SVA Reaffirms Support for Secretary Shinseki
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Placido Salazar [email protected] SVA Reaffirms Support for Secretary Shinseki There are a lot of things which perhaps General Eric Shinseki, or anybody else in his position, could do to improve a gigantic mess, such as the one he inherited from previous corrupt VA officials – but it’s apparent that this writer is totally unfamiliar with VA Secretary Shinseki’s every -day operati on. We have met wit h him on several occasions and know that he is a very accessible official. Has he delivered on everything tha t asked? No, he has not, but I believe that there are several hundred congressmen to blame for that; namely, the full-service 24/7 VA hospital in The Rio Grande Valley. At the VA headquarters in DC, there is a specially-designated elevator for the VA Secretary to use, but Shinseki takes the public-use elevator with everybody else to the cafeteria and sits down unannounced at various tables with Veterans to discuss whatever they choose to discuss. As for the “unemployed Veterans” issue – the blame for that belongs at the Dept of Labor and other areas responsible for the totally unbalanced trade with China, which began in the George W. administrat ion. It seems that almost 90% of the merchandise at Wal-Mart, Sears, Macy’s or the BX, is “MADE IN CHINA, Vietnam, Indonesia” etc., including the durable equipment or diabetic shoes issued by the VA. So, not just Veterans, but American workers in general, are unemployed because of all the jo bs which were shipped to China and other countries . THAT – I don’t believe Shinseki had any control over…… so, I don’t know is this reporter’s ignorance qualifies him to demand Shinseki’s resignat ion. Placido Salazar, USAF Retired Vietnam Veteran Veterans’ Legislation Liaison Dr. Hector P. Garcia American GI Forum Org
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7/29/2019 SVA Reaffirms Support for Secretary Shinseki
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Placido Salazar
SVA Reaffirms Support
for Secretary Shinseki
There are a lot of things which perhaps General Eric Shinseki, or anybody else in
his position, could do to improve a gigantic mess, such as the one he inherited
from previous corrupt VA officials – but it’s apparent that this writer is totally
unfamiliar with VA Secretary Shinseki’s every-day operation. We have met with
him on several occasions and know that he is a very accessible official. Has hedelivered on everything that asked? No, he has not, but I believe that there are
several hundred congressmen to blame for that; namely, the full-service 24/7 VA
hospital in The Rio Grande Valley.
At the VA headquarters in DC, there is a specially-designated elevator for the VA
Secretary to use, but Shinseki takes the public-use elevator with everybody else to
the cafeteria and sits down unannounced at various tables with Veterans to
discuss whatever they choose to discuss.
As for the “unemployed Veterans” issue – the blame for that belongs at the Dept
of Labor and other areas responsible for the totally unbalanced trade with China,
which began in the George W. administration. It seems that almost 90% of the
merchandise at Wal-Mart, Sears, Macy’s or the BX, is “MADE IN CHINA, Vietnam,
Indonesia” etc., including the durable equipment or diabetic shoes issued by the
VA. So, not just Veterans, but American workers in general, are unemployed
because of all the jobs which were shipped to China and other countries. THAT – I
don’t believe Shinseki had any control over…… so, I don’t know is this reporter’s
ignorance qualifies him to demand Shinseki’s resignation.
Placido Salazar, USAF Retired Vietnam Veteran
Veterans’ Legislation Liaison
Dr. Hector P. Garcia American GI Forum Org
7/29/2019 SVA Reaffirms Support for Secretary Shinseki
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From: Rodriguez, EduardoSent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 8:46 AMTo: [email protected] Subject: FW: RELEASE: SVA Reaffirms Support for Secretary Shinseki
Have you seen this? What is your take?
From: Student Veterans of America [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 8:19 AMTo: Rodriguez, EduardoSubject: RELEASE: SVA Reaffirms Support for Secretary Shinseki
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PRESS RELEASE March 20, 2013
SVA Reaffirms Support for Secretary ShinsekiTime Magazine Columnist Calls for Resignation
WASHINGTON, DC - Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Eric K. Shinseki, is the targetof an upcoming Time Magazine article titled, "Ten Years After: A National Disgrace," scheduled tobe published on March 25. The columnist, Joe Klein, criticized Secretary Shinseki for the VA claimsbacklog, his absence from the media, and a supposed disconnect between him and this newestgeneration of veterans. Klein ultimately called for Shinseki's resignation.
In response to the article, The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) both came tothe Secretary's defense.
Student Veterans of America's (SVA) executive director followed suit and issued the followingstatement:
"I am disappointed to read an article from a prominent journalist that is so one-sided. Clearly, he didnot take the time to interview leading veteran advocates that represent millions of veterans,including those from Iraq and Afghanistan, prior to penning the article.
I have met with the Secretary on numerous occasions and he has always been receptive torecommendations offered by SVA, an organization created and now led by numerous veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The notion that he is disconnected from this newest generation of veterans is misguided.
7/29/2019 SVA Reaffirms Support for Secretary Shinseki
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While I agree that the Secretary may not be found courting the press when he travels, I've observedhim shaking the hands of countless veterans and speaking with them personally. Veterans of alleras come first with Secretary Shinseki. That has been evident during his tenure in office.
I concur with my Veterans Service Organization colleagues that much work remains to be done to
reform and update the VA. Thankfully, Secretary Shinseki has answered the call to transform thedepartment and SVA will continue to work with, not against, the Secretary to usher in a stronger VAfor all veterans."
This is not the first time Secretary Shinseki has come under fire in the media. Last year, SVA issueda statement commending Secretary Shinseki for his leadership and support of military veterans.
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