FEATURE
beds. The concept helps create a sense of community among
residents who see each other daily. It also provides a way to
give every room a window to the outside.
“It’s just beautiful, not like any other nursing home,”
Copas said, right before explaining why the first name of the
Ardie R. Copas home is also unique. “You know he wasn’t
supposed to be named Ardie, he was supposed to be named
Audie, after Audie Murphy, the famous soldier who was
also awarded a Medal of Honor. But they made a mistake on
his birth certificate and put down Ardie. Funny thing but it
happened to me, too. My mother wanted me to be Sheryll,
pronounced like Cheryl. But they wrote Shyrell instead.”
The open house in August was an occasion for the family’s
first reunion, she said. Her dad’s brother, Richard, her mom,
Betsy, and his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, niece and
great-nephews all planned to tour the home.
The only one missing was her son, Royce Ray Corbett,
who also died at age 19.
“He was so very much like his grandpa,” Copas said. “He
wanted to go into the armed services and help people just
like his grandpa.”
The new home will primarily serve veterans who are within
a 75-mile radius. The nearest state veterans nursing homes
are in Pembroke Pines, 100 miles away, and Daytona Beach,
145 miles away, which meant a long journey to visit loved
ones, and one that probably couldn’t be made frequently for
most families.
The process of getting the nursing home, the eighth in
the state, in St. Lucie County started in early 2014 when the
county applied to the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs
to have the home built in Port St. Lucie. The county rushed
The nursing home, which will primarily serve veterans who are within a
75-mile radius, has many amenities, including a spa.
to do soil borings and the Tradition Land Co. donated the
land. Approval by the state came about six months later in
November 2014.
The cost of the project is $58,446,960 with the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs paying 65% and the state, through
the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, paying 35%,
Murray said. Ground was broken in March, 2018. Numerous
delays plagued the project, capped off by the difficulties of
the pandemic.
To inquire about resident admission or staff jobs, call
772.241.6132. The home is at 13000 S.W. Tradition Parkway. E
Rooms painted with military colors
of tan, blue and crisp white
accented with orange, offer a
comfortable, home-like setting
inside and out on 28.5 acres.
22 Port St. Lucie Magazine