I’m Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie.

On Veterans Day in 1988, Ronald Reagan said …”We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty. . . Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause.”

Each Veterans Day is a remembrance set aside to honor those who have defended our country in peace and war.

On November 11th, we pause to reflect on American Veterans, men and women who have served and sacrificed while wearing the uniforms of the Nation—ordinary Americans performing extraordinary service.

In March of 1864, after almost 3 years of devastating fighting in the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln reminded the nation of the sacrifices veterans make for us all … “All that a man hath he will give his life for his country … the soldier puts his life at stake, and often yields it up in his country’s cause. The highest merit, then, is due the soldier.”
That demonstration of “highest merit” has now spanned 244 years, founded upon a singular, enduring principle—Liberty and Justice for All.

Every American is a beneficiary of veterans’ vigilance and valor, and their contributions to our way of life are incalculable. At the Department of Veterans Affairs, every day is Veterans Day. We are privileged to work to repay, in full, our country’s debt of gratitude…  to Veterans who were there when we needed them most. We represent our grateful nation in delivering to those Veterans the programs and services they earned.

In doing so, we keep faith with the promise of President Lincoln, who promised in his iconic second inaugural address to “care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan. ”On Veterans Day 2020, we remember and honor all “champions of a noble cause” … and pledge never to forget the sacrifices they made for us.
On behalf of VA’s over 415,000 employees, I am proud to extend to America’s veterans our department’s heartfelt appreciation and thanks for your service in the formations of the United States Armed Forces.

Thank you and God Bless you all.

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23 Comments

  1. Richard C Bareford November 11, 2020 at 18:04

    On this 101st Armistice/Veterans Day we should consider that not all veterans are remembered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA is currently defending in Federal court its absurd rule that memorials are only of interest to family members, no family, no memorial. Since the Civil War, the Nation has honored all its veterans with memorials, even the unknown and those without families. Looking forward to the next Veterans Day.

  2. Danny November 11, 2020 at 17:29

    As a Vietnam Veteran I am impressed by the improvements of the VA healthcare for Veterans who have service connected disabilities. However, I find it puzzling that a VA pharmacist can over-rule a drug that is prescribed by his or her VA physician. That has happened to me when it comes to the drug Lyrica which was previously prescribed for me by a civilian physician (who also had a degree min pharmaceuticals) and everything went well until I began using the VA facilities and doctors in order to keep all of my records in one place. I was denied the drug and told that the pharmacist overruled the prescribing physician. I am in pain much of the time and have to resort to Excedrin and other over the counter NSAIDS, etc. For years I paid for Lyrica prior to enrolling in the VA healthcare plan as a 60% +10% disabled vet. I gave up on the VA for about 40 years because of a horrible experience with the VA hospital in Dearborn, MI. I did not apply for compensation until I retired and found that the VA had improved. Apparently I missed out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation because of that delay. Even presently after suffering a cardiac arrest I found a reputable Civilian cardiologist and have had a pacemaker for about ten years. All of that paid for by me. So shouldn’t I be able to get a drug that is prescribe multiple times by my VA physician?

  3. Dick Young November 11, 2020 at 16:24

    “America’s veterans have fought to defend our country, its values and its interests since the first days of our founding,” the president said. “They have defeated tyrants, eliminated terrorists and secured freedom at home and abroad. Their courage and fortitude in the face of adversity serve as an example for all Americans.”

    An example for all Americans, except for draft dodgers, who apparently don’t believe in examples.

  4. Thad Dudley Anderson November 11, 2020 at 16:04

    Thanks for the great Healthcare you provide

  5. salvatore j November 11, 2020 at 14:31

    unless, of course, there’s a pandemic. then you freeze routine health and deny access to community care while ordinary citizens with private health insurance get all the routine health care that they need.

    you belong in prison wilkie along with all the other jackasses that assist you in screwing the american veteran. your organization’s motto should be: welcome to the va! where killing america’s veterans one day at a time is now an art.

    you and your fellow cohorts are responsible for the 6,000 veteran suicides per year. i wonder how many veterans died that didn’t have to die because of your new policies. did you get a bonus for reducing budget costs?

  6. Vito Pinto November 11, 2020 at 14:17

    I am writing to inform the Honorable Secretary Wilkie that we have a lot of Problems with the Mission Act 2020 everyone brags about.
    I am the former Veterans Service Agency Director for Westchester County, New York and have forwarded the information to many veterans posts to use the Urgent Care facility for treatment.
    Many have informed me that it just DOESN’T Work. It certainly didn’t for me. I printed out the CITY MED Urgent Care List in my area and when I went for treatment at the City Med Urgent Care Eastchester, NY 10709 listed in your program they knew NOTHING ABOUT the Program. Neither did the CVS in north Eastchester nor the Century Drugs on Fisher Avenue in Tuckahoe. Called the phone number listed on the printout and No Answer.
    I even called the Financial Office for City Med in Long Island and was told by the gentleman that I spoke to, that HE Knew Nothing About the participation!
    I hear it works in some areas and would appreciate your taking this seriously and looking into the Mission Act 2020 Participation Lists to ensure Veterans receive treatment! I am fortunate to have Medicare and Tri Care 4life but others are not so lucky> Happy Veterans Day to All..
    I have no duplicate comments, Just follow the info I posted. Thanks

  7. LEONARD DRAKE November 11, 2020 at 14:07

    I NEED HELP. I GOT MONEY FROM VA LOAN AND THE HOUSE IS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM IS ROTTON. KNOW PERSON WILL HELP ME, PLEASE HELP ME/ LEONARD DRAKE

  8. Daniel Charles Cyphers Jr. November 11, 2020 at 13:58

    Years ago, In 1986, I came down with kidney stones. I was self employed, no insurance, no money with a wife and two kids to support. I had just Come out of the hospital, they inserted a tube for me to pee thru. The Dr. told me that I needed two rounds of lithotripsy, cost $37,500. I was walking the driveway, trying to relieve some of the pain. My next door neighbor (John Rice)came over to check on me. I told him my story, he ask me if I had ever served. Yes I served from 1966 to 1968, 15 months in Korea. Three days later, he had me on a plane to New York for lithotripsy. Thank God for people like him. He worked in the Va’s Daytona Beach office.

  9. Billie MORSE Scott November 11, 2020 at 13:46

    how can i sign up for Dyability for the 5th times

  10. david george davis November 11, 2020 at 13:42

    Thank you for all you do with the Veterans. I love my experiences at the Asheville VA over the past nine years and attribute that to the staff and director of this facility and to my fellow Vets who qualify my thoughts.

  11. Billie MORSE Scott November 11, 2020 at 13:36

    What is my net move i have sign up for Disability for 6 time. i am so tire. i have been to Fort Worth, to the center. they show Both feet been operation on The Doctor that i have been going to for years, was also with my Doctor that operated on my feet. .my feet was mess up in Germany. and they say they lot my records. And they did not put that on my record. it was something with my lung. and the va in Dallas found out about something in my chest.

  12. Richard C Bareford November 11, 2020 at 11:21

    On this 101st Armistice/Veterans Day we should consider that not all veterans are remembered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA is currently defending in Federal court its absurd rule that memorials are only of interest to family members, no family, no memorial. Since the Civil War, the Nation has honored all its veterans with memorials, even the unknown and those without families. Looking forward to the next Veterans Day.

  13. Brian R Cunningham November 11, 2020 at 10:52

    I wanna thank you for everything that the VA does for our veterans and myself. As I have aged I appreciate our country more each day, I also worry about it more each day but I rest assured that our future is in the good hands of our military men and women as in the past. I am proud that I served my country and thank all the others who have.
    God bless America.

  14. Maurice Daniel November 11, 2020 at 10:27

    Praise to all Veterans, widows, and orphans, past and present who embrace our beloved America; volunteers doing as directed by citizens, congress, and commanders – without fear, guilt or regret.
    With prayer, compassion and gratitude,
    Semper Fidelis,
    Maurice

  15. John Condon November 11, 2020 at 09:36

    How come the Veterans overseas caught in this virus problem can’t get the care the veterans in the states get. We have to find a doctor and pay in advance because the VA takes it’s good old time to pay the Doctors, so we have to pay it and we have to wait for our money to be repaid to us. Does not seem to be a fair and balanced program.

  16. Bob Kruse November 11, 2020 at 09:09

    Thank you Secretary Wilkie, for your devotion to we veterans. My life is better because of the tireless dedication of our VA employees. Be well and God Bless!

  17. Thomas M. Lonchar November 11, 2020 at 08:31

    Thank you Secretary Wilkie.
    I was proud to serve. I’ve been waiting for a reply to the the grant that was made on my appeal to the BVA since 06/24/20. I’ve made inquiries on line, and haven’t received a response as of today, 11/10/20. Maybe you can find out what the delay is.
    Best Regards,
    Thomas M. Lonchar

  18. Ray Einck November 11, 2020 at 08:29

    The VA has improved a lot in the past few years, and has helped me transition into retirement.
    I am now going to the VA Medical Center in Denver for my medical needs, and am very happy with the care I get from everyone!

  19. Kenneth Meadows November 11, 2020 at 08:28

    Thank you to all who have served and sacrificed.

  20. Dale Bennett morris November 11, 2020 at 08:27

    Thank you Honorable Wilkie. You have serve veterans very well during your time in government. Many things have happened during your time at the helm of command. My goals by VA healthcare have been achieved. I hope you have attained the goals you set out to achieve during your time as Secretary.
    I worked at the pentagon from ‘99 to ‘02. On my first day on the job I was told, working here is like taking a drink from a fire hose. Unless you have worked there nobody understands what constraints and pressure there is to maintain our armed forces during and after. Thank you for a job well done. I salute you.

  21. James November 11, 2020 at 08:14

    How do I schedule an appointment at my local CBOC (Blairsville, GA), through the VA Hospital in Atlanta? Nobody, answers the phone! Been calling since April….even staked out the CBOC in Blairsville — on the locked door, they have a phone number posted to call….but guess what? Yep, nobody answers the phone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Give it a try….I dare you! Call these numbers and see the customer service you receive:

    (404) 321-6111
    (800) 224-4087

    Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter

    James Hastings
    OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (03′ – 04′)

  22. David Marchant November 11, 2020 at 07:58

    Thank you for your wonderful comments

  23. Jack Kwok November 11, 2020 at 07:56

    God Bless American and Humanity.

Comments are closed.

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