Readers of Tom Philpott's Military Update column sound off.

Praise for VA Facility Where Dad Spent Final Days

As a retired female Air Force member, I find that VA hospitals, as a whole, leave a lot to be desired.  The one here in Hampton, Va., has long waits and treatment is lacking.  But there is one that sets an example all should follow: the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, Ariz.

My Dad, who suffered from emphysema for five years, passed away in early September at the Tucson facility.  In the summer he had developed phenomena, a lung abscess and Aspergillums and was in and out of the VA hospital during July and August.  Five days before his passing he went into acute renal failure from the multitude of antibiotics he took to fight the lung problems.

The care my Dad received over his last five years, particularly the last two months, was impeccable and from experts in this field.  From the moment one steps through the door of this facility -- from people who push the laundry and food carts to volunteers who run the halls, from the support staff and RN's, to the respiratory therapists and teams of doctors and interns -- all provide the best care I have ever seen at a hospital, civilian or military.

They aren't cost driven; any treatment my Dad needed he got.  Everyone was helpful and explained things in terms we could understand.  I had my reservations when I first heard he was using a VA hospital.  But after being there, I understood why. 

I asked an employee, Ronnell in the emergency room, why their facility was so outstanding compared to ones I have heard about and my own experience with the VA Hampton.  He said the director of this facility, Jonathan H. Gardner, MPA, decided to turn Tucson into one of the best VA medical centers in the region.  He brought many veterans into the workforce and asks them how they want their facility to run for fellow veterans.  The results are this remarkable facility where care is outstanding.

I wish every VA hospital would follow Southern Arizona's lead.

JERRI MICHAEL
Via e-mail

Prices Too High

Please revisit the subject of exchange and commissary shopping.  As a military retiree I find that the prices on base have outpaced those in the commercial marketplace.

We shop at Parris Island commissary and exchange.  While I don't keep a list of prices on all items I do check prices of things I like, and I can see where the five percent surcharge in commissaries does tack on a few cents more.  I do find savings on a military special rum and, in the exchange, on sneakers.  But prices for other clothing and for appliances are not competitive with Wal-Mart, Target and other retailers and online sources.  

My wife is really the eagle eye when it comes to prices.  She says meats are the only deal in commissaries.

I recall the old days, when these outlets may not have been pretty but they offered good prices.  I am not looking for happy greeters when I go shopping.  Just offer good pricing and I will return for more.  They can start by cutting the commissary surcharge and passing on those savings.

It is time to scrap this benefit and let the private sector take it over with the goals of cutting overhead and delivering lower prices to our service men and women.

JIM QUIRK
Bluffton S.C.

TFL Fees

As retired military, I am concerned about the possibility of changes to the TRICARE for Life program.

Under the Obama health care revision, will my spouse and I be charged for enrollment or charged co-payment when TFL is used as a supplement to Medicare?

JOHN C. HAMILTON
USA-Ret.
Via e-mail

TRICARE for Life would not see any changes as a result of health care reform bills now before Congress or from the outline of priorities endorsed by the Obama administration.  That doesn't mean, however, that at some point the Defense Department won't propose charging fees for TFL.  They are not part of this health care debate, however. – Tom Philpott

More on Women Submariners

Being a 27-year Navy vet, but never a sub sailor, I don't feel fully qualified to comment.  However, because I lived through the female transition on surface ships, the first few miserable years everyone went through, I know it can be done.

I do wonder what would be gained. There are certainly still enough volunteers for the subs to crew them with men only, so the issue isn't lack of staffing.

The Silent Service has its own traditions that could be contradictory to good order in a mixed crew.  But, certainly, these traditions could be modified just as the chief petty officer initiation has been.

There are good arguments on both sides.  I would have to come down only slightly in favor of transition.

DICK BEIER
Chief Electronic Technician, USN-Ret.

Before women are assigned to submarines, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus would do well to check the number of pregnancies occurring aboard co-gender surface ships.

MURIEL M. WILLIAMS
Poulsbo, Wash.

As a former 'stinkboat' wife, and proud of it, what are they thinking!

E. S. PROVINS
Escondido, Calif.

Letters may be edited for clarity or length.  Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA  20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit www.militaryupdate.com.