VA secretary apologizes for misstating military service to homeless veteran
| Washington
Veterans Affairs Secretary聽Robert聽McDonald聽apologized Monday for misstating that he served in the military's special forces.
McDonald聽made the erroneous claim while speaking to a homeless veteran during a segment that aired last month on "CBS Evening News."
In a statement released Monday by the VA,聽McDonald聽said: "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. 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."
The VA website says聽McDonald聽is an Army veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division. The Huffington Post website, which first reported on聽McDonald's聽mistake, noted Monday that the 82nd is not considered part of special forces.
McDonald聽said he remains committed "to the ongoing effort to reform VA."
The White House issued a statement Monday saying, "We take him at his word and expect that this will not impact the important work he's doing to promote the health and well-being of our nation's veterans."
President Barack Obama chose the former Procter & Gamble CEO to take over the scandal-plagued VA last year, and聽McDonald聽took office last July. The questions about聽McDonald's聽service come as TV newsmen Brian Williams and Bill O'Reilly have had their claims about covering foreign wars called into question.
