at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 21, 2010 at the home's site on Knighton Road, one half mile West of the Redding Airport.
Taking part were Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Congressman Wally Herger, State Senator Sam Aanestad, State Assemblyman Jim Nielson, Lt. Governor Abel Maldonado, retired State Senator Maurice Johannessen, Medal of Honor recipient Jim Taylor, former Veterans Service Officer Don Mangrum, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Roger Brautigan, and Veterans Service Officer Bob Dunlap, among other dignitaries, along with a crowd of nearly 1000.
A moment of silence was observed for three strong veterans advocates who died before seeing their dream of a veterans home take place -former Supervisor Molly Wilson, Medal of Honor recipient Jim Swett of Redding, and H. D. "Chris" Christiansen also of Redding.
The future home will cover 163,000 square feet and will be located on 26 acres donated by developer Jon Thomason. It will include gardens, a chapel, walking trails, dining areas, weight rooms, recreation rooms, reading rooms, a bank, general store, bocce ball and horseshoe pits, a parade ground, putting greens and a Hall of Honors.
Construction will take two years, at a budgeted cost of 88 million, and will provide 150 long-term care beds for aged and disabled veterans. It is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2012.
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ANNOUNCES
