Governor Warner Breaks Ground for Second Virginia Veterans Care Center

Governor Warner Breaks Ground for Second Virginia Veterans Care Center

— Facility priority for veterans; named for two of region's decorated heroes —

Governor Mark R. Warner broke ground today for the construction of a new veterans care center in the Richmond area. The Sitter-Barfoot Richmond Care Center will be Virginia's second nursing home for veterans, and the 160-bed facility will be built on the grounds and adjacent to the federal Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center. Construction is expected to be completed in mid 2007.

The new care center is being named in honor of Colonel Van T. Barfoot of Dinwiddie County and the late Captain Carl Sitter of Richmond. Colonel Barfoot served with the 157th Infantry during World War II, and Captain Carl Sitter served with the United States Marine Corps, Company G, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines during the Korean conflict. Both Virginia residents received the Congressional Medal of Honor for valor. Only 3,400 Medals of Honor have been issued since the award was established in 1861.

"A second veterans care center in Virginia was the number one priority among veterans when I ran for office," said Governor Warner. "This new facility, and the renovated care center in Roanoke, will better serve our veteran population. With an estimated 780,000 vets in Virginia, the Commonwealth has made services to our veterans a priority."

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs transferred 19.4 acres of land to the Commonwealth to be used for the veterans nursing home project, along with $14.7 million. The Commonwealth of Virginia provided almost $8 million.

There is a second phase of construction planned which will add an additional 80 beds to the facility, for a total of 240 beds. The Commonwealth of Virginia has already provided $2.8 million, and anticipates a $5.2 million matching grant from the Veterans Administration, for the expansion.

A feasibility study is currently underway for a third veterans home, to be located in the Hampton Roads region.

The architects and engineering for the project was provided by Clark-Nexsen of Norfolk. B.S. Ballard of Virginia Beach will construct the facility. The Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia National Guard constructed a walking trail adjacent to the facility to replace a former trail that ran through the construction site.

Legislation sponsored by Governor Warner in 2003 restructured veterans programs in Virginia based on recommendations from the Governor's Advisory Commission on Veterans Affairs. As of July 1, 2003, state assistance with veteran benefits, cemetery, and care center functions was consolidated into a single agency, the Department of Veterans Services, in order to enhance delivery of services. For more information, visit their Web site.

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2005/Nov05/1101.htm