Affairs adviser for concerned veterans for america. Joseph violante, National Legislative director of disabled american veterans. Mr. Bill raush who is missing in action right now. Or awol. Political director for iraq and afghanistan veterans of america, and carlos fuentes, senior legislative associate for the veterans of foreign wars. Well start with you, mr. Butler. Chairman, Ranking Member blumenthal, and distinguished members of the committee, on behalf of our national commander, michael ham, and the 2. 3 million members of the American Legion, we thank you for this opportunity to testify regarding the American Legions views of the progress of the veterans Choice Program. The American Legion supported the veterans access choice and accountability act of 2014 as a means of addressing emerging problems within the department of veterans affairs. Va wait times for appointment medical care had reached an unacceptable level nationwide as veterans struggle to receive access to Timely Heal
Chair man of the House Veterans Affairs committee. Youre watching live coverage on cspan 3. After hearing from myself, chairman blumenthal and acting Ranking Member heller, id like to ask all other Committee Members to waive their Opening Statements. There is going to be an opportunity for remarks following testimony today. Hearing no objections so order. Its an honor for me to be here this afternoon with so many dav members and i thank you all for coming to the hill once again. Due to the hard work and dedication of vavs 1. 4 million members, especially dav Service Officers, veterans are provided with professional benefit counselling and claims assistance and transportation to and from Va Health Care facilities. Dav also assists with Transition Assistance Services and onsite care at military treatment facilities, Va Medical Centers and clinics and at home. Thats just to name a few of the many programs that you, dav, provides every single day. Ive witnessed many of these efforts first
Serviceconnected disability compensation, safe and High Quality Health Care and prompt access to earned benefits. It demands that in dealing with the department of Veterans Affairs, veterans be treated with the dignity and professionalism that is earned through Honorable Service to our nation. The need for oversight is crucial. But it is the need for accountability that is paramount. Speaking directly to th must set the example. True leaders lay out clear expectations, putst others in positions to succeed, they follow through, and most importantly hold themselvess accountable for their actions of the follow me. That is the motto of the infantry. Yet those word can be easily translated to okayizational leadership at va. When there is a mission to be accomplished those who put themselves on the line are the leaders that others want to follow. And, it iacs a lack of accountability that corrodes trust within a chain of command. That said, an undeniable, widespread, simtic lack of accountab
In afghanistan and iraq have changed the face of veterans day in america. Our phone lines are open now so you can give us a call. Host and we have a special line for veterans this morning host and catch up on social media at twitter, facebook, and email us. It is veterans day in the United States, and i want to lead with three different stories about the three different eras of veterans from three different papers today. Here is the Washington Times this morning. The headline reunion poignant for world war ii veterans. That story notes the host when the retirement army for slim tenant went to his first reunion at the 30th Infantry Division, those who landed on the beaches of normandy and fought across spansion germany, he was greeted by a thousand other veterans. Host another generation of veterans is looked at in the Christian Science monitor today. The vietnam era veterans. 40 years after americas most controversial war began to wind down, more vets seek closure and reconciliation. F
Intelligence threats, cyber terrorism, and edward snowden. This is a little more than an hour. This is a list you do of accomplishments of a man and i have to recite them but i will go really fast. He was a white house fellow and he had the experience of working with the National Security council with such deadheads as Henry Kissinger whats the generals name . General brent snowcroft. He had three major positions in the senate including being the Administrative Assistant chief of staff, International Policy advisor to chris dodd. And a stint with robert byrd, one of the great characters of american politics. There are few companies he did not touch. Im sorry. He had such power that he moved their headquarters from texas to greenwich, which was quite amazing. He was assistant dean of the Fletcher School of law and policy and director of communications for the number one position or place in intelligence in the United States of america. Most recently as the Communications Director of the