American Legion to VA Secretary: 'People Don't Die for Space Mountain'

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May 23, 2016, 04:03 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, May 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization took exception to VA Secretary Robert McDonald's comparison of VA wait times to what is experienced by visitors at Disneyland.

"The American Legion agrees that the VA Secretary's analogy between Disneyland and VA wait times was an unfortunate comparison because people don't die while waiting to go on Space Mountain," American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett said. "We also disagree with the substance of his comment because wait times are very important to not just the satisfaction quotient, but in some cases the veterans health. All of VA needs to be exceptionally good, not just 'on average.'"

With a current membership of 2.2 million wartime veterans, The American Legion, www.legion.org, was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 14,000 posts across the nation.

Media Contact: In Washington: Crystal Jackson, (202) 263-5758, cell (202) 320-0408, [email protected]; Indianapolis: John Raughter, (317) 630-1350 / cell (317) 441-8847, [email protected]

SOURCE The American Legion