National Soldiers Home continued

In the beginning veterans were supplied surplus Civil War uniforms when they entered the Home. They drew two pairs of blue pants, two pairs black shoes, four pairs of socks, three pairs of drawers, three shirts, a military dress blue coat, a pair of gloves, hat, cap, and suspenders. The barracks were organized essentially military in nature with "companies" of men supervised by Captains and Sergeants. The full time staff had military officer rank and also wore uniforms. The organizational style persisted until World War  II.

During the period 1919-1921, veterans were coming home from Europe and World War I with lung scarring from gas attacks, tuberculosis outbreaks, and a worldwide epidemic of influenza. Space had to be made to accommodate their medical needs. At the Mountain Branch Civil War veterans were encouraged to move into the community so the space could be utilized for these new veterans. Large porches were built into the barracks because of the belief that fresh mountain air would have a healing effect on these young men. this began the change from the original residential concept to a medically focused facility. At this same time the Branches underwent an official name change, now being called "National Sanitariums". As wars came and went, changes took place in the social fabric of this country and the need for domiciliary care changed too. Today we have community resources available that were not possible 100 years ago. We have assisted living facilities, community nursing homes, Social Security benefits, VA pensions and compensation, personal retirement programs, all of which were not available to our veterans when President Lincoln conceived the National Homes. The lessening demand and need for such facilities has greatly reduced the number of beds taxpayers are asked to support.

As health care changed, so has the domiciliary. We have come from the concept of a "Home" where veterans lived because there were no other community options, to a shortterm residential faciltiy supporting our hospital with its mission of providing health services. Veterans come to Johnson City preddominantly from Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina to reside while receiving treatment for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases. Many come to the "Mountain Home Branch because they live too far from medical care in their own communities and have nowher to live while seeking treatment. Veterans then return to their communities as soon as clinically approved by medical staff.

Today the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center is a full service hospital with 111 beds, nursing home with 120 beds and a domicillary with 348 beds. an annual operating budget of $137million includes 81 million in salaries. Over 1255 employees work 24 hours a day giving excellent care to veterans. New construction has been going on at the Medical Center since 1990 with a new domiciliary, clinical services building, and emergency room. In the fall of 2003, the Mountain Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers will celebrate 100th year of service to America's veterans.