VA HOSPITAL HORROR – VET DIED CHEWED UP BY ANTS!
BEDRIDDEN HERO SUFFERED ALONE AND HELPLESS
THE horrific death of a helpless hero who was feasted on by an army of ants in a Veterans Affairs facility has exposed the appalling abuse suffered by America’s wounded and retired military while trapped in a twisted government system! Cancerstricken Air Force vet Joel Marrable, 73, died as he lay helpless, immobile and alone at the VA-run Eagle’s Nest Community Living Center in Atlanta, according to his distraught daughter, Laquna Ross, who exclusively revealed the stomach-churning details of her dad’s shameful death to The National ENQUIRER.
“He was unable to sit up on his own, walk on his own, use his hands or speak. But his brain worked,” said Laquna, whose father was found with more than 100 red, swollen insect bites before he passed away on Sept. 7. “So you can only imagine experiencing something so terrible, and not being able to do ANYTHING about it!” Joel’s unspeakable death has led to administrative suspensions at Eagle’s Nest and put a new focus on our nation’s shamefully mismanaged medical facilities for veterans. Astonishingly, Laquna said, her family had been on vacation during her dad’s last days, but the hospital never contacted them about his condition! She only learned of the ant attacks when she visited him during his final days — and saw the bites with her own eyes!
After Joel died, furious Sen. Johnny Isakson called for an investigation and contacted James Byrne — Deputy Secretary of Veteran Affairs — to demand answers and “express my dissatisfaction across all levels of the VA.” Incensed Isakson told The ENQUIRER, “I am shocked, horrified and downright maddened by the news that a veteran under the care of the VA was treated so poorly and without any regard for his well-being.”
Joel’s heartbreaking end is only the latest example of neglect and abuse in the nation’s VA facilities and comes as an investigation is being conducted into 11 suspicious deaths at the Louis A. Johnson VA Hospital in Clarksburg, W.Va. — with two having been ruled homicides because each of the patients allegedly received a fatal dose of insulin! “There are system failures at work here that allow so many veterans to die in the same manner,” said Tony O’Dell, a lawyer for the family of one of the victims.
At roughly 70 percent of VA hospitals, the median time between arrival in the emergency room and admission was longer than at other hospitals, in some cases by hours, according to a recent report.
Randy Reese, the executive director of Disabled American Veterans, which represents about one million heroes, told The ENQUIRER: “No veteran — especially those who are most vulnerable — should ever endure neglect while in a VA facility, and they must be treated with respect and dignity by those charged with
73-YEAR-OLD COULDN’T SPEAK, ‘BUT HIS BRAIN WORKED’
administering their care.”
And despite her family receiving an official apology from Veterans Affairs, Laquna told The ENQUIRER she will continue to speak out about her father’s treatment.
“My hope is that this incident spurs action to upgrade care for veterans,” she said.
The impact has already been felt. On Sept. 17, the Eagle’s Nest facility director was placed on administrative leave, its chief medical officer was transferred to other “administrative duties” and seven staffers were relegated to “non-patient care positions.” “What happened at Eagle’s Nest was unacceptable, and we want to ensure that veterans and families know we are determined to restore their trust in the facility,” said Dr. Richard Stone, the Veterans Health Administration Executive in Charge.
The Veterans Department of Public Affairs did not respond to our request for comment.