Read more: Local, Politics, Veterans, Proposition 8, Voting, Voters, Rio Grande Valley, Politics
Despite a low turnout in Tuesday’s elections, three of every four voters gave their approval to Proposition 8.
One day later, Valley veterans are celebrating, but they said they have much work ahead.
"This is our first step, I mean we got a long way to go, but our mission is to get a full fledge hospital here in the valley," said Ruben Cantu, a Vietnam War Veteran from Harlingen.
Cantu was one of several members from the Veterans Alliance that met up at the American Legion in La Feria to discuss future plans now that the Proposition passed.
"The next step is that we gotta get with our legislators, congress, senators, go to Washington and address them out there in Washington," Cantu said.
He added they do not have dates set at this time, but that it will be extremely important to lobby for what they said is a much needed service for the entire valley, not just veterans. "They'll be jobs for everybody so this is for all the community and for all veterans here in the Valley."
Another Vietnam War veteran, Lionel Hinojosa, said the area the veteran’s hospital would cover is a large and would benefit a great number of people. “This facility should cover about 24 counties, something like that,” he said. “Were looking at about 140-160 thousand veterans."
And although the Proposition passed the first hurdle, Valley veterans told Action 4 News they are ready to finish up the race.
And at the finish line, will be a veteran’s hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.
