VBA & VAMC Town Hall Meeting

Dean W. Markuson 436 Tiffany Drive Hastings, MN 55033 Home Phone: (651) 438-2208 Email: deanrvnvet@aol.com Come Experience a More Connected Veteran Services The Minneapolis Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Administration Medical Center and the Veterans Center will host an event at Hastings National Guard Armory, , 3050 Red Wing Blvd (US 316) on 17 Jul, beginning at noon with the VA Veterans Center, and a Veterans Town Hall seminar at 5 PM.. This exhibition and seminar is designed to allow feedback from service members, veterans, family members and other stakeholders. We welcome input from Congressional stakeholders, Veterans service organizations, non-governmental organizations and other community partners. Caring for Veterans is a calling, and the 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. Seeking continual improvement and rebuilding trust among Veterans is critical, to continue listening and learning directly from those who use the system. What's the difference? The Veterans Benefits Administration administers a variety of benefits and services that provide financial and other forms of assistance to Service members, Veterans, their dependents and survivors, which includes Compensation, Education and Training, Home Loans., Life Insurance and Vocational Rehabilitation. The Veterans Health Administration operates the largest integrated health care system, with more than 1,700 hospitals, clinics, community living centers, domiciliary, readjustment counseling centers and other facilities. The Veterans Center Call Line is 1-877-WAR VETS (1.877.927.8387) is an around the clock confidential call center where combat Veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life. The staff is comprised of combat Veterans from several eras as well as family members of combat Veterans. The County Veteran Services provides benefit counseling, advice and assistance for veterans or their family members filing claims for state and/or federal benefits. The County also assists veterans and their families with a variety of other programs and provides referrals to community resources. A message from VAMC Director Patrick Kelley says “Be Kind. Everyone You Meet is Fighting a Hard Battle.” Maximizing technology to better serve Veterans is laudable, but more important are the efforts to personalize care and treat all Veterans as individuals. To that end, we have ramped up the Customer Service Program. Director Kelly is proud to lead an organization of over 4,000 employees and more than 1,200 volunteers, who work every day to provide the best care anywhere for 103,000 Veterans getting their care in Minneapolis or one of the Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Director Kelley thanks those Veterans who choose VA and recommit to making the Minneapolis VA Health Care System the best care anywhere. “Thank You” for the on-going service, support, and recognition, to provide the right service at the right time and at the right place. If you have any questions, please e-mail or call Military, Veteran, Family, Children and Grandchildren Service Provider Dean W. Markuson at (651) 438-2208, deanrvnvet@aol.com or Sandra Roy, Minneapolis VA Health Care System Public Affairs Specialist. Sandra.roy@va.gov, (612) 467-2102.