DENNIS – The town of Dennis and the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center unveiled the project sign marking the future location of the Dennis Veterans Home on Tuesday.
The project will build a five-bedroom home on Route 134 near Route 6A for homeless veterans in need of transitional housing or those living below the poverty line.
Former selectman and project supporter Wayne Bergeron said veterans and their families have made many sacrifices to serve the needs of the country and they frequently face hardships when returning from service.
“With a threat of homelessness a reality for many, it is both a moral obligation and our honor to assist our veterans in any way possible,” Bergeron said.
Bergeron said the gathering yesterday at the site of the home represents the commitment of the town to continue supporting individuals who need the help.
Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center Executive Director Gina Giambusso said the town has declared that men and women who served the country should not be boarded in hidden locations, sheltered in inadequate facilities without the services they require or spend nights trying to survive on the streets.
“The town has insisted that those men and women should be brought back into the community for which they served and live in a dignified, respectful home in a dignified, respectful neighborhood,” she said.
“Dennis has defied fear and prejudice and trusted that inviting human beings in need of care right into their midst is an act of benevolence which would benefit their community and serve as a model for others.”
First Barnstable District State Representative Tim Whelan (R-Brewster), who is a former marine, said veterans are people who symbolize making a difference.
“You are talking about an 18- or 19-year-old young lady or young man who is signing up knowing that they are signing a paycheck to the government that they will pay anything up to and including their own life to defend the freedom and the lives of people who they have never ever met,” Whelan said.
Whelan said the town of Dennis and the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach center have stepped up to make a difference as well.
“Your effort has become the first domino to fall in the Cape’s commitment to getting our veteran homeless off the streets and sheltered,” he said.
Shortly after the town began discussing the project, Whelan said he heard from officials in Yarmouth saying they were interested in pursuing a similar initiative.
“As this progresses, know that Dennis was the town that led the way,” Whelan said.
The project was approved by Town Meeting voters two years ago and a recent land court decision has allowed the project to move forward.
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