A Big Thing in a Small Town: Welcoming Veterans Home in Preston

PRESTON – It took ten years to plan this big thing in the small town of Preston: A brand new, regional Minnesota Veterans Home to give area veterans a place to come home to and be taken care of.

On June 27, 2024, this big project was officially celebrated with a Dedication Ceremony — a well-attended event centered on gratitude and collaboration.

The serene landscaping, inspired by the native oak savannah habitat on the site, and the accessible paths are a favorite of residents and staff. (Photo by Alison Leathers)The day began with self-guided tours of the facility, including views of individual rooms, a barber shop/hair salon, multiple public spaces for gathering, a meditation room, a fitness center, food service and dining area, and a multi-purpose room.

The windows throughout the building are often floor to almost the ceiling in height, bringing the serene outdoors inside. Residents from around the county, Veterans Home staff, and visitors and dignitaries from across Minnesota shared their astonishment at the warm and welcoming facility.

A cozy public gathering space in the Preston Veterans Home. (Photo by Alison Leathers)

A place rooted in community

Getting the next Minnesota Veterans Home placed in Preston started with many local residents and organizations working together to bring this idea to reality.

Ron Scheevel, Preston Veterans Home Committee Co-Chair, said, “We started in 2015 with local meetings, and then there were lots of trips to the Capitol.” It took the coordinated efforts of this local committee, the Preston City Council, former Preston City Administrator Joe Hoffman, and former Preston Economic Development Authority (EDA) Director Cathy Enerson, to conduct studies, visit other facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin, fill out applications, write grants and work with state legislators.

A barber shop/hair salon in the Preston Veterans Home. (Photo by Alison Leathers)

Cathy Enerson said her role as the EDA director, was “to lift the leaders of the community. I want to thank Preston for bringing the southeast Minnesota story to the legislature. They had to bring the data and story together to present to the legislature.”

Cathy recalled one part of this process was witnessing Ron Scheevel and Don Gildner, the Preston Veterans Home Committee Co-Chairs, literally putting their boots back on the ground, traveling around the region to other VFWs and Legions to ask for support. Since 2015, Preston, surrounding communities and organizations, have all found ways to contribute to the home, including raising $1.2 million in local donations for construction.

Ron Scheevel and Don Gildner, Veterans Home Co-Chairs, after the 2024 dedication. Missioned accomplished! (Photo by Kari Broadwater)

A home that feels like home

The halls and public spaces sparkle with art that showcases the natural beauty of bluff country, with some works completed by local artists. 

Employees Jessica Ferrie and Stephanie Fisher excitedly pointed out their children were among several artists that created ceramic tile art in the multi-purpose room.

In 2019-2020, Fillmore Central fourth, fifth, and sixth graders in Ms. Sara Xavier’s art class made the tiles in anticipation of the opening of the Preston Veterans Home. These tiles show the artists’ depiction of deep gratitude towards service members and patriotism towards their country.

Ceramic tiles made by Fillmore Central students for the Veterans Home. (Photo by Alison Leathers)

A sense of community has already taken root in this beautiful facility, but it is quick to see that the commitment to community begins with the staff and how much they enjoy their work.  Both Stephanie Fisher and Jessica Ferrie stated their favorite part about working at the home are the residents, and they are excited each day to serve them. Another employee, Katie from Preston, said, “I just love the residents, and I love everything about working here.”

Dedication ceremony: A moving tribute to collaboration and gratitude

The Minnesota Patriot Guard provided a flag line from the building to the tent as everyone gathered for the dedication ceremony.

To the patriotic music performed by the Chatfield Brass Band, the crowd was welcomed under the tent to start the program, and the Spring Valley Color Guard presented the colors.

The dedication ceremony took place just outside the Preston Veterans Home. (Photo by Alison Leathers)

David Dunn, Administrator of Minnesota Veterans Homes-Preston and a 15-year Air Force veteran, started the festivities by thanking everyone it took to bring the home to reality.

The Fillmore Central Men’s Ensemble sang the national anthem and Charles Sparks, Mayor Pro Tempore of the City of Preston, gave opening remarks. Carter Keim and Dave Wissing led those gathered in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an invocation given by Rev. Mark Woodward of the Preston United Methodist Church.

After an introduction by Brad Lindsay, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz gave the keynote address. He expressed the administration’s commitment to veterans, even sharing a story of his recent trip to Normandy and how a French woman there made a statement that, “America never forgets”. The Preston Veterans Home is a testament to that statement, that we must never forget about our veterans and their families. Walz’s remarks highlighted the bipartisan work to get three state Veterans Homes opened in the same year, a feat no other state has accomplished.

Governor Tim Walz giving the keynote address. (Photo by Alison Leathers

State Senator Jeremy Miller shared that seeing all the people and different levels of government working together to bring the Preston Veterans Cemetery and Preston Veterans Home to life is a highlight of his career.

Representative Greg Davids stated that the idea of bringing a state Veterans Home to southeastern Minnesota began with Rushford resident Maynard LaFleur telling Rep. Davids a home was needed in the region. Representative Davids mentioned the hard decision to place the Veterans Home in either Spring Valley or Preston, with the Fillmore County Commissioners ultimately making that decision, and with Commissioner Mitch Lentz making a motion for a unanimous vote for Preston.

Tamar Gronvall, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Administration talked about overcoming project challenges and the gratitude for collaboration; Eric Meittunen, Deputy Commissioner Healthcare Division of Minnesota Veterans Homes, also spoke and staff members from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar’s and U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s offices read letters of congratulations from both Senators.

Ron Scheevel and Don Gildner talked about the local work and long journey to get to this day of dedication, and they gave special recognition to Preston EDA Director at the time, Cathy Enerson, for guiding them in the process. They even gave a special shout-out to Carter Keim, who sold eggs from his family’s farm to benefit the Veterans Home fund. Rev. Mark Woodward and David Dunn closed out the ceremony.

MVH-Preston staff prepping for the day. (Photo provided by Preston Veterans Home)

A bright future

Officially open since January 2024, the future looks bright for the Preston Veterans Home. Just one day before this event, staff were thrilled to learn that the facility had passed its federal inspection so another wing of the home can now open for residents.

Preston and the surrounding area will continue to feel ripple effects from the home, such as new housing, added jobs, and local committees continuing to work together. As Preston resident and veteran Josh Krage stated in awe of the new facility, “How can something so big be in my small town?” 

We now know that this big thing is thanks to the relentless efforts and collaboration of Preston and Fillmore County residents and the actions from our local, state and federal governments.

What a big thing it is to honor our veterans — and the small town of Preston is ready to do just that!