Caring for veterans

The Returned and Services Association is a major provider of support to serving, ex-servicemen and women and their families. Our focus is on providing the best support possible to those who serve, or have served our country.

Your publication quotes a person who incorrectly describes the RSA as ‘‘woefully ill equipped’’ (‘‘The war within’’, Focus, August 27). It may be of interest that on average, the RSA engages with around 1000 veterans a month throughout New Zealand, and all done by volunteers. We are engaged with the Defence Force, Veterans’ Affairs and others to establish a transition programme to better equip our servicemen and women for life outside the military.

We make mistakes, but I can assure you and those in our veteran community, that the RSA is there to provide support to them, whatever that requires.

Jack Steer, chief executive, RSA