WHEELING - During a gathering to honor veterans Saturday night at the Wheeling Country Club, Northern Panhandle Republicans loudly applauded U.S. Rep. David McKinley's comments that the U.S. must maintain a strong military and get to the bottom of problems within the Veterans Affairs Department.

McKinley, R-W.Va., thanked the veterans in attendance at the dinner and said he's anxious to get back to Washington this week to address the problems that have come to light within the VA, and the issue of military might.

"We are going to find out what happened ... the VA in Arizona is just an example of the problems. We're going to deal with the list," McKinley commented. He was referring to the 40 American veterans who died in Phoenix while waiting for care at the VA there. Many of their names were on a secret list, allegedly to hide the mismanagement and/or lack of care. Dr. Robert Petzel, undersecretary for health in the Department of Veterans Affairs, resigned Friday. McKinley said that won't fix the problem. "So an admiral fell on the sword. He was going to retire anyway," McKinley said.

McKinley also reiterated his stance that the U.S. military must remain strong in numbers and fire power, a lesson learned during World War II.

"Our military guarded the walls all night. Thank the men and women on the walls. There are some in Congress who want us to do more with less. They think diplomacy trumps carrying a big stick. Now is not the time to back off military might."

Echoing McKinley's sentiments was John "Doc" Bahnsen Jr., U.S. Army Brigadier General Retired and a two-tour veteran of Vietnam. The Weirton resident served in the military for 30 years and was celebrated for the development of gunship techniques and tactics. "Since we began a volunteer military, it's not your grandfather's or father's military. We have successfully built a strong volunteer military. We have the best armed services we've ever had. We don't need an adequate military. We need a strong military carrying a big stick," Bahnsen said.

He also said he is confident Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki will sort out the wrongs within the VA and make them right. Bahnsen referred to Shinseki's wartime service and his honesty.

"He will hammer them. He will take care of it," he said. Bahnsen also suggested the public make known their support for the military and veterans by doing something tangible. "We should not take our military for granted. Spread the word," he added. Saturday's event was hosted by the Republican Executive Committees of Brooke, Hancock, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler counties and organized by Patty Levenson.