"Strength Thru Unity"
Jack C. Mongomery Hospital Muskogee, OK
VA Hospital In Muskogee To Remain Open After
Petition Collects Thousands Of Signatures
Wednesday, June 29th 2022, 9:08 pm
By: McKenzie Gladney
Veterans said that decision might be the greatest thing that’s happened in this part of Oklahoma in a long time. “Almost unbelievable to me. It was like a miracle that happened," said Don Nichols, Muskogee chapter commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. In March, the VA sent out a recommendation that Muskogee's VA hospital close, which would mean veterans would have to go to Tulsa for services. “We know that there’s people in southeastern Oklahoma that wouldn’t want to or couldn’t drive to Tulsa, where they’re building a new hospital, to get healthcare," said Nichols. Don Nichols created a petition and it collected more than 17,000 signatures. “Some days we would collect seven, eight, 900 signatures. It’s just been an amazing journey for me to see how great the Oklahoma people are. How much they support veterans. How much they support keeping the veteran hospital open," said Nichols. Nichols said the VA hospital in Muskogee lls a desperate need and Without it, many veterans wouldn’t have access to healthcare. “They’re all excited. They can’t believe like I couldn’t believe it like I couldn’t believe it. But, the hospital is going to stay open and meet their needs. Some of em’ like me.
The Purple Heart Chapter is hosting a rally on Friday at 5:30 PM in front of the Civic Center to thank the community for the support along the way.
***American Legion Auxiliary Department of Oklahoma***
Sorry for getting this out to late for everyone who wanted to go to the rally. The rally date was July 1, 2022 at the Civic Center, Muskogee, OK. I had to get permission to post this report from Griffin Communications, News on 6, Tulsa, OK. Thanks to everyone who supported to keep the Jack C. Montgomery VA Hospital, Muskogee, OK. The Veterans in this area desperately needed this hospital to stay. The Veterans in this area not only would have to go to Tulsa for a VA hospital. Some of them may have had to go to the Oklahoma City VA Hospital, Oklahoma, OK. Either they would have had to go a long ways for a VA hospital and/or services.