down to see my <V.A. man>

audiolaik

audiolaik

Senior Member
Poland
Polish
Hello,

The following excerpt comes from a Bruce Springsteen song:

"Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man says "Son if it was up to me"
Went down to see my V.A. man
He said "Son, don't you understand"

(source)


What does the expression in bold stand for? Has it got anything to do with veterans? If so, why is it "my" V.A. man?

Thank you!
 
    • I agree with panj's read. Without additional context, my guess is that the singer/speaker is receiving some kind of counseling from the Veterans Administration, and has an assigned "VA man". There is a local hospital near me, and everyone refers to it as the VA hospital.

    Job search for All Togus Va Medical Center Jobs in Augusta, ME at indeed.com. one search. all ... Veteran's Administration (VA)/Hospital Mobility Consultant ...
    www.indeed.com/q-Togus-VA-Medical-Center-l-Augusta,-ME-jobs.htm
    Click to expand...
    The confusion about the name is due to the habit of U.S. government agencies of re-packaging themselves from time to time.
    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was established on March 15, 1989, succeeding the Veterans Administration. It is responsible for providing federal benefits to veterans and their families. Headed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, VA is the second-largest of the 15 Cabinet departments and operates nationwide programs for health care, financial assistance and burial benefits.
    Click to expand...
    http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/vafacts.asp
     
    Last edited:
    What had been the Veterans Administration was raised to a cabinet-level department under President Reagan. Because the term "VA" was so familiar, the new Department was given a name (the Department of Veterans Affairs) that would have the same initials. Thus, VA now stands for "Department of Veterans Affairs", but at the time the song was written, stood for "Veterans Administration."

    What had been VA hospitals are still VA hospitals, but what is signified by the "VA" has indeed changed.
     
    < Question added to previous thread. Cagey, moderator >

    Hello, I'm trying to understand the lyrics of Born in the USA by Springsteen and I need your help. Could you explain what a V.A person is ? I guess it must have something to do with veterans and the war but I'm not sure. Thanks for your help.
     
    Last edited by a moderator:
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