CLEARLAKE — A milestone was reached Wednesday with the dedication of the new Clearlake Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinic on Lakeshore Drive. Gratitude accentuated the event with appreciation endlessly extended to those who worked so diligently on the project as well as to those men and women who so selflessly earned the right to access VA services.
“It”s been a long time coming but as you can see it was well worth the wait,” Lawrence H. Carroll, VA medical center director said. “It”s long been the VA”s commitment to ensure healthcare for all veterans. This new rural clinic is a perfect example of the VA standing by that commitment. It”s been 10 years waiting for this day to come.”
Carroll, common with all speakers, recognized Jim Brown, of the Lake County United Veterans Council, for his dedication and persistence. “You never stopped believing and we thank you for that he said,” continuing with appreciation extended to many, from designers and planners to the veterans the facility will serve. “There are so many others who worked so hard to bring this project to reality. Thank you everyone who worked so hard and so long to get to this day to open this clinic.”
Carroll concluded his address with special recognition of Congressman Mike Thompson. “You are truly a veterans” advocate and a staunch supporter of the VA and we appreciate that,” he said. “And thank you to each and every veteran. We look forward to serving you with the dignity and honor you deserve.”
District 1 Supervisor Jim Comstock, who is a veteran, said that participating in Wednesday”s dedication was one of the best duties he”s had the pleasure to perform as a supervisor. He commended his fellow veterans and expressed pride in serving his country. “You”re young and you serve and you”re proud to serve,” he said. “Thanks to all of you that served your country. That”s what this is all about.”
District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith reiterated the gratitude expressed by speakers before him especially, that extended to Thompson. “Again, it can”t be said enough what Mike Thompson has done,” he said. “This is probably the single greatest thing that has happened in my district, this district, right now.”
Thompson said it”s not so much that veterans deserve the quality healthcare the VA offers, but that they earned it. “It”s up to us to make sure these services are available to the men and women, the heroes and heroines who served our country,” he said. “More than 9,000 veterans signed a petition to let the VA know how important this is. I”m just honored to be a part of it.”
The Clearlake VA Clinic, located at 15145 Lakeshore Drive, will open for patient care on Nov. 1. Services will include primary medical care, outpatient mental health services, immunizations, nutrition counseling, on-site members services representative, laboratory studies, physicals, medications from VA pharmacy refill line/on-line refills, social work, enrollment in VA health care, medical advice nurse, referrals for specialty services, shuttle service to San Francisco VA Medical Center.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
