Washington, D.C.--During World War II, 1.3 million American soldiers left from here, when it was called Camp Shanks, to destroy the terrible threat Hitler posed to America and the world.

So it is fitting that we use this land now to create homes for veterans who have risked their lives to protect us, and are doing so today in Iraq and Afghanistan.

These 13.8 acres will be used to initially create 25 handicap-friendly apartments, coupled with support services, for our wounded warriors. Ultimately the project will consist of 50 handicapped accessible, garden-style apartments, a community center and offices for agencies that will provide support services to the resident veterans. The development is designed to provide safe, dignified, suburban mainstream living for our wounded veterans who might never be able to afford or maintain a private residence.

The site and neighborhood have a military history going back to our Revolutionary War when American soldiers camped a short distance south of the site on Western Highway.

And for many of the soldiers who died on the beaches of Normandy in the D-Day invasion camp Shanks was truly the “Last Stop USA” as it was called.

America made a compact with its veterans, one that I am determined will be kept. Last June 16th I voted for the Homes for Heroes Act, to provide funding for veterans housing nationwide. Over the past three years I supported and voted for increases of almost $13 billion in veterans’ funding. I supported and voted for the G.I. Bill of Rights for the 21st Century.

I also strongly worked to keep as many veterans’ programs as possible at the Montrose clinic.
Homes for Heroes is a Rockland idea of what our country must do nationwide for its veterans. I congratulate John Murphy for his dedication, enthusiasm and sheer doggedness in getting Homes for Heroes built. I also thank Provident Bank for its generosity is helping Homes for Heroes.

After the wars, after the parades and celebrations, men and women who fought to defend our freedoms and to keep us safe, sometimes still have wounds, physical and emotional, to deal with.

Our obligation is to help them with the same devotion that they gave to defending us. Homes for Heroes does that, and is an example of what can be done nationwide for these brave men and women to whom we owe so much.