Update: A Veteran's Home in Bradley County
Mar 23 - mkamplain
OUR COUNTY
D. GARY DAVIS
COUNTY MAYOR
Update: A Veterans’ Home in Bradley County
Ask most any U.S. Military Veteran and they will tell you it's lonely, desolate, and dangerous when you're on patrol at the Front. For our elderly war Veterans the so-called golden years can also be lonely and even frightening.
The nation’s health care system for vets is being pushed to the limit and the need for long term care for our veterans is growing. A significant number of young soldiers in their 20s are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with wounds that will require medical care for the rest of their lives.
No one has a definitive answer on how to meet the long term medical needs of these heroes but one thing is clear, we need a Veterans’ home in Bradley County.
In 2003, the Bradley County Commission in concert with the Cleveland City Council passed resolutions in support of a State Veterans’ home to be built in Bradley County. This was followed by a resolution passed by the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2008.
Construction of the home is projected to cost $21 million. The Federal Government will fund 65% with local and state contributions equaling 35%. While there is no guarantee a long term care facility for veterans will be built here, recent events suggest the likelihood has increased significantly.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has moved Bradley County’s proposal into the number 51 slot in priority group 1 for 2010. That’s up from number 123, priority group 6 in 2009.
The community has also rallied in support of the proposal. Recently the local Harry S. Truman Society presented a $1,000 donation in honor of John Simmons who worked tirelessly to bring a veterans home to Bradley County before his death. The Williams Family has donated 27 acres of land where the home can be built, and an anonymous donor has pledged $3,000,000. This leaves $4,350,000 yet to be raised.
We have a long way to go to make this proposed 140 bed veterans’ home a reality. Raising more than $4 million dollars in this economy will not be easy. Yet, I am hopeful that this generous community will accept the challenge of providing a long term care facility for our local vets.
The director of the Bradley County Veterans Service Office, Larry McDaris continues to work hard on the project. He feels, as I do, that the American soldier is responsible for the liberties we enjoy. The price of our freedom was paid in blood and sacrifice. To provide a veterans’ long term care facility in our community would be an honor.
All donations are tax deductible and naming opportunities are available. I urge you to honor the veteran in your family with a generous donation.
For more information about the proposed Veterans’ Home in Bradley County, contact Joe Davis at the Bradley County Veterans Service Office in the courthouse. He can be reached at (423) 728-7149. You can also visit www.bradleyco.netand click on the Veterans link.
At last count there were 8,300 veterans living in Bradley County and 45,861 vets within a 50 mile radius. That is expected to increase by almost 10 percent in 5 years.
Veterans Homes have a proud history dating back to the Civil War and reflect the military legacy and tradition of "taking care of our own." I’m confident that Bradley County will want to help shoulder this responsibility and proudly serve those who served.
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