MEETING: Sad day for veterans

Last Wednesday, I attempted to attend an open meeting of local veterans and representatives of the VA Hospital in Spokane. It was intended to inform attendees of the change in the Emergency Services to an Urgent Care Walk In-style clinic. Representing the VA Hospital were two nice young women. One was a doctor in charge of the new clinic (I believe) and the other was from Hospital Administration Services.

Now the reason for my letter. I read the letter from Mr. Steven Stiles in the Sunday Coeur d’Alene Press. He stated “I was never so disgusted as I was at the ineptitude of the representatives speaking at this forum.”

Well, Mr. Stiles, I was never so disgusted as I was to see the treatment of these two women by the “disgruntled G.I.s.” Of course, they seldom could answer.

Gentlemen, you berated those two women in a manner so insulting and downright mean, that I could not bear anymore and left after 45 minutes. Your attitude was most unbecoming of a veteran. All the veterans had valid complaints but they addressed them in a manner that embarrasses me to be a veteran. I came thinking of possibly joining the VFW organization. Seeing how these veterans became a lynch mob mentality, well if that is the common conduct expected of members, then I would never join. Some were respectful of their complaints but too many were not. I am a USAF retired, disabled veteran but I would never treat women thus.

LLOYD ROGERS

Post Falls