By Ben Kesling
Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald reached out to
veterans groups Tuesday to apologize for claiming he had served in
the military's special forces, moving quickly to prevent the gaffe
from turning into an issue that could derail his efforts to reform
the agency.
Mr. McDonald called some groups personally and planned a meeting
in the afternoon with the American Legion, to address the claim he
made during a brief conversation earlier this year with a homeless
man as he surveyed the state of veteran homelessness in Los
Angeles.
"Special forces? What years? I was in special forces," Mr.
McDonald said after the homeless man shared his special forces
claim.
The interaction was filmed by a CBS News crew and broadcast on
Jan. 30, during a segment highlighting Mr. McDonald's efforts to
eradicate veteran homelessness.
The claim made weeks ago was again reported by the Huffington
Post on Monday. Mr. McDonald, who was named Secretary of the
Department of Veterans Affairs last year amid a scandal over
falsified patient-appointment records, first apologized Monday for
the claim.
"While I was in Los Angeles, engaging a homeless individual to
determine his Veteran status, I asked the man where he had served
in the military, " said Mr. McDonald in a statement. "He responded
that he had served in special forces. I incorrectly stated that I
had been in special forces. That was inaccurate and I apologize to
anyone that was offended by my misstatement."
Mr. McDonald graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West
Point and served as an infantry officer and in the 82nd Airborne
Division. He also completed Ranger School, but Mr. McDonald never
served in a Ranger battalion or with a unit associated with elite
soldiers commonly known as Green Berets.
Paul Rieckhoff, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
said he received a call from the secretary apologizing for "the
mistake" and he accepted the apology on the group's behalf. "We
know Secretary McDonald is a man of exceptional commitment who
served honorably and cares deeply about our veterans," Mr.
Rieckhoff said.
"In an effort to bond with a homeless veteran, Secretary
McDonald told him he was in the special forces," said Michael Helm,
national commander of the American Legion, a veteran advocacy
group, in a statement. "But a lie is a lie...What a disappointment
from the leader of a department whose number one issue right now is
the restoration of trust."
"I'm disappointed in Secretary McDonald's comments," said Rep.
Jeff Miller (R., Fla.) the chairman of the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, one of a number of people expressing
disappointment in the false claim.
Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon Spokesman, said Defense Secretary
Ash Carter accepted Mr. McDonald's apology and "looks forward to
working with him."
The White House also weighed in on the issue Tuesday.
"It was appropriate for him to apologize" but it doesn't affect
his ability to do the job, said spokesman Josh Earnest.
Rep. Mike Coffman (R., Colo.), a member of the House committee
who has clashed with Mr. McDonald in the past, spoke up as an
unlikely supporter of the secretary on Tuesday. "The Secretary's
misstatement was an error, but it doesn't dim the fact that he
served honorably," said Mr. Coffman, a Marine Corps combat veteran,
in a statement.
Mr. Coffman added that he still feels Mr. McDonald has much to
do to fix a department dogged by scandal over the past year, and
that he still thinks the secretary isn't moving fast enough with
changes. Nevertheless, the special forces dust-up does nothing more
than distract from that mission. "We should all take him at his
word and Washington shouldn't spend the next two weeks arguing
about it," Mr. Coffman said.
Homer Townsend, executive director of Paralyzed Veterans of
America mildly chastised Mr. McDonald but then added an upbeat take
on the matter.
"Instead of spontaneously responding that he was special forces,
he should have clarified his actual military experience and chosen
his words more carefully," Mr. Townsend said. "At least now,
though, the country is paying attention to the issue of veterans
homelessness."
Write to Ben Kesling at benjamin.kesling@wsj.com
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