Special to
L’Observateur

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting town hall meetings, including two in the River Parishes, with Secretary David LaCerte to allow Louisiana veterans a chance share experiences they have had with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care system, including VA clinics, hospitals and mental health services.

“VA’s new secretary Robert McDonald recently announced that all VA medical centers are required to host one town hall meeting in their community before the end of September ,” LaCerte said. “As secretary of LDVA and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I am pleased that VA officials are finally engaging veterans in a two-way conversation. On the state level, I will continue to meet personally with Louisiana veterans so that I can learn about the issues they are facing and will continue to push my federal counterparts to start giving veterans the care they deserve.”

LDVA will compile the information shared at the town hall meetings and will share findings with local, state and federal elected officials, as well as key staff at VA in hopes of influencing positive change and increased transparency. 

Upcoming meetings include:

The August schedule of meetings is as follows:

• At 1:30 p.m. Aug. 20 in Reserve at the Southeast LA Veterans Home, 4080 W. Airline Highway. Call 985-479-4080.

• At 6 p.m. Aug. 20 in Luling at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center, 274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway. Call 985-764-9122.