McDonald addresses Legion

VA Secretary Robert McDonald addresses members of The American Legion on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.

Legionnaires file into the hall before VA Secretary Robert McDonald addresses members of The American Legion on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
Legionnaires file into the hall before VA Secretary Robert McDonald addresses members of The American Legion on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
National Commander Mike Helm introduces VA Secretary Robert McDonald before he addresses members of The American Legion on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
National Commander Mike Helm introduces VA Secretary Robert McDonald before he addresses members of The American Legion on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
“That was wrong, and I have no excuse. I have great respect for those who’ve served our nation in Special Forces. They, and all veterans, deserve a Department of Veterans Affairs that provides them the care and benefits that they have earned. We at th
“That was wrong, and I have no excuse. I have great respect for those who’ve served our nation in Special Forces. They, and all veterans, deserve a Department of Veterans Affairs that provides them the care and benefits that they have earned. We at th
“In an attempt to connect with that veteran and make him feel comfortable, I incorrectly stated that I, too, had been in Special Forces,” McDonald said.
“In an attempt to connect with that veteran and make him feel comfortable, I incorrectly stated that I, too, had been in Special Forces,” McDonald said.
“There was no ill intent meant. If you look at 61 years of my biography and résumé, nowhere on there will you ever find Special Forces. I made a mistake. I apologized for that. What I was trying to do was connect with a veteran and get that veteran in
“There was no ill intent meant. If you look at 61 years of my biography and résumé, nowhere on there will you ever find Special Forces. I made a mistake. I apologized for that. What I was trying to do was connect with a veteran and get that veteran in
Marv Sandbek asks VA Secretary Robert McDonald a question durring his press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
Marv Sandbek asks VA Secretary Robert McDonald a question durring his press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
Legionnaires ask VA Secretary Robert McDonald questions durring his press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
Legionnaires ask VA Secretary Robert McDonald questions durring his press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
VA Secretary Robert McDonald addresses members of The American Legion on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
VA Secretary Robert McDonald addresses members of The American Legion on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
A Legionnaire thanks Robert McDonald for his service durring his press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
A Legionnaire thanks Robert McDonald for his service durring his press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
National Membership Chairman Ken Orock asks VA Secretary Robert McDonald a question durring his press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
National Membership Chairman Ken Orock asks VA Secretary Robert McDonald a question durring his press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
“I’m an Airborne Ranger,” Helm said. “I have a brother who’s Special Forces. I would never claim to be something that he was, and he would never claim to be something that I was. It’s a pretty big stretch to say that you were trying to bond wi
“I’m an Airborne Ranger,” Helm said. “I have a brother who’s Special Forces. I would never claim to be something that he was, and he would never claim to be something that I was. It’s a pretty big stretch to say that you were trying to bond wi