America should have a “Celebrate Public Service Day,” a holiday to recognize and honor the thousands of nameless, faceless public servants who work to make the daily lives of the rest of us safer, healthier, less complicated and more efficient.

A shining reminder of this commitment to excellence occurred, once again, on April 9. Since retiring to Maine, I have received most of my medical care from the Veterans Affairs Department for Maine. Every time that I have questions, need routine or emergency care, I have received it promptly, professionally and with respect and empathy from the moment I reach a caregiver or am met by a receptionist on check-in — not occasionally but every time.

It grieves me to see and read about the disgraceful disrespect that is blatantly being shown by those who are scoring their half-baked political points at the expense (and careers) of thousands of selfless, hardworking fellow Americans and their families. I’m particularly disturbed by the lack of empathy and the complicity of those other “public servants” in our state who, by their silence,” provide cover for these travesties.

Ken Maclean
Scarborough