Larissa Martinez, founder and executive director of Circle of Arms, has expressed cautious optimism regarding a proposed $30 million investment aimed at acquiring land for a new medical center dedicated to veterans in San Antonio. While she acknowledges the necessity of such funding, Martinez raises an essential question: “What are we doing now for our current veterans?”
The proposed plan suggests that if approved, this new center would replace the existing Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital. The initiative is positioned as a critical response to the increasing veteran population in the San Antonio area, as outlined in the proposed budget.
This proposal comes on the heels of a letter from San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, which was sent to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expressing strong support for a new VA medical center in the region.
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by recent tragic events. On Tuesday, the community marked one year since Mark Miller, a decorated U.S. Navy veteran, died by suicide outside the Audie Murphy facility. Tragically, just eight months later, another veteran, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Enrique Ramos, also took his life in the same location.
In response to these heartbreaking incidents, Circle of Arms organized a protest in December 2025, demanding action from local, state, and federal leaders to better support veterans. “The focus does need to be on crisis,” Martinez asserted. “Investing in veterans is always going to matter.”
It is important to note that while the $30 million funding proposal is a positive step forward, it still requires Congressional approval. As such, no timeline has been established for when the new medical center could potentially be constructed.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help. You can call 988 or text TALK to 741-741 for immediate support. Additional resources are available through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) at 210-223-7233 (SAFE) or 800-316-9241. You can also text NAMI to 741-741.
