What makes a community strong?

Great schools. A vibrant local business district. Safe neighborhoods. Parks and other amenities. A network of local organizations and churches providing outreach to those in physical and spiritual need.

Those are just a few of the many things required to make a vital and active community. Another item sure to be on the top of any such list would be a quality hospital.

For the past 35 years, residents of Gloucester and surrounding counties have been fortunate to have just that. When Walter Reed Memorial Hospital opened its doors for the first time in September of 1977, it marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Middle Peninsula.

No longer would residents be faced with long treks to Newport News, Richmond or beyond for their health care needs. No longer would emergency patients risk their lives as they are transported across the river, subject to the vagaries of traffic and bridge openings. It’s just comforting to know that help is rig...