Veterans Home of California Yountville
Encyclopedia
The Veterans Home of California is located in Yountville, California
and was founded in 1884. The facility is the largest of its kind in the United States and has a population of 1100 aged and disabled veterans of World War II
, Korean War
, Vietnam War
, Desert Storm, and Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom. Several levels of care are offered to residents including domicillary services, residential care for the elderly, intermediate nursing care, skilled nursing care, adult day health care and outpatient clinic.
The grounds of the facility include the 1,214 seat Lincoln Theater (home of the Napa Valley Symphony), a 9-hole golf course
, recreational vehicle park, baseball stadium, bowling alley, swimming pool, U.S. Post Office and a military base exchange branch store. All of these facilities are available for use by resident veterans at no additional cost. Additionally, the home offers services specifically for residents including a fitness center, a resident operated television station, auto hobby shop, a 35,000 volume library, creative arts center, and a multi-faith chapel. A cemetery on the grounds holds the graves of over 5,500 veterans and their spouses dating back to the Spanish- American War of 1898.
, first secured land in San Francisco for a veterans home however the property was deemed not appropriate. After exploring several alternatives, on Oct. 24, 1882, a 910 acres (3.7 km²) site was purchased in Yountville for $17,500. By 1884 when the facility opened, funds raised to buy the property and erect the original buildings had all been spent, and the association established in San Francisco by the Society of Mexican War Veterans and the GAR was bankrupt. In the decade that followed, both the Veterans Home and the Napa Valley struggled through difficult financial times until private association was formed and was responsible for the home. It secured funding from both the State of California
and the Federal Government
, but in 1896 Washington determined that it could no longer fund a privately-operated facility and withdrew its financial support. The association had no choice but to turn the Veterans Home over to the State of California in 1897. The state paid the association $20 and officially changed the name to the Veterans Home of California at Yountville. At the time the state took over the home, it had an estimated value of $320,000 and consisted of 55 steam heated buildings with electric lighting, running water and a sewer system. The grounds also had a successful dairy, hog farm, chicken ranch and was the home for 800 veterans of the Mexican, Civil, and Indian wars.
, a World War I veteran and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor was appointed commandant of the home in 1919. Although this combat-hardened solder would fight many bureaucratic battles on behalf of the home, his biggest challenge would come from the Civil War veterans at the home and on its board who resisted changes he was advocating. Not wanting a confrontation with these old vets, he resigned as commandant in 1921, vowing to return. After several members passed from the board, Col. Holderman returned to his position as commandant in 1926 and remained there until his death in 1953. He is generally credited with a revitalization of the Veterans Home that can be seen and felt until today.
Holderman was able to overcome many political and bureaucratic roadblocks during his tenure, and he replaced and remodeled many of the run-down administrative and residential buildings, as well as planted the now mature grove of towering trees from around the world, known as Holderman’s Grove. Significantly, in 1929 he was also able to oversee the construction of a 500-bed hospital that the home had needed for years.
and federal United States Department of Health and Human Service were both threatening to withdraw certification from the home. The California State Legislature
took action, approving a $100 million renovation master plan, reinforcing California's 10-plus-year commitment to its veterans.
The home's administrator is retired Navy Capt. P. Michael Reber. Veterans share their input and recommendations through the Veterans' Home Allied Council, an official advisory body to the administrator. The home's annual operating budget is $47 million, half of which is provided by the California general fund; the remainder by other sources, including federal reimbursements and member fees.
The Veterans' Home of California Yountville continues to enjoy tremendous support from citizens, service clubs and veterans organizations throughout the state. Their help makes many of the services provided by the home possible in a time of increasing fiscal problems at the state level. The home is a focal point for service organizations, including AMVETS
, Veterans of Foreign Wars
, Disabled American Veterans
and The American Legion
, to name a few of the most active, who represent thousands of veterans throughout the state and make their presence felt at the home.
The Home, nestled in the verdant Wine Country of northern California, also houses the alternate Seat of Government for the Governor's office, and shares that duty with another State facility at Fresno.
Yountville, California
Yountville is an incorporated town in Napa County, California, United States. It is in the North Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 2,933 at the 2010 census. Almost one third of the town's population lives on the grounds of the Veterans Home of California.The town's name...
and was founded in 1884. The facility is the largest of its kind in the United States and has a population of 1100 aged and disabled veterans of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, Desert Storm, and Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom. Several levels of care are offered to residents including domicillary services, residential care for the elderly, intermediate nursing care, skilled nursing care, adult day health care and outpatient clinic.
The grounds of the facility include the 1,214 seat Lincoln Theater (home of the Napa Valley Symphony), a 9-hole golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
, recreational vehicle park, baseball stadium, bowling alley, swimming pool, U.S. Post Office and a military base exchange branch store. All of these facilities are available for use by resident veterans at no additional cost. Additionally, the home offers services specifically for residents including a fitness center, a resident operated television station, auto hobby shop, a 35,000 volume library, creative arts center, and a multi-faith chapel. A cemetery on the grounds holds the graves of over 5,500 veterans and their spouses dating back to the Spanish- American War of 1898.
Founding
In 1877, the Grand Army of the RepublicGrand Army of the Republic
The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, US Marines and US Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member died...
, first secured land in San Francisco for a veterans home however the property was deemed not appropriate. After exploring several alternatives, on Oct. 24, 1882, a 910 acres (3.7 km²) site was purchased in Yountville for $17,500. By 1884 when the facility opened, funds raised to buy the property and erect the original buildings had all been spent, and the association established in San Francisco by the Society of Mexican War Veterans and the GAR was bankrupt. In the decade that followed, both the Veterans Home and the Napa Valley struggled through difficult financial times until private association was formed and was responsible for the home. It secured funding from both the State of California
Government of California
The government of California operates in the context of a democratic republic with three branches of government: the executive branch consisting of the Governor of California and the other elected constitutional officers; the legislative branch consisting of the California State Legislature which...
and the Federal Government
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
, but in 1896 Washington determined that it could no longer fund a privately-operated facility and withdrew its financial support. The association had no choice but to turn the Veterans Home over to the State of California in 1897. The state paid the association $20 and officially changed the name to the Veterans Home of California at Yountville. At the time the state took over the home, it had an estimated value of $320,000 and consisted of 55 steam heated buildings with electric lighting, running water and a sewer system. The grounds also had a successful dairy, hog farm, chicken ranch and was the home for 800 veterans of the Mexican, Civil, and Indian wars.
Early 20th Century
Col. Nelson M. HoldermanNelson M. Holderman
Nelson Miles Holderman was an officer in the United States Army most notable for commanding a company of the Lost Battalion during World War I for which he received the Medal of Honor...
, a World War I veteran and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor was appointed commandant of the home in 1919. Although this combat-hardened solder would fight many bureaucratic battles on behalf of the home, his biggest challenge would come from the Civil War veterans at the home and on its board who resisted changes he was advocating. Not wanting a confrontation with these old vets, he resigned as commandant in 1921, vowing to return. After several members passed from the board, Col. Holderman returned to his position as commandant in 1926 and remained there until his death in 1953. He is generally credited with a revitalization of the Veterans Home that can be seen and felt until today.
Holderman was able to overcome many political and bureaucratic roadblocks during his tenure, and he replaced and remodeled many of the run-down administrative and residential buildings, as well as planted the now mature grove of towering trees from around the world, known as Holderman’s Grove. Significantly, in 1929 he was also able to oversee the construction of a 500-bed hospital that the home had needed for years.
Late 20th Century
In the 1970s, the home faced another financial crisis. Decreased funding was having a degrading effect on facilities and staffing, to the point that the future of the home was in question. The California Health and Human Services AgencyCalifornia Health and Human Services Agency
The California Health and Human Services Agency is the state agency tasked with administration and oversight of "state and federal programs for health care, social services, public assistance and rehabilitation" in the U.S. state of California. The agency is headed by the Secretary of the...
and federal United States Department of Health and Human Service were both threatening to withdraw certification from the home. The California State Legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
took action, approving a $100 million renovation master plan, reinforcing California's 10-plus-year commitment to its veterans.
The Home Today
More than halfway through the renovation program, the Veterans' Home of California at Yountville is home to almost 1,200 veterans, including almost 150 women veterans and nearly 30 couples.The home's administrator is retired Navy Capt. P. Michael Reber. Veterans share their input and recommendations through the Veterans' Home Allied Council, an official advisory body to the administrator. The home's annual operating budget is $47 million, half of which is provided by the California general fund; the remainder by other sources, including federal reimbursements and member fees.
The Veterans' Home of California Yountville continues to enjoy tremendous support from citizens, service clubs and veterans organizations throughout the state. Their help makes many of the services provided by the home possible in a time of increasing fiscal problems at the state level. The home is a focal point for service organizations, including AMVETS
AMVETS
AMVETS or American Veterans is a volunteer-led organization formed by World War II veterans which accepts honorably discharged veterans as members....
, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a congressionally chartered war veterans organization in the United States. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, VFW currently has 1.5 million members belonging to 7,644 posts, and is the largest American organization of combat...
, Disabled American Veterans
Disabled American Veterans
The Disabled American Veterans, or DAV, is an organization for disabled veterans that helps them and their families through various means. It currently has over 1.2 million members...
and The American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
, to name a few of the most active, who represent thousands of veterans throughout the state and make their presence felt at the home.
The Home, nestled in the verdant Wine Country of northern California, also houses the alternate Seat of Government for the Governor's office, and shares that duty with another State facility at Fresno.