Before he made his way to the Covelli Centre, President Trump spoke to a room full of Valley heroes. 

"In my administration, we will always protect those who protect us," Trump said.

Close to 150 veterans packed into the AMVETS Post 44 in Struthers for an invite-only event, including one who received a special honor from the president.

The President presented 96-year-old Robert Bishop of Austintown with a certificate of recognition for his heroic sacrifice during Pearl Harbor.

Special gratitude for a man who only considers himself lucky.

"More than I deserve. I was not a hero. I was a survivor," Bishop said.

Bishop served on the USS Tennessee and moved back to Austintown after World War II with his wife. 

The event to salute local veterans is part of marking American Heroes Week at the White House.

The opening of new veterans facilities across Ohio was mentioned Tuesday night, along with the possibility of a new veterans outpatient center coming to Youngstown in the near future.

Trump touted his progress to bring changes to the way veterans are served through the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs with his signing of the Veterans Accountability Act.

The law makes it easier for the VA to fire employees for under performance.

Veterans from across the Valley agree that challenges related to their health care lie ahead.

"That's the biggest factor in all of our minds here is health care as we get older," said Robert Whinnery of Salem. 

Whinnery remains optimistic on the president's progress to make reforms.

"He's only been in office for six months, you don't just go in and change everything overnight," he said.

"I think that everything he's planning to do is right on target," said Jennifer Baun, President  Northeast Ohio Women's Veterans Unit 21. 

Baun says Trump's message to hold VA workers accountable is a message that struck home for many veterans in the room.