Legion to assist veterans in crisis during Charlotte convention

The American Legion is sending a team of its experts to Charlotte, N.C., to conduct a town hall meeting and set up a Veterans Crisis Command Center (VCCC) to help veterans and family members affected by delays in medical care and benefits claims processing from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Verna Jones, director of the Legion’s Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Division, said the decision was made to have the meeting and crisis center in Charlotte “because not only will we be able to provide assistance to veterans in North Carolina, but also to veterans from across the country who attend our national convention.”

The town hall meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Aug. 25 at the Charlotte Convention Center, Rooms 209 and 210, Ballroom Level. The meeting is open to the general public, and veterans are encouraged to attend, especially those affected by VA delays in medical care or claims processing.

The American Legion will also set up its VCCC at the convention center in Rooms 204 and 205, Ballroom Level. Operating hours for the crisis center are noon to 8 p.m. on Aug. 26, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28.

Members of the Legion’s national staff, along with local Legionnaires, staff from VA facilities and volunteers from other organizations, will be on hand at the VCCC to assist veterans and their families. Services provided will include assistance in filing for VA appointment scheduling, grief counseling, benefits claims and help with enrollment in VA health care.

The American Legion, with help from the VA and other organizations, has been operating week-long crisis centers for veterans and family members since early June in Phoenix, Fayetteville, N.C., El Paso, Texas, St. Louis, Baltimore, and Fort Collins, Colo. The Legion plans to operate such centers throughout the summer in several other areas seriously affected by delays in VA health care and claims processing.