The Home of the Old Soldiers“They freely risked life and limb to protect the nation, and it seems that it was simple justice for the nation to take care of them when she is unable to care for herself” (Guide Publishing 1) was an opinion shared by many at the end of the Civil War. Once these men risked their lives for the nation, any thought to the contrary would be absurd. Injuries from war are expected, but unfortunately, some of the blows these veterans received were too hard for them to bounce back. More than 100,000 men in the Union Army would be unable to return to civilian employment due to injuries or disabilities sustained in the line of duty. The United States did not let these veterans, their hard work and dedication go unnoticed, unrewarded or underappreciated, and action was taken as soon as possible. To care for these disabled veterans, “on March 3, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law an act of Congress establishing the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers” (Burns 1). With the signing of this act of Congress, the idea of ​​Soldiers' Homes had been officially defined and fully implemented. The Old Soldiers' Home, now known as the VA Medical Center, was established to ensure that war veterans were cared for, out of respect for their loyalty to the nation. It was inevitable that there would be veterans all over the United States who indeed needed government assistance, so more than one branch of the Soldiers' Homes was established, ensuring that the greatest possible number of these war veterans are taken care of. The Central Branch, which is located in Dayton, OH, the Eastern Branch near Augusta, Maine, the Northwest Branch near Milwaukee, and the South Branch near Fortress Monroe, Virgin...... middle of paper. ....., happy, and giving them another chance to live is the truest and most remarkable achievement of the founders of the Home of Ancient Soldiers. The Old Soldiers' Home was established to ensure that war veterans were cared for, out of respect for their loyalty, and its objective was achieved. With this home in Dayton, Ohio and beyond, no soldier will go unnoticed. Works Cited Burns, Carolyn. Soldiers' Home in Dayton, Ohio. Internet. August 16, 2009http://www.carolynjburns.com/soldiersUnited States Department of Affairs. Dayton VA Medical Center, Ohio. Web.2 April 2012. http://www.dayton.va.govThe Guide Publishing Company. Guide to the National Soldiers' Home for Visitors and Citizens: With Sketches of Dayton. Dayton, OH: The GuidePublishing Company, 1891. Print. Earnshaw, William. History of the National Home for Disabled Soldiers. 1875. Print.