WASHINGTON – The Honorable Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan, Canada’s Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Ms. Verna Bruce, Canada’s Associate Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs, met with senior Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials here April 16 to discuss a wide range of veterans issues and programs.
“Canada and the U.S. share more than just a border,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. “We share a deep sense of commitment to honoring the men and women who have served our nations in uniform.”
In addition to meeting with Secretary Principi, the Canadian officials met with Dr. Robert H. Roswell, VA’s under secretary for health, Daniel L. Cooper, under secretary for benefits and John W. Nicholson, under secretary for memorial affairs.
Pagtakhan and Bruce received a briefing on developments in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder from Dr. Laurent S. Lehmann, VA’s chief consultant for mental health, and Dr. Alfonso R. Batres, director of VA’s readjustment counseling service.
“We are proud of America’s history of caring for its military veterans,” said Principi. “We are pleased to share information and exchange ideas about veterans programs with our Canadian counterparts.”
