American Legion Commander Says Illinois Supports Veterans

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American Legion Commander Says Illinois Supports Veterans

By Mike Dimmick

Story Published: May 15, 2008 at 4:56 PM CST

Story Updated: May 15, 2008 at 5:17 PM CST

The national commander of the American Legion checks in with the troops in Illinois. And he says this state is a leader in its support of veterans.

National Commander Martin Conatser stopped at the American Legion Post in Bartonville as part of his statewide tour.

Conatser says the Veterans Affairs budget last year alone grew by more than three billion dollars.

Now he says the challenge now is how to get that money to several generations of vets.

"We've gotta make sure that the money given to the VA is spent wisely...that there is a mixture of improved facilities and equipment and increased staffing to meet the needs of our newest generation of veterans without pushing our existing veterans' population out of the hospitals."

Conatser praised Illinois for its access to medical care for vets. But he says the need is great, too, because Illinois has had a large number of soldiers serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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