As you are likely aware, Secretary Shinseki has decided to resign his position as the head of Department of Veterans Affairs.

We honor Secretary Shinseki’s service to our country as a combat-disabled veteran and public servant, and respect his decision to resign and allow new leadership to address this crisis with new solutions.

Ultimately, a change in leadership does not address the root of the VA health care system’s problems of access and appropriate funding levels.

On behalf of DAV’s 1.2 million members, we implore the President to quickly identify and nominate, and the Senate to rapidly consider and confirm, the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  In the meantime, DAV stands ready to work closely with Acting Secretary Sloan Gibson to implement solutions necessary to ensure all veterans can access the health care they need.

We also hope that a newly appointed Secretary continues to build on the progress made during Secretary Shinseki’s tenure in addressing the claims backlog, reducing veterans’ homelessness, and improving access to mental health care.

While this crisis is deeply disturbing, we hope the issues uncovered serve as a wakeup call to focus America’s attention on the need to fulfill the sacred promises made to the men and women who so honorably served our country.

Our Communications Department is standing by to help should you need assistance with media. If you are approached on this, or any other issue, please contact Charity Edgar, Associate National Director of Communications at [email protected], (202) 314-5221 or cell at (202) 641-4822.

Thank you for your continued service to those who’ve served.

Disabled American Veterans National Commander Joseph Johnston