Dedication of New Scott Building & AFRH Open House a Day Many Won’t Forget

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Open House, Public events

A U.S. Navy drill team stunned the audience and received several rounds of applause for precision maneuvers during the Scott Building grand opening.

Hundreds of people came to the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington on Aug. 29 for Great Scott, the program dedicating the new, state-of-the-art Scott Building on campus. Friends of the Soldiers Home was honored to participate in this great event with the Home and President Lincoln’s Cottage.

As part of the day, people took tours of President Lincoln’s Cottage and other historic buildings on campus, including the home where President James Buchanan stayed when the Home served as the Camp David of the later 1800s. DC Reynolds and Captain Cookie provided tasty tacos and fresh cookies, while residents gave tours of the new Scott Building. Children enjoyed the petting zoo, while people of all ages loved climbing to the top of the Sherman Building tower for an unsurpassed view of the nation’s capital.

Photos courtesy of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Fore more photos of the special day, see
https://www.afrh.gov/afrh/AFRH-W-OpenHouse.htm

Soldiers Home leaders, including Chief Operating Officer Steve McManus, spoke at the Scott Building dedication ceremony.

Soldiers’ Home Open House, August 29th

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Public events

The Sherman Building (original Scott Building)

Friends of the Soldiers Home in cooperation with the Armed Forces Retirement Home and President Lincoln’s Cottage is pleased to invite you to….Open House Festivities     

Thursday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Armed Forces Retirement Home, 140 Rock Creek Church Road N.W., Washington, D.C.

**Climb to the top of the Sherman Tower (pictured) and tour other historic buildings rarely open to the public**

**Military displays, exhibit booths, food vendors, petting zoo, carnival games**Enjoy dramatic views of Washington D.C. from the top of the historic Sherman Tower.

Tour the historic Quarters 1, constructed in 1857, and Quarters 6, built in 1907. (One-hour tours begin each half hour starting at 10:30 a.m. Last tour starts at 2 p.m.

Also:
— Processional and opening remarks, 10 a.m.
— Soldiers’ Home residents give tours of the new Scott Building, 10:15 a.m.
— Live band at noon

Friends of the Soldiers Home would like to thank the residents and staff of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, as well as Lincoln’s Cottage, for these continuing opportunities that open the precious, historic campus to the greater community.

Volunteers Continue to Strengthen AFRH/Neighbornood Community

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Volunteering

Soldiers Home resident Patrick “Goldy” Goldsworthy jams on harmonica with volunteer keyboardist Michael Price at the monthly Saloon Night. Photo by Zachary Hartman.

Seven Friends volunteers served snacks and drinks and visited with residents at the monthly Saloon Night held on August 6th. Then on Thursday, August 8th, nine volunteers assisted veterans with another of our three monthly events to connect the Home and the community, Jingo Night. The volunteers helped residents play the game, which is like bingo, but with a trivia question. For instance, Miss Margaret Tuck on her own can’t hear the jingo calls. But with a volunteer at her side, she not only played the game vigorously, but won twice! If you want to join us for our next event, Happy Hour, on Aug. 27, write volunteerfriendsofsoldiers (at) gmail (dot) com.

Defenders Inn in the new Scott Building is always open during Saloon Night With Friends the first Tuesday of each month at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Photo by Zachary Hartman.

The Soldiers’ Home’s Former Library

Tags

Buildings, History

At Friends of the Soldiers Home we love connecting with the residents at our volunteer events and community celebrations. But we also enjoy the connection with America’s history each time we set foot on the precious campus. From Lincoln’s Cottage to the Sherman Building, there are our historic structures throughout the beautiful campus. We would like to thank the folks at Lincoln’s Cottage for sharing this post about the Soldiers’ Home’s Library building — a structure that many people probably don’t know about because it doesn’t exist on the campus anymore. Still, those of us who love the veterans and love the campus will enjoy reading about the unique and beautiful library that once adorned a corner of the campus. Enjoy!

Councilmember Tommy Wells Volunteers at July Friends Happy Hour

Tags

Happy Hour, Volunteering

D.C. Councilmember Tommy Wells was a volunteer with the Friends at the monthly Happy Hour and enjoyed a visit with Mr. Cody.

We had a great Happy Hour the evening of Tuesday, July 30, at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. This was the 10th consecutive monthly Happy Hour staffed by Friends of the Soldiers Home since we adopted the event last year! Thanks to volunteers Mary, Steve, Lori, Sandy, Alexis, Mary Anne and Tommy, we assisted residents in getting to the event and then served icy cold beverages, a few slices of pizza and pleasant conversation to about 30 of them. Home staffer Carol Mitchell told a few corny jokes and awarded money prizes to residents sharp enough on their toes to quickly answer trivia questions. Resident piano player Ray played a few songs on the piano, and everyone had a relaxing evening eating, drinking and chatting.

Thanks again, everybody, for one more memorable evening with Friends of the Soldiers Home!

We have two more volunteer events next week. Write Mary Bucci at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers (at) gmail (dot) com to help out at Saloon Night With Friends, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 6-8pm, or Jingo Night, Thursday, Aug. 8, 6-8pm

Friends volunteer Lori Lincoln is happy to visit with Mr. Brotski during the monthly Happy Hour on July 30.