Mountain Home Celebrates 120th Birthday

MOUNTAIN HOME, Tenn. — James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC) and the Mountain Home National Cemetery held a 120th birthday celebration to recognize the day its first resident arrived in October 1903.

Activities during the celebration included an opening ceremony with guest speaker Tennessee Rep. Phil Roe (Ret.), a Congressional Resolution by Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger and a State Proclamation by State Senator Rusty Crowe; a parade; food; tours; live performances; tours; and more.

“Please let me say what an honor it is to work with our Mountain Home volunteers and employees who have worked very hard to make this celebration special for our Veterans, America’s heroes,” said Medical Center Director Dean Borsos. “I am proud of the commitment and efforts that have gone into making this event happen.”

Mountain Home was established as the ninth “old soldiers’ home,” part of an effort to care for soldiers post-Civil War.

In 1989, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation making the VA a cabinet-level facility known as the Department of Veterans Affairs which laid the groundwork for the facility as seen today.

“We have been continuously improving the healthcare of our Veterans,” said Director Borsos.

The opening ceremony began with an invocation by JHQVAMC Chaplain Ronald Vicars, followed by a performance of the National Anthem by Tiffany Hartman. East Tennessee State University’s ROTC presented the colors.

Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger and State Senator Rusty Crowe presented a Congressional Records Statement and a State Proclamation, respectively, recognizing the special occasion. 

Dr. Colleen Noe, JHQVAMC Associate Director, narrated the opening ceremony and led the committee planning the event.

“We’re thankful for everyone who joined us to celebrate 120 years since Mountain Home welcomed the first patient, launching what is now one of the leading healthcare systems serving Veterans in the VA MidSouth Healthcare Network,” said Dr. Noe.