National commander: VA secretary attempting to restore trust in department should be held to a higher standard.
American Legion National Commander Michael D. Helm called VA Secretary Robert McDonald’s characterization of his service “a poor choice of words.”
“In an effort to bond with a homeless veteran, Secretary McDonald told him he was in the Special Forces,” Helm said. “He did complete Ranger training and served honorably with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. But a lie is a lie. I can’t believe people do this. What a disappointment from the leader of a department whose number one issue right now is the restoration of trust. He should be held to a higher standard. The secretary has apologized, as he certainly should. We hope that he can restore the trust that he has lost.”
- Commander