Gulfport- Yesterday the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new, 650,000 square foot Armed Forces Retirement Home on the beachfront site was attended by the area's congressional delegation, local politicians and members of the U.S General Services Administration.  The home will replace the old 11 story building that was imploded last year.  The new building will be large enough to hold up to 584 residents and each room will feature a balcony view of the Gulf.

Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage to the facility and forced the evacuation of nearly 400 veterans to the only other retirement home in Washington D.C.  The average age of the veterans sent ot Washington was 78.  The government has estimated a completion date of July 2010.