YUKIO OKUTSU VETERANS HOME DEDICATED

November 12 - At a ceremony to dedicate the Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home in Hilo, Governor Lingle joined State Adjutant General, Major General Robert Lee and Admiral Timothy Keating, commander, U.S. Pacific Command in thanking Hawai`i's veterans for their distinguished service.

"Today is a message to veterans in Hawai`i.  We will take care of you as you have taken care of us," the Governor said. "All of you veterans have a special place in our hearts and our island `ohana," she added. "Today, we give our brave a home."
 
The 95-bed nursing home and adult day care center, located on the Hilo Medical Center campus, is the first facility in the state to provide nursing home and domiciliary care to eligible veterans. Hawai`i was previously one of only three states that did not have a veterans home.

Governor Lingle also thanked Big Island residents for their dedication to making the veterans home a reality.

"Hawai`i is showing that we don't take our veterans for granted," said Governor Lingle.  "The freedoms we all enjoy have been made possible by their sacrifices."

The state provided $13.2 million towards the completion of the facility, which is named after World War II veteran Yukio Okutsu, a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.  During the ceremony, the Governor presented the family of the late Yukio Okutsu with a Medal of Honor Flag.