SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) today thanked local veterans for their service to our nation and spoke about the importance of ensuring their care during the unveiling of a "sensory garden" at the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Anna. The garden, which is designed to stimulate the senses of veterans who suffer from Alzheimer's disease and dementia, is the first of its kind for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

After congratulating those veterans in attendance, Forby thanked everyone who took part in creating the sensory garden, which will offer Alzheimer’s patients the opportunity to enjoy a more peaceful, soothing environment and experience the benefits of the outdoors.

"My father suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and our dog was one of the things that seemed to help put him at ease," Senator Forby said. "This garden is important because it will provide veterans suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia with calm, safe surroundings – much like our dog provided my father with a sense of peace."

Illinois State Representative Brandon Phelps was also in attendance and spoke about the importance of protecting veterans and their families in Illinois.

"With the rising number of service members in our state who served admirably, I will continue my commitment to protecting veterans and their families as best as we can on the state level," Phelps said. "Taking care of their needs once they return to civilian life is often overlooked, and can be very difficult for some veterans to handle. It is my hope that the sensory garden here at the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Anna, will help serve as a model for other Illinois Veterans homes in our state."

Senator Forby also stressed the importance of taking care of our veterans any way we can.

"We need to do everything in our power to make sure our veterans have a job and place to call home when they return from serving our country," Senator Forby added.