October 2026
 Recognizing the amazing volunteers of MVH
September was a special month at MVH for many reasons. At both MVH at Grand Rapids and MVH at Chesterfield Twp., we got to celebrate some of our volunteers with the Homes' annual volunteer appreciation dinners. They were evenings filled with great food, laughs, and gratitude. They are small gestures in comparison to the immense impact our volunteers make, but the evenings were special nonetheless. Thank you, volunteers of MVH - you're truly making a difference.
 Join MVH: 'Veterans Day 5' set for Nov. 7th in Grand Rapids
Come join the veterans of MVH at Grand Rapids, along with many friends and community members, for the home's annual 'Veterans Day 5' event on Saturday, Nov. 7th, 2026.The morning will have options for a 5-mile run, a 5k, and a 0.5-mile walk/roll - an event for people and patriots of all ages and abilities. After the walk/run/roll, we'll join together for the community breakfast held in the Veterans Home's bistro.
It's a morning of celebrating service, getting some exercise, and then ruining the gains with pancakes. It doesn't get much better than that. We hope to see you there. The registration is linked below, and organizations or individuals insterested in sponsorship should reach out to DMVA-MVHgiving@michigan.gov.
 Vets Home staff takes on Chesterfield Township staff in kickball
On Sept. 14th, MVH at Chesterfield Twp. staff took on Chesterfield Twp. government staff in a friendly game of kickball, where resident veterans were able to enjoy the (semi-professional?) kickball skills and competition. Sadly, the Township staff came out on top, though fun was had by all in attendance.
Since MVH at Chesterfield Twp. opened its doors more than five years ago as our first Veterans Home in southeast Michigan, the Chesterfield Twp. government staff and leadership have been and continue to be tremendous partners for the Veterans Home, and great supporters of our mission and our veterans. This friendly kickball competition only further strengthened that partnership, and our shared bond of ensuring we're there - as a community - to serve those men and women who've served our nation.
 Sharing the 140 years of history at MVH at Grand Rapids
In late September, MVH at Grand Rapids opened the doors to community members to share photos, artifacts, stories, and more from the 140 years of caring for veterans on its historic campus in the City of Grand Rapids. Led by Chaplain Bruce Kalish, the Home's unofficial though very skilled historian, the opportunity was yet another way the Home partners in the community to connect neighbors to the important work of caring for veterans. First caring for veterans of the Mexican-American War of the 1840s and the Civil War, the home in Grand Rapids was authorized by Michigan law in 1885, and has been caring for veterans continuously since opening its doors. While we couldn't possibly tell every story in that long history, we were grateful to share some. Oh, if these grounds could talk, the stories they'd tell...
 Doing more for veterans at the Jacobetti
It's safe to say that we're blessed with generosity at MVH D.J. Jacobetti. September included incredible generosity and opportunities for our veterans. There was chartered fishing on Lake Superior, a trip to Lake Unky Amvets Post 122, a picnic and American Legion Post 44, a bus ride with the Marquette Regional History Center, a Patriot Day pig roast, live music, a craft show, bingo with VVA Chapter 380, shopping trips, yoga, bowling, dining out at Red Lobster, and so much more.
If you think quality of life decreases for veterans when they need nursing home care, you probably haven't been to the Jacobetti. To all of our generous supporters that impact the mission and members of MVH - THANK YOU!
 Medal of Honor recipient memorialized at MVH at Grand Rapids
Our bread and butter at MVH is providing exceptional nursing home care and quality of life to those we're privileged to serve. That said, we're also very cognizant that our Homes are more than nursing homes for veterans. We're also partners and pillars in our community - pillars that represent the undying commitment our communities have to those who've worn the uniform.
When a federal Marine Reserve center was closed years ago in Grand Rapids, a plaque memorializing a Medal of Honor recipient there needed a new home, and went temporarily to our friend, local veteran, and veteran advocate's house, Paul Ryan. Paul soon approached MVH to see if MVH at Grand Rapids might find a permanent home for this plaque to honor this hero on our campus. As partners, we graciously jumped at the opportunity to partner, and honor the late recipient, Francis Pierce. See more photos on our Facebook, at the link below. At MVH, we're proud to be partners in the communities we serve.
(5) For 140 years, this... - Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids | Facebook
Governor Whitmer appoints Eric Wallis to MVH oversight board
Last month, Governor Gretchen appointed Eric Wallis to the Michigan Veterans' Facility Authority (MVFA) Board of Directors, the oversight and governance board of MVH. Wallis serves as the senior vice president and the system chief nurse executive at Henry Ford Health Systems, and also serves as an adjunct associate dean for nursing practice at Michigan State University. He holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Bowling Green State University, a Master of Science in health care administration from Central Michigan University, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Texas Christian University.
Approximately ten years ago, the governance model of Michigan's veteran homes was changed significantly when the MVFA Act was signed into law, and the MVFA was created as an independent and autonomous authority. Administratively housed within the MI Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), the MVFA is governed by the MVFA Board of Directors and carries out its prescribed powers, duties, and functions independently of the DMVA as an autonomous entity within the department. The MVFA Board of Directors consists of nine voting members appointed by the Governor who have professional knowledge, skill, or experience in long-term care, health care licensure or finance, or medicine, while the Director of the DMVA or their designee serves as the tenth non-voting member of the board.
Please join MVH and the MVFA Board of Directors in welcoming Mr. Wallis to the MVFA Board of Directors!
 Enjoying the fleeting moments of summer at MVH at Chesterfield Twp.
MVH at Chesterfield Twp. (MVHCT) has been open for more than five years now, and has earned a reputation as a provider of exceptional nursing home care. MVHCT knows that an amazing quality of life is just as essential as exceptional care - and that belief is reflected daily in the experiences they provide their members. For example, in September they enjoyed some banana ball at Comerica in downtown Detroit!
We're doing more veterans, thanks to our community of supporters.
 Progress continues on the Jacobetti construction site
Things continue to progress on the new Jacobetti site out in Marquette Township - an incredible investment for U.P. veterans and their loved ones. It's been amazing to see what was once vacant ground start turning into the future home of so many U.P. veterans. MVH is incredibly proud of and excited for this investment to open its doors in just a couple short years. It's the culmination of many individual and collective efforts, and it's coming along well. Stay tuned for updates and progress continues!
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Around the nation at State Veterans Homes
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Donations to Michigan Veteran Homes are tax-deductible under 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Michigan Veteran Homes are making a difference in the lives of Michigan veterans and their loved ones. Join us.
Want to learn more about participating in the representative democracy our veterans stood to protect? Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.
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