Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he will be hosting a veterans town hall to bring together veterans and their families, along with local Veterans Service Organizations, to discuss mental health challenges faced by veterans. This town hall follows the suicide of a Davenport veteran, Sgt. Brandon Ketchum, who took his own life after seeking assistance at the Iowa City VA Health Care System. In light of this tragedy, Loebsack has been leading the fight to find answers to the many questions that remain after Sgt. Ketchum’s death. At the town hall, Loebsack will listen to the veteran’s concerns and use the information provided to help craft legislation he will be introducing this fall to ensure all veterans get the care they need.
“As I have long said, the loss of any veteran to suicide is one too many. This tragedy, combined with the fact that over 20 veterans commit suicide every day, means that something must be done address this crisis. I believe we have no greater responsibility as a nation than to ensure our veterans are treated with the same dignity and honor with which they served. I look forward to meeting with these men and women who bravely served our nation so I can take their concerns back to Washington in order to craft legislation that will ensure all veterans receive the care they deserve.”
Veterans Town Hall – Thursday, August 11
American Legion Post
702 W 35th St
Davenport
2:00pm
Since learning of Sgt. Ketchum’s death, Loebsack has been fighting to get answers to the many questions surrounding this case, along with answers to general questions about how the VA handles requests for care and admittance. A timeline of Loebsack’s efforts to gain information is detailed below.
July 12th- Loebsack wrote to Judith Johnson-Mekota, the Director of Iowa City VA Health Care System. Click here for the letter.
July 21st- Loebsack wrote to Robert McDonald, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Click here for the letter.
August 2nd- Loebsack wrote to Michael Missal, the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Click here for the letter.
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