McGUIRE AFB, NJ - Congressman Jim Saxton met with veteran leaders and community and government officials today at his annual veteran leaders meeting held at McGuire Air Force Base where a range of issues of concern to veterans was discussed.

Saxton addressed leaders of various veteran organizations such as the VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Jewish War Veterans of America and other veteran and community leaders

from Ocean, Burlington and Camden Counties on the top priorities and issues confronting American veterans. Key Veteran Affairs (VA), State and county officials were also in attendance, as were brass from Fort Dix, McGuire and Navy Lakehurst. The event was hosted by the 514^th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire’s Reservists.

"I look forward to this meeting every year to listen first-hand to what is on the minds of our veterans," Saxton said. "My Congressional District has one of the highest concentration of veterans in New Jersey. This is their opportunity to pull me aside and personally discuss issues that concern them."

Such issues as VA care, length of waiting times, federal funding, medical care and benefits were among the topics. Veterans asked the Congressman’s opinion on Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), and its potential impact on the 60-square mile McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst joint installation, America’s only Army-Navy-Air Force installation in the nation.

"The concern of these veterans over New Jersey’s military installations is apparent," said Saxton, a ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee who represents Fot Dix, McGuire and most of the surrounding towns. "Our many veterans and military retirees are very supportive of the missions here in South Jersey."

Veterans discussed the popular VA Clinic on Fort Dix, which was opened in 1997 with federal funding Saxton helped acquire. There are more than 50,000 veterans in the Third District. The manager of the clinic, Ellen Hoover Magee won a strong round of applause from the veteran crowd.

"The Fort Dix clinic remains a growing success story," Saxton said. "We were told today that an extra nurse and a receptionist have been added to the staff. The clinic initially became so popular with our veterans that it developed a waiting list. Some of the vets here today helped us identify the problem, which ultimately led to plan to address it."