06/14/2007 12:28 AM ET 

MILFORD, Del.- Hundreds of veterans and lawmakers gathered in Milford on Wednesday for the opening of the first veterans home in Delaware. Construction began on the facility back in 2005.

The home will house 150 veterans in state-of-the-art rooms. The building will be divided into two sections, one for veterans suffering from dementia, and one for those who just need assisted living. There will also be around the clock nursing care, something patients said they are already enjoying.

"This is paradise. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven," said resident Gilbert Fishbeck.

Veteran Gilbert Fishbeck served in the Navy during World War II. He moved into the new veterans home on Monday and said he is loving every minute of it.

"I'm so excited to be here. It's such a nice place and they take such good care of you," Fishbeck said.

Officials said it took years to finally get construction underway. And while it only took two years to build the home, those who helped organize the home said it feels good to see the home up and running.

Delaware Secretary of State Harriet Windsor said, "It just feels so good. Everybody's so happy today and I can see why."

The new home is expected to bring more than 200 extra jobs to Delaware.  

There are currently three veterans living in the facility, one from each county in Delaware. Administrators said they expect the other 147 residents to move in within the next 18 months.