On July 3, the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Braxton County Community Based Outpatient Clinic. The clinic serves veterans from Nicholas, Clay, Calhoun, Webster and Gilmer counties, as well as those from Braxton County. The new building is located off I-79 exit 62, above Pizza Hut and near the Microtel Suites.

The facility employs five nurses and two medical providers plus office and support staff. The new phone number is 304-364-4501. There is plenty of parking for patients and visitors.

The ceremony opened with the Presentation of Colors by American Legion Post 33 Braxton County Honor Guard. The ceremony included brief comments from Dr. Glenn Snider Jr., director of the VA Medical Center in Clarksburg; Terry Massey, associate director, as well as Congressman Evan H. Jenkins and representatives for Senator Capito and Senator Manchin. After the ribbon cutting, all were invited inside for a tour of the facility and refreshments.

To help welcome the VA Clinic to the community, Elk River Chapter, NSDAR, provided light refreshments for the veterans, community visitors and distinguished guests.

DAR has a strong relationship to those who have served or who are currently serving in the military. The WV Society DAR raised monies to purchase two track chairs for two West Virginia amputee veterans. The current state project is to raise funds to place a statue of a Gold Star Mother in Charleston.

Local Elk River DAR members are from Nicholas, Clay, Calhoun, Gilmer and Braxton counties. Members who helped in a variety of ways to make the July 3 refreshments a success include Dabney Phillips, Lib Stewart, Julie Hunt, Marilyn Susie Rogers, Ruth Mooney, Lillie Robinson, Carolyn Patrick, Mary Stewart and Lorraine Bailey. Also, prospective member JoEllen Smith was very helpful.

To learn more about the DAR call Meg Ashby in Nicholas County: 304-619-4706, or Ruth Mooney in Braxton County, 304-549-4671.