I CANNOT agree with WSJ's
January 13 report on VA
"indifference." My experience since 1992
has been quite the opposite, other than a few instances where staffers were in
an inappropriate position of authority. Instead VA has been amazingly attentive
to my concerns, and concerns of the veterans of our C-123 Veterans Association.
For
instance, this MLK holiday weekend a dedicated claims worker in the VA St Paul
Regional Office has been reviewing veterans' claims and resolving many which have taken too long.
That worker has been
available for detailed inquiries, and has resolved claims in as little as 16
days for a terminal veteran.
Mr. McDonald's
leadership cannot inspire everyone at VA nor can he do the work of all 300,000
employees. His leadership, however, is as telling as it can be. I cannot
imagine any cabinet officer working as hard at such a thankless job.
As for medical care,
I've had some disappointments but in the decades since my injury, probably
fewer complaints with VA than I'd have had with my civilian practitioners, and
certainly a more comprehensive package of care offered me...dental,
prosthetics, rehab, pharmacy, ophthalmology, general medicine and other
benefits essential to a disabled veteran.
Veterans are lucky
to be able to say to Secretary McDonald, "Thank you for YOUR
service!"
