Washington, D.C., System Worth Saving town hall

Veterans and family members attend an American Legion System Worth Saving town hall meeting to discuss the care received at the Washington DC VA Medical Center, on Wednesday, May 3. Photos by Swikar Patel/The American Legion

Gretchen Swisher, left, speaks with Gerardo Avila, National MEM/PEB Representative National VA&R Division, at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Gretchen Swisher, left, speaks with Gerardo Avila, National MEM/PEB Representative National VA&R Division, at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Godwin Banner listens to speakers at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Godwin Banner listens to speakers at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Medical Center Director Mr. Lawrence
Medical Center Director Mr. Lawrence "Larry" Connell speaks to the crowd at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
James W. Preston, Sr. speaks at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
James W. Preston, Sr. speaks at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Arthur L. Goff, right, tells his story to American Legion Executive Director Verna Jones, left, at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Arthur L. Goff, right, tells his story to American Legion Executive Director Verna Jones, left, at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Russ Stott speaks at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Russ Stott speaks at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Keith Robinson tells his story as American Legion Executive Director Verna Jones holds the microphone at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Keith Robinson tells his story as American Legion Executive Director Verna Jones holds the microphone at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Dr. Jon C. White, left, tries to console an emotional Terrance Duncan after he was done speaking at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Dr. Jon C. White, left, tries to console an emotional Terrance Duncan after he was done speaking at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Theresa Bollech raises a glove that nurses used to treat her husband at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Theresa Bollech raises a glove that nurses used to treat her husband at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
DJ Marilyn Wyche, holds her dog as she listens to speakers at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
DJ Marilyn Wyche, holds her dog as she listens to speakers at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
James W. Preston, SR. laughs at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
James W. Preston, SR. laughs at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Medical Center Director Mr. Lawrence
Medical Center Director Mr. Lawrence "Larry" Connell responds to speakers at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Stracco Kirby, right, speaks with Dr. Dominique Neptune at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Stracco Kirby, right, speaks with Dr. Dominique Neptune at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
DJ Marilyn Wyche, speaks at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
DJ Marilyn Wyche, speaks at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Tammie Gillums speaks at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion
Tammie Gillums speaks at the D.C. VA town hall meeting at the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 3, 2017. Photo by Swikar Patel for The American Legion