After dozens of COVID-era veteran deaths in Holyoke, a new 'soldier's home' is unveiled – New Hampshire Public Radio

After dozens of COVID-era veteran deaths in Holyoke, a new ‘soldier’s home’ is unveiled  New Hampshire Public Radio

Massachusetts new state-of-the-art Veterans Home in Holyoke was unveiled Thursday, marking a major milestone in the transformation of veterans care in the state, officials say. Formerly known as the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, the facility was built on the site of a deadly 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, where at least 76 veterans died — a tragedy that helped the push to replace it. Massachusetts new state-of-the-art Veterans Home in Holyoke was unveiled Thursday, marking a major milestone in the transformation of veterans care in the state. Formerly known as the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, the facility was constructed at the site of a deadly 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, where at least 76 veterans died — a tragedy that helped the push to replace it.

The new facility will expand capacity to 234 beds and provide veterans with comfortable living spaces designed to promote independence and community say officials involved in its design and construction. A new Memorial Garden at the entrance of the "campus" will honor veterans who passed away at the original Home, especially those lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We can never undo the tragedy that happened at Holyoke, but we can honor those we lost by making sure nothing like it happens again," said Governor Maura Healey. To mark the milestone, Healey was joined Thursday by U.S. Senator Edward Markey, U.S.