CLEVELAND -- Britnee Davis, a member of the United States Navy and a student at Baldwin Wallace University, remembers the "countless hours" it took to decompress as she transitioned back to regular life after years of military service. It wasn't an easy task, and she readily acknowledged that she needed help while adapting to her surroundings.

Davis leaned heavily on veteran student services at Baldwin Wallace, where she found a strong support system to help her through it. Simply feeling part of a community was key to the transition; now, as the president of the Baldwin Wallace University Student Veteran Organization, Davis is there for others to lean on.

Thanks to one of several Legacy Projects that will be introduced in Cleveland during All-Star Week, the leaning process just got easier. This tight-knit community now has a new place to call home.

On Friday, the Indians and Major League Baseball unveiled the brand-new All-Star Student Veterans Center, a refurbished old single-family home that will provide support to student-body veterans studying at Baldwin Wallace University.

"Regardless of differences, we strive together, shoulder to shoulder," Davis said at the dedication. "Teamwork can be summed up in five short words: 'We believe in each other.' I can't imagine where I would be today had I not received the support and commitment from our veterans support program here at Baldwin Wallace.

"We have a place we can call home, here at the All-Star Student Veteran Center."

The new facility, which will be open to approximately 100 student veterans, includes quiet rooms, lounge areas, a full kitchen, bathrooms and a gaming area.

"The walls have been broken down, and it really is a space for gathering for our student veterans," said Melanie LeGrande, MLB's vice president of social responsibility. "The Legacy Project initiative, on behalf of Major League Baseball, is very special. We do work with the club host city and ensure that we're leaving a lasting impact -- not just coming here and playing games, but leaving something that the community has and will be able to support and have a wonderful time with as we leave the city."

MLB Charities and Cleveland Indians Charities, with support from the city of Cleveland and various community partners, have donated approximately $5 million in celebration of the 2019 Midsummer Classic, a significant portion of which has gone toward the All-Star Legacy initiative that seeks to positively affect the lives of youth as well as demonstrate the game’s respect for the military community.

The Legacy initiative began in 1997, with the Indians as the first host city to spearhead this All-Star tradition. Approximately $90 million has been raised and distributed over 23 seasons.

Former Indians pitcher Sam McDowell, a six-time All-Star over a 15-year career that spanned from 1961-75, attended Friday's dedication and spoke warmly of MLB and the Tribe's continued support of the military and its veterans.

McDowell was part of an All-Star group that traveled to Vietnam in 1970 to visit troops. It was a trip that changed him forever.

"Major League Baseball asked a bunch of us from the All-Star team if we would go into, you might say, harm's way, because we flew into the bases throughout Vietnam," McDowell said. "I was lucky enough to be one of those. We visited all of the hospitals in which our wounded soldiers were laying after serving us to maintain our freedom. I can tell you it changed my mind from being caught up in myself to understanding the real truth of the courage of our veterans."

In that vein, perhaps there is no more appropriate pairing than Legacy Projects and the military. As Friday's dedication was wrapping up, several of the student veterans made their way into the newly furbished house, marveling at their surroundings.

"Can this just be home now?” one student asked. “Is this home?”

“This,” another responded, “is home.”