It's been years in the making, South Texas Veterans now have a new place to turn to for medical treatment.
A new state of the art health care facility will open in Harlingen.
Serafin Guerra a local World War two veteran tells Action 4 News, "That's a big step forward to where I was before to where I am now."
Guerra was diagnosed with prostate cancer back in 2007 and had to make multiple trips to the Veterans hospital in San Antonio to receive treatment.
"It's a four hour drive more or less from Rio Grande City to San Antonio." said Guerra.
Those trips to San Antonio were taking a toll on Guerra both physically and mentally.
It didn't make things any easier since Guerra also suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"You don't know what's gonna happen this time just driving down there your anxiety kicks in." Right as soon as you get into the car your already starting to feel that anxiety building up." said Guerra.
The trips to San Antonio were just to much for this veteran.
"After talking to one doctor and 5 different physician assistants I finally decided I wasn't getting anywhere and my anxiety, my panic disorder, I just couldn't handle the trips to San Antonio anymore." said Guerra.
Now Guerra is receiving medical care in Harlingen at the VA outpatient clinic since the clinic has an expansion of services.
For Guerra it's a blessing. Guerra tells Action 4 News, "It's a feeling of liberation that now you don't have to go through all of that."
Soon Guerra and many veterans throughout the valley will be able to receive medical care in the new South Texas VA Health Care Center in Harlingen.
The center is set to open in January of 2011.
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