In reply to Roy McAlister (Letters, April 7) I must agree with him. My husband joined the Navy in 1959 with the same promise of free health care for life. At age 18 no man thinks that when he needs the medical help the most from the military that it might not be there.

My husband upon retirement spent 20 more years fighting for all the benefits and help he could get through the Veterans Administration. God bless the VA. When Tricare came along we too were urged to use it rather than the base facilities. After we moved from Oak Harbor in 2000 that is the only system that James used and we were very happy with it. James found out in June of 2005 that he had cancer and for a short five months he was in and out of care here in Bellingham before his passing in October.

I would recommend that Mr. McAlister come up to Bellingham and see the new VA medical facility here for care. I also know that the many doctors and Saint Joseph Hospital who cared for James took Tricare and it was a financial life saver for us as retirees. I urge any veteran who served in Vietnam to please see the VA as now many cancers are being connected with Agent Orange. His did not show up for many years. God bless our veterans, support them always.

Judith Vaughn

Maple Valley