November 10, 2010

Publication title: Vancourier.com, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Vancouver
Writer: Sandra Thomas

Home away from home for injured vets’ families opens right on schedule

Wednesday marks opening day for a long-held dream of former park board commissioner Allan De Genova.

In March 2008, De Genova sat down to explain his plan to create a home away from home for family members of wounded Canadian Armed Forces personnel, as well as injured police, fire and ambulance first responders, receiving medical treatment in Metro Vancouver.

“It will be called Honour House,” De Genova said excitedly at the time. “And I plan to get it up and running before Remembrance Day 2010.”

De Genova had no land, no building, no architectural plans and not much funding.

But here it is, the day before Remembrance Day 2010, and Honour House is celebrating its grand opening at 509 St. George St. in New Westminster.

To describe Honour House as a labour of love would be an understatement.

Just months after going public with his plan and putting out the word he needed help to make Honour House a reality, De Genova was inundated with offers of support.

The list of all who stepped up to help is too long to include here, but key players include the Royal Canadian Legion Foundation, the Royal United Services Institute of Vancouver, the Vancouver Regional Construction Association, the New Chelsea Society, B.C. Housing and Vancouver architect Walter Francl.

Despite all the offers of help, De Genova still had no home for Honour House at the beginning of 2010.

He realized Vancouver, home to many of the rehabilitation programs and specialized doctors so desperately needed by these young veterans and emergency workers, was out of reach financially when it came to buying property.

Even then, De Genova’s determination never wavered. He had just finished looking at yet another property in Vancouver that was too expensive when his cellphone rang.

Out of the blue, New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright said to him, “Al, I think we have the perfect place for you.”

Long story short, the once grand home on a quiet New West street proved to be that perfect place.

Mere months later, the now fully accessible home has been retrofitted to include 10 bedrooms, a four-storey elevator, communal kitchen and dining area, quiet room, media centre and a library.

Also planned is a children’s play area. The total cost — $4 million.

A fundraising gala for Honour House two weeks ago was an emotional evening that brought even the most stoic to tears.

The Patron General of Honour House, Rick Hillier, had arranged for the evening to be simulcast to Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan, who, along with those attending the event at the Sheraton Wall Centre, had the privilege of watching Sarah McLachlan perform “Love Come,” a song she has dedicated to Honour House.

Her rendition of “Angel” also moved the room to tears, which seems to be a particular talent of McLachlan’s, who during her performance thanked the paramedics who saved her life several years ago after she suffered an ectopic pregnancy and collapsed.

Canadian singer Dean Brody performed his song “Brothers,” about a young man going off to war, and Ronnie Way sang his composition “Maples of the Valley,” a song honouring all first responders.

The most moving part of the evening came when retired Capt. Trevor Green was wheeled across the stage by his wife Debbie.

Green was performing peacekeeping duties in Afghanistan in 2005 when a man struck him with a home-made axe, which split his brain in two.

Green was never supposed to survive, but through his and Debbie’s sheer determination, he’s speaking.

This summer, he danced at his own wedding, with assistance. There was no Honour House to support Green’s out-of-town family, who flew into Vancouver during those dark, early days of his recovery. But, as Green pointed out, there is now.

The evening was dedicated to the soldiers who serve overseas keeping the peace and here at home saving lives. But it was also a tribute to the everyday heroes who pulled together to make Honour House a home for those in need.