Veterans advocate says he is working to understand rapid change at VA for La. vets

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Caddo Parish Commissioner and Chairman of the Veterans Celebration Committee Ken Epperson is working to gain understanding on behalf of local veterans amidst ongoing changes at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

He just returned from a national convention and explains how it went this year.

“This year’s was not that good. It was really contentious this year,” said Commissioner Epperson of District 12.

Epperson just returned from the annual National Association of County Officials in Washington, D.C., where he is a steering member of the Military and Veterans Committee and the Workforce and Economic Development Committee.

“Our counterparts from Canada came down. They spoke in reference to the tariffs that are being levied between the United States and Canada and how it’s going to affect our states in a negative manner. Basically, 38 of the 50 states does major business, import and exports, with Canada. So these things will hurt us and it will trickle down through the stock market, our 401(k), our 457(b). We just wonder why would the Musk-Trump administration pick a fight with one of our best neighbors?” Epperson said.

The association brings thousands of county/parish elected officials together to address legislative leaders and federal departments.

Epperson is a Vietnam veteran and well-known advocate for veterans’ rights. He asked about the recent layoffs at VA hospitals, including Caddo Parish’s Overton Brooks VA Medical Center and the Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE’s, plans to cut 80,000 more VA jobs.

“One of the under secretaries from the Department of Veterans Affairs came and spoke and of course that committee was overflowing too. The questions we asked why the layoffs? Why are you cutting the VA? They would not answer. As soon as they gave us a standard script, they left. So we did not get many answers while we were up there,” Epperson said.

He said if any local veterans have questions or concerns, along with those who have been laid off, to please contact the Veterans Celebration Committee, which can provide assistance on a range of issues, to help at (318) 773-2654 or veteranscelebrationcommittee@gmail.com