VFW 3377 Member Tour of VFW National Home – 11/04/2022
Tour of VFW National Home (Nov. 04, 2022) near Eaton Rapids, Michigan - - - - My wife Judy & I had the privilege of touring the VFW National Home campus on a crisp autumn morning while being endowed with the very thorough knowledge of our welcoming & pleasant Guide, Mrs. Carrie Turner. Carrie is a 22 year staff member & the Accountant for the National Home.
During our Golf Cart shuttle around the campus, we learned that 23-year-old Amy Ross made it her mission to help find jobs for many unemployed veterans & help their families in the Detroit area. About the same time in 1923, the Military Order of the Cootie had conceived the idea of an orphanage for the dead members of their order. Through the efforts of Amy Ross, she brought Cattleman Corey Spencer to the office of the VFW Michigan Department Commander, where the Cootie Orphanage idea resurfaced, and Mr. Spencer offered his equity in the 472-acre Grand River Stock Farm for a similar facility, and in December 1924 the VFW accepted the donation. On January 7th, 1925 the VFW National Home was incorporated.
Later that spring, the Home welcomed their 1st family, Mrs. Pallett and her 6 children, in to the old farm house. Mrs. Pollitt had suddenly become widowed from the loss of her WWI Veteran husband and his military pension. Since that time, the campus has developed into a small, but viable community of Tree-lined streets with 42 spacious single-family homes, a Community Center & Gym, Library, Computer & Science Labs, Daycare center, playgrounds, fishing pond, Hiking trails, Farming & 4-H buildings, Volunteer Fire Dept. Bldg. & Trucks, Administration & Medical Aide Bldgs. and Museum. The Museum is very well worth taking the time to take-in all the wonderful photos, displays and history of the National Home.
The entire property of the National Home has expanded over the years to over 600-acres and the farming portions are leased to neighboring farmers. The children of the National Home are students at the various Eaton Rapids public schools and active in all school Home please go to the following websites:
vwnationalhome.org/about-us/history/
vfwnationalhome.org/about-us/community/
Larry Werner
Judy Gage-Werner & Carrie Turner, Tour Guide
