In an effort to show support for the Veteran's Administration whistle blowers and President Donald Trump's recent executive order to correct problems within the organization, a group of American military veterans gathered at noon Friday in a parking lot across from the John J. Pershing V.A. Medical Center.
The grass roots campaign comes in the midst of pain management specialist Dr. Dale Klein's extensive media exposure after blowing the whistle on policies and procedures he says are hindering quality medical care for veterans at the John J. Pershing Veteran's Administration Medical Center.
According to Klein's attorney, he was scheduled for termination Friday. The result would mean the loss of a $250,000 salary he's been earning while "doing nothing" Klein has reported to various media agencies.
U.S. Army veteran Mike Slack, of Thayer, Mo., helped organize the demonstration which, at times, consisted of nearly 30 folks. He said he and other vets have become more and more frustrated with the V.A. over the years.
"We're here to bring awareness to the problem of falsification of scheduling appointments and other issues within the V.A.," Slack said. "There have been a few improvements in the system but they're slow going."
Slack said vets from Arizona, Illinois, Louisiana and Arkansas traveled to Poplar Bluff to show their support for whistle blowers and change in Friday's demonstration.
Kenneth Leach is a former Marine and a Vietnam vet. He had been a patient of Klein's for parts of 2015 and 2016. He said he attended the event because he feels the V.A. doesn't care about it's patients.
"I recently tried to make an appointment with Dr. Klein and they tried to send me to Cape. I asked about Dr. Klein and was told his office is closed. I said I refuse to drive to Cape when there's a pain doctor on the second floor and they told me that's my choice. I don't feel like they care about the veterans," he said.
Leach said he hopes Trumps order spurs change within the system. He said he suspects if lawmakers had to use the V.A., it would run much differently.
"I've been using the Poplar Bluff V.A. off and on since 1969," Leach said. "In the last 20 years, it's gone downhill. I think we've got second-rate doctors when the vets should have the best care possible."
Due to the nature of Klein's claims, the local V.A. is not able to comment on the situation. However, in light of the hospital's recent media attention, several John J. Pershing V.A. employees have taken to social media to show support for the organization and for its veterans.
Slack said in the instance Klein's claims are not supported, he still would like to see change within the V.A.'s system.
"It's possible Klein could be lying," Slack said. "Personally, I think he's telling the truth, but I'm a firm believer in transparency so I'm all for an investigation."