Gov. Palin, Sen. Stevens lead list of dignitaries to attend celebration

August 24, 2007

By Russell Stigall

Frontiersman

MAT-SU - Respect your elders. That is what several Alaska state dignitaries did at Thursday's Veterans Administration Certification Celebration at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home.

Gov. Sarah Palin stole the show as the keynote speaker and shaker of many hands at the hour-long event.

Not to be upstaged, U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens made a surprise appearance to congratulate Pioneer Home staff and to talk about the difficulties facing Alaska's veterans in securing them health care.

&#8220A lot needs to be done in the state,” Stevens said. &#8220We need to make it so that veterans don't have to go outside Alaska to get care.”

State Sen. Charlie Huggins, R-Wasilla, tipped his hat to the 20 veterans staying at the Veterans and Pioneers Home. Of those 20, two served in the U.S. Coast Guard, four in the U.S. Navy, two served in the U.S. Marines, 12 in the U.S.. Army and one U.S. Air Force, with one veteran serving in both Coast Guard and Air Force.

Sen. Huggins also thanked Senate President Lyda Green, R-Mat-Su, whom he said did some heavy lifting to get the project off the ground.

&#8220When it came to this home and how it is today, she was a protector of the Valley's interests for people that are elderly, more seasoned,” Huggins said. &#8220She heard loud and clear that we can all benefit from this institutions.”

To get Veterans Administration certification, the Pioneers Home in Palmer had to undergo an upgrade and renovation. True to the Pioneers Home's Eden Alternative roots, the renovations took into account the preferences of the residents; Including a bathroom decorated with birds and flowers. The home also keeps pets and flowers inside and around the premises.

The completed facility has 79 beds, three quarters of which will be reserved for veterans.

Green said it would take many years for the home to move to this ratio. She also said former Govs. Frank Murkowski and Tony Knowles laid the groundwork for the VA certification. With its certification, the Palmer Veterans and Pioneers Home can receive benefits totaling about $939 per veteran per month.

Brig. Gen. Deborah McManus of the Alaska Air National Guard said she always enjoys Gov. Palin's speeches.

&#8220She shows such enthusiasm and compassion,” she said.

Pioneer resident Myrtle Lamond has lived at the home for close to four years. She said she enjoyed Gov. Palin's speech and was excited to meet Palin after the celebration.

&#8220I love her and I'm glad I got to talk to her. She is so sweet,” Lamond said.

During the restoration of the facility to meet VA certification requirements Lamond was moved around a bit. But she said in the end it was worth it.

&#8220I eventually got back to a room near my car,” she said, adding that having veterans as neighbors has worked out good and she is grateful for the Pioneer Home staff.

&#8220They really do care for us here,” she said.