DUBLIN — Veterans and employees at the Carl Vinson Medical Center in Dublin spoke out during a town hall-style meeting about issues at the medical center. 13WMAZ was there, and we found out how the new interim director is taking steps in moving the center forward.
Veterans and employees packed the Carl Vinson Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Dublin during a town hall-style meeting. Frank Mickler traveled from Danville.
"I know policy-wise that the patient or the customer has the prime parking, this facility has all of its prime parking reserved for staff," Mickler said.
Another man, Wilbur Marlo, complained that the Vinson rehabilitation program is not set up for veterans to succeed.
"Last summer, I came here and applied for one of the programs, which is a vocational rehabilitation program, and they drug (dragged) me for two months," Marlo said.
Interim director David VanMeter answered questions from the more than 70 people who were in attendance. VanMeter said the reason for the town hall was so he could hear from veterans like Marlo.
"I'm a believer in the voice of the customer, and the only way we know what's going well and what's not going well and what we can work on is by talking to our veterans and hearing from them,"VanMeter said.
Marvin Joseph, a member of the post-traumatic stress disorder council, said another problem is the lack of help for veterans who suffer from PTSD.
"We have been fighting for the past two years trying to improve the quality of mental health, but we have also had roadblocks," Joseph said.
VanMeter said they are working on the problem and the Dublin VA's new mental health center that is scheduled to open next January should help.
If you or someone you know is dealing with PTSD, they can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.