With all the negatives reported about the Department of Veterans Affairs recently, I would like to share a positive experience.

At a normal visit to the doctor at the Togus VA recently, a life-threatening aneurysm was found in my abdomen. I was immediately scheduled to go to the West Roxbury VA hospital in Massachusetts. Once I arrived, I was retested and set up for emergency surgery.

From the moment I was admitted until the time I was discharged, I was impressed with the hospital, the nurses, the surgical team, the post-op team. Each was professional to a fault. I was informed about everything that was happening or was going to happen, almost moment by moment. Every question I could think of was answered. I had no anxiety before or after the surgery.

The surgery was a total success, and my recovery has been quick.

As far as I am concerned, the VA system is top notch. From the moment I walked into Togus, from the physician’s assistant who helped me there, to the complete team in West Roxbury, to the bus drivers to and from Massachusetts, everything was exemplary.

I need to spread a good word about the VAs. I believe they are really trying to give the best care to American veterans. I know from experience, they saved my life.

Darryl Fitzherbert, Randolph