DUBLIN, Ga. — This weekend marks the 75th anniversary of the Dublin VA. They're the largest employer in Dublin.
Vashon Brown has received services from the VA for more than five years. He says what makes the VA so important is that it helps welcome veterans back to society.
"Just having people along to help make that transition, it's a godsend," Brown said.
Brown served in the military for more than 15 years.
"It was an honor and a privilege to serve," he said.
That privilege is one the VA doesn't take lightly as the health-care center of choice for veterans.
"We're here to make good on a promise that we made to our veterans so many years ago to say, 'If you take care of us and secure our freedoms, then we'll take care of you,'" Manuel Davila, the VA medical director, said.
It started back in 1945 as a Navy hospital, then three years later became a VA hospital. Davila says they serve more than 40,000 veterans in their 49-county area. He says they pride themselves in their research and development.
"Really looking to stay connected with those veterans in those areas so that we understand what they need, we're looking at everything from our surgical programs to the primary care we provide to our sub-specialties," Davila said.
Brown says he enjoys the peer support he's received from the VA over the years.
"You got some military people that's working that was prior service that understand veterans. You got other people that have family members that are veterans," Brown said.
Within the next five years, the VA is planning to build a health-care center to better assist medically-underserved veterans in Macon.
On Saturday, the VA is holding their festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. anyone can come out and enjoy. There will be food trucks, live music, and a car show. Admission is free.