The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center celebrated its 75th anniversary of serving the veterans of the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin on Thursday.
A ceremony saw medical center staff, veterans, friends, and family members all take part in the burying of a time capsule.
“We’re super excited to be here…75 years,” VA Medical Center Director Dr. John Shealey told RRN News. “It’s a huge achievement and milestone, not only for our veterans, but our community at large and we’re just so excited to be able to celebrate with some of Oscar G. Johnson’s children and other family members”It’s been a great day overall.”
The time capsule includes some newspaper articles about the VA, documents from Thursday’s ceremony, and pictures of some of the veterans and employees. Among those throwing dirt during the time capsule ceremony was World War Two veteran John Moodie, who celebrated his 100th birthday last week.
Also on hand was Jeannie Gustafson, who is the niece of the hospital’s namesake, Oscar G Johnson.
“I think it was a great honor to Oscar and his family,” she told RRN’s Tom Hill. “I’m glad I got to be a part of it. I’m glad that his son was able to make it as well. His daughter was not able to and we miss her. It was a good tribute to what he (Oscar) did for our country.”
Some of those in attendance received a commemorative 75th anniversary coin.
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