[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 65 (Thursday, May 9, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S3324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  20TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE TO THE COLORADO STATE VETERANS NURSING HOME

 Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, today I wish to 
celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Colorado State Veterans Home in 
Walsenburg. For 20 years, this home has provided exceptional care to 
veterans and their spouses from all over the United States.
  Built in 1993, the Colorado State Veterans Home is southern 
Colorado's newest nursing home for veterans and the only nursing home 
physically connected to a community hospital. Residents in Walsenburg 
have access to a Special Care Unit, which provides services for 
residents with dementia, Alzheimer's, Huntington's and/or Parkinson's 
diseases, and a family outpatient clinic, all on the health center's 
grounds. Furthermore, following a major renovation funded by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs in 2011, the veterans home now boasts 
expanded kitchen areas, outdoor gardens and recreational space, as well 
as views of nearby mountains and lakes in every resident's room. These 
improvements have created modern and bright living accommodations that 
take full advantage of Colorado's natural beauty and ensure the comfort 
of our veterans.
  With 115 residents, everyday life at the Colorado State Veterans Home 
is filled with the stories from our Nation's heroes. Rich, a veteran 
who, with his wife, has resided at Walsenburg for 3 years, was a B-17 
commander flying 34 successful sorties over Germany and France during 
WWII. On his 35th sortie he and his crew went down as the result of 
enemy fire. His story makes Rich a favorite among visiting airmen, and 
it is only one among many.
  While we will never be able to repay our heroic servicemembers for 
the sacrifices they have made in the line of duty, it should be our top 
priority to make their lives back home as pleasant and comfortable as 
possible. The services, staff, and stunning location of the Colorado 
State Veterans Home in Walsenburg uphold our commitment to keep that 
promise to these individuals and their loved ones.
  On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank the staff at Spanish Peaks 
Regional Health Center, the Colorado State Veterans Home, and the 
Federal employees at the VA for their commitment to serving our 
Nation's heroes, and I offer them congratulations on the occasion of 
the Colorado State Veterans Home's 20th anniversary.

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