New Orleans VA Medical Center Grand Opening

Eleven years after Hurricane Katrina, veterans in Southeastern Louisiana now have a state-of-the-art hospital of their own.

U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald speaks at the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald speaks at the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans including Thomas Miller with LSU Medical School Faculty attend the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans including Thomas Miller with LSU Medical School Faculty attend the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans and their family members tour the facilities during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans and their family members tour the facilities during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans and their family members tour the facilities during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans and their family members tour the facilities during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans and their family members tour the facilities during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans and their family members tour the facilities during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Dr. Michael D. Landry, Chief of Medicine Service, shows an inpatient room during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Dr. Michael D. Landry, Chief of Medicine Service, shows an inpatient room during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans and their family members tour the facilities during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans and their family members tour the facilities during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans and their family members tour the facilities during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans and their family members tour the facilities during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans including Thomas Miller with LSU Medical School Faculty attend the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Veterans including Thomas Miller with LSU Medical School Faculty attend the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald speaks in the chapel of the New Orleans VA Medical Center before the grand opening ceremonies for the new facility. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald speaks in the chapel of the New Orleans VA Medical Center before the grand opening ceremonies for the new facility. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
107-year-old Lawrence Brooks receives applause as he is recognized as the oldest veteran in attendance at the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Brooks was born in 1909 and served in the 91st Engineer Battalion was stationed first in New Guinea and then the Philippines during World War II. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
107-year-old Lawrence Brooks receives applause as he is recognized as the oldest veteran in attendance at the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Brooks was born in 1909 and served in the 91st Engineer Battalion was stationed first in New Guinea and then the Philippines during World War II. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
American Legion Past National Commander William 'Bill' Detweiler salutes the flag and members of the Armed Forces at the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
American Legion Past National Commander William 'Bill' Detweiler salutes the flag and members of the Armed Forces at the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Crowds gather at the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Crowds gather at the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Members of the public enter the building during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Members of the public enter the building during the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Former American Legion Department of Louisiana Service Officer Jay Walsh smiles with other veterans at the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion
Former American Legion Department of Louisiana Service Officer Jay Walsh smiles with other veterans at the grand opening of the New Orleans VA Medical Center. Photo by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion