A review of historical records and newspaper articles at the time and interviews with experts illustrate the sweeping impact Togus has had on veterans’ services over the last century-and-a-half, paving the way for a national model of residential care that forever changed the way U.S. veterans were treated after returning from combat.

Several prominent historical figures are among the nearly 5,400 people buried in the cemetery, which has been closed for burials since 1961.

Within a few years of Togus becoming a VA facility, a nurses' home, neuropsychiatric hospital, regional office, garage, dining hall and kitchen and utilities facility were all under construction.

As Togus celebrates its 150th year, the number of homeless veterans is just one of several complicated challenges facing the nation's oldest Veterans Affairs facility as it tries to adapt to changing expectations for providing a broader range of health care services to veterans.

The VA healthcare facility has had to adjust to the changing needs of veterans, something that will require it to be nimble into the future.

The VA program is one way elderly Maine veterans have been able to stay at home through a program developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and administered at the state level by the VA Maine Healthcare System.