Burn Pits 360 names 2026 Gala of Valor honorees, launches ticket promotion

Burn Pits 360 announced the full honoree slate for its 2026 Gala of Valor, set for Oct. 17 in San Antonio, and introduced a new congressional award recognizing lawmakers who advanced veterans health policy. The event will also spotlight the AIR CARE for Vets Act, with Reps. Juan Ciscomani and Chris Pappas among the honorees.

Why it matters: - Burn Pits 360 is using its signature fundraiser to spotlight lawmakers, clinicians, researchers, journalists and advocates tied to toxic-exposure care for veterans. - The new congressional award centers attention on veterans health policy beyond screening alone, especially earlier and more accurate diagnosis. - The gala also includes a ticket promotion tied to Hispanic Heritage Month.

What happened: - Burn Pits 360 announced the full slate of honorees for the 2026 Gala of Valor. - The gala is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio. - Burn Pits 360 introduced the Burn Pits 360 Congressional Advocacy Award for Veterans Health. - The event theme is “Where Heritage Meets Heroism,” in honor of items accepted by the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino earlier this year. - Individual tickets and tables are on sale now at galaofvalor.org.

The details: - The evening opens with a cocktail reception and Sip and Shop marketplace. - The program also includes dinner, a live and silent auction, and awards. - Dress is Texas formal, Spanish chic. - Rosie Torres, Burn Pits 360 executive director and co-founder, said the honorees are people who “refused to look away.” - Torres said lawmakers, doctors, journalists and volunteers all played roles in advancing care and accountability for the toxic-exposed community. - The new congressional award recognizes lawmakers whose legislative work expanded access to care, improved diagnosis or addressed long-term health effects from toxic exposure. - The inaugural congressional honorees are U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., and U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H. - Ciscomani and Pappas co-authored the AIR CARE for Vets Act. - The legislation builds on the Honoring Our PACT Act by aiming to bring 4D lung imaging technology into VA medical facilities. - The goal is to pair PACT Act toxic-exposure screenings with diagnostic tools that can detect disease earlier and more accurately.

Between the lines: - Burn Pits 360 is framing the gala as both a fundraising event and a public recognition campaign for the people pushing veterans health policy forward. - The new award signals that post-PACT Act advocacy is shifting toward diagnosis and treatment access, not just exposure screening. - The honoree list mixes political, medical, legal, research and media figures, underscoring the organization’s broad approach to veterans health advocacy.

What's next: - Burn Pits 360 will present the awards at the Oct. 17 gala. - The Oscar Wyatt Legacy of Valor Award remains to be announced. - The organization will continue promoting the gala and selling tickets and tables ahead of the event.

The bottom line: - Burn Pits 360 is turning its 2026 Gala of Valor into a public show of force for veterans health advocates, with a new award designed to keep pressure on Congress to improve diagnosis for toxic-exposed veterans.