Congressman Rick Nolan (D) visited Brainerd today to speak with veterans about issues in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and to award long overdue medals to a Vietnam Vet from Park Rapids. Rodney Sullivan received the National Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal nearly fifty years after returning from war. The major issues surrounding the VA are long wait times for health care, unsubstantial benefits, and difficulty accessing care in rural Minnesota. Nolan says the HEALTHY Vets Act would enable veterans in rural areas to visit local doctors, decreasing wait time, back-log, and travel time and cost.

By — Shane Lee