Thousands of East Tennessee veterans can now receive care much closer to home if they live in the Sevier County area.
Veterans and local officials celebrated Tuesday the opening of a new VA clinic in the former Fort Sanders Hospital near Middle Creek Road in Sevierville.
Prior to its opening, vets had to travel more than an hour and a half to Mountain Home, or about 45 minutes to Knoxville to see a VA doctor.
Officials say the facility will serve about 2,300 veterans with primary care and mental health services.