SALISBURY — Dozens of local veterans filed into a meeting for an update from the Salisbury Veterans Affairs facility on Tuesday afternoon.
The meeting came after massive delays at veterans' clinics across the country.
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VA officials said the forum Tuesday was not to address specific individual issues, but rather to talk about the facility’s overall progress as the federal government works to address systematic issues of access to care.
"This shouldn't have gotten this far out of hand, but it did," said veteran Melvin Davis.
The VA has been holding town hall meetings across the country in an effort to restore public trust and provide transparency.
The embattled agency has come under fire since reports showed long patient wait times and falsified appointment records.
"I look at it as an embezzlement from the us taxpayers as well as robbery from the veterans in the denial process," Davis said.
Channel 9 has investigated claims of drug use and long wait times at the Salisbury VA, but a recent audit by the government showed no major issues.
One veteran said Tuesday he is happy with the care he has received at the Salisbury VA facility, but is anxious to know what could be changing for the better.
"Biggest thing is I want to hear what's going on and see what I can get involved in and what's coming up in the near future, far future, see if I can maybe even help out, if possible," said Air Force veteran Buck Keziah.
Veterans had a chance to address officials at the Salisbury VA directly, as well as congressional stakeholders.
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