Commander Rohan reflects on visit to the nation’s capital

American Legion National Commander Denise H. Rohan met with various congressional leaders and federal government officials while visiting Washington, D.C., Oct. 1-4 to seek continued support and advocacy for important legislation that will serve in the best interests of the military and veteran community.

“When you look at Capitol Hill and you think nothing is getting done, a lot of work is getting done on behalf of the veterans. I am so proud and thanking them for all the work they’ve done with the Appeals Modernization Act, the GI Bill, and accountability for our veterans,” Rohan said.

Rohan met with Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin and other lead government officials including Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Ranking Member Jon Tester, D-Mont.; House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.; House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe, R-Tenn., and Ranking Member Tim Walz, D-Minn.; House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.; House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health Ranking Member Julia Brownley, D-Calif.; and Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. Discussions included the Veterans Choice Program, issues facing women veterans at VA hospitals, and more.

Thanks to Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to their community, state and nation, Rohan said having a family-like support system is essential for the Legion as it helps create honest advocacy on behalf of all veterans.

“To all veterans, male and female, whatever war era you happened to have served in – give The American Legion a try,” she said. “There’s a family of people out there that care about you. We want you to be a part of our family and help us support all of the work that’s going on in Washington, D.C.”​