By Sauk Valley Newspapers
What We Think

U.S. Rep. Phil Hare couldn't have been happier had he heard the news from Santa Claus himself.

Instead, it was Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake who delivered the glad tidings to Hare's office: A new Veterans Administration Community-Based Outpatient Clinic will be coming to the Sauk Valley in early 2010.

Hare, a Rock Island Democrat, shared the long-awaited announcement by telephone Thursday afternoon with the SVN editorial board.

The bottom line? Approximately 3,000 area military veterans no longer will have to drive many miles to Iowa City, Iowa, or Madison, Wis., for routine medical care. Instead, they will have their own federal clinic nearby in Sterling-Rock Falls.

Hare called it "a very early Christmas present for the veterans in this community." He continued, "I think it's wonderful for the community and the veterans who deserve it. ... It made my day when I heard about the letter coming this afternoon."

When it opens in slightly more than a year, the veterans clinic will employ 13 or 14 full-time staffers to provide primary medical care and general mental health services to area veterans. The staff will increase to 17 the second and third years.

Hare praised his staff and U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards of Texas for their hard work on the project. Hare didn't mention the most important person in this stunning success: himself.

We are pleased to remedy that omission.

Hare deserves all the credit in the world for making this veterans clinic a reality. He proposed the clinic shortly after taking office in 2007 and has worked long and hard to promote the idea. He tried several ways to create and pay for the clinic. Two lengthy conversations with Secretary Peake - one of them on a flight to the Middle East - turned the tide and made final approval possible.

Hare was pleasant yet persistent in lobbying for this clinic that will help local veterans in so many ways.

Because it will be easier to get quality health care close to home, older veterans should enjoy an improved quality of life. Newer veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan will be able to access medical care as well as mental health services to help them adjust to civilian life.

Hare's excitement was evident as he recounted a conversation: "I said to my wife, 'I'm almost speechless.' She said, 'No, you're never speechless.'"

It's amusing but true: Hare loves to talk. As this freshman congressman lobbied fellow lawmakers and administration officials, his gift of gab paid off big time for our region.

We congratulate Hare for the inestimable service he has done for Sauk Valley veterans. Thanks for a job well done.