On June 17, 2008, the US Department of Veterans Affairs conducted a public hearing about entering into a 40-year, sole-source Enhanced Use Lease of the 1889 Chapel, two surrounding acres, and Building 16 (former chaplain’s residency), of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center grounds to the Soldiers Home Foundation, Inc. The foundation would restore the chapel to National Register of Historic District standards and reopen it as a site for veteran funerals, counseling and homeless veteran referral services as well as historic, educational, multi-denominational, and community use. The Foundation outlined its plans in its testimony at the hearing. Check back for updates.

TESTIMONY

1. Kristin Gilpatrick, president, Soldiers Home Foundation, Inc.

FROM Kristin Gilpatrick, president, Soldiers Home Foundation, Inc.

The Soldiers Home Foundation is very excited to be at this public hearing about a 40-year, sole-source of the 1889 Chapel, 2 acres of surrounding ground, and Building 16. We are more than ready to start our plans to restore and reopen the heart and literal soul of the National Soldiers Home Historic District, so it can again serve veterans and the community. FULL TEXT >

2. Laura Rinaldi, chairperson, Reclaiming Our Heritage

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF CHAPEL LEASE TO SOLDIERS HOME FOUNDATION
6/17/08

I am Laura Rinaldi, long time VA employee, and Chairperson of the Reclaiming Our Heritage event held annually on our VA grounds.

For the past eight years, our mission has been to make the community more aware of who and what VA is today, and what The National Soldiers Home was 140 years ago.  I think we can say with certainty that we’ve taken great strides toward accomplishing that mission.  Thousands more are now aware of the treasure that is hidden here in plain view.  Many of these people now want to help.  I’d like to give you a few examples: FULL TEXT >

More testimony coming