Legislature Approves Ogden Nursing Home for Veterans

Feb 29, 2008 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) More than 100 veterans filled the Senate gallery this morning to show their support of a bill to use state funds to build a nursing home for veterans in Ogden. One of them was 83-year-old George Wahlen, the state's only living Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Wahlen has worked for years to get the Ogden home funded with state money.

"It is a wonderful feeling to see them all down here, lobbying for this nursing home, and caring so much for veterans, the same as I did," Wahlen says.

The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 129 this morning. It allocates $19.7 million to build the nursing home in Ogden. The cost of building such projects is usually shared by the federal government. But it could take years before federal funding comes through, explains Utah Department of Veterans Affairs Director Terry Schow. But the state has the money to pay for the nursing home now. That could change if the nation is indeed heading for a recession.

"The plan is, when the feds give us our money, anywhere from 2 to 3,4,5 years, we will be reimbursed about $13 million dollars," Schow says. "And with some hope, maybe we can use those funds another nursing home in Utah County and maybe down in Washington County."

Schow says the need for veterans' nursing homes is increasing. Most World War II veterans are in their mid-80s, and the baby boomers who fought in the Korean War and Viet Nam are now in their 60s and 70s. There is currently only one veterans' nursing home in the state, in Salt Lake City. Once the governor signs off on the plan, Schow says more of the state's aging veterans will be able to enjoy a higher quality of life. This, he says, is what they deserve.

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