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Discover Fauquier
December 2025/January 2026
26
Slated to open by year's end, the
Puller Veterans Care Center is a
160,000-square-foot complex
located on 30 acres in Vint Hill.
One of only four in Virginia, this
128-bed skilled nursing facility
offers unparalleled short- and
l o n g - t e r m n u r s i n g c a r e ,
rehabilitation, and life experiences
exclusively for Virginia veterans.
Qualifications for admission
include an honorable discharge
from the U.S. Armed Forces with a
minimum of six months served,
Virginia residency either at the
time of admission or entry into the
Armed Forces, and meeting the
medical requirements for short- or long-term care.
The center is named after three members of the same Puller family, Lt. Gen. Lewis
Burwell "Chesty" Puller, LT Lewis Burwell Puller, Jr., and his wife Senator Linda
Todd Puller. Lt. Gen. Puller enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1918 and served for 37
years, retiring in 1955 as the most decorated Marine in American history. Despite
the accolades, the close bonds with his fellow Marines and Virginians were what
mattered most to him.
Lewis Burwell Puller, Jr. grew up listening to stories of his father's accomplishments
in war and knew he wanted to follow in his footsteps. On October 11, 1968, at just 23
years old while serving as an Infantry Platoon Leader in Vietnam, he was severely
wounded, losing his right leg, lower left leg, left hand, and most of the fingers on his
right hand. Thanks to his leadership and sacrifice, the rest of the platoon escaped
harm. After a long hospital stay, he was medically discharged from the Marine Corps,
receiving numerous commendations and medals for his service. He later obtained a
law degree and had a successful career with the Department of Justice and
Department of Defense.
Prior to his enlistment, Lewis married Linda Todd. Called "Toddy" throughout her life,
she traveled the world with her father, an Army artillery officer, and met Lewis while
studying at Mary Washington College (now the University of Mary Washington). The
two hit it off instantly, and their life journey is well-documented in Lewis' Pulitzer Prize-
winning book, Fortunate Son. Toddy supported Lewis throughout his military career
and life and later served 23 years in the Virginia General Assembly, from 1992 to
2015. She was a fearless leader on education, prescription drug costs, healthcare,
military, and veteran issues. Toddy carried most of the legislation for programs and
services at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services with a focus on giving
access to better education and healthcare for military men and women, veterans, and
their families. One of her final acts in the Senate was to help create two new veterans
care centers: the Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center in Hampton Roads and the
Puller Veterans Care Center.
Despite the two-year delay in
opening due to construction issues,
Puller Veterans Care Center
administrator Brock Bakos feels
confident they will be able to accept
their first resident by the end of
2025. After a period of additional
inspections and licensure, they will
be able to grow to 20 residents,
followed by slow growth. Brock
himself served in the U.S. Army and
Virginia National Guard and has
since worked in geriatric care for
over 20 years, He hopes to build a
team that has similar experience to
best serve this population.
The center, which currently employs 30 staff members, is actively recruiting additional
staff in all areas, including nursing, therapy, social services, marketing, admissions,
housekeeping, maintenance, kitchen crew, accounting, and life enrichment. They will
need a minimum of 60+ staff members before they admit the first resident, eventually
growing to about 230 staff once the building reaches capacity. Offering competitive
salaries and benefits, they hope to identify staff who are "dedicated to the mission of
serving those who served."
"What sets this place apart," explains Brock, "is the quality of life. It's about the layout,
which is a household design reminiscent of neighborhoods." He describes the eight
neighborhoods as each containing 16 rooms, with a central gathering space for meals
and social gatherings. The ceilings are high and angled, allowing for plenty of natural
light. Each spacious private room includes an extra-large hospital bed, with a private
bathroom and walk-in shower.
The residents, however, will not be confined to their particular neighborhood; they will
be free to stroll both inside and outside, enjoying the numerous courtyards, meditation
gardens, and walking paths. Each of the neighborhoods is named after Medal of
Honor recipients connected with healthcare, such as surgeons, medics, and nurses.
The sprawling brick, stone, and wood ultra-modern building also houses a pharmacy,
beauty/barber shop, chapel, special event spaces, and activity rooms. Once it opens,
the facility will no longer receive funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Rather,
it will be supported by Medicare, Medicaid, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
private insurance, and private pay. There is already a lengthy waiting list for individuals
hoping to be one of the first to move in. To learn more, visit
dvs.virginia.gov
or call
(540) 680-5200.
~ Lynnette Esse
Puller Veterans Care Center:
Dedicated to the Mission of Serving Those Who Served