Old Glory waves proudly over The Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, Wisconsin, which is located near the heart of the state (no more than a two and one-half hour drive from most of Wisconsin). The Veterans Home is a pleasant retirement residence where aging or disabled veterans and their spouses can spend their retirement.

To us as first time visitors, the complex was an impressive sight with its flag lined boulevard as we entered, the flowering plants and well-tended grounds and the many attractive and historic buildings. The Veterans Home at King entails over 320 acres, 70 buildings, 800 employees, over 300 volunteers and more than 700 residents (who are referred to as “members”).

Founded in 1887 by the Grand Army of the Republic to meet the needs of the aging and infirm Union veterans of the Civil War, the choice of location was foresighted, or perhaps it was just chance to have chosen such an accessible location in our state and such a picturesque spot.

Originally, the city of Waupaca donated 78 acres along scenic Rainbow Lake to the veterans. Later, more property was acquired and the property was conveyed to the state. In 1945 when control was then transferred to the newly established Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. It was the first veterans home to allow women to become members.

Members of The Wisconsin Veterans Home who are able to pay the total amount of their care through private pensions or other means are directly billed on a monthly basis. No eligible veteran is denied membership in The Wisconsin Veterans Home because of inability to pay their own way. Veterans who cannot afford the total cost of their care may receive financial assistance.

The Home at King serves all levels of the elderly and disabled, not just nursing care. Their goal is to help Wisconsin seniors maintain the highest level of independence possible. Over 35 percent of the membership at King participates in a Work Therapy Program.

We attended the funeral of a friend in the chapel, one of the historic buildings on the complex. The Home has Catholic, Lutheran and other Protestant chaplains.

The liturgy and memories of our friend's 90 years were a celebration of her life, as well as a special tribute to The Veterans Home and the veterans organizations that she and her husband, also now deceased, had so actively and proudly participated in.

Row upon row of white crosses cover the hills of Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, which is just a few blocks from The Veterans Home. Members of the Home and others who qualify are eligible to be interred in the cemetery. Full military honors are accorded to all veterans that are buried at King.

Back on the Veterans Home grounds following the burial rituals at the cemetery, we had lunch in the Marden Center, the hub of activities building. We then had an opportunity to speak with members, volunteers and the staff to learn about all of the available activities.

The main floor of the center houses the post office, a multipurpose room where Bingo is played frequently, a member kitchen popular for baking goodies and The War History Museum.

On the third floor, there is a complete library with a music listening room, a War History room, a computer room and a sewing room.

The lower level of the Marden Center houses a woodworking shop, ceramics studio, a coffee shop and a four lane bowling alley. “Alley 5” adjoins the lanes as a soft drink and non-alcoholic beer bar, plus an adjoining social room with pool tables and card tables.

The activities building is connected to the four main resident halls by underground tunnels so members do not have to go outside during inclement weather. Members may walk through the tunnels or catch a ride on the tugger transportation system (a mobile transportation system) that moves through the tunnel. Plus, many veterans travel across the grounds on their own scooters.

The Marden Center overlooks beautiful Rainbow Lake. Pontoon boat rides are available for members five days per week in the summer, and water ski shows by the “Chain Skiers” are presented periodically.

Waupaca, just three miles from King, and the Chain O' Lakes region are prime vacation areas. So there is lots of lodging available for families who want to visit members living at the Veterans Home. You may want to go there to enjoy the natural beauty of the Big Sky, Big Water Country, which that area of Wisconsin is known as.

Hundreds of trips are taken by members each year in their own King Koach; among these to the E.A.A Museum, Brewers' games, service clubs in outlying communities, to nearby Waupaca for shopping and dining and to points of interest throughout Wisconsin.

What an honor it was for us to visit King Veterans Home, the home of so many men and women who have served our country, and to meet staff members and volunteers who serve those to whom we owe our freedoms. •