Commander of Walter Reed relieved UPDATED

Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, the commanding general of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, has been relieved of command because of his failure "to address needed solutions for soldier outpatient care." The announcement, made by Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey, also indicated that military leaders had "lost trust and confidence" in Weightman after a series of complaints about the treatment of soldiers who live in housing at Walter Reed as "outpatients".

Walter Reed is the primary medical facility involved in treating soldiers wounded or injured overseas, especially from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The move effectively ends Weightman's career in the military, after only six months in the position. Other soldiers have apparently been disciplined, but no details were given.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently created an independent review panel which met for the first time last Friday, and will be headed by former SecArmy Togo West.

"The care and welfare of our wounded men and women in uniform demand the highest standard of excellence and commitment that we can muster as a government," Gates said. "When this standard is not met, I will insist on swift and direct corrective action and, where appropriate, accountability up the chain of command."

It's a sad day, indeed, when America does not take care of its veterans and wounded soldiers adequately. Walter Reed should be the premiere military medical facility in the world, but instead soldiers are exposed to rats, mold, improper care and poor leadership.

These men and women deserve and need the finest medical care that can be found anywhere. Now it's time to hold Gates personally responsible.

***UPDATED***: Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey has now resigned, also. That leaves Gates to pick up the pieces, and he'd better do it in a hurry!