The Marion American Legion was filled yesterday (Tuesday) with Veterans eager to share their concerns with US Senator Tammy Duckworth, along with Brendan Kelly, who is running against US Congressman, Mike Bost., in the 12th District.
One Veteran, a Marine who served in Vietnam, said he is tired of phone teleconferences and questions that are not returned. Many Veterans said they do not want the VA to privatize health care. Senator Duckworth agreed and said Veterans who go to a private doctors often are not screened for combat-related conditions resulting from exposure to Agent Orange and burning oil wells from the Gulf War.
On the subject of the Marion VA Hospital, it was generally agreed by both Kelly and Senator Duckworth, that, while improvements have been made, there is still work to be done.
Marion native, Dink Broy, a Veteran who served two tours of duty in Vietnam, said "There for a while our VA Hospital here in Marion, 20 years ago was terrible. You can't explain how bad it was. And then it gradually got better and better. I've watched it through the years grow into what it is today. And actually...a lot of people don't like this, but President Obama gave us the biggest budget increase in history."
An e-mail sent from WSIU to Congressman Bost's Office, asking for comment, was not immediately returned.
