There were many laughs, pats on the back, and more than a few tough conversations Monday when the Veteran’s Administration’s mobile outreach unit made its Dent County stop at the American Legion Hall. “We are here to listen and create face-to-face interactions,” said Michael Focke, a Marine veteran who served in Iraq, and VA official who travelled from Kansas City. “Our main purpose is to make sure veterans are getting the help they need, and direct them to the right contacts to obtain their benefits.”
“I think it’s great,” said George Flint, one of the veterans in attendance. “It is important that the VA make the effort to come to where the veterans live, and create these one-to-one interactions.”
The VA’s mobile outreach unit made for an impressive addition to the American Legion’s parking lot, and even gave the old retired tank a run for its money in terms of size. The unit comes equipped with two private counseling rooms, a shower, work stations, and is also a fully operational FEMA emergency response vehicle.
“I am glad to see these men get the care they deserve,” said Richard LaBrash, the chaplain of Salem’s American Legion Hall. “At first they were going to park at the crossroads and try to do their services there, but Sherman Odom let us know and we got it moved to the hall so we could see more people.” Over 20 veterans came to discuss their care with VA officials due to the dedication of LeBrash. During the day’s progress, the jovial but commanding chaplain proved his mind is as sharp as his silvery crew cut as he ensured every veteran was seen as quickly as possible.
“Richard needs to be congratulated for his work,” said John Rostron, another veteran who came to the event. “No one around here has worked harder than him to put this thing together.”
Since March last year, the VA has been traveling to rural communities across the country as part of their ambitious goal of visiting every county in the nation within one year. This goal has made Focke, and his team, very busy as of late.
“Since March we have held 117 events like this in Missouri,” Focke said. “This week we will be visiting 12 different counties.”
All this hard work is set to pay off next month, when the Missouri VA achieves its part of the nationwide goal. Currently, there are only eight counties that haven’t been visited by the mobile outreach unit. “As a veteran myself, I know we can’t leave anyone behind,” said Focke. “My passion is making sure these veterans are accessing more care and have a broader understanding of the VA.”
Focke and his team represent the very best of the VA, and this is the face the administration has been quick to put forward in the last year. 2014 was one of the most turbulent for the agency in recent memory, with numerous quality-of-care scandals and the eventual resignation of Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs Eric Shinseki. Among those who still need to be won over by the VA’s recent effort is Warren DuBois. DuBois was recently given a claim denial as a result of only missing only a single doctor’s appointment due to VA miscommunications. “I’m here to find out what can be done,” DuBois said. “But I am also here to vent a little.”
The end result of the day was best summed up by one Vietnam Veteran who wished to remain unidentified
“It’s a step in the right direction,” he said as he scanned the room’s activity while leaned against the hardwood of the legion’s bar. “I’ve had a lot of issues with the VA, but it’s nice to see they are making an effort.”
