When a flashlight is illuminated in a dark room, dangerous creatures and innocents alike scurry for shelter. As holders of the flashlight, we are relieved that the dangerous run for cover. Perhaps, in the back of our minds, we feel a bit guilty for frightening the innocents.

So run my feelings at present. First, I am happy the awful missteps in Veterans Affairs, especially at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, have come to light. But I wish so many good and honorable people did not have to be defensive about this searing light, which was so necessary to expose some nasty goings-on.

First, I believe media reports about failures in the admitting and treatment of our deserving and beloved veterans. Second, I congratulate those steps taken to rectify these problems.

But I would like you to consider what we often do as a society and a country. So many times we expose the worst and leave the honorable in their bath water as castoffs.

Virtually all public servants -- certainly the 1970s presiding party -- were cast as villains when President Nixon went down. Politicos of both parties were tarnished with the Watergate brush.

And now, virtually all of Veterans Affairs is under a cloud because of the Walter Reed allegations.

Again, I do not dismiss those allegations. I applaud those who are trying to make things better. I would trade places with any U.S. serviceman who waits in line at one of our VA facilities for processing and treatment.

But don't crush the innocents who scurry under the media's camp sirens and blazing floodlights. For example, I offer the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Services (VAVS). Lest you think I know not of what I speak, I am a deputy national representative of this fine governmental unit.

Generally, it presides over, reports on and assures quality service by a network of volunteers who serve our veterans at VA health care facilities.

It was founded in 1946 to provide for our nation's veterans while they are cared for by VA health care facilities; it is one of the largest centralized volunteer programs in the federal government; more than 350 organizations support VAVS; and volunteers have provided nearly 700 million hours of service since 1946.

When it was established after World War II, Gen. Omar Bradley presided. He was head of the VA. It came about as there was a spontaneous outpouring of volunteers to assist our nation's veterans, who were confined in VA hospitals and other institutions, often unable to care for themselves.

The vets needed the help of the medical staff -- doctors, nurses and others -- to tend to their immediate medical conditions. They needed volunteers to do the little things -- push their wheelchairs to chapel services, play cards or write a letter home, even bending over to tie their shoelaces, something impossible for many.

Over the years, this system of volunteers grew. Some thought it was growing outdated in recent times as the numbers of World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans decreased. But because of recent foreign actions, the need for volunteers has been rejuvenated.

Who are these volunteers? According to recent volunteer-hour counts in a single year, they include:

American Ex-Prisoners of War (100,000-plus hours), American Legion (800,000-plus), American Legion Auxiliary (nearly half a million), Amvets (150,000-plus), BPOElks (140,000-plus), Disabled American Veterans (2.1 million), Jewish War Vets of USA (100,000-plus), Masonic Service of North America (200,000-plus), Paralyzed Vets of America (more than 100,000), Vietnam Vets of America (nearly 100,000) and VFW/Auxiliary (nearly 1.5 million).

What is all of this service worth? According to VAnguard, a publication of Veterans Affairs, in a recent year 94,000 volunteers provided services that could only be replaced by 6,200 full-time employees. Estimated savings: $228 million.

I know such facts and figures slip quickly through one's mind. But consider the thoughts of two volunteers who serve these hours. Richard and Judy Fletcher of Silver Spring, Md., have spent thousands of hours for more than a decade at Walter Reed. Their experiences are mostly with patients who have begun to adjust to the hospital setting. Richard wrote to me recently:

"All of our visits have been extremely positive. The staff has always gone out of their way to help us locate patients. Our experience at Walter Reed has been very positive."

I hope the bright lights continue to scare away the rodents who need reprimand, admonishment and replacement.

But please don't let the genuine helpers be forced to scurry away as well. The soldier with no legs who was visited by the Fletchers recently still needs their support.

Bill Roberts is a veteran journalist in Tonopah. His column appears Wednesday. Contact him at broberts@reviewjournal.com.