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Quil Lawrence Quil Lawrence is a New York-based correspondent for NPR News, covering veterans' issues nationwide.
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A Vet's Suicide Pushes The VA To Do Better

David Toombs holds a photo of his son, John, at his home in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Former Sgt. John Toombs developed a drug problem after he left the Army and was in a residential treatment program at the Murfreesboro Veterans Affairs center. In 2016, he killed himself on the VA campus. Kristina Krug for NPR hide caption

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Kristina Krug for NPR

National Security

A Vet's Suicide Pushes The VA To Do Better

Former Army Sgt. John Toombs was thrown out of the residential drug treatment program at a Veterans Affairs center and then killed himself.

A Vet's Suicide Pushes The VA To Do Better

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National

VA Hospital Aims To Do Better After Veteran's Suicide

Every day in this country about 20 military veterans die by suicide. The majority of those were not getting treatment from the VA, which suggests the VA needs to get more veterans in the door.

VA Hospital Aims To Do Better After Veteran's Suicide

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National Security

Why The Number Of U.S. Visas Being Granted To Afghan And Iraqi Allies Are Down

During the many years U.S. troops have been fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, locals have served as interpreters and other capacities at considerable risk to themselves and their families. Many have been allowed to immigrate to the U.S., but the Trump administration has greatly reduced those numbers.

Why The Number Of U.S. Visas Being Granted To Afghan And Iraqi Allies Are Down

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An Iraq Veteran, Heroin Addict, Bank Robber And Debut Novelist

Nico Walker wrote his semi-autobiographical novel Cherry while in federal prison for armed bank robbery. Courtesy of Nico Walker hide caption

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Courtesy of Nico Walker

The Impact of War

An Iraq Veteran, Heroin Addict, Bank Robber And Debut Novelist

Nico Walker is currently in federal prison for bank robbery. That's given him plenty of time to write his semi-autobiographical novel Cherry, which has received glowing advance reviews.

An Iraq Veteran, Heroin Addict, Bank Robber And Debut Novelist

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Politics

Robert Wilkie Sworn In As Secretary Of Veterans Affairs

President Trump swore in the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Robert Wilkie. The VA has been without a chief executive for four months since the president fired Secretary David Shulkin.

Robert Wilkie Sworn In As Secretary Of Veterans Affairs

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National

North Korea Turns Over 55 Boxes Of Possible Remains Of U.S. Serviceman

North Korea turned over 55 boxes containing, in the words of the Pentagon, "possible remains of missing DoD personnel" from the Korean War. The remains will arrive in Hawaii next week for forensic analysis.

North Korea Turns Over 55 Boxes Of Possible Remains Of U.S. Serviceman

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Senate Confirms Pentagon Official To Head Veterans Affairs Department

Robert Wilkie testifies during a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee nominations hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on June 27, 2018. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

National

Senate Confirms Pentagon Official To Head Veterans Affairs Department

Robert Wilkie inherits a VA that is undertaking ambitious changes in the next year. The department has been in turmoil since Trump sacked his first VA secretary in March.

Senate Confirms Pentagon Official To Head Veterans Affairs Department

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Trump's Uncontroversial VA Pick Sails Through Confirmation Hearing

Veterans Affairs secretary nominee Robert Wilkie (right) speaks with Marion Polk, national commander of AMVETS, before testifying at a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee nominations hearing Wednesday. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

National

Trump's Uncontroversial VA Pick Sails Through Confirmation Hearing

President Trump fired his first VA secretary, and his first nominee withdrew. His next pick, Robert Wilkie, is a veteran and a seasoned Washington official.

Trump's Uncontroversial VA Pick Sails Through Confirmation Hearing

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Politics

Robert Wilkie, Trump's Nominee To Lead VA, Has Relatively Smooth Confirmation Hearing

Robert Wilkie, President Trump's nominee to be secretary of Veterans Affairs, appears before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing.

Robert Wilkie, Trump's Nominee To Lead VA, Has Relatively Smooth Confirmation Hearing

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National

What To Know About Trump's VA Secretary Nominee Robert Wilkie

Pentagon official Robert Wilkie has his confirmation hearing Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. He's President Trump's pick to lead the VA.

What To Know About Trump's VA Secretary Nominee Robert Wilkie

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Politics

News Brief: Primaries Roundup, VA Secretary Hearing, War In Syria

National progressives scored a major coup over the Democratic establishment on Tuesday night in one of several primaries. Also, Liz Sly of The Washington Post discusses the war in Syria.

News Brief: Primaries Roundup, VA Secretary Hearing, War In Syria

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ICE Drops Deportation Threat Against Chinese Student Joining U.S. Army

Immigration lawyer Margaret Stock displays a document sent to U.S. Army enlistee Shu Luo, threatening him with deportation. Courtesy of Margaret Stock hide caption

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Courtesy of Margaret Stock

National Security

ICE Drops Deportation Threat Against Chinese Student Joining U.S. Army

The immigrants were brought into the military — which offers a track to citizenship — because they provide hard-to-find skills and languages. A slow-moving vetting program had put their visas at risk.

ICE Drops Deportation Threat Against Chinese Student Joining U.S. Army

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National

North Korea To Help Identify, Return Remains Of U.S. Troops From Korean War

President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to begin the work of repatriating the remains of fallen Americans from the Korean War.

North Korea To Help Identify, Return Remains Of U.S. Troops From Korean War

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Trump Wins Pledge From Kim To Return Remains Of Americans From Korean War

A casket team carries the remains of U.S. Army Cpl. Robert E. Meyers, a Korean War soldier, at Arlington National Cemetery in 2015. Meyers' remains were identified decades after his unit was involved in combat operations near Sonchu, North Korea. Andrew Harnik/AP hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/AP

National

Trump Wins Pledge From Kim To Return Remains Of Americans From Korean War

One of the four key points agreed between President Trump and Kim Jong Un is to help repatriate the remains of Americans killed in action during the Korean War.