WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, S.2159, the bill to rename the VA Clinic in Middleburg, Florida after Andrew Kenneth Baker, was signed into law by President Biden at the White House.
After the bill passed the House and Senate earlier this fall, the president’s signature was the final step before the formal designation and name change ceremony in Middleburg.
“It’s an amazing day in Florida’s Third Congressional District,” said Cammack. “To have this bill across the finish line during my freshman term is a major accomplishment, and to do it in memory of Chief Baker and his service and sacrifice is truly an honor. I look forward to seeing the new name go up on the building in the new year, and to celebrate this project’s completion. Thank you to Senators Rubio and Scott and all of my Florida colleagues for your support of this effort.”
The clinic’s new name honors Antisubmarine Warfare Chief Andrew Kenneth Baker of Middleburg, Florida who was killed during a SEAL training event when the Trident 615, an H-60 Seahawk, crashed at sea on March 13, 1997.
Chief Baker served on the USS Carl Vinson and USS Coral Sea as a Ship’s Serviceman and completed training in Search and Rescue Swimmer School in Pensacola and Fleet Replacement Aircrewman training at NAS Jacksonville, earning his “Wings of Gold.” Chief Baker then reported to HS-9, serving on the USS Nimitz, then in HS-3, assigned as the Training and Operations Chief.
