On Friday a Groundbreaking Ceremony was held for The Command Sergeant Major Bennie Adkins State Veterans Home in Enterprise, Alabama. Perched on a gentle hill on 108 acres of sprawling farmlands, the facility will be a long-term state-of-the-art Veterans health care facility with approximately 182,000 square feet and house 175 residents.

"This is an exciting and fulfilling occasion for me, our community and the surrounding communities as well," said Mayor Cooper of Enterprise. "We will soon see more dirt turned, foundations laid, walls up raised, and rooftops silhouetted against a South Alabama sky. Command Sergeant Major Bennie Adkins State Veterans Home will be an absolutely lovely and functional facility - It will be beautiful sight in itself - But what we are really celebrating today is what this facility stands for."

The inspiration for the design was to honor the character and image of the town. Rustic farmhouses and historical homes with large front porches were primary elements incorporated into the design. The facility will have a contemporary farmhouse appearance with board and batten siding and stone accents. Fitting in to the rustic, rural area, large covered porches wrap each building within the facility allowing veterans to enjoy the sun or shade. Cupola’s rise atop each building to allow natural light into every entry way.

“This is a wonderful day for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and State Board of Veterans Affairs,” ADVA Commissioner Kent Davis said. “We are thrilled to have such a large crowd from the community to join us in beginning the process of building the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home, which will serve as a wonderful home for many of our nation’s heroes in the Wiregrass.”