The Old Soldiers' Home

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The Old Soldiers’ Home “They freely risked life and limb to protect the nation, and it seems but simple justice for the nation to care for them when unable to care for themselves” (Guide Publishing 1) was a shared opinion of many by the end of the Civil War. After these men have put their life on the line for the nation, any train of thought opposite of this would be absurd. Injury from the war is expected, but unfortunately, some of the blows these vets received were too harsh to bounce back from. Over 100,000 men from the Union Army would not be able to return to civilian employment, due to injuries or disabilities received in the line of duty. The United States would not let these war vets and their hard work and dedication go unnoticed, unrewarded, or unappreciated and action was taken as soon as possible. To care for these disabled veterans, “on March 3, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law an act of congress establishing the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers” (Burns 1). With the signing of this act of congress, the idea of Soldiers’ homes had officially been mapped out and put into full effect. The Old Soldiers’ Home, now known as The VA Medical Center, was established to ensure that war vets were taken care of, out of respect for their loyalty to the nation. It was inevitable that there were veterans all over the United States who indeed needed government assistance, which is why more than one branch of the Soldiers’ Homes was established, making sure that as many of these war vets were taken care of as possible. The Central Branch, which is located in Dayton, OH, the Eastern Branch near Augusta, Maine, the North-Western Branch near Milwaukee, and the Southern Branch near Fortress Monroe, Virgin... ... middle of paper ... ..., happy, and giving them another chance to live is the truest and most noteworthy accomplishment for the founders of the Old Soldiers’ Home. The Old Soldiers’ Home was established to ensure that war vets were taken care of, out of respect for their loyalty and its goal was reached. Thanks to this home in Dayton, OH and others, no soldier will go unnoticed. Works Cited Burns, Carolyn. Soldiers’ Home of Dayton, Ohio. Web. 16 Aug. 2009 http://www.carolynjburns.com/soldiers United States Department of Affairs. Dayton VA Medical Center, Ohio. Web. 2 Apr. 2012. http://www.dayton.va.gov The Guide Publishing Company. Guide to the National Soldiers’ Home for Visitors and Citizens: With Sketches of Dayton. Dayton, OH: The Guide Publishing Company, 1891. Print. Earnshaw, William. History of the National Home for Disabled Soldiers. 1875. Print.

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