VA Clinic Could Come to Southern West Virginia - WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and Sports

BLUEFIELD (WVVA)--- The cry from veterans in southern West Virginia has been heard for years, 'bring a medical center closer to us.'

That cry for help could be answered soon.

At the "Veterans for Manchin" group launch in Bluefield Tuesday, the topic was brought up by both veterans and from Manchin himself.

"It's badly needed here. I have been going to the Beckley VA Hospital for over 33 years," said Al Hancock, a retired member of the U.S. Air Force.

Hancock has been writing letters and talking with local media over the last 13 years to try and bring a VA Clinic to the area.

"I do not have a lot more years to fight this fight but I always tell everyone one. I might give out, but I won't give up."

His dream of a clinic could come true. But it lingers on a few things, first being the population of veterans.

"They are not going to build a clinic if no body is going to come. So they have to find out the population, the usage of it," said Keith Gwinn the Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Veteran's Assistance.