VA scandal is a betrayal of our trust

The Memorial Day weekend is rapidly approaching. Families are planning trips and packing up for the holiday weekend. The barbecues are being stocked for that outdoor grilled flavored fun. And veterans like myself begin to gear up to honor our fallen and wounded. Those that have survived another year. And to give thanks for those who are serving right now all over the world for this nation.

Yet there is a dark smear that has many veterans like myself shocked and deeply disturbed. Another scandal is rocking the Veteran’s Administration. This time from a VA hospital facility in Phoenix, Arizona. At least 40 veteran deaths from this hospital are at the heart of the scandal. Apparently they were waiting for vital care that was never given. Buried in endless red tape and delays for years. They ended up on the losing end and died one by one.

Allegations of a cover up, secret lists, false claims of waiting times are just some of the chilling accusations behind those deaths. It has sparked outrage from veterans, their families, veterans groups and members of congress. One such group, the American Legion and some senators have called for the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, a retired four star Army general and decorated Vietnam veteran.

The hospital itself is currently under investigation by the Inspector General office per Shinseki’s orders. Sec.Shinseki has been subpoenaed to testify about this scandal to the House Veteran’s Affairs Committee. So in my opinion calls for his resignation are a little early. Too many questions must be asked and he needs to remain in his position to answer them.

If any of these allegations turn out to be in fact true. Then the VA hospital in Phoenix has betrayed the very group of people it was put in charge of caring for- The Veterans. A deep betrayal of trust. If claims from the families of the deceased 40 veterans can be linked up and proven true it could be criminal as well. Heads will roll. Prosecution and prison time might come into the picture.

Trust is a huge issue to veterans. We do not give it easily. When we do it must be earned and maintained. Betray that and it will take years to regain that trust if ever. A lot of veterans may choose to never use VA facilities ever again because of this mess. And they are likely to be the ones in the dire need of them.

Then there is another sad factor to all this. The Phoenix VA may not be alone. Reports of other VA hospitals in several states being accused of similar misdeeds are springing up. It may be more widespread than anyone believed. That is just mind boggling.

What about our Alaskan VA? As far as I know it is robust and providing excellent care. It isn’t perfect and has it’s share of troubles. But nothing like what is happening in Arizona. I shudder to think of what might happen, if that kind of decay ever spreads up here.

Yet questions must be asked. Allegations must be investigated from the highest levels to the lowest. Answers must be found. And action must be taken. Those responsible must be held fully accountable. Termination, resignation and even prison should be their collective fate.

Steps must be taken to turn this nasty tide around. Stop the spread of this decay in its tracks and weed it out. Repair and reform the system so that real mission of the VA is to provide only the best care to the Veteran is fully restored, in a timely manner. Then make sure that it never, ever happens again. We won’t take anything less than that.

Veterans are not numbers. We are not bums. We are people. We have paid our dues in blood, lost limbs and other wounds. We bear the hidden wounds of PTSD. We willingly served this nation in peace and war. We are those that served proudly. The Veteran’s Administration was created to serve us and our needs. Not the other way around. Some how those at the Phoenix VA hospital and other facilities have forgotten this. They must be reeducated about their real mission and rededicate themselves to truly serve the veteran.

There is an old saying from my time spent in the U.S. Army.” The maximum range of an excuse is zero meters.” The maximum range of this current fiasco is even less.

Wasilla resident Daniel D. Grota retired from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of service.