OMAHA, Neb. - A first-of-its-kind facility for combat wounded veterans is in the works in Nebraska.

Supporters hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Dunham House on Tuesday afternoon. It's a facility that will provide combat-wounded veterans with top-level care and a place where they feel like they belong.

Executive Director Col. John Folsom said there’s no facility like this in the nation. 

“I was at a hospital in Washington, DC, Bethesda Hospital, and I saw a young soldier lying in bed. He had walked into a building an explosive device went off, and it damaged his brain, and he's lying in bed," said Folsom. "His mother is with him, his sister's with him, and I realized that at some point his mother would no longer be able to take care of him. And so the question I asked myself is, what's going to happen to him? Where's he going to go?”

The Dunham House will be located on 8.5 acres in north Omaha and will include housing and amenities to accommodate 30 veterans. 

In conjunction with nonprofit Wounded Warriors Family Support, the $13.9 million project is scheduled to be completed by July 2026.

Wounded Warriors CEO and President Kate McCauley says being part of this project was just another step in fulfilling her organization's mission.

“I believe my expectations are that we build a debt free community for veterans. If you come here and stay and be around other like minded veterans, right now, they're going into VA housing and also assisted living," said McCauley. "So, we knew that we could do better for our veterans, and because of the support of the American people, we have done better, and America has not forgotten their veterans, and Nebraska loves their veterans.”

Funding for operational costs will come via different sources including resident participation, philanthropic support, grants and more. 

“It means we're doing some good work," said Folsom. "That's what it means to me. We're doing good work. We're doing good work. We're taking care of people who need our help. It's very important.”