Acting VA Secretary Peter O’Rourke engaged Veterans and legislative leadership at the 97th DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Convention in Reno, Nevada Saturday. Thousands of members along with their families and caregivers listened as he discussed critical issues that directly impact Veterans.
“I am making a personal commitment to you and ask the same of you,” O’Rourke said during his opening session speech, highlighting the importance of the work DAV members do to help the Veteran community and its partnership with VA.
O’Rourke also encouraged members to be a voice in helping to strengthen the noble mission of caring for disabled Veterans saying, “we (VA) are not really making a difference, unless we hear it from you, the results show what’s possible and we still need your input.”
During a public session, O’Rourke, along with the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman, addressed questions about the historic and transformative improvements being made at VA including the signing of the MISSION Act, consolidating community care programs and implementing the forever GI Bill. The video of that session is available here.
While in Reno, the acting secretary also visited with 14 female Veterans who were honored at the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System. The women, ages 25-100, were featured in a photo biography exhibit titled “Through Our Eyes – The Women Veteran’s Experience” as a part of Reno is Artown.
DAV National Commander Delphine Metcalf-Foster joined the acting secretary in recognizing the project, which is designed to raise awareness about women Veterans, their service to our nation and the broad spectrum of services VA provides them.
“Through Our Eyes – The Women Veteran’s Experience” exhibit.
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This month’s Center for Women Veteran Book Corner author is Army & Marine Corps Veteran Uquay E. Baker, who served in Military Police and communications roles from 1995-2006.
Chicago Vet Center and VA gave women Veterans information on VA services available to them.
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Where we live there is no place for my husband who is a Koren Vet and now with Louie body Dementia with the closest dementia unit care facility is at Amercain Lake WA they tell me they are all full but I know the biggest reason is there are not enough nurses to cover any more beds for our vets ….So what’s wrong with this picture our lovely Representative say their for our Veterans but are not willing to really help get more money so those who need to be in a Dementia unit can’t get in because if it’s not cost Prohibited then they will not hire.
I love my husband but it’s getting harder to take care of him…
So what issues were discussed? What were some of the solutions? What input has he heard?
Let’s hear more details.
I and many more vietnam vets that have disability clams are being ignored i have seen so many of my vet brothers suffer and die waiting for thier clams to be heard 7 to 10 years is to long we need help
Where I live near Coatesville Pennsylvania Coatesville is in facility in my area that helps females I’m a female veteran and without Coatesville I don’t know where I would go to get services I’m disabled and I need the help of Coatesville although they don’t take women to seriously there it’s all we have I do know that women need support and services more help in my area
my biggest part i’m interested in the convention did they address processing granted appeals faster than they do and why is it not yet addressed any concerns on time allotted on appeals processing. only promises that’s all the veterans hear. i’m glad that woman are now addressed for their service for their service.but we need more than promises to obtain time to just push off what should be done now,today. not next week or month or year.NOW.I’m a totally disabled vietnam veteran and its sours me to see these organization that are here to help us almost always at the Veterans Affairs mercy.none of us should answer to them they should be at our mercy and be answering to us. we served and did our duty. non the veterans affairs.please start doing for the veterans and fighting fully for their needs and rights, not just for publicity as so many of you organization do so you can gain noteriaty for your organizations.this is how alot of veterans feel today. see the organizations have the next century and beyond . the many vietnam veterans do not.