A Home For Heroes

ARCHITECTURE RENDERING WILLIAMS BLACKSTOCK ARCHITECTS

By Natalie Salvatore Photos By Robert Noles and Williams Blackstone Architects

Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins, who was born in Oklahoma but spent much of his childhood in Opelika, was an American hero. From serving in the Vietnam War to receiving numerous awards and decorations, Adkins inspired many. In honor of his death in April 2020 from COVID-19, a new state veteran home is opening in Enterprise.

Brandon Miller, the public information officer for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, along with Kim Justice, the executive director of the National Association of State Veterans Homes, offered insight on Adkins and the future home. The Board of Veterans Affairs chose both the location and name for this project.

Born in February 1934, Adkins was enlisted in the U.S. Army at a mere 22 years of age. He not only served his country, but he served his fellow soldiers. While deployed in Vietnam in 1966, he served as an Intelligence Sergeant with the Fifth Special Forces Group at Camp “A Shau.” After the camp was attacked one morning, Adkins quickly manned a mortar position in defense.

“Upon learning that several soldiers were wounded near the center of camp, he temporarily turned over the mortar to another soldier, ran through exploding mortar rounds and carried several comrades to safety,” Miller said. “By the end of the battle, Adkins was hit 18 times by enemy fire.”

Because of his bravery during this battle, he received the Medal of Honor, the military’s highest distinction, from President Barack Obama on Sept. 15, 2014.

Upon retirement from a more than 20-year military career, the veteran earned one bachelor’s and two master’s degrees, as well as an honorary doctorate from Troy University. Later in life, he returned to his roots and resided in Opelika, Miller said. Adkins passed away at the age of 86.

Justice said they plan to break ground on the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins State Veterans Home early next year, with construction beginning later on in 2022.

Construction is projected to finish in 2023. After the department conducted a Feasibility Study and declared the state’s need for a fifth veterans home, Enterprise was chosen among 12 other candidates.

“As the executive director of state veterans homes, I coordinated the Feasibility Study and applied for the State Home Construction Grant from the Veterans Affairs,” Justice said. “My job is to work closely with the architect firm on design and finishes for the home, and I will participate with oversight of the construction of the project.”

Miller said that some of the factors analyzed for evaluating the different site proposals included

ARCHITECTURE RENDERING WILLIAMS BLACKSTOCK ARCHITECTS

Adkins attending the unveiling of the Medal of Honor postage stamps

ARCHITECTURE RENDERING WILLIAMS BLACKSTOCK ARCHITECTS

state transportation accessibility, nearby healthcare services, as well as favorability of land for surrounding recreational activities for veterans and their families.

“Since the location of the facility was chosen, the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs has established and maintained a great relationship with the city of Enterprise, Coffee County and Fort Rucker. Studies indicate the county, and Enterprise in particular, will see a significant growth in the veteran population in coming years,” he said.

For this project, the department hired the Birmingham company Williams Blackstock Architects, who designed Col. Robert L. Howard’s State Veterans Home in Pell City.

Justice said the 182,000-square-foot facility will house 174 residents in a spacious home, featuring a farmhouse style and natural light. Upon entering the home, a hall of honor displays memorabilia for Adkins, as well as for every branch of service. The home will have an outdoor landscape with courtyards, porches and a fireplace.

Inside, the home’s Town Center provides a wide-open space for veterans to gather together with their families. The corridor features amenities including a chapel, a library, a beauty and barbershop, a therapy gym, a sports bar, a conference room and the main dining room. Not only does the home provide spacious, comforting public spaces for its residents, but the veterans also have their own private bedrooms and bathrooms.

“There are two houses within each neighborhood that have a kitchenette, as well as a dining and living room space,” Justice said. “The veterans may choose to eat in their house or go to the Town Center for meals.”

Not only is the project providing the expanding veterans’ population with a new place to call home, but it will also offer over 200 job opportunities. Miller said it will be close to Fort Rucker, where many U.S. Army veterans were formerly stationed. The home has the ability to tie people together no matter where they come from.

“Although the home is not reserved specifically for veterans in the Wiregrass [area], it provides an affordable, nearby assisted-living facility for those living in the southeastern region of the state,” he said.

As the home is not open to receive admission applications yet, veterans are encouraged to apply to any of the other four state veterans homes in Alabama and can transfer when the Adkins home is finished. Justice said that all announcements related to the home’s completion and acceptance period of applications will be publicized.

She added that as construction finalizes, the home will contract with a healthcare management company. It will also hire personnel in stages to meet the demands.

The Bennie Adkins veteran home, spanning over 108 acres, will be located off Highway 51, north of Yancey Parker Industrial Park. It is expected to open for admission in 2024. For more information, call (334) 242-5077 or visit www.va.alabama.gov.

Adkins attending Opelika’s 2019 Veterans Day ceremony