BARRE - Veterans Place, the organization that has purchased the former Mayo-DeLary House on Vine Street, held its second annual Veterans Day dinner last Saturday at the Hedding United Methodist Church.

With over 150 in attendance, the dinner was a thank you for those who have supported the fund raising efforts of the organization.

To date, over $1,400,000 has been raised to remodel and update the facility including a loan from Northfield Savings Bank in the amount of $350,000 and substantial grants from both Federal and State governments.

The target date for opening the home is May, 2009 when it is expected that up to 26 veterans will take residence.

A number of state and local American Legion and auxiliaried organization officials were on hand as well as John Churchill, the State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

John had himself been a homeless veteran for a period of time after the Viet Nam War and knows the problems that some veterans face trying to reenter the community.

Senator Bill Doyle was also there together with John Tracy representing Senator Pat Leahy, Sam Haskins representing Bernie Sanders and John Copans representing Congressman, Peter Welch.

Congratulatory letters from each of Vermont's congressional team were read, each stressed the need for the facility and thanked the board of Veteran's Place for their tireless work to raise the money necessary to get the project off the ground.

Sandy Combs, one of the board members, noted that in order for veterans to be housed at the facility, they must be substance free, help with household chores, work diligently on self improvement including finding employment, maintain a healthy lifestyle and held within the community. They may stay up to two years in the structured program and will be assisted throughout their stay with professional guidance and support.

Scout troops from Northfield Troop 759 and Barre Troop 714 were on hand to help serve dinner to the assembled guests. The Barre Scouts also posted the colors and the Northfield Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Cadets from Norwich were also on hand to help with table service. Dinner was provided by a group of volunteers headed by Chef, Tim Boltin.

Following dinner, a slide show as presented "How a Dream Became A Reality" showing how the project had come together from start to finish in just one year because of the dedicated work of a small team of volunteers with the assistance of a large group from the community.

Special thanks were given to both the Northfield Selectboard and the Trustees for their approval of the necessary permits to allow the organization to bring the project to completion.

Mayo Healthcare associates who had been active in the process of getting the building sale completed were also on hand.