It has been slow in coming, but, it is finally now here.

Augusta's VA hospital has been doing a lot of great things in the past years -- not only helping veterans of older wars, but being in a position now to help our veterans who are fighting in the wars of today.

It has been a long time coming in recognizing not only the VA hospitals, but the very busy hospital we have on our great base of Fort Gordon, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center.

This hospital has been there for our men and women through thick and thin, even through the mess that was made of Walter Reed. We have long been a city of great care for our veterans, and possibly, we all know someone who has served or now serves.

The fact that the Eisenhower Medical Center was ranked among the nation's top three military hospitals for the care of evacuees from Iraq and Afghanistan does not surprise me at all. And I am equally proud of the Charlie Norwood VA Affairs Medical Center for all of the rehab work that it provides.

Thank you to U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake and the members of the Senate Committee on VA affairs, including Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.

One more thing. This doesn't even touch the subject of all of the families who get care at DDEAMC! I was so proud to read the editorial on our military hospitals here in Augusta. ÂI have great pride in our military health-care system.