We've got to make sure our veteran, Democratic veterans are strengthened and feel like they are fully included.
There's been nobody who stays in more communication and listens to veterans more than I do.
Veterans are determined to continue serving here at home, and given a level playing field, they will compete with anyone.
We are dealing with veterans, not procedures; with their problems, not ours.
I would just say there is one misperception of our veterans, and that is they are somehow damaged goods. I don't buy it.
When an American veteran comes to VA, it is not up to him to employ a team of lawyers to get VA to say yes. It is up to VA to get the veteran to yes, and that is customer service.
The thing is, a lot of our vets come home and they feel displaced, and they don't feel like their voice matters, so for me to be a spokesman and have that honor to educate America about who we are and what we are, it's like I'm doing my job.
The University of Southern California has a wonderful social work department, and I was thrilled to find out that they have a whole veterans' initiative program there. They approached me, and I set up a scholarship that would go to a military-oriented person to learn techniques and skills to better help veterans.
The thing about veterans, they know how to challenge the establishment. They're not afraid to take on the people in control. They're not afraid to put people over politics or over their political party.
I do engage veterans. I meet with the veterans' service organizations monthly. It's a direct, no-holds-barred discussion. I travel to their conventions, where I speak to the veterans membership. I do travel. I've been to all 50 states. When I do, I engage veterans locally. So I get direct feedback from those veterans.
As I have said several times, Veterans are not a monolithic group that has the same needs and desires. They want to be fulfilled, support their family and have options after their years in uniform. A job in government should not be the only option.
When vets come home from war they are going through a tremendous change in identity. Then the VA, and others, encourage them to view themselves as disabled.
