Honour House officially opens at 2:00 p.m. November 10, meeting the goal set by its founder, Allan De Genova, a year ago.

Speaking to The Tyee, De Genova said he was proud to have met the challenge given him by General Rick Hillier when De Genova had first presented the idea.

“The first units will be ready for occupancy just after Christmas,” De Genova told The Tyee. “By mid-January we’ll be ready for ten families.”

The facility, at 509 St. George Street in New Westminster, will offer a place to stay for members of the Canadian Forces and first responders -- firefighters, police, and paramedics -- and their families while receiving care in the Metro Vancouver area.

De Genova said the guests at the formal opening will include representatives of the Canadian Forces, police, firefighters, and paramedics. Also attending will be Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Rich Coleman, who as Minister of Housing and Social Development had supported Honour House. The Vancouver Regional Construction Association, which provided funding and materials, will also be there.

“Captain Trevor Greene will hand the keys of Honour House to New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright,” De Genova said. Greene is recovering from an attack suffered in Afghanistan in 2006.

On its website, Honour House’s invitation said: “Dress for CF and first responders is DEU with medals. Legion members, blazers with medals.”

Crawford Kilian is a contributing editor of The Tyee.