Happy New Year! As we celebrate the start of 2016, we hope you have enjoyed our year-long series revisiting each decade of the National Home’s history. From the arrival of the Pollett family to today, the National Home has remained committed to our mission of serving as a living memorial to America’s veterans by helping our nation’s military and veteran families through difficult times. We hope you have enjoyed this journey through the history of the National Home as much as we have. Every decade has its stories: The Twenties was where it all began, with the National Home’s founding and the arrival of the Polletts – the National Home’s first family. The Thirties brought the Great Depression, while the National Home felt the effects of World War II during the Forties. The 1950s was a busy decade, with the start of the the National Home’s 4-H program, the addition of the Montana Farmstead and the new Administration Building and a visit from Hopalong Cassidy. During the 1960s, the National Home hosted the National Marble Tournament, and the Scout Cabin was built. The Sixties also saw the Vietnam War claim the life of a National Home alumnus. The National Home celebrated its Golden Anniversary in the 1970s. It also acquired a new fire truck and converted the on-campus hospital to house a variety of program-related functions, including a sewing club, model train club, dentist’s office and nurse’s office. During the Eighties, the National Home’s fire department was featured on the prime time television series, “That’s Incredible”, and the Nineties brought a major overhaul and expansion to the National Home’s Community Center, a hub of activity for community members. The new millenium brought many changes to the National Home, including the first new home built on the campus in over 40 years and a major renovation of the Health & Education Building. The 2000s also saw the creation of the Amy Ross Endowment Fund and the Military and Veteran Family Helpline. As the National Home looks to the future, it remains a thriving community committed to helping military and veteran families reach their full potential. In 2013, the Board of Trustees formally adopted the National Home’s current program for military and veteran families. And since 2010, we have also added another new duplex and opened our Tribute Park. We treasure these stories and the artifacts that remain to help give them life. That’s why we have launched our campaign to bring our museum into the 21st century so these stories can be preserved for future generations to enjoy. We are closing in on our goal of funding the overhaul of the National Home’s museum, but we still need your help to make it happen. Learn more and donate today.
info@vfwnationalhome.org
3573 S Waverly Rd.
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827