Tuskegee Campus holds grand opening and mural unveiling for Veteran Canteen Service
Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) has begun to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Tuskegee Campus with the grand opening of the newly remodeled Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) retail store.
“I am so proud and excited. This has been a long time coming and because of our amazing partners from Veterans Canteen Service, we can honor the legacy of Tuskegee,” said CAVHCS Director/CEO Amir Farooqi.
For many years Black Veterans were in dire need of proper care. Still, it was not until Congress authorized the U.S. Treasury to build a hospital to care for over 300,000 Black Veterans in the South after World War I that the Tuskegee Home was created. It has undergone several name changes over 100 years but now we call it the Tuskegee Campus of CAVHCS.
“This was the first VA built for our Veterans of color. It was built on the basis of health equity. It was built because even though our Veterans had served their Nation, they could not depend on the same quality of care or even the same access to care they deserve,” said Farooqi.
Farooqi and VCS Executive Director James Leahy have known each other for years and have worked on many projects. After learning of the 100th anniversary of the Tuskegee Campus, Leahy wanted to honor the first Black hospital director in VA’s history Dr. Joseph Henry Ward, M.D., Tuskegee Airmen and hospital staff here in the beginning.
“I believe Joseph Henry Ward is looking down upon us right now because we carry the torch, the candle, the light, for many years to come. We have that responsibility. This is a great moment in history and it is important that we know it,” Leahy said.
“I love history and Black history is American history,” Leahy added.
Leahy explains that fostering relationships and building coalitions is a senior executive responsibility. He credits Farooqi’s leadership and CAVHCS’ success with his ability to connect and bring people together.
“This partnership assists in providing comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans and those who provide for their care,” Leahy said. “I want you to love this canteen.
On Feb. 12, 2023, the Tuskegee Campus will be 100 years old. We have events planned in April and throughout the rest of the year. You can see some of our history on the CAVHCS Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/VACentralAlabama.