VA name change bill

BIG SPRING The VA hospital in Big Spring may soon have a name other than the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Big Spring, a release issued by public affairs officer Lauri Phillips said.

Sen. John Cornyn has introduced a bill in Congress to rename the VA the George H. O’Brian Jr. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

O’Brian was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle for the Hook, on Oct. 27, 1952, in Korea, Phillips said.

Medical Center Director Daniel L. Marsh said the West Texas VA Health Care System is “very honored to be able to rename the hospital in honor of George H. O’Brian Jr., the only Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from Big Spring, Texas.”

O’Brian graduated from Big Spring High School in 1944 and served in the U.S. Merchant Marines.

A renaming celebration is planned if the president signs the legislation.