Hi Mary, I found your article in the Veterans Post today after visiting my grandpa in the hospital. He has been there since June 26, 2008. He was going to an appointment at the VA that day and fell at the front entrance of the hospital and broke his hip. He had surgery the following night after many delays. I remember sitting in the waiting room while he was having surgery and there was a woman crying. I remember thinking I hope everything is ok, I hope it's not going to be us crying soon. As he was only given a 50/50 chance of surviving the surgery due to many health problems. Anyways, after reading the article today I wondered is this the woman i saw in the waiting room, I visited your site and found your picture. It was you. I am so sorry for your loss. I have seen first hand that the VA is capable of excellent care. The CICU, and MICU have wonderful caring nurses/ doctors. However, if you are in any other section of that hospital you may as well sign your death warrant. I hope for you to continue in life and find happiness again. May God bless you and give you strength.

Mary, I read about Rich's lack of treatment and subsequent death at the hands of the VA from vet sites as hadit.com and watchdog.org. I went through a variety of emotions, sad, tearful, grief, anger and dispair for their disregard to life. You were fortunate to have shared a love with Rich, that others could only dream of. I applaud you for sticking to your convictions and making them responsible for your man's death. The picture of him in May with the grandkids evidence his decline in his health status. His color looks grey/ashen, his face is drawn, and his abdomen is very much edematous. He must have endured pain and tried to stay strong and put his faith in a system that failed him clear to his death. Mary, in your quest for some sort of justice, be careful not to become bitter, as it will wear you down and cause health problems for you. I send you courage to stay stong, stay focused and seek refuge in knowing others have your back. Rich was not just a number. He represented the core of our country, a veteran. Maybe a good lawyer can find a loop-hole to make the VA responsible financially just to help you financially, exist. May you be blessed.

Am so sorry for your loss.. Va nursing home here should be closed down its a sad thing to know how are vets are treated you have a lot of guts for what you did and said we need more people like you in this world..

Dear Mary, My thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with you. Hopefully one day the V.A. will finally be held accountable for their atrocities and incompetence. May you find peace and comfort in knowing that you are not alone, there are many people who pray for you and your loved ones.

Dear Mary, I was saddened to hear about your loss. It upsets me to hear and read of the circumstances surrounding the death of Rich. I met you and Rich at my wifeâ??s shop in Tarpon Springs, through Frankie D. It disgusts me of how this government takes care of our veterans and their families. This needs to change. I have talked to many veterans and they have shared with me their horror stories regarding their treatment or the lack of treatment at the James A Haley VA Medical Center. I assure you that if I am elected to Congress it will be a top priority of mine to make sure our veterans and their families are treated with the utmost care that they deserve and not be treated in the manner that yourself and Rich had to endure. My prayers and thoughts are with you.