Robert McDonald apologizes for embellishing military record

Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald expressed regret for embellishing that he served in the military’s special forces. McDonald made the false statement while speaking to a homeless veteran during a segment that aired January on “CBS Evening News.” McDonald apologized Monday for the gross exaggeration, and remains committed “to the ongoing effort to reform VA.” The VA website states that McDonald is an Army veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division. The Huffington Post were the ones who first noticed McDonald’s mistake, affirming that 82nd is not considered part of special forces. President Barack Obama nominated the former Procter & Gamble CEO to assume control of the scandal-plagued VA last year, and McDonald took office last July. The questions about McDonald’s military background come as TV newsmen Brian Williams and Bill O’Reilly have had their claims about covering foreign wars called into question.