An American Legion System Worth Saving town hall in Columbia, SC. Photo by Henry Howard
Sacramento will be the site of The American Legion’s first System Worth Saving (SWS) visit this year. Military veterans in California’s capital city are invited to share their experiences with the Sacramento VA during the SWS town hall on Monday, March. 6.
During the town hall, American Legion officials, VA staff and others will be on hand to address issues and questions raised by veterans related to their VA health-care experiences.
“I am looking forward to my first System Worth Saving town hall in my new role, especially because it is in my home state of California,” said Autrey James, new chairman of The American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission, who will moderate the question and answer session. “This is a critical part of our mission to serve all our nation’s veterans. The town hall is an opportunity for veterans to share their experiences with the VA health-care system. We then take their input and work hand-in-hand with VA representatives to improve VA health care on behalf of all the men and women who have sacrificed in their service to our great nation.”
The town hall, which starts at 6 p.m., will be held at 2784 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, home of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 67 and American Legion Post 391. American Legion members from Post 233 in Elk Grove are handling logistics for the event. Post 233 Commander James Burton will open and close the event.
The event is free, and no prior registration or RSVP is necessary. However, veterans are invited to submit questions beforehand via this web page: legion.org/systemworthsaving/townhall.
The American Legion launched SWS in 2003 as a way to work with VA to improve health care for veterans. Each year, the Legion’s Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission conducts a series of site visits to VA medical facilities and regional offices across the country. While on site, American Legion representatives meet with veterans, their families and VA administrators and employees to discuss issues and solutions at each site. These observations are compiled into a report that is distributed to VA officials, members of Congress and the public.
Additional SWS visits are planned this year for Tuscaloosa, Ala., Harlingen, Texas, and Wyoming. More details will be forthcoming.
Author: National HQ
Published with permission. The American Legion is built on a promise from men and women who swore with their lives to defend and protect the United States through military service. The promise begins at enlistment, grows through training and discipline in the U.S. Armed Forces and continues after discharge, as veterans in service to community, state and nation.
