America is honoring the 41 million citizens who have put on a uniform since the first shots were fired during the American revolution in 1775.
Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie spoke at the White House on Nov. 8, just days before Veterans Day. Wilkie gave an update on the progress his department is making to offer better service to America’s heroes.
Wilkie touched on improved satisfaction rates for VA care facilities, veterans’ new access to urgent care, and the launch of the MISSION Act.
“We finally give veterans the option of going into the private sector, if VA cannot provide them the healthcare that they need, or they live too far away from a VA Health Center that would not be conducive to their needs or their family’s needs,” Wilkie said.
Wilkie commended President Donald Trump for staying true to his commitments by authorizing of the largest budget in the history of the Veterans Affairs Department: $220 billion for 400,000 employees.
Trump is set to follow up the briefing with his attendance at the New York City Veterans Day Parade on Monday, Nov. 11.
The event marks the first time a U.S. president will have attended what is the nation’s largest Veterans Day parade.
Reporting by NTD News
