To the editor:

Earlier this month, we celebrated our nation’s independence and the generations of veterans who have secured our freedom through immense personal sacrifice. I hope these celebrations served as a reminder of the great debt we owe to our service members.

Many of these brave men and women remain on Veterans Administration waiting lists across the country, and they deserve better.

Congressman Randy Forbes is supporting legislation that would provide private care to these veterans if the VA cannot quickly provide the care they need, and I hope we can all stand behind him in his effort.

Under this legislation, veterans who have waited longer than the target appointment time or live more than 40 miles from a facility would qualify to see a private physician.

While I’m glad to see the beginning of reform at the VA, our veterans need medical care now, and I’m glad Congressman Forbes is working to meet their immediate needs.

Carole C. Williams

Suffolk