Alpena
Clinic to be named for Lieutenant Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and U.S. Representative
Bart Stupak (D-MI) today announced unanimous House passage of legislation
that will name the upcoming U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’
(VA) Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Alpena after Michigan’s
most highly decorated veteran of World War II, Lieutenant Colonel Clement
C. Van Wagoner. The Senate unanimously passed the legislation last December.
The bill will now go to the President for his signature.
“Lieutenant Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner served Alpena, Michigan
and this nation valiantly and proudly,” said Stabenow. “Naming
this clinic after him is a fitting tribute to a man that devoted his
life to protecting our country and to veterans across northern Michigan.”
“I am pleased Congress has acted to name the Alpena VA clinic
after this distinguished veteran and outstanding member of the Alpena
community,” Stupak said. “Lt. Col. Clement C. Van Wagoner
was a local hero who devoted his life to the service of our state and
country. Although Lt. Col. Van Wagoner is no longer with us, the memory
of his service will live on through the Alpena VA clinic.”
Lt. Col. Van Wagoner was in combat for 600 days, being wounded on five
different occasions. He was also one of only 32 survivors of the 1,800
soldiers who landed with the 1st Infantry Division at Omaha Beach on
D-Day. After World War II, Lt. Col. Van Wagoner continued to serve Michigan
and his country by reorganizing the Michigan National Guard and commanding
a battalion until retiring in 1967. Lt. Col. Van Wagoner was the recipient
of the combat infantry badge, seven bronze stars, four silver stars
and five purple hearts, among other honors.
Senator Stabenow has led the effort for a new Alpena VA clinic during
the past four years. She has worked diligently with the Alpena community,
the VA, and Veteran Service Organizations throughout the state and even
presented the VA with a petition with over 1,000 signatures in support
of the clinic. Last November, after working with Alpena-area veterans,
she authored legislation renaming the new VA clinic after Lieutenant
Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner. Working with her colleagues in both
parties, she successfully garnered unanimous support for her bill last
December.
Congressman Stupak worked with Senator Stabenow to establish the Alpena
VA clinic. During the 109th Congress, Stupak introduced legislation
to create the community based outpatient clinic and wrote to the Department
of Veterans Affairs to ensure that veterans in northern Michigan have
access to VA medical care. In December of last year, he introduced the
House version of legislation to name the Alpena VA clinic for Lt. Col.
Van Wagoner and has worked with the House Veterans Affairs Committee
and House Leadership to ensure it was considered this year.
The new clinic will ease the burden for veterans in Alpena and the surrounding
area who regularly make long and often difficult trips to VA hospitals
in other parts of the state to receive basic medical services.
The naming of the Alpena clinic has been endorsed by the Michigan American
Legion, Michigan VFW, Michigan AMVETS, Michigan DAV, Alpena County Board
of Commissioners, City of Alpena, Township of Alpena, Alpena County
Veterans Council and Michigan’s entire congressional delegation.
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