In talking about a steam pipe explosion at the VA Medical Center that killed two, including a Navy veteran, and injured three, VA Director Al Montoya (left) said, “Today, as I sat there on probably one of the hardest moments of my VA career, and told his loved one that he was deceased, it was so difficult. But I will tell you what she said back to me, is that this is the reason he came in. As a veteran, he wanted to take care of fellow veterans. He wanted to give back to those men and women who fought so hard. It’s moments like that that really tear at your heart and tear at your soul.” (Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant)