LITTLE ROCK, Ark (KTHV) -- A rally on the steps of the State Capitol was held Thursday as veterans and advocates gathered in support of the Little Rock Veterans Home.
The State of Arkansas announced last month that it will close the home due to misappropriation of funds and other financial issues.
Retired Army veteran, James Scholz says the misappropriation of $587,000, allegedly by the former director, and the treatment of residents is unacceptable.
"It's unfortunate that politics has gotten to play in the support of our veterans," says Scholz.
From the podium, speakers called for an investigation of the former Veterans Affairs director, the medical director and even criticized the Veterans Affairs board, suggesting immediate resignations.
Scholz suggests using the state's rainy day funds to find a temporary solution.
"With the rainy day fund, which has no purpose, you know, that sounds like a down payment on a new home! You know? And what better way to support our veterans," he says.
Still, others says the shut-down of the facility is long overdue.
Mary Erdman, commander of the American Legion of Arkansas says our veterans deserve better.
"Maintenance wise, the upkeep, the condition of it, safety...It should have been closed a long time ago. But on the same token, I think we DO owe it our veterans to have a veteran's home," says Erdman.
65-year-old Charles Jones has lived at the Veterans Home almost three years.
He says, "I have looked at some of the offers that's available, but it don't fit to anywhere close to where I already am. The Veterans Home."
Until the doors are closed, several questions remain unanswered.
Erdman says, "I think the sooner the better. I think how soon our lawmakers would provide a home? I don't know. That's something I think all the veterans here in Arkansas would like to know."
When the Little Rock facility closes, that will leave just one Veterans Home in the state, in Fayetteville.
Our surrounding states have more facilities for their veteran populations to reside. Texas has eight, Oklahoma and Missouri both have seven and Mississippi has six veterans homes.
Kendall Thornton from the Little Rock Veterans Home says they have no deadline as to when the doors will close on the current facility. She says it would cost between $7 million and $10 million to repair the current facility.