David Burden
David Burden's testimonial
From art to lectures, movies to games, Patriots Colony At Williamsburg offers so many amenities and activities that the challenging part is deciding what to do when. Navy veteran David Burden appreciates all of that, but he sums up the primary reason the Riverside retirement community is his home of choice in just a few words.
“They take care of me,” he says.
David lives in a building called The Berkeley, where all of his neighbors have become friends, and a look outside his window reveals wooded green space and ample walking trails. His brother, Harvey — a graduate of the Naval Academy’s class of 1958, David’s plebe year — recommended Patriots Colony and lives there today, too. The brothers are close; David and Harvey married sisters.
“They met at my wedding,” says David, whose history at the Naval Academy spans generations. In addition to Harvey, his father graduated from there in 1930 and his nephew in 1990. David spent 24 years in the Navy and volunteered to go to Vietnam in 1969. He’s lived all over the world, including long term stays in Italy and the Philippines.
David and his wife, Loretta, married 62 years, moved to Patriots Colony five years ago. She has dementia and resides in Spring House, the memory care unit there.
“I see her at least twice a day, at noon meal and at evening meal,” says David, who will turn 86 on June 13. “She still knows me. I see her 365 days a year, two times a day.”
Three strokes have impaired David’s short-term memory, so he is grateful for the support he receives in assisted living that gives his two daughters, both a six-hour drive away in South Carolina, peace of mind.
“They take care of all my medications here,” he says. “They make my bed. They empty my trash. They take care of everything.”
David likes mingling with fellow residents, especially during twice weekly happy hours. He and Harvey connect a few times regularly, and he attends Sunday church services on campus.
He couldn’t enjoy life more there, adding, “it’s great.”