The veteran town hall meeting was open to veterans, and the public. VA officials were on hand, addressing some concerns about VA benefits and health care access.
Velesha Williams is an army vet who suffers from a knee injury. Her frustrations are with the VA's compensation rates for service-connected disabilities.
"My issue was now that I have a re-injury to the knee and possibly have to have surgery again, I wanted to make sure the process got expedited or at least my experience would be different then what it was initially," says Williams.
The Center's Interim Director, Dr. David Walker says although claims and benefits are topping most veterans' lists, access to health care is one area the VA is targeting.
"We've actually focused on increasing productivity, increase the number of slots, hired folks, new staff. It is our goal here at the G.V. Sonny Montgomery VA, that we can do all that care in house timely," Walker says.
Walker says these meetings will help the VA program excel by listening to veterans, family members and the public's recommendations on it's programs and operations.
"Transparency is critical. How do we look? How are we doing? Listening to problems is what this is all about. We want to maximize what we can provide," says Walker.
The VA expects to hold quarterly town hall meetings to meet the needs of veterans. Walker says the VA and Veteran's Benefits Administration will continue working together to do just that.
