NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Veterans Day, Brookdale Senior Living and its senior living communities across the country will honor and recognize resident and local veterans by hosting or participating in celebrations, memorials and ceremonies.

Brookdale communities nationwide will honor those who have served the United States with events designed to fit their residents' interests and capabilities. Celebrations range from traditional flag raisings, ceremonies and luncheons to unique celebrations such as karaoke, socials and musical performances.

Celebrations hosted by Brookdale communities include:

Residents of Chancellor Place Murietta, a Brookdale Senior Living assisted living community in Murrieta, Calif., will participate in a three-day Veterans Day celebration, including a trip to the Murrieta Veterans Memorial, a social at the community, a patriotic painting session and a Veterans Day breakfast for the community.
Rebecca Putz, lifestyles program director and a six-year member of the Army Reserve, has organized a special celebration for the veterans at Edina Park Plaza, a Brookdale Senior Living retirement community in Edina, Minn. Putz and her fellow unit members will come to the community in their service uniforms and show a video about service adventures. After the video, veterans and spouses of veterans will receive a certificate of appreciation from the community.
Sterling House Jacksonville, a Brookdale Senior Living assisted living community in Jacksonville, Fla., plans to celebrate Veterans Day for an entire week. Each night at dinner, a biography of one of the community's veterans will be read to the residents. The community will also host an informational seminar on veterans' benefits. Residents will continue to celebrate all week with a Color Guard ceremony, patriotic sing-a-long, musical salute and a red, white and blue day.

Regardless of location, Brookdale communities are uniting this Veterans Day to honor those who have served our country, many of which are Brookdale residents. Veterans Day celebrations within the communities will pay tribute to our country's servicemen and women as well as enable residents to reflect on personal military experiences in war or on the home front.

In celebration of Veterans Appreciation Week, Brookdale Senior Living and Jeremy Bloom's Wish of a Lifetime will be granting wishes to veterans at events nationwide. To recognize and honor the service of veterans, Brookdale and Wish of a Lifetime will be granting life-enriching wishes to select residents.

[ Jeremy Bloom's Wish of a Lifetime ] and [ Brookdale Senior Living ] are engaged in a multiyear sponsorship to grant wishes for hundreds of seniors annually nationwide. Together, they build on the joint commitment of each organization to serve seniors and raise awareness about the importance of helping older adults keep dreaming, daring and discovering.

A large-scale wish event held in Chicago on Tuesday, Nov. 8, and the wishes are available to view on the website, [ htpp://www.brookdalewishes.com ]. In addition, the event was simulcast on Brookdale's website so residents and others could participate regardless of geographic location.

"Whether they served in war or in peace, our soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and Coast Guard have been the guarantors of our freedom," said Bill Sheriff, chief executive officer of Brookdale Senior Living. "Since the battle of Bunker Hill, they have served in Normandy, Iwo Jima, Inchon, Saigon, Baghdad, Kabul and hundreds of other places around the world. In each battle where America's men and women have fought, all gave some, and some gave all for our country."

"And so on this Nov. 11, as we do every year, all Americans are called upon to remember, to honor, and to bid sincere thanks to all our Veterans for our continued freedom and independence as a nation," Sheriff continued.

Supporting Brookdale's Optimum Life platform, the Veterans Day celebrations will allow veterans and residents alike to reminisce about their military experiences. Brookdale's Optimum Life^® platform is geared toward cultivating whole-person wellness through fulfillment in the six key dimensions. The six dimensions of Optimum Life are emotional, social, physical, intellectual, spiritual and purposeful.

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is a leading owner and operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The Company is committed to providing an exceptional living experience through properties that are designed, purpose-built and operated to provide the highest-quality service, care and living accommodations for residents. Currently the Company operates independent living, assisted living, and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers, with 647 communities in 36 states and the ability to serve over 67,000 residents. Brookdale is committed to providing exceptional living experiences within properties that are purpose-built, designed and operated to help residents live well while achieving an Optimum Life®. Brookdale Senior Living communities provide a daily experience of programs, services and care that are unique as a result of the collective talents and inspiration of the residents, their families, and its associates – demonstrating Brookdale's promise of "Our People Make the Difference." Brookdale is a publicly-traded company (NYSE: BKD). For more information, visit [ http://www.brookdaleliving.com ].

Contact: Holly Botsford, Public Relations Manager, 414-918-5314, [ hbotsford@brookdaleliving.com ]

SOURCE Brookdale Senior Living Inc.

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Senior Living Provider Honors Veterans Nationwide Through Local Celebrations

Senior Living Provider Honors Veterans Nationwide Through Local Celebrations

More Than 325 Communities Participate in Veterans Day Events; Simulcast of Wish Event Online Allows Viewers to Witness the Power of Wishes Awarded to Veterans