Veteran's home named in late Senator's honor opens Published Nov. 23, 2009 By Diane Betzler EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A 17-year-old dream became reality Nov. 20, when the Knight family along with state and local dignitaries joined with nearly 2,000 local citizens to celebrate the dedication and grand-opening of the William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home of California in Lancaster. In an open letter, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said it is fitting that the new veteran's home is named in memory of the late Senator Pete Knight. "Whether in the skies over Vietnam or the halls of our State Capitol, he devoted his life to service." The governor's message went on to say those who will live and receive care at the new veterans home had also committed themselves to protecting America, "...and we honor them for the great good they have done for our country." Roger Brautigan, secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs said the new home will provide the highest quality of life to veterans. "We will protect the dignity, self alliance and self worth of those vets who will live in this home," he said during the dedication. "How well we treat the veterans of our country determines more about us than it does about them," said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. The mayor said the veterans are the people who put their lives out there and were willing to give everything for their country. "I know the people of Lancaster will treasure this [Veterans home] and will treasure the people who live here. How well we treat the people who live here will finish a magnificent project," he said. "It's a wonderful and an incredible facility," said Gail Knight, widow of the late senator. The soft-spoken Mrs. Knight said the project was long overdo and later told Aerotech News that her husband was so very proud of the Pete Knight High School that was named after him and would have been as equally proud of the new veterans home. "He was a stanch supporter of veterans," she said about a man who was truly one of America's great heroes, but simply "Dad" or "Honey" at home. "Halleluiah! We finally got our veterans home, we're finally there," said California State Assemblyman Steve Knight, who is one of the late senator's three sons. Knight gave special thanks to three past Lancaster mayors, whom he said were instrumental in getting the new veterans home build. He said in addition to Mayor Parris and Palmdale Mayor James Ledford, former Lancaster Mayor George Runner (current California State senator) and former mayors Frank Roberts and Henry Hearns were very special people and thanked them for their continued push to have the home built. Knight said his dad was also there from the beginning, pushing to get a veterans' home built in the Antelope Valley. He thanked former Lancaster City Manager Jim Gilley and current City Manager Mark Bozigian for their roles in the project. He said both were instrumental in getting the land for the facility donated to the project. Knight said that was one of the most instrumental issues that had to get done, "When that happened, that was one of the final pushes that we were finally going to get our veterans home." Knight said the new veterans home is located in an ideal place and said there are 300,000 vets within 50 miles and two veterans' hospitals within 60 miles. He pointed out that the facility is surrounded by military and military-related industries. He said Antelope Valley citizens have become complacent because they never know what to expect. He said in the 1960s one could look up and see North American's XB-70 Valkyrie flying over and said today we never know when Northrop Grumman's B-2 Spirit will make a pass and turn that wing and bring Goosebumps to all those who watch it or when Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor will take off. "And you hear the sound of freedom and look up and know that we're under the umbrella of freedom and democracy is ringing true," he said. Knight said his father never knew they were going to name the veterans home after him, "He never knew that a lot of things were going to be named after him, he was a very special person and the most honest and straight-forward person anyone would ever want to meet," the assemblyman said about his father, William J. "Pete" Knight, a U.S. politician, combat pilot and astronaut. Nov. 18 would have been Senator Knight's 80th birthday and to celebrate the occasion two flags flew over the California State Assembly. Assemblyman Steve Knight gave those flags to the Veterans Home where they will now wave freely as a permanent fixture. The $27.5 million facility provides 60 beds for residential care. The adult day health care program is expected to open sometime next year. To be eligible for admission as a resident of the facility the applicant must be 62 or older, any age if disabled, a resident of California and must have served honorable in the military. Transportation to medical appointments and community activities will be available for residents who need it. Applications for admission are being accepted by contacting the Admissions Office at (661) 974-7035 Ext. 2101. For more information about the William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home of California - Lancaster call Lisa Grod, facility administrator at (661) 974-7035 Ext. 2109.