Veterans returning from World War I faced wounds from not only the war but also the suffering associated with tuberculosis. This deadly airborne bacterial infection added to the burden of many returning from Europe.

By 1919, Kerrville’s reputation as a haven for those suffering from TB was well known, and many of those were veterans. With a series of starts and setbacks, Kerrville’s American Legion rallied the community and the state of Texas to construct a hospital providing care for thousands of vets for a century and beyond.

The effort eventually drew the interest of the U.S. Government, which acquired the property from the state, and from that moment the hospital took on a more profound mission — of treating all veterans. A century later, the mission is clearer than ever and part of a broader health care system that treats one of the nation’s highest concentrations of veterans.

“Our hardworking and dedicated staff has been looking forward to this day,” said Dr. Julianne Flynn, the executive director of South Texas Veterans Health Care System, which oversees the seven-story hospital and its extensive grounds. “This is the longest, still active, hospital in Texas for veterans. That means a lot.”

On Friday, the VA celebrated 100 years of service with a party, proclamations from local officials and plenty of speech-making. One of the speakers was Dr. Wendell Jones, who directs the clinical activities at all seven of Texas’ VA healthcare centers.

“To the Kerrville staff, thank you for your dedication,” Jones said. “Standing here and seeing so many veterans and their dependents, I can tell you that you truly made a difference in the lives of them.”

Kerrville is part of a broader network, which includes Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio. The Kerrville Center plays a vital role in providing care across multiple disciplines, including geriatric care.

“I think the future is bright because we’re always focused on the highest-quality health care,” Flynn said.