Military veterans across northwest Washington are invited to a series of forums next week to talk to a member of Congress about issues are important to them.

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., is sponsoring the “conversations with veterans” sessions set in Snohomish, Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties.

Larsen, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, has been working with other members of the state’s congressional delegation to bring veteran services closer to home.

A community-based outpatient clinic for veterans will be established in Mount Vernon next year, helping Snohomish County veterans avoid driving to Seattle through the heavy traffic. Seattle currently is the closest location for vets to receive medical attention.

In addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs early this year announced it will open a center in Everett to offer mental-health and job counseling, as well as other services for area veterans and their families.

Larsen said he and his staff have recently worked to strengthen Veterans Administration health care with the largest funding increase in nearly 80 years. The money is supposed to mean more staff working for veterans. That should reduce waiting times for medical appointments and provide other services, Larsen said.

The congressman will be joined at the forums by local experts on such issues as veteran health care, employment and benefits, his office said.

Larsen said there about 75,000 military veterans in the northwest part of the state.

Larsen and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., have pushed the department for better veteran access to health care for years.

The vet’s center in Everett will be one of 23 new facilities planned nationwide over the next two years.

Veterans planning to attend one of the forums are asked to telephone Larsen’s office, 425-252-3188.

Forum schedule

People interested in attending one of the forums for veterans are asked to telephone U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen’s office in Everett, 425-252-3188.

Here’s the schedule:

Sedro Woolley: 8:30-10 a.m. Tuesday, American Legion Post 43, 701 Murdock St.

Oak Harbor: 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oak Harbor Elks Lodge 2362, 155 NE Ernst St.

Bellingham: 1-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, American Legion Post 7, 1688 W. Bakerview Road.

Marysville: 10-11:30 a.m., Nov. 30, American Legion Post 178, 115 Cedar Ave.