LEGION PLANS DRIVE FOR VETS HOME CHAPEL

A rarely used library at the Missouri Veterans Home here will be transformed into a chapel, thanks to persistence ofm American Legion Post 63.

Three years ago, residents at the Veterans Home told fellow veterans with the American Legion they would like a chapel.

At the time, Herb Nance, John Ferguson and John Yallaly started a campaign for an addition to the veterans home building.

But the proposal was soon stalled in bureaucratic red tape, and the temporary, portable chapel American Legion volunteers built has been used in the Veterans Home cafeteria since.

Recently, the state gave the green light to a compromise to change the library to the chapel.

The American Legion post and auxiliary hope to raise $17,500 for the project from throughout the district.

Nance said worship services and a spiritual retreat are important to veterans living at the home.

"Right now there is no place for a fellow to go if he wants to talk to his minister," Nance said.

Charles Woodford, who is co-chairman of the fund-raising campaign, said the chapel would also be available for families who need to discuss funeral arrangements.

Veterans Home Administrator Sam McVay said, "We do not have a facility that's designed for spiritual activities."

McVay said Bible studies, church services and other spiritual activities take place in the cafeteria.

At the same time, the library is an under-used room at the facility, McVay said. The library materials will be moved to a smaller reading room and will still be available to veterans.

The bulk of the money will buy stained-glass windows that will create a spiritual atmosphere. Windows are planned both with religious themes and with military emblems.

Plaques will recognize donors. People can also make donations in memory of someone.

Contributions can be mailed to MVH Chapel Fund, P.O. Box 431, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702.