Many readers know that I work part-time at the VA hospital, making ward rounds 2 months each year.  Today I want everyone to think of the veterans.  Many medical students and residents make light of the veterans’ contribution to this country.  We see them later in life, after many of them have lived hard lives and developed diseases of self abuse.  But we should always remember that they fought in the armed services.

I like the veterans.  They are generally the nicest patients and the most grateful patients.  Each day that I round at the VA I try to treat them with the respect they deserve.  While they were in the jungles of Viet Nam, I was in college and medical school.  Many of the patients are from my age group.  I understand their background.

So take a minute or more today to honor the veterans, especially those who we will never know.  These men and women deserve our thoughts and respect.