Salvation Army opens veterans dorm

TUPELO — A flag for the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps hangs proudly over the new veterans dormitory at the Salvation Army in Tupelo. In honor of Veterans Day, the organization held a Monday morning ribbon cutting for the renovated facilities.

After months of renovations, the eight-bed and common room dormitory specifically built for homeless veterans is complete and ready to take in individuals, according to Captain LeAnna Marion. Captain Thomas Marion said one of his and his wife's goal anywhere they serve is to help veterans in whatever way they can. This dorm is their effort to do so.

"There's no better day than today, Veterans Day, to open (the dormitory) up," Thomas Marion said. "Our goal is to make sure we get veterans off the streets here. They gave something most of us will never know about. They see stuff that we will never see in our lives."

Thomas Marion, with assistance from volunteers that include local boy scout troops, Goodyear employees, King City Church and LeAnna Marion herself, did the bulk of the renovations. The building holds two bunk beds, four single beds. There is a shower, washer and dryer, as well as a common room that has multiple couches, a television and other amenities. Funding for the project came through grants awarded by Cadence Bank.

As part of the ribbon cutting ceremony, Ret. Command Chief Master Stg. Mark Cayson spoke about his experience in the Vietnam War, noting with a laugh that the living quarters that the Salvation Army provides were much better than where he slept during the war.

"What a day this is. The Salvation Army has done a good job here.... These quarters remind me of when I served in Vietnam. This is a hotel compared to (his lodgings in the war)," he said. "My heart goes out to the vets ... It burns my heart."

As of Monday, LeAnna Marion said there is only one veteran in the salvation army's lodging program, but expects more to come as word gets out for the extra bed. That individual will be moved into the new lodgings soon.

In the new dorm upon each bed was a backpack and supplies donated by Turnpike Church in Pontotoc.

Unlike the main shelter, which has a four-month limit before individuals are released alongside a $10 weekly fee, the veterans shelter has a six-month limit with no fees to stay.

"We are the first stop for them, but we are going to make sure they move on to get where they belong. That is a home," Thomas Marion said.

Captain Joshua Keaton, divisional youth secretary in Jackson, also attended the ribbon cutting, performing the opening prayer.