Veterans Affairs secretary helps dedicate R.I. home

BRISTOL (AP) — U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin helped dedicate a new home designed to provide nursing and residential care for the state's veterans on Friday, saying it sets the standard for the way the nation should be caring for veterans.

"Nothing is too good for them," he said at the new Rhode Island Veterans Home.

He praised the state and federal partnership that helped move the $121 million project forward and create what he called a "truly magnificent" facility. The state and the federal government are splitting the cost.

The VA needs to work more with state and local governments and nonprofits to meet the needs of veterans, Shulkin said. It was the first official visit by a member of Republican President Donald Trump's Cabinet to Rhode Island this year, according to U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat.

Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo, Shulkin, Reed and the rest of the state's congressional delegation participated in a cornerstone-laying ceremony for the Bristol facility.

The Freemasons of Rhode Island conducted the ceremony and used tools to check that the cornerstone was wellformed. Freemasons have dedicated cornerstones for many churches, public buildings and monuments for more than two centuries.

The 208-bed home is opening this fall. Construction began in 2015.