White City, Ore. — Veterans from across the area will attend a town hall meeting Monday night hosted by the American Legion to discuss issues facing veterans and the role of the Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics in White City.
The meeting followed the scandal involving the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and serious delays in medical appointments and claims backlogs.
A subsequent investigation nationwide found poor reviews for S.O.R.C.C.
Bob Huff is the Veterans Representative for the Southern Oregon American Legion. He said the allegations of long wait times and hospital scheduling issues are what prompted them to hold the meeting.
“People need to say what’s good and what needs to be improved,” Huff said.
Huff said veterans and VA representatives will attend the meeting at Jackson County Parks and Roads Auditorium at 7:00 p.m.
He also said despite the complaints, most of his American Legion Veterans are satisfied with the work the VA is doing.
WWII Marine Veteran Delbert Littrell isn’t with the American Legion, but he agrees with Huff.
Littrell said he visits the VA Clinic in White City often and believes they’re doing a good job with the amount of work they have to do.
“You must remember they serve over 17,000 people. They’re busy!” Littrell said.
He and Huff both hope that the open dialogue spurs action and improves the V.A. even more.
“If everyone gets together they can get things done better than one at a time,” Littrell said.
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