By Jeff Devine, Chronicle News
ENTERPRISE, Ala.—For more than a year, the hallways of the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home have remained quiet, as familiar daily routines were disrupted by a fire that displaced dozens of Alabama veterans and transformed the facility from a place of comfort into an active construction site.
Now, after months of rebuilding, restoration, and anticipation, the home is preparing to welcome residents back.
The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) reports that restoration work remains on schedule, with the Enterprise facility expected to reopen this fall, marking the conclusion of a lengthy recovery effort that began with a devastating fire in April 2025.
The blaze occurred just months after the modern, 200-bed veterans home first opened. While firefighters successfully evacuated all 90 residents without serious injury, the fire caused damage to portions of the roof and utility systems. In addition, water used in firefighting efforts resulted in extensive damage throughout much of the building.
Since that time, residents have continued to receive care at Enterprise Health and Rehabilitation Center, where staff and caregivers have worked to provide stability, continuity, and support while veterans await their return to their permanent home.
According to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 75 percent of the facility required repair. Restoration crews have replaced the roof, repaired electrical systems, and rebuilt areas affected by fire and water damage. Interior spaces have undergone extensive renovation, including new drywall, flooring, paint, lighting, tile, cabinetry, and other finishes, while mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work continues as the project approaches its final phase.
The home is named in honor of Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins, a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier and Medal of Honor recipient recognized for extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War, including intense combat during the Battle of A Shau Valley. His legacy of courage and service is reflected in the mission of the facility that bears his name.
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Jeffrey Newton commended first responders for their swift and effective evacuation of residents during the emergency and expressed appreciation to Enterprise Health and Rehabilitation Center and HMR of Alabama for their continued care of veterans throughout the extended restoration period.
The project is expected to cost between $50 million and $60 million, with officials confirming that construction remains on schedule and within budget.
Serving veterans from across southeast Alabama and beyond, the facility is part of the state’s network of veterans homes dedicated to honoring those who have served.
For the men and women who have spent the past year away from the home they had only recently settled into, the reopening represents far more than the completion of a construction project. It signals the return of a community, the restoration of a place built to honor their service, and the closing of a difficult chapter defined by disruption and resilience.
State veterans affairs officials say preparations are ongoing for residents’ eventual return once final construction work and inspections are complete.
