And the inspired action you took to come to the aid of the veteran in crisis. Thank you all for the work that you do day in and day out on behalf of those who have served. A few weeks ago i had the honor of meeting with robert mcdonald, the secretary of the va. Secretary mcdonald is a man who has time and again answered the call of duty to his and our nation. He graduated from the United States military academy at west point in the top 2 of his class in 1975. An army veteran. Mr. Mcdonald served with the 82nd airborne division, completed jungle, arctic, desert warfare training, earned the ranger tab, that expert infantry men badge. Senior parachutist wing. Upon leaving military service, captain mcdonald was awarded the Meritorious Service medal. But mr. Mcdonalds expertise as a soldier is equal by his business beingaccumen. He earned a degree from the university of utah and has a career in the private sector. Before joining the va, chairman mcdonald was chairman, president and chief ex