U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy have introduced legislation to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana, after Rodney C. Hamilton Sr.
“Rodney Hamilton fought for his country in Korea and for his fellow veterans in Louisiana,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Naming the Lafayette VA clinic for him honors him for his service here and abroad.”
Senator Kennedy also highlighted Hamilton’s contributions: “Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. is an American hero. From his exceptional military service in Korea, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart, to his commitment to community service in Louisiana, he always put others before himself. In large part, he is the reason this V.A. Clinic stands in Lafayette today—and I can think of no one more deserving of having it bear their name. I’m honored to help introduce this legislation to celebrate Rodney Hamilton’s legacy in his beloved Lafayette.”
Hamilton was born in 1932 in Fort Worth, Texas, and moved to Lafayette, Louisiana, at age 16. He joined the Marine Corps at 17 and served during the Korean War, where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart medal in September 1951.
After leaving military service, Hamilton became active in local government from 1968 to 1972 and later founded the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Action Coalition. He played a significant role as a veterans advocate by helping establish the VA clinic that opened in Lafayette in 2016.
In recognition of his efforts, the road leading to the clinic was named after him in 2017. The proposal to rename the clinic has received support from several veterans organizations including local chapters of the American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans.
