The Wait is Over for Veterans

Dr. Lithium Lin, VA Deputy Chief of Staff

In small scattered groups, veterans from World War II to Operation Desert Storm and the conflict in Afghanistan were called upon to stand and be recognized for their service to their country during dedication ceremonies for the VA Medical Clinic in Lamar this past Wednesday, December 17.

Congressman Cory Gardner

Well over a hundred veterans and some wives, area residents and local and regional dignitaries attended the ribbon cutting and the grand opening program which was held at the Lamar Eagles Lodge Tuesday morning.  It was a long-awaited event as veterans of all ages and degrees of health used a three room converted trailer at the former KOA Campgrounds on Highway 50 as temporary facilities while a permanent site was selected and modified into the clinic which opened on November 24.

Crowds on Hand at the VA Opening

Cheryl Kester, the Clinic manager welcomed the attendees and various speakers were introduced including Dr. Lithium Lin, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Colorado VA; Dwight Gardner, Veteran/Military Constituent Advocate; Lisa Thomas, President of the Lamar Chamber of Commerce; Prowers County Commissioners, Joe Marble, Henry Schnabel and Wendy Buxton-Andrade; U.S. Senator-Elect Cory Gardner and Douglas Harbour who has organized the annual 9/11 Salute to Veterans and First Responders in the three state region.  Other representatives on hand included Lamar Mayor Roger Stagner and State Senator Larry Crowder as well as representatives from the local VFW and American Legion.

Tele-Med Conference Room

Doug Harbour began his remarks with a well-known shout-out of,”Semper Fi, Marines.”  He asked those who had been in past wars to stand to be recognized, especially those veterans who had served in the “Forgotten War’ of Korea during the early 1950s.  He remarked, “Everyone of you have carried the flame of freedom and have passed it on to the next generation.  This is of significance from our nation’s Revolutionary War up to today’s conflicts.’  He added, “It’s comforting to know our country and the VA has our back and is willing to step forward for us with this clinic to help us in our time of needs.”

Taking Tour of Facilities

The three Prowers County Commissioners offered remarks on the development of the new clinic.  Henry Schnabel said that although he was not a vet, he came from a family that had a military background with an older brother who served in the Air Force, two younger brothers in the Navy and another younger brother who had served in a medical outfit with the Marines in Vietnam and who had been severely injured during his tour of duty.  He added, “I can tell you how much I appreciate being able to support having this facility in our county so vets can receive the care they deserve.  It’s a humbling honor to be able to help these people.” 

Commission Chairman, Joe Marble, who had served in the military, singled out a guest at the ceremony.  “I believe we have the oldest World War Two vet in the county with us today, Bob Harris,” whom he asked to stand to be observed and honored.  Marble said we need to be sure we offer special support to our older veterans for their medical needs.

U.S. Senator-elect, Cory Gardner, spoke at length about the nation’s obligation to support those men and women who served to keep our country free.  “It’s hard not to become emotional given the sacrifice that these people have made for our country.  Our children should be taught to recognize the sacrifices that you have made for our freedoms,” he added.  Gardner remarked about keeping a promise to the future, saying, “This clinic is not the fulfillment of our promise to veterans, but the start of our promises.  We said we would meet the health care needs of those who served our country and we need to make sure we provide the services you were promised.”  He added that not just on a local level, but that promise also had statewide ramifications by completing the new VA hospital under construction in Denver.  He also thanked Colorado State Senator, Larry Crowder, who was in attendance, for his efforts in keeping Gardner and his staff up to date with the developments of the Lamar clinic, so they could lend support in finalizing the location and construction of the facility.

Gardner closed his remarks by sharing an incident he witnessed during his first year with the legislature in Washington, coming upon a late night tour of the capitol and seeing a young legless man in a wheelchair viewing a picture along the corridor.  He said the quotation on the painting read, “Our nation, conceived in Liberty and purchased in blood can only be maintained through constant vigilance.”  Gardner said it’s the national duty to remain vigilant to those who made our nation’s freedoms possible and whose blood and sacrifice should not be overlooked by future generations who’s obligations is fulfill the promise to look after our nation’s veterans in their future years.

Ribbon Cutting for the VA Clinic
L-R: Cheryl Kester Clinic Mgr, Dr. Lithium Lin Deputy Chief of Staff, Congressman Cory Gardner, Commissioners Schnabel and Buxton-Andrade and Jeremy Miller-Local VA Representative

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony in front of the VA Clinic, dozens of people viewed the new facility, including demonstrations of the tele-med equipment which will connect local patients to a host of medical providers in Colorado and around the nation.

By Russ Baldwin