It’s rare in today’s America, with divisions on almost everything, to find common ground on an issue.

Veterans, however, have seemed to be the exception to that. The right and left, Democrats, Republicans and those of other political beliefs are basically united on praising and honoring America’s military veterans.

But is there substance behind the pompous speeches, private platitudes and banners unfurled for a day or two each year and then placed back into storage? How well do we really care for those who joined the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and other branches of the military?

The unfolding Department of Veterans Affairs scandal displays the sad reality. We’re letting down those who answered the nation’s call.

An inspector general who conducted an independent investigation of reports of extended delays of service at a Phoenix VA hospital revealed that the rumors were true. In fact, it was even worse than originally thought.

The report said there is a “systemic problem nationwide.” At least 23 veterans — and perhaps as many as 40 — died while awaiting care across the nation. That is disgraceful.

The inspector general’s 35-page report states that 1,700 veterans seeking care in Phoenix were placed on unofficial wait lists in an effort to make hospital staffers look good — and remain eligible for awards and pay raises!

The reality was, 226 veterans sought appointments at the facility last year, and 84 percent were placed on waiting lists of two weeks or more. Some records were distorted to show veterans actually preferred to wait weeks or even months for an exam. The average wait time was, in reality, 115 days.

President Barack Obama has called the news “a disgrace” and his staff has described him as “mad as hell.”

VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki resigned Friday, saying he was misled by underlings without integrity. Perhaps that is so, but he was the person in charge. His lack of attention to the problem is inexcusable.

Shinseki served with distinction, retiring from the Army as a four-star general, but failed in this assignment.

We’re not partisan or naive enough to suggest the problems started with Shinseki, but it came to light during his watch. In addition, the woes that were revealed at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where wounded warriors suffered in deplorable conditions, occurred while he was the Army chief of staff.

Wyoming, a state proud of its men and women who serve in uniform, has seen evidence of the problem here.

David Newman, a telehealth coordinator and registered nurse at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center, authored an email on June 19, 2013, advising other staffers how to get around the mandated 14 days to provide care to veterans. The email offered tips on how to make an appointment seem to fit into that window.

“Yes, it is gaming the system a bit,” Newman said. “But you have to know the rules of the game you are playing, and when we exceed the 14-day measure, the front office gets very upset, which doesn’t help us.

“You can still fix this and get off the bad boys list, by cancelling the visit (by clinic) and then rescheduling it with a desired date within that 14-day window.”

Newman has been placed on administrative leave. He must not be allowed to return to work.

Gary Lucus of the Hughes-Pittinger American Legion Post No. 26 here in Powell said he has heard no complaints about access of care here.

“No, they do a good job for us,” he said.

Of course, that should be the standard for all VA centers. It’s worth noting that politicians must share the blame for this mess, since while the armed forces are asking for permission to close unneeded bases, Congress wants them kept open as economic engines for local communities.

It seems to us that money should be dedicated to active-duty personnel, important missions and care for the veterans who often paid a heavy price for their service. A shortage of doctors in VA facilities is a primary reason for the delay in treatment.

The federal government needs to provide the funding for proper medical care for all veterans, and it needs to ensure the staffers at all VA centers provide timely access to care. The veterans need, and deserve, nothing less. They earned it, and we must honor our commitment to them.

To read the VA inspector general report, go to http://tinyurl.com/mbtdy9t.