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Published Friday, November 06, 2009 in Opinion

Two grand new facilities to honor the veterans in our community

Editorial

Veterans Day is a special time in our community. Usually from early November until the holiday itself -- Nov. 11 -- there are programs and activities honoring the thousands of men and women here who have served our country. Seems like the entire community gets involved in the festivities.

Certainly, the time around Veterans Day 2009 is very special. At 1 p.m. today the community will celebrate the grand opening of the new Veterans Administration Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Newnan. The long sought clinic is at 39-A Oak Hill Court in the Oak Hill business and professional development off Highway 34 East and Sullivan Road.

The clinic is an asset to the veterans in our community who have had to travel elsewhere for VA medical care. This 10,000-square-foot, close-to-home facility provides primary care health services, nutrition counseling and social service. Other services like mental health outpatient care will be added in the future.

On Wednesday, the highlight of the Veterans Day celebration will be the annual program in the new Veterans Memorial Plaza at the Newnan city park, at corner of Jackson Street and Temple Avenue. During this program, statues of Coweta County's two Medal of Honor recipients -- Col. Joe M. Jackson and the late Maj. Stephen W. Pless -- will be unveiled at the Memorial Plaza. Jackson, who now lives in Washington state, will attend the ceremony and will be one of the speakers.

With the unveiling of the Medal of Honor statues, the Veterans Memorial Plaza will be completed. The plaza itself was opened on Memorial Day in May. Now, this long-time dream -- a place to honor and remember all the brave men and women who have served our county -- has been fulfilled.

If you haven't seen the Veterans Memorial Plaza, it is a first-class facility. For veterans and most anyone, a visit to the plaza is an emotional and inspirational experience. Go for a ceremony like the one on Wednesday, or go when no one is there, and you will feel a spirit of patriotism and gratitude.

Indeed, our community is a special place -- a place that remembers its veterans and is quick to honor them for their service. This new VA clinic and this new Veterans Memorial Plaza are great additions for our veterans and the entire community.

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