Work begins on home

for veterans

August 30, 2005

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - The long wait is coming to an end for Alaska's veterans.

Gov. Frank Murkowski was joined Monday by several other state and national officials for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Alaska Veteran and Pioneer Home renovation.

"Today's ground-breaking is the result of a nearly 30-year effort to find a viable way to establish an Alaska State Veterans Home," Murkowski told those in attendance. "I'm happy that we have finally accomplished this during my administration."

Monday's groundbreaking marks the beginning of plans to renovate the Palmer Pioneer Home and establish the first veterans home in Alaska. Plans call for modernizing the facility to meet Veterans Affairs standards, enhancing physical therapy areas and improving handicap access. When the renovation is complete, the facility will also feature an energy-efficient heating system and covered entryway.

The total cost for the project is approximately $4.15 million. The state was presented with a federal grant of $2.28 million from the VA to pay a portion of the expenses.

When completed, the new facility will have 79 beds and will serve both veterans and those who qualify for admission for the Pioneer Home System.

Murkowski and Joel Gilbertson, commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, both promised that none of the current residents will be asked to move from the Palmer Pioneers' Home and that no veteran will be forced to move into the home unless he or she requests a move.

"Eventually, it is our goal to have 75 percent of the residents to be veterans," Gilbertson said. "After a several-year transition period, we should realize that goal."

Sen. Charlie Huggins, R-Mat-Su, suggested the ceremony had a greater significance to veterans.

"Turning the dirt off to the side is our way of burying the negative image Alaska has had, being one of two states without a veterans home," Huggins said. "While we can never fully repay the veterans for their years of service, this facility will be a small token of our appreciation for their service."

Having an official veterans home will allow Alaskan veterans to take advantage of VA funds to cover the expense of residing in the home.

Renovation is expected to be complete by the summer of 2006.

"We are here today after years of hard work by various veterans organizations and pioneer groups," Murkowski said. "I appreciate all their years of effort to make this a reality."

Contact Darrell Breese at 352-2267 or darrell.breese@frontiersman.com.