CLOSER HEALTH CARE IS ON THE HORIZON FOR VETERANS IN SMYTH COUNTY VIRGINIA. IN THE PAST, VETERANS HAVE HAD TO MAKE THE LONG JOURNEY TO THE VETERAN AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER AT MOUNTAIN HOME FOR BASIC HEALTH CARE. 9TH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN RICK BOUCHER HAS ANNOUNCED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW OUTPATIENT FACILITY FOR VETERANS. THE NEW CLINIC IN MARION WILL BE LOCATED AT THE DISTRICT THREE GOVERNMENT COOPERATIVE AND WILL BE STAFFED BY ONE PHYSICIAN. IT’S EXPECTED TO OPEN IN LATE 2009 OR EARLY 2010.