JUST SIGNED INTO LAW: BERGMAN BILL TO NAME VA CLINIC FOR NAVY CORPSMAN STEVE ANDREWS

Statement

Today, Rep. Jack Bergman's bill H.R.1281 was signed into law, naming the new Gaylord VA clinic in honor of the late Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews. Rep. Bergman secured bipartisan and bicameral support of this legislation from the entire Michigan delegation as well as the Michigan chapters of the VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, and DAV.

Andrews was a beloved member of the Gaylord community and a state legislator representing the 106th District, having previously served our Nation overseas at the U.S. Navy Hospital in Guam and as a medic in the 1st Marine Division and Marine 1st Force Reconnaissance Company in Vietnam.

Rep. Bergman stated, "I'm grateful for the support of so many in the community and across the state who helped in our effort to designate the Gaylord Community Based Outpatient Center (CBOC) in honor of Steve Andrews, a lifelong servant to both his nation and neighbors. I can say from personal experience, that Steve was the type of leader who did not hesitate to reach out to someone he had never met before and share his thoughts on what it meant to be a public servant. With President Biden signing this bill into law, I'm confident Navy Corpsman Andrews' legacy will continue to inspire the Veterans and VA health staff throughout the area in which he had such an impact for decades."

Jim Grisso, publisher of the Gaylord Herald Times from 1968 to 2008, praised Andrews, a Gaylord native, not only as a distinguished Vietnam war hero but a devoted public servant and local community leader as well.

"Personally, I knew Steve, and his family, very well. As a newspaper editor and publisher I followed his role as a state legislator in the Michigan House of Representatives. He gave 100% effort all the time. Steve also was known for his ability to deal with others who sat across the political aisle. As a business owner in the Petoskey area, he was very active and played a leadership role in the community in many ways. Steve is very deserving of this honor," said Grisso.

Background on Corpsman Andrews:

Steve Andrews entered the U.S. Navy in 1967 as a Hospital Corpsman then subsequently served at the U.S. Naval Hospital on Guam and as a medic with the 1st Marine Division and Marine 1st Force Reconnaissance Company in Vietnam. For his actions in combat in Vietnam and for saving the lives of countless Marines, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and received the Purple Heart.

Following his military service, Steve worked as an entrepreneur and was later elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, representing Northern Michigan's 106th District. Steve served Northern Michigan for two terms and then turned his efforts to building his family and business. Steve coached and was a father figure to thousands of kids in baseball, football, and more. He additionally served on the board of trustees of North Central Michigan College and was president of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The new Gaylord VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) located at 2782 S. Otsego Avenue, officially opened its doors on Monday, August 24, 2020. The 18,362 square foot CBOC provides outpatient primary care, mental health, telehealth, laboratory services, home-based primary care, women's health and whole health.

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