>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Among ribbon cutters at the VA clinic dedication ceremony were, from left, Spokane VA Medical Center Sharon Helman, Dennis Lewis of the VA, Sen. Wyden, Brig. Gen. Mike Caldwell, La Grande Mayor Colleen Johnson, Oregon National Guard Adjutant Gen. Raymond F. Rees and Judy Loudermilk, outgoing chamber director. - The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

Under a hot afternoon sun, DeAnn Dietrich, acting director of the VA medical center at Walla Walla, welcomed the crowd and delivered opening remarks.

She noted that the clinic, which started accepting patients May 28, is the result of work of a broad-based team of stakeholders, including VA staff, officials from Union County and the City of La Grande, and more.

“This has been a long time coming and we’re very excited to be able to celebrate today,” Dietrich said. ‘This is about serving veterans closer to home, locally. It’s about having health care locally, where veterans can access it.”

Following an invocation from Father Hank Albrecht, a U.S. Army veteran and former Oregon National Guard chaplain, Sen. Ron Wyden stepped up to the podium.

Wyden, who has campaigned vigorously for improved health care for veterans almost since the start of the war on terror, said the establishment of the clinic is an expression of appreciation for veterans’ service.

“It seems we’re here today for a larger purpose,” he said. “We’re recognizing that our veterans, many of whom were deployed in far off lands, will now get the health care they deserve, right here in their own back yard.

“In the past, they’ve had to travel to Walla Walla and Portland. Today, everything changes for veterans in Eastern Oregon.”

The clinic, at 202 12th St., offers both primary health care and mental health services. Wyden said the facility will prove invaluable in treating the “invisible injuries” veterans have suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan.

congressional honor: The former director of the Walla Walla VA clinic is overwhelmed as Sen. Ron Wyden presents her with a congressional certificate of recognition in honor of her efforts in making the La Grande VA clinic a reality. - The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

While praising the VA’s decision to build a clinic the La Grande clinic, Wyden said the fight for better veterans health care is far from over.

He said he hopes the VA will contract with local facilities for emergency care and other services.

“It’s important for the VA to consider local partnerships,” he said. “There’s something out of whack in a system where a 60-year-old veteran has to go all the way to Seattle for a shoulder surgery.”

The senator said the clinic is the result of teamwork among VA officials, local community leaders, individual veterans and representatives of veterans groups.

“An accomplishment like this doesn’t happen by osmosis,” he said. “This was a team effort.”

At the same time, Wyden singled out Sharon Helman, the former director of the Walla Walla facility, for her work in making the clinic a reality. He presented Helman with a congressional certificate of recognition.

Accepting the award, Helman said Wyden was giving her more credit than she deserved.

“I always felt like I was the Verizon network for the rest of the staff,” she said.

Mayor Colleen Johnson represented the City of La Grande in the ceremony. She said the clinic is a plus for the community not only because it serves local veterans but also because it provides the local economy a boost.

“It (the clinic) is important. In its first year it will serve 2,000 veterans. But it’s also important because it’s an economic development project providing 10 jobs,” Johnson said.

The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

“We truly appreciate the partnership,” he said. “The reintegration program has been very instrumental in helping soldiers find their way back into society after their deployments are over.”

Fred Bell Sr. and his son Fred Bell Jr. came in for praise from many of the featured speakers. The Bells, of La Grande, own the land on which the clinic is located, and built the facility to suit the VA’s needs.

Helman said Fred Bell Sr.’s contribution is made sweeter by the fact that he is a former service member.

“The beauty of this is, the clinic was built by a veteran,” Helman. “It was truly a labor of love and we can’t say thank you enough.”

Following remarks, members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation offered a prayer and song. Wyden presided over a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Refreshments and tours of the facility topped the afternoon