This sculpture stands near the entrance to the VFW National Home For Children near Eaton Rapids. The VFW wanted to support families of deceased and disabled American veterans. They sought to keep families intact, furnish a homelife similar to that enjoyed by other American families, and teach self-sufficiency and independence. Corey Spencer gave the VFW his cattle ranch for property to construct a home. Since the facility provided homes for families outside of Michigan, it received support from veterans groups across the country. The VFW National Home for Children has grown from an old frame farmhouse to a sprawling campus with playgrounds, park areas, and multiple buildings, including single-family homes, a community center, gymnasium, child care facility, guest lodge, and chapel. This remains the only privately funded home for veterans’ children and grandchildren in the United States that is national in scope.
One of the first residents of the home was Mrs. Pollett and her 6 children ages 2-15. Her husband, Sgt. Edward Pollett after picking up his retirement check at Fort Wayne was struck by a streetcar in Detroit and died. His retirement benefits ceased upon his death and his widow and children were left without an income to support them. They were welcomed into the VFW Home for Children. The home continues to this day supporting veterans’ families.
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