It's Wednesday morning and the parking lot at the Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans clinic is full. The clinic draws veterans from an eight or nine county region surrounding Columbus. They arrive in civilian clothes some use canes or walkers to make their way. The oldest veterans who use the clinic served during World War Two.
As White prepares to leave the clinic, other veterans arrive for their weekly or monthly appointments. Richard Smith and Pat Marter each say they take time to remember their years in the military on Veterans Day
Inside the busy clinic, Public Affairs Officer, Al Burzynski makes his way through waiting rooms and busy hallways. He says on any given day, more than 900 veterans are served at the Wylie VA clinic. But he expects more new clients in the coming months. "Yes, we are currently seeing veterans who are returning from the global war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq," said Burzynski.
Nationwide, the Pentagon counts more than 15-thousand wounded in Iraq. And, Burzynski says with better battlefield care, V-A clinics in Ohio and across the country will be treating new veterans with more severe wounds.
Burzynski says veterans will benefit from the latest medical technology and treatment when the V-A completes a new clinic and care center in Whitehall. In the meantime, more veterans arrive at Leonard and Taylor Avenues. Veterans like William Poindexter of Columbus who takes note of his holiday with a simple gesture.
Poindexter said, Well I put my hat on and go out so people can see that I am a veteran. I have a little cap there that says Korean War Veteran.' Oh boy I think about that nightmare yeah I think about it but I guess if I had to do it all again I would.