Trump, Pence sought for VA event
CENTER TWP — The late August ribbon-cutting for VA Butler Healthcare's new health center on North Duffy Road could be a star-studded event — if Butler's congressman has his way.
The office of Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, confirmed Wednesday that it was working to bring President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Veterans Affairs Secretary David J. Shulkin to the facility's ribbon cutting on Aug. 29.
“We're doing everything we can to make it work and get them there,” said Tom Qualtere, communications director for Kelly.
Qualtere said Kelly sent a personal letter of invitation to Trump, Pence and Shulkin requesting their attendance at the ribbon-cutting — though it wasn't immediately clear when Kelly would know if they could attend.
VA officials, in a separate interview discussing how details of the ribbon-cutting ceremony were being planned, said that attendance by any major dignitaries from the U.S. government would likely require advance notice of six to eight weeks because of security preparations. VA Director David Cord said that the system had invited its network director, Mike Addleman, as well as Secretary Shulkin to the ceremonies, but were precluded by internal VA rules from inviting any other senior government officials to the ceremonies.
Kelly, who is already confirmed as the event's keynote speaker and worked to secure congressional approval to name the clinic after World War II veteran Sgt. Abie Abraham, said he hoped the administration would make every effort to attend.
“Sgt. Abraham gave more for America and our freedom than most can even fathom. The VA clinic will be a wonderful tribute to his legacy,” Kelly said. “Having our nation's leader here for the ribbon-cutting would make the day even greater. We know the president's schedule is one of the busiest on earth, but it's still an effort worth making.”
VA officials say that Abraham's family, township officials, veterans and officials from the companies involved in the facility's construction are also expected to be in attendance at the ceremony — though plans had not yet been formalized.
