Fayetteville VA to sponsor veterans forums

Sept. 14--The Fayetteville VA will host two town hall meetings for veterans this week.

The meetings are part of a nationwide outreach effort announced by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald last month. They are scheduled Friday at 3 and 6 p.m.

McDonald directed all VA health care and benefits facilities to hold public forums by the end of September.

The meetings have a goal of allowing officials to hear directly from veterans across the nation.

Fayetteville VA officials said there will be two meetings to better handle the expected turnout at the crowded Fayetteville VA Medical Center campus on Ramsey Street.

Officials have said there are concerns about parking for the earlier forum, which is scheduled when the VA hospital is open.

The town hall meeting will be the first to bring local veterans and VA officials together in an open setting since June, when the American Legion hosted a similar meeting that attracted about 100 veterans.

That forum was held after a nationwide audit revealed the Fayetteville VA had some of the longest wait times for doctor's appointments in the nation.

"Caring for veterans is a calling, and our first commitment is to provide veterans and their families the timely, quality care and benefits they have earned and deserve through their service to our nation," McDonald, a former Fort Bragg soldier, said when he announced the meetings. "As we seek continual improvement and to rebuild trust among veterans, it is critical that we continue to listen and learn directly from those who use our system."

On Wednesday, Fayetteville VA officials announced they have signed leases for two much-needed clinics outside Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune.

In Fayetteville, a clinic will open at 3919 Breezewood Ave., Suite 101, near Raeford and Marlborough roads.

The clinic, expected to open by the end of October, will help improve care and reduce wait times for new and current patients, officials said.

McDonald directed each VA medical center and regional office to hold at least one town hall meeting by the end of the month.

Veterans service organizations and other community partners are welcome to attend, officials said.

Military editor Drew Brooks can be reached at brooksd@fayobserver.com or 486-3567.

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