ABOVE: Devin Merritt and Charles Jeffers from Second Church of Christ sing a special version of America the Beautiful in tribute to Danville’s VA Medical Center serving Veterans for 125 years. Merritt also performed the National Anthem.
This year’s celebration of VA Illini Health Care’s 125th anniversary of first serving Veterans in 1898 as the National Home for Disabled Soldiers came to a climax with Wednesday (July 26th) afternoon’s special ceremony. A proclamation from the Illinois Senate was read by State Senator Paul Faraci. When the Danville facility first began, it was treating Veterans of the Civil War, and then the Spanish American War. And as Faraci points out, it’s mission continues, and should be celebrated.
AUDIO: This is an amazing event, first of all. And of course, the services that this provides to our Veterans is unparalleled.
State Senator Paul Faraci, one of many dignitaries at the VA Illiana 125th anniversary ceremony, was greeted by Executive Director Dr. Staci Williams after his reading of the Illinois Senate proclamation.
A special surprise came when VA Illiana Executive Director Dr. Staci Williams spoke. She announced the news released earlier in the day that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had given the Danville VA Illiana facility a “Five Star Overall Rating.”
AUDIO: The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services have typically not included VA in their star rankings. But effective today, they did for the very first time; and we got the highest rating out there. So we’re pretty excited.
Chaplain Susan Street-Beavers offers the opening invocation; Executive Director Dr. Staci Williams reflects upon the Danville facility’s history; Danville mayor Rickey Williams, Jr shares memories of visiting his grandfather at VA Illiana Health Care.
Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr brought up the topic of a common tall tale in this area. He says that while it’s been rumored for years that Danville had to make a choice between having the University of Illinois or a Veterans care facility; it was more a case of one great facility coming into existence long before another great facility. Mayor Williams says compare the 1860s to the 1890s, and just do the math.
AUDIO: U of I was actually founded in 1867; so, a full 31 years before VA Illiana. We should all be very proud of both. I’m thankful that we received this institution because it allows us to take care of those who keep us free and who protected our nation.
VA Illiana Health Care employees Diahann Cook, Donna Fegett, and Joanna Reiss share their employee contest award winning poems about the history and mission of the Danville VA Medical Center and those it has served.
