Photos: Bristol veterans celebrate their new home on Veteran's Day

WWII veteran Aime SanSouci kisses the hand of Governor Gina Raimondo as veterans lined up to meet her after the ceremony. The 88th Infantry Division veteran was injured during the war in France and is thankful to be in the new veterans home.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

WWII veteran Leo Heroux speaks with Governor Gina Raimondo after the Veteran’s Day ceremony at the new veterans home on Saturday. The Army Engineers veteran landed on the beach of Normandy on D-Day and recently received the Legion of Honor medal from France.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Vietnam veteran Bill McCollum takes in a painting by local artist Deborah Baronas.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Hellen McCollum and Vietnam veteran Bill McCollum check out a bedroom at the new facility.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Vietnam era veteran John Leonard and his daughter Heidi share some time in Mr. Leonard’s spacious room at the new veterans home after the ceremony. The vet loves his new room and the new layout. “We get hot food every day,” he quipped. He also said that he misses some of his friends that he got to see everyday at the old building.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Vietnam era veteran John Leonard (right) runs into friends in the common area of his pod.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Vietnam era veteran John Leonard and his daughter, Heidi take in a painting by Deborah Baronas.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Military personnel chat in the main lobby of the new veterans home.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

WWII veteran Aime SanSouci receives a big hug from Governor Gina Raimondo as veterans lined up to meet her after the ceremony.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

WWII veteran Richard Fisher dances in his wheelchair as the Mt. Hope High School band plays the Armed Forces medley during the Veteran’s Day ceremony.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Veterans home director retired Army Brigadier General Rick Baccus addresses the vast crowd during the Veteran’s Day ceremony.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Joan Roth and the the Bristol County Chorus sing the Battle Hymn of the Republic during the ceremony.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Bristol town council chairman Nathan Calouro (left) and the vast crowd cheer on the the Bristol County Chorus.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Bristol veterans council members applaud during the ceremony.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

EastBayRI.com · Wednesday, November 15, 2017 10:15 pm

Bristol veterans rejoiced on Saturday during their annual Veteran's Day celebration and the ribbon cutting for their new home.

The Bristol County Chorus directed by Joan Roth and the Mt. Hope High School band were on hand for the celebration in the spacious brand new Rhode Island Veterans Home hall that was packed with veterans and their families as well as Governor Gina Raimondo and federal, state and local officials.

Veterans home director retired Army Brigadier General Rick Baccus played host during the ceremony that included many speakers including Governor Raimondo.

"Over 16 major trades have contributed to building this beautiful new home for our honored veterans, and the pride in their work is evident in every detail. I'm proud that Rhode Island is now leading the way in recognizing the sacrifice of those who've served our great nation. Our veterans deserve nothing less," said the Governor.

After the high school band played the U.S. Armed Forces Medley, guests were invited to take unguided tours of the new 208 bed facility that allows veterans to live in their own private bedrooms and baths. The veterans live in 16 man pods that are equipped with a kitchen and dining area, TV room with a fireplace and medical conference area. The facility also has a central location for social activities, a chapel, salon, coffee shop, library and other services.

Veterans were moved into their new home prior to Veteran's Day with the help of the Bristol Police and Fire Departments and other volunteers.

Vietnam era veteran John Leonard and his daughter Heidi headed to the veteran’s spacious room at the new veterans home.

While he loves his new room and the new layout. “We get hot food every day,” he quipped. He also said that he misses some of his friends that he got to see everyday at the old building.