Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Speaks In Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The new leader of the United States Department of Veteran Affairs is vowing to improve the services the agency provides.
Secretary Robert Wilkie was in Minneapolis Wednesday morning where he spoke at the 100th National Convention of the American Legion.
Secretary Wilkie described his connection to military veterans. His father was an injured combat soldier.
"One of the most traumatic days of my life was being told my father had been terribly wounded in the invasion of Cambodia in 1970. I was 6," Wilkie said.
Wilkie says he's committed to improving health care services and options.
"My prime directive is customer service. When a veteran comes to VA, it is not up to him to employ a cauldron of lawyers to get VA to say yes," Wilkie said. "It's up to VA to say yes."
Wayne Satrom is from West Fargo, North Dakota, and attended the convention.
"That's what we need -- you need to have customer service, there is no doubt about it," Satrom said. "And with the private sector, that's what the private sector expects. Well, the military expects the same thing."
Michelle Deems is a Navy veteran who suffered a back injury during her military career.
"We have a lot of wounded veterans in the community, amongst our troops and comrades," Deems said. "They are all wounded, and it does mean a lot when he understands with his own personal experience."
