7/18/2022 9:55:00 AM
Since opening in 1991, the Minnesota Veterans Home - Silver Bay has cared for more than 1,100 Veterans and spouses in their beautiful location near Lake Superior. The beautiful scenery is only matched by the dedication and compassion of the staff who treat the Residents like family and are honored to serve those who have served.
A celebration marking the 30th anniversary of the Silver Bay Veterans Home was held outdoors on Saturday, July 9 under sunny skies and warm summer temperatures. Residents, families, staff and community visitors enjoyed live music, refreshments, and a chance to take a trip down memory lane by paging through photo albums and viewing biographies of 30-year tenured staff.
The common thread running through these senior staff members was their appreciation of caring for Veterans who have so many stories to tell and honorably served our country. Director of Nursing Pat Smedstad, RN, has been on staff since even before the doors first opened. She noted: ““I have stayed at the Home for 30 years for so many reasons including the Residents and the staff I have worked with through the years, as well as the uniqueness of the Veterans Homes and the opportunities to be able to provide quality, cutting-edge treatment for the people in our care. One of my favorite memories is when we had adaptive bicycles come to the facility for a day and we were able to give Residents a bike ride. The smiles on their faces as we biked them around made it so rewarding. Working here has provided so much fulfillment in my life, being able to give to others at the later stage of their life.”
During the event’s program, Home Administrator Dani Donner shared the history of the location. The building had previously served as Campton School. Silver Bay Mayor Wade LeBlanc, who also spoke at the program, recalled attending school there. He said the Veterans Home is a jewel in the local community and is very proud to host it in Silver Bay.
Securing a Veterans Home in the community required a lot of tenacious work from local leaders at the time who included Silver Bay Mayor Bob Kind, City Planner Duane Northhaggen, Veterans Home Planning Committee Chair, Lloyd Houle, and County Veterans Service Officer Wayne Sutton who was instrumental in the process.
Financing was provided by the city of Silver Bay, Lake County, the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke said, “As we all know, the past two and a half years have been the most challenging ever for our staff. I am so proud of the staff and how they have stepped up to protect our Residents during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Staff have donned personal protective equipment and followed infection prevention procedures to keep Residents and one another as safe as possible. I’m also proud of the teamwork displayed through the agency. When our Veterans Homes needed extra support, we had employees from other divisions in our agency volunteer to work wherever needed.”
MDVA Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Healthcare Douglas Hughes also praised the Silver Bay staff for their efforts and caring in this “noble profession.” He said, “The staff – many who have been here for decades – provide great care. And Residents can proudly say that this is their home. We hope that you find that serving aging Veterans is rewarding, satisfying, but above all, that you find this as a calling.”
A Veteran himself, State Representative Rob Ecklund congratulated the Silver Bay Home on three decades of caring and renewed his commitment to continue advocating for Minnesota Veterans, particularly those in their later years needing skilled nursing care.
Special thanks to the Cloquet Combined Color Guard for posting the colors.
Congratulations to the staff who have served for 30 years or more:
