Standing with Gold Star Families in Hinesville  

BY JACK McMANUS

Sometimes, an act of respect can turn into a difficult encounter with bureaucracy. That’s been the reality for the families of four Vietnam War veterans—John Gibson, Dan James, William Sapp, and Frankie Smiley—whose names were affixed to the VA outpatient clinic in Hinesville, Georgia, thanks to Public Law 118-61, signed in May 2024.

On December 2, 2024, the facility was officially renamed to honor these four local heroes. It should have been a moment of pride and gratitude. However, it has taken on a more frustrating quality over the past months.

Despite the federal renaming, signage on and around the building continued to prioritize the original “VA Hinesville Outpatient Clinic” branding. According to reports from Gold Star family members and local Liberty County Chapter 789, repeated requests for appropriate, consistent signage were ignored or delayed. These families weren’t asking for special treatment – they were asking that the law be followed, and that the honor due their loved ones be on display with the clarity and dignity they earned.

VVA took immediate action. We raised these concerns with the Office of the Inspector General and directly with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins. Our General Counsel provided documentation and relayed the families’ proposals for revised signage, including enhanced visibility for the veterans’ names and removal of conflicting VA branding.

To his credit, Secretary Collins has committed to visiting the Hinesville clinic to meet with the families and review the matter himself. I hope to join him when that happens.

The persistence shown by these families deserves to be met with transparency and urgency from the VA. The five-point signage plan they submitted is a common-sense, respectful path forward. We believe it can and should be implemented swiftly.

This is about more than signs. It’s about how we honor sacrifice. It’s about whether the promises made to veterans and their families are worth more than the paper they’re printed on.

VVA will continue to stand beside the families of John Gibson, Dan James, William Sapp, and Frankie Smiley. Their sons paid in blood. The least we can do is make sure their names shine clearly in the Georgia sun.

2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010