The Salt Lake Veterans Home was renamed after National Executive Committeeman William E. Christoffersen, a man who has given 50-plus years of service to the Legion and Utah's veterans. (Photo by Stephen Holt)
Longtime American Legion Department of Utah National Executive Committeeman William Christoffersen was the guest of honor March 15 at a ceremony at the Salt Lake City Veterans Home. But thanks to some nice stealth work by friends and family, Christoffersen didn’t know he was the one being celebrated until the party began.
The state’s first veterans home – adjacent to the George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center – was renamed the William E. Christoffersen Salt Lake Veterans Home in honor of one of the men responsible for the home opening more than 14 years ago. Christoffersen – who was surrounded by American Legion National Commander James E. Koutz, Department of Utah Legionnaires, and his wife, Elaine, and eight of their nine children – had no idea the facility was being renamed for him.

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