American Legion reaching out to veterans in Wisconsin

The American Legion is planning a town hall meeting June 22 in Tomah, Wis., to discuss the quality and timeliness of Department of Veterans Affairs health care and the delivery of benefits to local veterans. The Tomah VA Medical Center was the subject of a congressional hearing last March that heard allegations of drug over-prescription and retaliatory behavior at the facility.

The Legion will also set up a Veterans Benefits Center to help veterans enroll in VA health care, schedule VA medical appointments, file VA disability or pension benefits claims, and get information on GI Bill education benefits.

The town hall meeting, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., will be at American Legion Post 201, 800 Wisconsin Ave. in Tomah. Local veterans, especially those currently receiving VA medical treatment, are encouraged to attend, as well as members of other veterans service organizations. The event is free and open to the public.

The Veterans Benefits Center will also be at Post 201 on June 23-25. Operating hours are noon to 8 p.m. on June 23 and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 24-25.

The American Legion is conducting town hall meetings and Veterans Benefits Centers across the country as part of its national program to improve VA health care and help veterans get the benefits they have earned through military service.

To date, the Legion has helped veterans recover well over $1 million in retroactive benefits.