Veterans sanctuary becomes a reality

At Sunday's grand opening of the Paul Syverson Veterans Sanctuary in Polk Township, many of the veterans in attendance said they have had comrades who were homeless.

Some of them had been homeless themselves.

They were a first-hand reminder that there are veterans living in the area who will benefit from the shelter, which is unlike anything attempted in this region before.

The organization behind the sanctuary, the VALOR Clinic Foundation, and their founder, Mark Baylis, have inspired support from all over the Poconos, and from veterans around the state.

"He is really doing something special here. We feel this is our staple point" said Troy Troupe, of American Legion post 537 in Morgantown, Berks County. Post 537 came to the ceremony with a $4,000 check, just one of the many donations that have made the project a reality.