U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss visited the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center on Wrightsboro Road as part of a week of activities honoring veterans and active-duty military personnel.
During his Nov. 12 visit, he toured the hospital's rehabilitation gym and its domiciliary unit.
He shook hands with military personnel and veterans, told them "Thank you for your service" and talked with them about their injuries or their experiences in the military.
The Georgia Republican said he makes it a point to do that whenever he meets active-duty personnel or veterans.
"It just gives you a better appreciation for the fact that we need to make sure that we're, as policy makers, committed to providing these folks with the best training and the best weapons possible to protect themselves," he said.
Before the tour, he met with officials from the hospital and the CSRA Wounded Warrior Care Project to discuss their programs and their needs, including funding for the programs.
"I will be going back to Washington with the idea of making sure that we continue to fund these programs that are here," Mr. Chambliss said, adding that programs and medical units at the medical center work closely with Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon, Medical College of Georgia Hospital and several community organizations.
The senator said the support the military receives from the community was evident during his visit.
"You don't find that in every community in America,"Mr. Chambliss said. "The people of the Augusta region always (have) been strong supporters of our military personnel.
"I can't say thanks enough to this part of the state, as well as folks across the river in South Carolina, for the great support they give to Fort Gordon as well as to the VA facility here."
Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.
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