Gainesville, Va. – Twenty‑five years after the September 11 attacks, former Air Force officer Susan Lukas still feels the effects of the toxic dust that filled the Pentagon when she went back to work the day after the tragedy. Lukas, a mother of two, now lives in Fairfax County and has become the namesake of a federal bill that could help hundreds of former Pentagon employees.
Returning to a burning building
On September 12, 2001, Lukas drove along I‑395 past the scarred Pentagon, her throat burning from the acrid fumes. Inside, she found soot‑coated floors, a desk blanketed in debris, and a lingering headache that would not subside. Despite her children’s pleas to stay home, she reported for duty, following orders as a major in the Air Force.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told the nation the Pentagon would be “back in business” the next day, but officials could not guarantee the building’s safety. Air‑force officers and civilian staff were sent back into a maze of hallways still filled with silica‑laden dust, lead, and asbestos.
Long‑term health impact
Since that day, Lukas has suffered chronic throat irritation, persistent headaches, and breathing difficulties. She says many of the thousands who entered the Pentagon in the days after the attack have faced similar health problems, yet they remain excluded from the World Trade Center Health Program that aids 9/11 responders.
The Reserve Organization of America estimates that many Pentagon workers are still experiencing toxic‑exposure‑related illnesses. While the PACT Act expanded benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Pentagon personnel have not received comparable care.
Legislation named for Lukas
The Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act would extend Department of Veterans Affairs health care and disability benefits to anyone who returned to work inside the still‑smoking Pentagon after the attacks. Lukas hopes the bill will finally acknowledge the sacrifice of those who kept the nation’s defense hub running during a crisis.
“It affects my life every day,” Lukas told a reporter at her home. “People think you were exposed, you had problems, you got over it. It doesn’t work that way.”
Why the bill matters
Supporters argue the legislation aligns with the nation’s promise to care for those who serve, reinforcing family stability and honoring the faith‑based commitment many service members hold to protect their country. Critics worry about the cost to the federal budget, but the Trump administration has emphasized a strong, compassionate response to veterans’ needs.
As Congress debates the measure, Lukas and other affected workers await a decision that could bring much‑needed medical care and financial relief to families across the nation.
Original reporting: Las Cruces Sun News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
