European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 15, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse S Sherman dormitory one of four housing units on the grounds of the . Soldiers and airmen a Home in Washington ., was built in 1854. A amps photos by Chuck Vinch in Niche stories by Janet Howells Tierney Washington Bureau d using her As an army finance clerk Ginny Bradford found Little time a or hobbies. A. A a a. A. A a a. A Between 1943 and 1963, to the rank of sergeant major it Only the fourth woman inthe army to do that. A a. A a a a. A a in .1976, Bradford then 56. Decided to try something new yet familiar into the . Soldiers and airmen s Home in Washington,. A a. Her meant a new Job and a Chance to enjoy activities she never had time for before a. A a a a a the retire smiled As she recalled How she Learned a quilting and crocheting soon after coming to the Home a then in 1984, when that did no to keep her Busy enough she began working in the Home s identification and. Registration Section. A a a a a. Bradford has found a comfortable Niche at the 300 a acre installation. -. A a a a a a a Quot i have no plans on leaving 1 she said. Quot even if i had a million dollars i would a her co worker Willie Shives 51, agrees a a a a Quot this is a great place Quot he said. A i done to know. Quot the Home has Ever Nee it Mything i could Ever d or want and i love a Grimy Bradford anything anyone would want that they can to get Here a Shives was in the air Force from 1957 to 1977 and worked As a russian language specialist. The Homes 1,932 residents come from a variety of backgrounds. Although All Are retired for or another they re not All senior citizens a the oldest Man living at the Home is 97 the youngest is 31, the. Average age for men is 69 and for women 74 most of the residents served 20 years in. The military members or warrant officers. Some with less a than 20 years Are eligible to stay at the Home due to a service disability the Home also admits those with less. Than 20 years service who were in the military during wartime but Are unable to earn a living due to a non service connected disability. A / a in november the eligibility rules will change for Soldier Sand airmen a Home and the naval Home in Gulfport miss see related Story. The most noticeable change will be that no Retiree under 60 will be admitted retired army members make up 53 percent of the Home s population. Army air corps and air Force retirees make up the rest a v. L ,. Only 90 of the residents Are women who were first admitted to the Home in 1954. Many of the residents work either on the installation or at jobs outside. A. A. Active duty soldiers and airmen who automatically get 50 cents deducted from their pay each month to support the Home May be surprised that residents Are required to pay user fees although the costs Are minimal compared to regular housing costs in and around Washington A j residents pay an average of $223 per month to live in it one of four dormitories however officials estimate the Cost per resident is More than $10,000 each year plus an estimated $40,000 in health care. The Home can accommodate As Many As 2,000 however room size is a problem and although future a Page 14 the stars and stripes wednesday was
