Some of the younger residents of the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home were only teenagers when the place they now call home opened in 1999.
The 25th anniversary of the nursing home was marked by a special event on April 27 in Land O’ Lakes.
About 120 veterans, whose ages range from 40 to 101, now reside there.
Being at the ceremony was a “great opportunity” said James S. Hartsell, retired Maj. Gen., U.S. Marine Corps, and Florida Department of Veterans Affairs’ (FDVA) executive director.
“This is what makes Florida great and I’m glad to be here,” Hartsell said. “This is a ‘home,’ not a ‘facility,’ and they aren’t ‘patients.’ The ones who live here are ‘residents.’”
As part of the ceremony, Bob Hatfield, a member of Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis’ staff, read what had been entered into the Congressional Record in Washington D.C. regarding the nursing home’s 25th anniversary.
“Florida is home to more than 1.5 million veterans, many of whom reside in the Tampa Bay and Nature Coast areas. Through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, the state of Florida operates eight skilled nursing facilities and one assisted living facility, including Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home. These critical long-term care resources are available to Florida veterans with an honorable discharge who are in need of assistance,” read Hatfield, repeating Bilirakis’ remarks.
Baldomero Lopez offers its residents safe shelter and skilled services 24/7 to help them live out the remainder of their lives in a good, healthy environment.
Meals are prepared daily to help meet the individual dietary needs of residents. There is a 58-bed Alzheimer’s/dementia unit. Other offerings include 24-hour skilled nursing service, help with pain management, and a variety of social and recreational activities.
The nursing home is named after First Lt. Baldomero Lopez, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, who died on Sept. 15, 1950, while serving during the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military decoration.
Lopez was a rifle platoon commander of Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (REIN).
He was only 25 years old when he was killed while serving in Inchon, Korea.
This is the same age at which the nursing home named after him is now.
Lopez’s Medal of Honor (MOH) citation says, in part, that he was attempting to throw a grenade into a bunker from which enemy fire was pinning down the area where his platoon had just landed on a beach. He was wounded in his right shoulder and chest as he lifted his arm to throw the grenade.
He dropped the grenade while falling backward and turned and dragged his body forward in an effort to retrieve the grenade and throw it.
“In critical condition from pain and loss of blood, and unable to grasp the hand grenade firmly enough to hurl it, he chose to sacrifice himself rather than endanger the lives of his men and, with a sweeping motion of his wounded right arm, cradled the grenade under him and absorbed the full impact of the explosion.
“His exceptional courage, fortitude, and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon 1st Lt. Lopez and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country,” the MOH citation said.
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano also attended the event.
Marlies Sarrett, who has been the nursing home’s administrator for 13 years, said she was very pleased with how many people turned out for the celebration, which also included entertainment by the Crossroads Band that performs at Baldomero Lopez monthly.
She also noted that she was happy with the number of volunteers who had helped organize and run the event.
A large number of organizations and vendors were in attendance, including the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 unit, Pasco County Votes, Land O’ Lakes Library, Mary Rose Mini Pet Therapy Horses, Rosebud Continuum, Coastal Cremations and the Sertoma Club, according to Johanna Snee, Baldomero Lopez activity director.
Also attending and participating were representatives of various veterans’ organizations, including the FDVA, American Legion, Marines Forever, Operation Patriot, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution.
In addition, representatives of Kathryn Hintz Piano Studios, the New Port Richey Elks Club, JDog Junk Removal & Hauling, Grunt Style, Palm City Church, Pasco-Hernando State College, Tampa History Museum and Zonta participated in the event, according to Snee.
For more information about the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home, call 813-558-5000.
Published May 08, 2024
