LETTERS

I am the wife of a Vietnam veteran who has been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. I want to thank DAV for the article in the November/ December 2018 magazine. Vietnam veterans have, and are, losing their lives to this cancer. Sadly, my husband died this past October. This cancer is a silent bullet until stage 4, when the patient finally exhibits symptoms. The prognosis at that point is six months to a year—or less. Vietnam veterans are a high-risk group, but the VA won’t even screen for this. Please continue to be a voice in this battle. Patricia Farrell, Tipp City, Ohio

The interests of extremists on both ends of the political spectrum are ultimately going to hurt veterans. We deserve better. We earned our health care system and benefits. Any effort to shortchange veterans should be met with a unified and nonpartisan front that includes all our veterans service organizations. As a combat veteran of Vietnam, who lost my leg in service, I am certain that privatization would be a disaster for me and my fellow veterans. Bill Caywood, Greenwood, Ind.

I have had some experience with HMOs that are run by private insurance companies where profitability is more important than proper health care. Privatization would turn our VA health care into an HMO, and if you think you are having a tough time with the VA, it would be much worse with “for-profit” insurance companies. Jerome Pohl, Galloway, N.J.

Privatization is about the United States government turning over the Department of Veterans Affairs to the private health care industry. There are a few senators, congressmen and congresswomen who are trying to stop this. I wish them luck. Just remember, rich people don’t use the VA. John Whalen, Brooklyn, N.Y.

I appreciated DAV’s cover story [in the January/February] issue on the 50th “Alive Day” anniversary of Jim Sursely. I served in Vietnam in 1968 and marked a half-century since my combat injury late last year. Though it’s hard to believe that it’s been that long, it’s gratifying to have had a chance to witness our generation’s commitment to making sure history doesn’t repeat itself. I think one of our greatest contributions has been our fight to ensure the mistakes we made in welcoming veterans home from our war are being addressed for the young men and women returning from the current wars. Vietnam veterans have much to be proud of. Mike Dillon, Winston-Salem, N.C.

DAV, I really love your organization. For over 50, years we’ve known what [cannabis] can do. When I was discharged I went to the VA hospital and asked them for cannabis. They came unglued, saying that is illegal. Since big pharma is not making money on this and big alcohol will lose money, the stall to legalize [marijuana] is nothing more than greed. Lance Walden

Research? Research? Medical cannabis is legal in 30 states. These 30 states are a simple majority, so they needed to legalize medical cannabis yesterday. William Stacy

Are you kidding? Pain relief is not a cure. It is only a Band-Aid. Too often, doctors want to treat symptoms instead of the problem. If the thing that is causing the pain is eliminated, the pain will disappear. Does pain relief cure anything? No! It doesn’t. Butch North

I am a veteran and spent one year in Vietnam. I have Parkinson’s as a result of Agent Orange. I am so thankful the VA is providing me care for this disease. Please support all efforts to extend VA care to all veterans who are suffering from wartime issues. Richard Vosika

As a provider of movement therapy devices to disabled veterans and as a strong supporter of all efforts to improve the quality of life for America’s veterans, [I join] DAV in urging President Trump to motivate Congress to pass the Blue Water Navy bill. I am a Vietnam combat veteran on the Agent Orange Registry after serving near-shore and offshore patrols on the Vietnam blockade from the DMZ around to Cambodia with the U.S. Coast Guard in 1969. Good luck on this effort! James Andrew Bowen

WRITE TO US Please send feedback to DAV Magazine, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076, or via email to feedback@dav.org. We also welcome feedback on our Facebook (facebook.com/DAV) and Twitter (twitter.com/davhq) pages. We regret we are unable to acknowledge every letter due to the volume received. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, style, accuracy, space and propriety. Letters involving claims are referred to DAV’s Service Department.