Muskogee Mayor Dedicates Swearing-In Ceremony To Veterans

Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman started his second term Monday, with a focus on saving the town's VA hospital. This comes as veterans and those living in Muskogee voice their concerns over a proposed closure of the VA hospital.

“Our voice will be heard, our will will not be broken, and we will fight to the death for our nation’s veterans in Northeast Oklahoma," Coleman said.

Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman wasted no time at his swearing in ceremony --- speaking directly to the veteran's administration that recently recommended the hospital's closure.

Purple Heart recipient and Vietnam Veteran Don Nichols said Coleman speaks for veterans like him. “It’s just a great place that speaks to my heart. That’ where I want to get my healthcare. I don’t want to have to drive to Tulsa or Oklahoma City," he said.

He's been going to the Muskogee VA hospital for decades. He's against making veterans drive to Tulsa -- or building a smaller clinic in Muskogee.

He disagrees with the report saying the hospital is too costly to update. He said no cost can be greater than the sacrifice veterans make.

The sentiment was echoed by Coleman who questions the report's accuracy. “Washington Bureaucrats are deciding the fate of our veteran’s hospital based on a study that has bogus data ... leave our hospital alone." he said.

Nichols said there’s a "save our VA" rally planned for May 7.