The Veterans Administration is morally and legally responsible to treat soldiers regardless of length of service, due to their combat history. Yet some combat servicemen and women who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq are having trouble securing treatment by VA hospitals.

According to the 2007 edition of a VA handbook, “Veterans who served in combat location during active military service after Nov. 11, 1998, are eligible for free health care services for conditions potentially related to combat services for two years following separation from active duty.”

Branches of the military advertise regularly to recruit young people, promising futures full of outstanding benefits. Yet, we believe the government is withholding medical and mental health treatment to veterans whose battlefield experiences forced an early end to their military careers.

The Veterans Affairs handbook begins with a quote from Abraham Lincoln, acknowledging the country’s duty to its soldiers: “To care for him who shall have borne the battle …”

The nation’s servicemen and women have fought for their country; they shouldn’t have to fight for treatment.

Michael and Lorna Smilek, Farmington