To answer your question, I have been a member of the VA for years and have seen continuing improvements in services, particularly with all the wounded from Iraq.

There is a hospital in Fayetteville and Little Rock with with most of the specialty medical services. About ten years ago a clinic was opened in Fort Smith at the old Holt Krock clinic. It has expanded steadily with added services.

You are registered onto a team of about 200 vets. Each team has a doctor, nurse and administrator assigned...there are now over 10 teams in FS and new clinics are being opened in Ozark and I believe Harrison. Your team assigns you to the hospitals for specialty treatment.

You have to visit the doctor once a year to stay active and receive a full physical including blood work and x-rays. All meds are available at very low cost. I think a new pharmacy was just opened in FS. The quality of service has improved steadily and rivals either clinic in FS. If this what universal health care is all about...lead me to it.

I have just been fitted with new, digital hearing aids up in Fayetteville which included a complete doctor exam, hearing tests, etc. Then fitted for the appliances and when they arrived was checked, tested, trained and sent off with a full supply of batteries. Somewhere around six to seven thousand dollars in services.

I also received advanced degrees on the GI Bill, so my years of service are being rewarded very well.

And by the way, the officers and docs involved in the Walter Reed mess were either relieved or retired or both.

Many of you talk a lot with out accurate knowledge about that which you speak. Grow up, get with it, and show some respect. There has been way too much personality bashing on here lately. A few real smart asses!