| Veterans
News Flash 
New VA Advisory Panel to Improve Services for Returning Combat Veterans
May 8, 2007
WASHINGTON – Secretary
of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson today announced
the formation of a formal, 17-person committee
that will advise him on ways to improve VA programs
serving veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and their
families.
"This panel will report directly to me,” Nicholson
said. “I am asking for their ideas and input
on how VA can consistently ensure world-class service
to America's newest generation of heroes, particularly
severely disabled veterans and their families."
The
Secretary’s announcement about the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) panel, called the Advisory
Committee on OIF/OEF Veterans and Families, comes
on the heels of his presentation April 24 of recommendations
from a presidential task force to improve services
to the nation’s newest generation of combat
veterans.
"A number of panels already have been asking
tough questions about our programs for veterans
transitioning to civilian life,” Nicholson
added. “This committee, to be chaired by
retired Lt. Gen. David Barno, consists of OIF and
OEF wounded veterans, family members, survivors,
leaders of the major veterans organizations and
long-time veterans advocates.”
“This group of people have experienced war
and our system of care and can advise me from first-hand
experience on how we are doing and what we need
to do better,” Nicholson added.
The new OIF/OEF advisory committee will hold a
three-day inaugural meeting, beginning May 14 in
Alexandria, Va. The committee is scheduled to discuss
its general work program, future meeting dates,
and plans for site visits to VA facilities around
the country.
The
schedule includes briefings by senior officials
of VA's key programs, comments by members of the
public who register in advance with the committee,
discussions about "seamless transition" goals
and procedures affecting combat veterans moving
from the military to civilian life.
Members of the VA Advisory Committee on OIF/OEF
Veterans and Families are: Lt. Gen. Barno of Washington,
D.C.; Dawn Halfaker of Washington, D.C.; Lonnie
Moore of San Diego; Jack L. Tilley of Riverview,
Fla.; Gary Wilson of Carlsbad, Calif.; Liza Biggers
of New York City; Pam Estes of Dayton, Md.; Caroline
Maney of Shalimar, Fla.; Kimberly Hazelgrove of
Lorton, Va.; Michael Ayoub of Ashburn, Va.; Rocky
McPherson of Tallahassee, Fla.; John Sommer of
Annandale, Va.; Dennis Donovan of Atlanta; Frances
Hackett of South Plainfield, N.J.; Paul F. Livengood
of Manassas, Va.; Tim McClain of Alexandria, Va.;
and Chris Yoder of Baltimore.
People
seeking more information about the committee
or who wish to register to make a statement of
up to five minutes should contact VA’s Tiffany
Glover by e-mail at tiffany.glover@va.gov.
SOURCE: US
Department of Veterans Affairs
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