News 12 @ 6 o'clock -- October 21, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga. --- The Charlie Norwood VA Hospital is home to hundreds of wounded warriors who are recovering here in Augusta and today those soldiers were able to meet the man running the whole VA system.

"It's nice to know they are thinking about us you know, that they're really thinking about you and they care if you get better," said wounded warrior David Schneider.

Secretary James Peake says with Augusta's growing veteran population, this is one of the places he's considering to expand services.

"As we look where the population is moving is where we'll make our investments," said Dr. James Peake.

With thousands of veterans being cared for right here in Augusta; Secretary Peake says it only makes sense for his stop in Georgia to be right here in the Garden City.

"It's one of the reasons I wanted to come. I think the atmosphere is extremely positive for those who've served this nation," said Peake.

How unique are our services? The VA system in Augusta is the only stop in Georgia the secretary will make during his tour. Veterans say that speaks highly of this hospital.

"It's the best hospital I've been to since I broke my neck. It's the third and the best," said Schneider.

Service and care that Peake says is needed to continue to provide even better services for the veterans.

"It is this marriage of all the services the V-A does that's important to making sure that everyone of our veterans can be all they can be and that's what I see our mission as," said Peake.

Secretary Peake wasn't alone on his tour today. Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson and North Carolina Senator Richard Burr also joined him as he visited the wounded warriors at Fort Gordon and veterans at the Downtown Division of the VA.

Secretary Peake didn't get to visit the older veterans today but said he wants to make sure the older veterans are also taken care of. He says the services he wants to expand will include not only younger vets but those who served our nation years ago.