Meeting will talk about new VA clinic

Talk about it

The St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Medical Center will host a meeting for individuals interested in supporting the Alexandria community based outpatient VA clinic.

The informational meeting will take place Thursday, August 6 at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexandria Elks Lodge, 115 15th Avenue West in Alexandria.

The Alexandria VA clinic is scheduled to open in late September.

Prospective volunteers and organization leaders interested in learning more about how they can help meet the needs of veterans at the facility are encouraged to attend.

For information about volunteer opportunities, contact Patricia Aljets at (320) 255-6365.

Veterans interested in receiving their care in Alexandria may contact the Enrollment and Eligibility Office at (320) 255-6340.

Meanwhile, an effort to name the Alexandria VA clinic after Max Beilke continues to move ahead.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Representative Collin Peterson have introduced legislation to that effect.

“Naming the Alexandria VA clinic after Max Beilke is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his entire life to serving our country,” said Klobuchar in a news release issued Friday. “Max Beilke made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11 and we will never forget his service.”

“Max Beilke served his country well and deserves to be honored for his many years of active duty, and for his commitment to soldiers after his retirement,” Peterson said. “I’m sure he would be pleased to see his hometown opening a community-based outpatient clinic designed to serve veterans in the region.”

Beilke, a 1950 Alexandria High School graduate, served 22 years active duty in the U.S. Army in Germany, Korea and Vietnam.

After his retirement he served as deputy chief of the Army’s Retirement Services, and was an active member of the Army Chief of Staff Retiree Council.

Beilke was killed while working at the Pentagon during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Subsequently, he was awarded the Defense of Freedom medal and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Tags: local news, max beilke, news, veterans, clinic, meeting