VA employees working for free to care for veterans during shutdown

Veterans Protest Outside LR Memorial Hospital
Arkansas Matters
Jocelyn Tovar
10/12/2013

LITTLE ROCK, AR - As the days pass, the government shutdown becomes increasingly more serious, according to veterans. Especially they said, as we get closer and closer to the end of the month since many of them rely on disability checks.

Employees of the VA office also attended a rally Saturday. Some are continuing to process claims for free.

"I served two years, seven months, 18 days and 12 hours," said Johnny Lee Patterson who said he remembers every minute of his time in Vietnam.

He said the effects of the shutdown, like the Veterans Affairs offices closing, is a slap in the face to men like him.

"I mean we protect our country," said Patterson. "And we deserve better than this, what we're getting from our Congress."
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