The veterans of Springville were part of the grand opening of the Springville VA Clinic on Aug. 12. The guest speakers included William Feeley, Medical Center director, VA WNY Healthcare System; Nils Gunnersen, president and CEO of Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and William Krebs, mayor of Springville. There were many other guest speakers and veterans present, some representing Felton-Burns Post 5260, Concord American Legion Post 431 and Amvets Post 219.

The Presentation of Colors was done by Concord American Legion Post 441. Stewart Glass, a Charter member of the Felton-Burns VFW Post 5260, was present for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Glass served in World War II with the U.S. Army Medical Corps, 80th Field Hospital in the European Theater of Operations. An Army medic, he received one ribbon with Battle Star for serving in the Rhine Land Campaign, Germany. He also received various other ribbons. William Weismantel, the other Charter member of the VFW, served with the Third Marine Division in the Pacific Theater and was in the campaign of Iwo Jima during World War II.

The veterans are happy to have the V.A Health Care System partner with the Catholic Health System of Western New York to bring this much-needed clinic to Springville. All veterans should register at the clinic, 27 Franklin St., Springville; phone 592-7400.