New vets home in Ogden welcomes residents

OGDEN — One kept U.S. planes in the skies as an aircraft mechanic during World War II. The other was a foot soldier in the Battle of the Bulge, the single largest and bloodiest battle experienced by American forces.

Together, they rolled or walked haltingly into their new home Tuesday morning amid the pageantry of a military honor guard and the clarion call of music representing their respective branches of service.

Officially, D. Frank Egginton, 88, of Roy; and Boyd Sheffield, 92, of Brigham City, became the first residents of the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home in Ogden, a nearly $20 million, decade-long dream sought tirelessly by veterans advocates and the veterans themselves.

The 120-bed facility at 1102 N. 1200 West, funded in part by a 2008 allocation by Utah lawmakers, is not your typical nursing home. In contrast to facilities of years past, the Wahlen center is constructed based on a pod design, with independent kitchens, outdoor areas for barbecues and picnics, stately libraries, a pool table and expansive rooms — most private, as well as big-screen televisions in a multipurpose room.

"In my 23 years in this business, I've never seen 80 people wanting to be here, at a nursing home," said center executive director Kelly Snowball. "This is not going to be just another nursing home. This is designed to let them live their lives, live in dignity."

Salt Lake City-based Avalon Health Care Inc. is the contract provider of services — the same company that manages the Salt Lake veterans nursing home and a state veterans home in Hilo, Hawaii.

Unlike other recipients of long-term health care who require round-the-clock assistance, veterans share a unique bond that allows them to quickly conquer their status as strangers, said Avalon president David Dangerfield.

"There's a sense of brotherhood not reflected in other facilities," Dangerfield said. "They've shared similar life experiences. We really see this facility as a group of neighborhoods; that is our plan because they deserve our highest regards, our highest respect."

Sandra Moffett said the move is a great one for her father, Boyd Sheffield, who had been living in another facility but was so excited to be among other veterans he insisted on a haircut before his arrival.

Rocky Olson, Egginton's son-in-law, said the family was honored to be among the first with a loved one to take up residency.

"George Wahlen was a neighbor of ours," Olson said. "It's a wonderful facility and a great honor for him."

With a leopard-print blanket draped across his lap and great-great-grandchildren doting at his side, Egginton seemed a bit overwhelmed by the fanfare of Tuesday's events and nodded quietly at well-wishers from his wheelchair.