Photo-of-the-Week #151 Taking Care of Our Own, New VA Medical Center, Lake Nona, Florida, January 2013

Two photos this week because one couldn't begin to show the immensity of this hospital complex. It's heartwarming to see that the government is supporting our millions of military veterans. As a Vietnam era Air Force veteran myself, it is reassuring to know that the government is not forgetting or casting aside those who have voluntarily or involuntarily raised their hand, taken "the oath" and committed their lives to defend the American way of life.

These two photos only show the front, the back and a portion of the side of the complex that will not be open and operational for at least another eight months to a year. This depicts what I estimate about 25% of the complex and doesn't include several other buildings on the campus. It is, indeed, impressive. It's location, Lake Nona, is in the southeast quadrant of Orlando near the Orlando International Airport. Orland is a Florida city that continues to expand, exponentially, ever since Walt Disney arrived on the scene with the Disney World complex. This is a vast area that appears to be more of the land that once was the grazing range of large herds of cattle.

My only criticism, and I do have one, is how much taxpayer money has been expended in the architectural design and the construction of this design. Perhaps it wasn't all that much. However, knowing that creating very unique architecture is very expensive as is translating that design into a physical structure, especially when undertaken by any government agency, I feel sure there is a lot of money involved in this element of the complex. It is my thought that a modern, basic, functional, attractive complex without all the flare, could have been designed and developed, especially at this time when excessive government spending is a major point of contention. I doubt that a more cost effective design would have compromised the quality of medical facility or service provided to our veterans. Indeed, perhaps the equipment, medical facilities and ability to serve the intended individuals could have been enhanced with those additional funds, if not used for some other necessary government service. Or, I guess it just could have been saved and the federal budget reduced a little bit.

Otherwise, I'm sure this new complex will provide a huge universe of eligible veterans with the services they have earned and rightfully deserve. And, it appears it will be in the center of another diversified medical community based on the other organizations that have already built and opened new research and medical facilities adjacent to the VA complex.