Surely, VA scandals aren't new to all?

I never know whether to laugh or cry when I read the news regarding the VA hospitals. It isn't possible that I am the only person that knows this has gone on for years and years. My brother was a Vietnam veteran and we were forced many times to take him to a veterans hospital as no other options were open due to finances.

I remember him being treated in hallways and rooms that were once closets. At the lowest point, his ICU nurses decided that he would not pull through his latest illness and basically ended care. He survived only because our family stayed with him 24/7.

Our mother, who heard the unkind things said about her behind her back by VA staff, worked diligently until she found a doctor on staff that would help us. He could barely speak English, but he was kind, gentle and found a way to save my brother's life.

Surely there are still some like him that do care, I guess everyone needs an advocate like our mother.

Bonnie Olson

Elgin