VA Secretary Visits Vets In The East Bay

LIVERMORE (KCBS) --  The head of the Veterans Affairs Department paid a visit Monday to two dozen veterans in the East Bay to hear their concerns.

The roundtable discussions with about two dozen war veterans took place at the Livermore VA Hospital. VA Secretary Eric Shinseki told the group he wanted to improve access to services, reduce the backlog of paperwork and end homelessness among veterans. The latter struck a chord with veteran Cary Martin.

KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:

"There are a hell of a lot of vets who are suffering, they're on the streets, they're homeless," he said.

The younger vets wanted to impress upon Shinseki that student veteran groups in the community college system can help direct vets to services and programs, but financing is needed.

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