CAPITOL WATCH
M. Scott Carter
M. Scott Carter reports on politics, legislation and other issues from the State Capitol.
Oklahoma’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Rita Aragon, suffered a “mini stroke” Tuesday, a spokesman for Gov. Mary Fallin confirmed Wednesday afternoon.
Aragon, who has served as state VA Secretary for four years, has been hospitalized due to the health issue, Alex Weintz, Fallin’s Director of Communications, said.
“They are still doing tests,” Weintz said. “Governor Fallin has visited her in the hospital and is in communication with her family to monitor her progress.”
State VA Secretary Rita Aragon
Aragon, a retired United States Air National Guard two-star general, is the 4th Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Her final active military post was as the Air National Guard assistant to the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Manpower and Personnel. She retired in 2006.
Aragon was instrumental in efforts to reform the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs after stories were published that detailed cases of abuse, neglect, and premature deaths in several state veteran’s centers.
“Rita is not only one of Oklahoma’s hardest working public servants, she is also one of my best friends,” Fallin said. “I am praying for her to make a full recovery.”