WASHINGTON, March 26, 2008— Secretary of Veterans Affairs James B. Peake visited AMVETS National Headquarters in Lanham, Md. yesterday to discuss veterans’ issues with AMVETS National Commander John P. “JP” Brown III.

“I look at this as a partnership,” said Peake. “If we’re all heading in the same general azimuth we can accomplish the mission.”

Peake, who took office in February has already made his presence felt in the veterans community through such initiatives as adding 14 additional vets’ centers around the country and strategically deploying mobile pharmacy units to assist with emergencies and natural disasters.

Among the topics discussed during the meeting were treatment for post traumatic stress disorder, education benefits for veterans and their family members, the Independent Budget for the VA, the military’s Transition Assistance Programs (TAPS) and AMVETS’ work with the National Guard and Reserve. Many of the topics drew on AMVETS’ National Symposium on the Needs of Young Veterans, which called for sweeping changes to TAPS, as well as a variety of unique issues facing veterans of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Peake also noted that the VA has been working to lower claims-processing time.

“It was an honor to be able to sit down with Secretary Peake and open a dialogue about the issues facing our veterans today,” said Cmdr. Brown. “Some of us older guys don’t understand the needs of veterans from this war, just as the WWII generation didn’t understand my generations’ needs. AMVETS took the bull by the horns and we’ve brought in some young people who know the issues facing vets today.”

Secretary Peake applauded AMVETS for its efforts over the years to continue looking for answers to the complex issues that face veterans.