Dear Editor,

Some 56 years ago, plus or minus couple of days, four young men born and raised in Liberty County (John Gibson, Dan Ninkey James, William Edward Sapp, and Frankie Lee Smiley) departed for the Republic of Vietnam to join other American fighting forces.

During the next year (1968) all four heroes were killed in action (KIA) in combat operations with hostile forces.

An initiative began 19 months ago to name the Hinesville VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic for “The Liberty Four.” Multiple hearings were held, and Liberty County municipalities legislated proclamations in support of this naming. Nine months ago an overflowing crowd of Gold Star family members and community leaders met with U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter at Captain Joes restaurant in Midway. Proclamations were presented and all in attendance requested Representative Carter do what needs to be done to make this memorial naming a reality. Representative Carter enthusiastically accepted the mission.

One of the first pieces of new legislation introduced to the new Congress (118th) on Jan. 27, 2023 was HR 593-118, naming the Hinesville Clinic for The Liberty Four. The bill started its journey to the House Veterans Affairs Committee, then was forwarded to the Veterans Subcommittee on Health, which has jurisdiction. It has yet to be voted out of committee.

There are five similar bills waiting in the Health Subcommittee. Representative Carter’s staff expects votes on all combined in the August timeframe, plus or minus.

From there, the bill is sent to the Senate for similar action before it goes to the President for signature.

“Hurry up and wait” is an adage all military members know well.

Brenda Acebes Luis Carreras Nolan Fields Bruce McCartney Donald Singleton