Veteran advocate urges New York City mayor to prioritize veterans, warns of VA job cuts and launches campaign to end veteran poverty

Kevin C. Meggitt, a veteran advocate and commander in the Bronx chapter of the National Association for Black Veterans, told host Dr. Bob Lee that he pressed the newly elected New York City mayor at a Bronx Democratic event with a blunt question: "Are you anti veteran?" and said the mayor replied, "No. Why would you say that?" Meggitt said the mayor's office promised a follow-up meeting but that veterans remain underrecognized in city policy.

Meggitt described the city’s veteran support apparatus as underfunded and in need of reform. "The Department of Veteran Services, which is ran by Commissioner James Hendon, ... has been underfunded for so long," he said, offering his 13 years of experience working with homeless veterans as the basis for proposing changes. He said he would "offer my expertise" and urged the mayor’s team to meet with veteran leaders.

On policy, Meggitt said he launched an "End Veteran Poverty Now" campaign on 07/04/2025 and framed poverty as the root cause of homelessness, PTSD and suicide risk among veterans. "If we eradicate the poverty, we could alleviate the symptoms," he said, adding that veterans contribute to the city’s economy and educational institutions and deserve recognition beyond rhetoric.

Meggitt also warned of proposed federal changes affecting the Department of Veterans Affairs. He said "the current administration is looking to get rid of 35,000 jobs" and warned that cuts and privatization could harm veteran care: "You cannot put money over patients. You just can't do it." He said his own Bronx VA services have been satisfactory but that cuts could worsen outcomes for veterans nationwide.

Organizing and accountability were central to Meggitt's agenda. He said he is hosting monthly events, organizing a gala and awards ceremony for the Bronx chapter, and working with a family that lost a relative to alleged neglect by federal and service providers. He urged service providers to be held "accountable to a criteria of service when they say they're going to take care of our veterans."

Meggett (as he identified himself on the show) invited listeners to help and said he can be reached on social media under his name and by an email address he provided on air. He encouraged veterans and allies to contact the Bronx chapter of the National Association for Black Veterans to participate in local events and advocacy.

The interview closed with the host thanking Meggitt for his service and community work and noting upcoming coverage of the group's activities. No formal commitments from city officials were reported during the interview; Meggitt said a meeting with the mayor's team had been promised but did not report a scheduled date.