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New VA outpatient clinic opens
The new Franklin community based outpatient clinic is one of nine such clinics to be opened in North Carolina as the Veterans Administration moves provide more convenient health care services. Senator Richard Burr, who spoke during ribbon-cutting ceremony called it a" sign of change in the VA." "It is an important step in the way VA health care will be delivered," he said. "It is an obligation we owe to our veterans." About 700 folks showed up for the ceremony. Although 500 chairs had been provided underneath the tin-canopy porch of the facility, there was standing room only with several hundred others who couldn't find a seat. The parking lot at Franklin High School was packed with bus shuttles running to the nearby site every few minutes. Clay, Cherokee and Graham county departments of transportation provided buses and vans available to veterans and their families at no cost to ride over the mountain for the dedication. Sandy Zimmerman, an administrative assistant for Congressman Heath Shuler, said that more than 100 vets and their families took advantage of this transportation. In addition to the vets, commissioners Lynn Cody, Raymond Williams and Billy Cagle of Graham County, Herbert Cheeks of Clay County, and David Sumpter, Jonathan Dickey and Dana Jones of Cherokee County attended. Jack Wiggins, a Robbinsville town alderman and Buddy Vaught, a town councilman from Hayesville also attended. Wayne Carringer, an Army Air Corps veteran and one of two living survivors in western North Carolina from the WWII Bataan- Corregidor Death March was recognized with a standing ovation prior to leading the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. U.S. Senator Richard Burr and U.S. Representative Heath Shuler both spoke, expressing their appreciation to the veterans for all they have done. Also, Graham Fields, the western regional director for U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, spoke as did several local officials. Both Daniel Hoffman, Director of the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network and Susan Pendergrass, the Director of the clinic, pledged customer service "to exceed the veteran's expectation." The Marine Corps League, Detachment 973, presented and posted the colors. NIkki Corbin and her mother sang the National Anthem. The invocation and benediction were delivered by Bishop Adam West, Jr. Chaplain of the Viet Nam Veterans of America, Chapter 994. And David Raney gave the welcoming remarks and introduced the speakers. General (Retired) F. P. Bodenheimer, Jr. was recognized along with his family for their contribution to the project, having given the land on which the clinic is located. Congressman Shuler expressed his appreciation for everyone who had worked to bring this project to completion. He thanked senators Burr and Dole.
"We stepped across the aisle and worked together on this," Shuler said. "It is an example of congress working together because we are all Americans first." Shuler asked for continued prayers for veterans and the men and women who are today in harms way.
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