The grand opening is still two weeks away, but the Rome Outreach VA clinic opened for business at 8 a.m. Friday morning
to a line of waiting veterans.
“Even though they’re not having the grand opening until next month, it’s exciting to see
those doors open,” said veteran Ben Terry. “It was a group effort by a lot of people.”
Before the clinic, located at 30 Chateau Drive, opened, the nearest clinics were in metro Atlanta.
Many of the veterans in attendance at the opening said they had difficulties making that trip.
“I hate going to Atlanta. I hate gong to Smyrna,” said Virginia Myers, a WWII veteran who served
in the Women’s Army Corps. “I think it’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to Rome. I know it’s
not a whole hospital, but it’s a step in the door.”
She said that VA clinics are important because they help vets in need all across the country.
“I traveled for 20 years in a motor home and hurt my ankle in California,” said Myers. “I
showed up at a VA clinic, and they got me some help right away.”
Willie Jackson, a veteran who heads up the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program with the Department of Labor,
called Rome’s clinic a godsend. The DVOP organizes a bus to take vets to the clinic in Atlanta once a week for treatment.
“If it requires further treatments they can still go (to Atlanta), but they can get their initial treatment
here,” said Jackson.
“It’s been a 15-year quest for the veterans. The victory is won,” said Janet Byington, district
director for U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Smyrna, who helped bring the clinic to Rome.
Around 2,200 veterans signed petitions to get a clinic opened in Rome, according to Byington.
The grand opening and dedication ceremony for the clinic is scheduled for Oct. 15.
The clinic is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. It is closed on Wednesdays.
