Veterans from East Tennessee will
soon have a nursing home. Located off of Pellissippi
Parkway in West Knox County, the facility will be complete
in 2006.
The
new nursing home will have 140 beds. Twenty of those
beds will be dedicated to Alzheimer's patients.
"It's
a place to take care of the veterans. They need it.
We know they'll need it," says Warren Baker, a
World War II veteran.
Local
veterans and their families say the facility is needed.
Many have been forced to travel Johnson City to get
care.
"That
was the nearest nursing home, and that's a long way
for the family to go and be with us when we need them
the most," says Helen Baker, Warren's wife.
The
home became a reality after after six years of lobbying
by both state and federal officials. Organizers say
the project is more than just a building. It's a symbol
of respect to those who served.
"The
people that defended this country and its constitutional
rights did not let them down," said William Tallent.
Veterans
realize what was once a dream of the past is now a necessity
of the future.
The
nursing home will be completed in 2006.
Marc Stewart, Reporter
Last updated: 3/30/2005 7:23:08 PM
Reprinted
with permission from WBIR-TV Knoxville
This
article first appeared on the WBIR.com web site on 3/30/2005
