T-R PHOTOS BY ROBERT MAHARRY

A large crowd gathered outside of the new Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) on East Merle Hibbs Boulevard Thursday afternoon for a ribbon cutting to formally celebrate the completion of the brand new multimillion dollar, 12,000 square foot facility. With Dan Kuester of the Central Iowa VA moderating, the Marshalltown Combined Honor Guard raised the flag during the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” and featured speakers in attendance included Preston Duncan of the Robert Morgan American Legion Post 701 delivering a prayer in the Meskwaki language as well as Central Iowa VA Director Lisa Curnes and U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), who reminded the audience of the obligation Americans have to care for those who have worn the nation’s uniform and put themselves in harm’s way as a result of their service.