Centre Care Dedicates Veterans Plaza

Centre Care Rehabilitation and Wellness Services typically counts more than two dozen veterans among its residents, and now the nursing facility in College Township has a space to honor them and all who have served in the nation’s military.

Residents, staff and board members gathered on Wednesday afternoon to dedicate Centre Care’s Veterans Plaza outside the facility’s Donald W. Hamer Building, where a landscaped and concrete area with a new flag pole was funded with the help of donations from local veterans organizations.

“As we built this facility we made sure we made plans for this, with the opportunity being there for our veterans to be recognized, appreciated and to have a place where they can come spend time with family and just enjoy the beautiful outdoors here and know they are always thought of and appreciated,” Centre Care Board President Betsy Boyer said. “We are so honored and pleased to have so many of you here in our facility. We look forward to many more veterans being here to enjoy this plaza as we move forward in our history here.”

The dedication ceremony included music by members of the Bellefonte Area High School band, invocation and benediction by longtime Centre Care chaplain Rev. Alex Dyakiw, the playing of “Taps” by music therapist Karen Baren, posting and retiring of the colors by Jackson-Crissman-Saylor Bellefonte VFW Post 1600 and Brook-Doll-Ebeling Bellefonte American Legion Post 33, and a 21-gun salute.

“…In the design of the building we wanted to have from the very beginning a space dedicated to our veterans because we have it ranges between 25 and 35 veterans sometimes at one time in the building,” activity director Bobbie Salvaterra said. “They’re a very important part of our demographic, if you will. We had to have a space for them. When we were designing the building we reached out to some of our veteran organizations and through their donations we were able to make this beautiful plaza.”

The ceremony also featured the laying of a wreath “to remember those in our Centre Care family who fought valiantly and lost the battle to COVID during this horrible pandemic,” Salvaterra said.

“Their legacy and memory will live on,” she added. “May they rest in peace.”

Flying atop the central pole at the plaza is an American flag that previously flew over the U.S. Capitol. It was donated by U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard Township, when the facility moved from Centre Crest in Bellefonte to the new location on Persia Road last year.

“This was the first occasion we’ve been able to actually fly the flag. We were waiting for a special occasion,” Salvaterra said. “This is a gift from GT. He was an employee here at one time at Centre Crest back in the old building, so he has a special place in his heart for Centre Care.”

The flag, Salvaterra said, is a symbol of a bright future, a symbol that unites us as we stand together.”