their families through the PACT Act
In 2022, the 117th U.S. Congress enacted the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, known as the PACT Act. The new law delivered improvement in health care and compensations for veterans exposed to toxic sub-stances.
The Act extends eligibility for V.A. health care for retired military members exposed to harmful substances during active duty and aims to provide veterans with the care and benefits they deserve.
Thanks to this new law, approximately 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans are eligible for extended VA benefits. Since the passage of the PACT Act, nearly 6 million veterans have been screened for toxic exposure, and more than 1.3 million vets have been approved for expanded benefits.
In North Carolina, approximately 74,000 veterans have filed PACT Act claims, and over 7,000 veterans received expanded benefits. Cumberland County veterans can consult more information by accessing https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/.

Editor's note: Cristina Johnson is a Navy veteran advocate for Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit whose primary mission is to raise awareness and educate veterans about the dangers of asbestos exposure on Navy ships and assist them in navigating the VA claims process. For more information, please visit their webpage at https://www.asbestos-ships.com/

(Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jarrod A. Schad)

FTCC’s innovative program bridges gap in secondary education

19aFayetteville Technical Community College’s High School Central Sterile Processing Program aims to bridge the gap between secondary education and the healthcare industry. Students gain the essential skills needed to thrive in one of the most critical areas of healthcare – Central Sterile Processing.
As the demand for highly trained sterile processing professionals continues to grow, FTCC’s program offers a practical solution to build a skilled workforce pipeline. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for sterile processing technicians will continue to grow at an increasing rate.
The High School Central Sterile Processing Program is the first of its kind in our service area. It offers high school seniors in the Cumberland County School District a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a highly specialized field.
Through classroom instruction and practical training, students will learn the intricate processes involved in cleaning, sterilizing, and managing surgical instruments and equipment. The program will allow high school seniors an excellent foundation for those interested in exploring and advancing into other healthcare roles, as the program provides a solid footing in infection control and patient safety. In addition, allowing students to have a stackable credential, such as the certification in sterile processing, instills a sense of accomplishment and confidence.
High school graduates enter the workforce knowing they have valuable, validated skills they worked hard to attain, achieved personal growth, and obtained a sense of pride in their achievements. More importantly, this confidence can positively impact their academic motivation and self-esteem as they prepare for life after high school.
This innovative program has received enthusiastic support from local hospitals that recognize the importance of training a new generation of healthcare workers to address the current and future workforce gap.
The program is also a vital community resource, strengthening the healthcare system by preparing skilled entry-level professionals. In addition to gaining job-ready skills, students are also able to save on college tuition costs through the dual-enrollment structure established between FTCC and Cumberland County Schools. This format offers significant financial advantages for both families and students, which allows students to earn college credits for free or at a reduced rate while still in high school.
As the department chair for this program, I can share with potential students that this program is a game-changer for high school seniors.
It opens doors for dual enrollment, allowing seniors to earn high school and college credits before graduation and thereby save themselves and their parents significant dollars in achieving a college degree. The bottom line is our graduates gain real-world experiences, a professional certification, and complete a pathway into a growing and high-demand, good-paying career.
Students interested in enrolling in the program are encouraged to contact FTCC’s Department of Surgical Services or Student Services.
As the program continues to grow, it is expected to serve as a role model for other communities that are looking to address the healthcare workforce shortages through innovative educational initiatives.
These initiatives exemplify how education and industry collaboration can open the doors for unlimited possibilities for young professionals while strengthening the healthcare system. I invite you to reach out at herringt@faytechcc.edu or contact an admissions counselor who specializes in assisting students interested in healthcare programs of study at healthproadmissions@faytechcc.edu.

Create meaningful connections, moments this holiday season

19The holiday season is a wonderful time for family connection, full of opportunities to create lasting memories. However, it can also bring stress and emotional challenges. This December, we’re focusing on ways to strengthen family engagement and well-being, helping families enjoy special moments together while prioritizing mental health.
Family Time: Simple, Fun Ways to Connect
Family bonding doesn’t have to be complex. Simple activities can create the most cherished memories. Storytime is one way to connect, especially with younger children. Gather around with a favorite holiday book and take turns reading aloud, letting everyone savor the magic of storytelling.
Looking for more ways to keep kids engaged over the holiday break? Here are ten ideas that combine fun and family connection:
1. Holiday Crafting: Create holiday-themed crafts or homemade gifts.
2. Baking Together: Cooking as a family is fun and teaches kids new skills.
3. Volunteer as a Family: Serving together, like donating toys or helping at a shelter, teaches kids the value of giving.
4. Family Movie Night: Pick a favorite holiday film and have a cozy night.
5. Nature Walks: Fresh air and exercise make for refreshing outings.
6. Holiday Scrapbook: Capture memories of holiday moments in a family scrapbook.
7. Board Games and Puzzles: Turn off screens for some classic game time.
8. DIY Decorations: Let kids make decorations, from paper snowflakes to garlands.
9. Visit Local Holiday Events: Parades, light displays and markets make for festive outings.
10. Write Letters to Loved Ones: Sending cards or letters brings joy to both sender and receiver.
These activities build togetherness while fostering creativity, empathy and active engagement.
Staying Mindful of Mental Health
While the holidays are a joyful time, they can also bring unique pressures.
With additional activities and higher expectations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Take time to check in with yourself and others, remembering that not everyone may feel festive. Setting boundaries, taking breaks and asking for help are all part of healthy holiday self-care.
Whether spending quality time with family or seeking mental health support, the holidays are a time for kindness toward ourselves and others.
This year, let’s prioritize joyful memories, nurturing connections and a balanced approach to holiday activities and well-being. A season filled with love, understanding and support is truly the best gift we can share.

Wisdom Waterice brings authentic Philly treat to Fay

17Every part of the country has its unique cuisine, snacks, local delicacies and favorites. The West Coast is known for its unique and sometimes quirky take on American classics, and its large Hispanic population has made it the taco capital of America. The Midwest boasts a bounty of hearty and flavorful favorites, including bratwurst, deep-dish pizzas, and Kansas City-style Barbeque. The South’s contributions amass in calories and flavors, bringing its variations of barbeque, rich casseroles, and pies of all assortments. The North brings thin-crust pizza, bagels (made with NYC water), cheesesteaks, and water ice.
One of the best things about living in Fayetteville is its diverse population, with some of these favorites in the city for all to enjoy. Wisdom Waterice is a locally owned father-daughter-run business delivering the classic Philly snack to the area. Water Ice is the regional variation of Italian ice, with a slightly different consistency. While the unrefined taste palettes of those not born in the area, one would think they were the same, but water ice is distinctively Philadelphia and natives will kindly let you know.
Owner and Philadelphia native, Christopher Irvin, explains, “Water ice is a great fun flavorful treat for the spring and summertime. We grew up eating water ice in Philadelphia where it originated. Water ice is made with three key components, water, sugar, and flavoring.”
Bringing the cold, portable snack to the city has been a successful venture for the businessman, who originally started the business to build something with his daughter that could be passed on for generations. Water ice has been well received in Fayetteville. Wisdom Waterice can be found at just about every major event in the area. This past season saw them at several Festival Park events and the Cumberland County Fair. Just look for the trailer with the brightly colored cute cartoon version of Irvin’s daughter, Wisdom, to secure a cup of the cool treat.
“Now that water ice [is] served here in Fayetteville, we look to continuously season after season supply, serve, and deliver quality, Philadelphia water ice, in every scoop and serve. If anyone is looking to purchase or stop by Wisdom Waterice we post our locations daily on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. To book Wisdom Waterice you can email us at WisdomWaterice@gmail.com for your event or party. We want the community to know that when they are looking for the ‘real cool down’ as we say, ‘The cold down starts here,’ and a fun treat the whole family can enjoy together,” Irvin said.
Irvin is grateful for the community's outpouring of support and thankful for those who have helped him in this venture, saying, “I want to absolutely thank God for putting this business venture in my life, showing me the vision and the ways to serve this community. I also want to thank LaTonya my partner and Julie my other partner for trusting and believing that water ice would do well here and be accepted here as well as my daughter Wisdom. She’s been the face of this business and as her father, I hope and pray that when I’m long gone, she will continue to serve Wisdom water ice, and bless her for life. The one thing I’ve learned along this journey is that if the people love your product, love your service, you’ll always have faithful and continuous customers.”

(Photo courtesy of Wisdom Waterice Facebook page)

Heels Headquarters brings heel dancing to Fayetteville

9Famed American dancer and choreographer Martha Graham once said, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.” Those who have stepped foot on a dance floor will attest to this sentiment. Ballet, ballroom, hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, and tap; if you can think of it, you can find a class in Fayetteville. The traditional forms of dance are not the only options.
Heel dance is a more modern dance form that has recently increased in popularity as social media highlights videos and reels of students and instructors enjoying an end-of-class choreographed dance.
Bettania “Bethany” Young is the owner of Heels Headquarters, Fayetteville’s only Heels dance studio. Young, a Hawaii native, has been active duty for 10 years and was stationed at Fort Liberty a year and a half ago. She started Heels Headquarters last September, growing every month and adding new classes and instructors.
Heel dancing incorporates several types of dance: heels, and high-energy movement and music. Young was introduced to heel dancing five years ago in San Antonio, Texas. She fell in love with the dance style and unexpectedly with herself again. Heels danced into Young’s life when she was not feeling the best about herself, especially as a new mother. This has been the driving force behind her offering heel dancing to the Fayetteville and Fort Liberty area.
“Heels Headquarters intent is to promote confidence. The whole intent was just to provide a space for people who were interested in exploring a new art form of dance,” she said. “If they think that dance is just something they can enjoy and have fun with, then I would be providing that space and half of it would be a fun experience, half of it would be a training experience.”
Those who have seen the various heel dancing videos online, know that it can be a little intimidating. Young doesn’t want that to deter people from coming in and trying at least one class. In San Antonio, Young is a popular heel dancer.
“I trained really hard for the past two years, where I just constantly took classes, and I spent so much money on classes [it’s] ridiculous. I went to a minimum of two classes a week. Then I started dancing a lot. I started getting recognized in San Antonio, so people started asking me to be a part of their showcases, their dance visual concepts, and some videos. So I was just like wow, I never thought that people would look at me that way, but they did. I finally produced my own video,” Young explained.
Bringing heel dancing to Fayetteville has been a great choice, as the women and men in the city have been filing into classes.
“Most women do like the atmosphere that we provide so I’ve been really happy about how it’s been going. The whole intention is just to build your confidence and that can do a lot for a military spouse. If you want to learn more about dance, and how to move your body and get retention going on with your mind, and retaining that choreo that we teach you, then that also helps in other beneficial ways [outside of dance]. In heels, you could use any style and make it into a heel style. So that’s the beauty [of] exploring heels. Just because you can do whatever is you feel, your niche,” Young said.
You can follow Heels Headquarters on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/byoungheelshq. For class schedule and to register visit the website at Heels Headquarters. Classes are held at 2700 Breezewood Avenue.

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