Oregon’s Newest Veterans Home Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Set for Saturday
Oregon's second veterans' home will offer space for 154 residents needing long-term care as well as rehabilitation services, and Alzheimer's and dementia care.
(LEBANON, Ore. ) — Following two years of construction, the much anticipated dedication of the Edward C. Allworth Veterans' Home in Lebanon will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
The new home is located at 600 North 5th Street.
Members of Allworth's family, including Edward's sister Jodi Allworth, will be in attendance to cut the ceremonial ribbon that will officially open the new veterans' home.
Other guests who are expected to attend include Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio, Linn County Commissioners, Lebanon Mayor Paul Aziz, and several state legislators. Cameron Smith, the director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs, will serve as master of ceremonies.
ODVA announced the location of the veterans' home in Lebanon in April 2010. Ground was broken on the new $40 million facility in September 2012.
Named for World War I Medal of Honor recipient Edward C. Allworth, the home has been designed on the small house model for skilled nursing facilities.
Construction project manager John Osborn said this enhanced model creates a small community for a group of residents and staff.
"It is a significant improvement from the traditional skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The small house model alters the facility's size, the interior design, staffing patterns, and methods of delivering skilled professional care and services," Osborn said. "These enhancements make this veterans' home a special place for some very special people who honorably served our country."
Oregon's second veterans' home will offer space for 154 residents needing long-term care as well as rehabilitation services, and Alzheimer's and dementia care. Care at this facility is an earned benefit available to veterans, their spouses, and parents who had a child die while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
During World War I, Capt. Edward C. Allworth was commanding U.S. Army soldiers in France when the enemy destroyed a bridge and forced his troops to cross a canal. Allworth, as his award citation reads, "mounted the canal bank and called for his men to follow.
Plunging in he swam across the canal under fire from the enemy, followed by his men. By his personal leadership he forced the enemy back for more than a kilometer, overcoming machinegun nests and capturing 100 prisoners, whose number exceeded that of the men in his command.
The exceptional courage and leadership displayed by Capt. Allworth made possible the re-establishment of a bridgehead over the canal and the successful advance of other troops."
Information about Oregon's Veterans' Home benefit, qualifications and application process may be found at www.lebanon.oregonveteranshomes.com.
Source: Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs
