Have you paid a visit to the VA Hospital in Marion? If not, let me take you on a little tour.

Sadly, we can’t enter through the big main entrance anymore. But once we’re inside, our first stop is the main lobby.

If you’ve ever stepped into the lobby at the VA, you know how beautiful it is. The architectural design is truly magnificent. It’s been restored and repainted to give you a glimpse of its original splendor.

The colors, the details—everything about it makes you stop and stare. You’d never imagine this kind of beauty is tucked away inside an old concrete building. It’s a secret waiting to be discovered.

The lobby reminds me of the St. Louis Art Museum. It’s not just paintings on a wall. It’s also the columns, the ornate ceiling, and the little details that make you feel like you’ve stepped into something far more majestic than you ever expected. I get the same chills walking into a cathedral. When you look up at the spectacular ceiling, the whole space comes alive. The longer you look, the more you see.

Anyway, that concludes our tour of the Marion VA. Because as impressive as it is to look at, what’s more astounding is the service it provides. Through the years brilliant people have offered much needed services to our local American heroes, myself included.

This building has a lot of history... and a lot of heart.

By the way, if you take the kids through the VA, be sure to bring a dollar or two for the vending machines. That may be the most memorable part of the tour.

Be well. Stay well. Thanks for readin’...

Francis Pass

P.S. - When you first enter the VA, you will encounter some of the nicest people you'll ever meet there at the welcome counter. Who knows, if you're super sweet to 'em, they might even give you a free ride in a wheelchair.