WELCOME TO "HONORING KENTUCKY'S VETERANS: A KET FORUM."

I'M YOUR HOST WHICH I WILL POLSTON FILLING IN FOR TONIGHT THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER, NATION HAS CELEBRATED MILITARY VETERANS AN THEIR FAMILIES.

TO THESE PATRIOTS WHO HAVE ENDURED AND SURVIVED CHALLENGES MOST OF US WILL NEVER KNOW, WE EXTEND OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR THEIR SER.

SO FOR THE NESS HOUR WE'LL LISTEN TO THEIR CONCERNS AND INFORM ON THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HELP THEM LIVE BETTER lives THERE ARE MANY CHALLENGES OUR SERVICE PERSONNEL FACE AFTER LEAVING THE MILITARY EMPLOYMENT, HOMELESSNESS, AND MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS ARE JUST A FEW.

MEANWHILE, MANY BRANCHES OF THE ARMED FORCES ARE GRAPPLING WITH WANING INTEREST AND FACING THE LARGEST RECRUITMENT SHORTFALLS IN ALMOST HALF A CENTURY.

>> FACT, THE PENTAGON DECLARING ICE THE WORST THEY'VE SEEN SINCE THE VIETNAM war.

WE'LL EXPLORE HOW BOTH TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY SERVED AND THE CURRENT RECRUITING CHALLENGES WITH OUR PANEL OF VETERANS AND SERVICE P IN OUR LEXINGTON STUDIOS WE'RE JOINED BY: RETIRED SENIOR MASTE BRIAN ENGLE WHO SERVED 21 YEARS IN THE AIR FORCE AND IS CHAIR O THE LEXINGTON COMMISSION ON VETERANS AFFAIRS.

NICOLE HORSEMAN WHO SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY SEABEES AS A CONSTRUCTION MECHANIC PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS FROM 2006 TO 2014 AND IS THE DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS JUDGE ADVOCATE AND BLUEGRASS POST 680 QUARTERMASTE PHYLLIS ABBOTT, PRESIDENT OF TH LADY VETERANS CONNECT, A LOCAL ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON PROVIDING RESOURCES TO WOMEN VE.

SHE'S ALSO SERVED ON THE VETERANS KNICKS SINCE ITS INCEPTION.

AND JEREMY HARRELL, A U.S.

ARM COMBAT VETERAN WHO SERVED IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

IN 2017, MR. HARRELL FOUNDED VETERANS CLUB, INC.

WHICH IS A PREMIER NON-PROFIT THAT ASSISTS VETERANS IN HEALING FROM PTSD, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES AND ALSO ASSISTS HOMELESS VETERANS WITH HUNDREDS AND PROGRAMS TO GET THEM BACK ON THEIR FEET.

MANY, MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU ON YOUR PANEL FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

BRIAN, WELL START WITH YOU.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 267,000 VETERANS IN KENTUCKY.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON CHALLENGES THAT THESE FOLKS FACE WHEN THEY TRY TO REINTEGRATE BACK INTO CIVILIAN LIFE?

AND HOW DOES THE LEXINGTON COMMISSION ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS REALLY HELP THEM NAVIGATE THAT?

>> LET ME SAY FIRST I'M VERY PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE MAYOR'S COMMISSION ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS.

I THINK I'M CHAIR JUST BECAUSE I HAVE MORE GRAY HAIR THAN ANYBODY ELSE.

MANY ARE MORE ACCOMPLISHED THAN I AND I'M VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THEM.

ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION, I THINK THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IS REORIENTATION FIRST, PARTICULARLY FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN DEPLOYED FOR AN EXTENSIVE TIME AND PARTICULARLY SOME PARTS OF THE WORLD THAT ARE VERY DIFFERENT.

WE HAVE TO RECONNECT THEM TO THEIR HOME, TO WORK, TO FAMILY, TO THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL, AND SOMETIMES THAT'S DIFFICULT.

THE SECOND THING THAT'S A CHANNEL IS WE HAVE TO PROVIDE TREATMENT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WOUNDED PHYSICALLY OR PSYCHOLOGICALLY.

WE HAVE PTSD.

WE HAVE DEPRESSION.

WE HAVE TENDENCIES TO SUICIDE BY SOME.

AND WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT ALL OF THOSE.

SO WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY THOSE AND WE HAVE TO GET TREATMENT FOR THEM.

>> AND THOSE ARE A LOT TO DEAL WITH FOR FOLKS COMING BACK FOR SURE.

>> YES, SIR.

>> JEREMY WIE, LET'S GO TO YOU.

YOU WERE IN THE U.S. ARMY FOR NINE YEARS, YOU SERVED IN IRAQ, AND WHEN YOU CAME BACK TO KENTUCKY YOU WENT TO VETERAN GROUPS ALL AROUND THE NATION TO KIND OF SEE WHAT OTHER FOLKS WERE DOING.

WHEN YOU FOUND THE VETERANS CLUB, THE INVITATION I'VE GOT HERE SAID YOU WANTED TO DO THIS TO PROVIDE CONNECTION, HEALING, RECOVERY AND HOUSING FOR THE VETERANS COMMUNITY.

AND THEN IN ADDITION TO THAT YOU ALSO STARTED WORKING WITH AN EQUINE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM THAT'S GOTTEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF NATIONAL ATTENTION AS WELL.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> YEAH, SO WHEN I GOT HOME FROM IRAQ, I HAD SOME CHALLENGES OF MY OWN THAT I NEEDED TO WORK THROUGH, AND I WOULD GO TO CERTAIN PROGRAMMING THAT THEY HAD AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT WAS TO HELP VETERANS WITH PTSD, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND ONE OF THE COMMON THEMES THAT I WOULD RECOGNIZE BEING A THESE PROGRAMS IS VETERANS WOULD SAY, "I DON'T NECESSARILY MISS THE ACTUAL WORK BUT I MISS THE CAMARADERIE, I MISS THE BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD."

I THOUGHT THERE'S NO REASON WE CAN'T HAVE THAT JUST BECAUSE WE'RE NOT IN UNIFORM.

A STARTED TO OVERCOME SOME OF MY OWN CHALLENGES, DECIDED I WOULD HELP OTHERS NOT TO TAKE THE LONG ROAD ROAD LIKE I DID.

FIVE YEARS AGO THIS MONTH WE DECIDED TO START VETERANS CALEB INCORPORATED AND NOW WE SERVE AROUND 7,000 VETERANS THAT WE KNOW OF DIRECTLY, AND THERE'S MANY THAT WE DON'T ACROSS THE COUNTRY INDIRECTLY THAT WE SERVE.

AND THE EQUINE FACILITATED MENTORING PROGRAM IS HA WE'RE NATIONALLY KNOWN FOR, AND IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE HORSES AS A SEGUE INTO HEALING FOR VETERANS WHO STRUGGLE WITH PSSD AND TESTAMENT BRAIN INJURY BUT ANY OTHER LIFE CHALLENGE.

THE PANDEMIC WAS A A BIG DEAL.

SO WE HAVE TWO FACETS.

WE HAVE THE OF THE EQUINE FACILITATED MENTORING PROGRAM.

THE NEXT LEVEL OF THAT IS RESTORATIVE WHERE WE WORK WITH THE KENTUCKY HUMANE SOCIETY WHERE WE TRAIN HORSES TO BECOME ADOPTABLE THAT HAVE BEEN RESCUED.

>> YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT OVER FIVE YEARS.

AS A LONG LAUNDRY LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT IN THE PROGRAM.

NICOLE, AS A JUDGE ADVOCATE WITH THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, TELL US ABOUT HOW THE VERY MANY OFFW IS A SERVICE PROVIDER THAT DOES THINGS FROM HELPING WIDOWS GET SPOUSAL BENEFITS, TOET HELP KIDS GET COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS.

HOW DO YOU ALL HELP WITH THAT.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNTHAT THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS IS THE OLDEST CHARTERED CONVENIENCE ORGANIZATION IN OUR COUNTRY.

WE'VE BEEN AROUND SINCE 1899 SO EVEN PRETHE GREAT WARS.

THROUGH OUR SERVICE ORGANIZATION WE HAVE 6,000 POSTED INTERNALLY, 81 OF WHICH ARE RIGHT HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BENEFITS THAT WE PROVIDE, ALL FREE OF CHARGE, FOR VETERANS.

WE HAVE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE INTO A PATRIOT PEN ESSAY AND NINE THROUGHING HAVE 12th GRADE IS THE VOICE DEMOCRACY.

THE TOPIC CHASING ANNUALLY.

THE TOP NATIONAL AWARD FOR PATRIOT PEN IS $5,000.

THE NATIONAL AWARD FOR VOD IS $30,000 DIRECTLY TO THIS COLLEGE OF THE STUDENT'S CHOICE.

LAST YEAR JUST IN COMMONWEALTH, ON TOP OF THOSE NATIONAL AWARDS WE GAVE IT $29,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH OUR ORGANIZATION.

SO IT'S SOMETHING REALLY UNIQUE THAT WE DO.

ON TOP OF THAT, DURING THE FLOODS WE -- SO FAR THIS YEAR THE DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY HAS PROVIDED 26,000 VOLUNTEERS HOURS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH AND $1.3 MILLION IN GOODS, LABOR AND SERVICES TO FLOOD VICTIMS, TORNADO VICTIMS, AND OTHER VETERANS IN FINANCIAL NEED.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE SERVICE BENEFITS, EVERY POST HAS A SERVICE OFFICER.

THEY ARE ABLE TO FILE CLAIMS FOR THE VETERANS, WIDOW BENEFITS.

THUS FAR THIS YEAR WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECOVER $15 MILLION IN BENEFITS TO KENTUCKY VETERANS FROM THE VA. >> THAT'S A LONG LAUNDRY LIST THINGS THAT YOU ALL MANAGE THERE, AND GREAT WORK THAT YOU DO THROUGH THERE.

FINALLY LET'S TOUCH BASE WITH PHYLLIS.

IN LOOKING OVER THE DATA, IT WAS REALLY REMARKABLE TO ME.

24,000 WOMEN VETERANS IN KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW.

THAT NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

YET THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SHOWS THAT FEMALE VETERANS ARE TWO TO THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE HOMELESS THAN ANY OTHER GROUP IN THE UNITED STATES POPULATION, AND THAT WAS REALLY JARRING TO ME WHEN I READ THAT.

SO TELL US HOW LADY VETERANS CONNECT REALLY IS WORKING TO HELP THIS SPECIFIC POPULATION OF VETERANS, NOT ONLY WITH EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING BUT WITH OTHER SERVICES AS WELL.

>> WELL, WE RECOGNIZED WHEN I STARTED LADY VETERANS CONNECT, I ONLY KNEW I WANTED TO SERVE VETERANS.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAPACITY.

THE MORE RESEARCH I DID AND PEOPLE I TALKED TO IS THERE'S A GROWING NUMBER OF EM WITH SERVING IN THE MILITARY AND THAT NUMBER IS GROWING WEDGEWISE EVERY YEAR.

BUT THERE WAS VERY LITTLE OUT THERE FOR THEM.

IT WAS JUST FOR WOMEN VETERANS.

THAT WAS JUST FOR WOMEN VETERANS.

SO IT MADE US OURVATION MISSION TO WORK WITH WOMEN VETERANS AND WE DO THAT IN OUR TRANSITIONAL HOME IN WINCHESTER WHERE UP TO 32 WOMEN VETERANS CAN LIVE FOR UP TOO A YEAR.

ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS WITH JOB READY VETS THEY CAN HELP THEM WITH THEIR RESUMES.

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE IS RESTORING RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS.

AND THE CONTRIBUTES WHY WOMEN VETERANS ARE SUCH A LARGE PERCENTAGE-WISE OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION IS THEY'RE THE HARDEST TO REACH.

THEY'RE NOT ON THE STREET.

THEY'RE SLEEPING IN A CAR OR A COUCH SURFING WITH SOMEONE OR IN A SHED, AND SOME OF THEM ARE VERY RELUCTANT TO TRUST.

THEY'VE HAD SOME REALLY BAD EXPERIENCES.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA HAS BEEN A LARGE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR AS WELL.

>> WITH THOSE 32 BEDS, DO THEY STAY FULL IN DO YOU HAVE A WAIT LIST?

HOW DOES THAT WORKSOME.

>> WE ARE NOT FULL BY ANY MEANS.

AND SO BEYOND THAT WE DO RETREATS, WORKSHOPS, LUNCH AND LEARNS, AND CONFERENCES TO CONNECT ALL WOMEN VETERANS TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY NEED THAT BONDING AND CONNECTION SO THAT'S THEY HAVE A SUPPORT GROUP, AND SO WE HAVE A BIG FOCUS ON THAT WELL.

>> TERRIFIC.

LET ME THROW THIS OUT TO THE GROUP IN GENERAL.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES, TWO OF THE BIG THINGS THAT VETERANS REALLY EXPERIENCE.

WHAT RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE?

WHERE CAN PEOPLE LOOK TO HELP IF THEY'RE A VETERAN AND THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH ONE OF THESE ISSUES?

WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW?

WHO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT.

>> I CAN START.

I KNOW THERE'S QUITE REFORCES IN LOUISVILLE AREA I'M MORE FAMILIAR WITH.

THE HEALING PLACE IS ONE, THE SALVATION ARMY, RECENT MINISTRIES.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES.

I THINK EVEN ISAIAH'S HOUSE WHICH I THINK IS IN THE LAURINBURG AREA.

THEY HELP WITH THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PIECE AND THEY HAVE PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS AND WE WORK RIGHT ALONGSIDE OF THEM AND THEIR EFFORTS.

FOR MENTAL HEALTH DEFINITELY WE ALWAYS WANT TO POINT FOLKS TO THE VA BUT THERE ARE SOME OTHER PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS.

WE PARTNER WITH WITH YOU ONE CALLED LIFE AND MOTION KENTUCKY WHERE IT'S OWNED AND OPERATED BY RETIRED VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ARE NOW CLINICIANS WHO HELP DO ALL THE MENTAL HEALTH THINGS FOR US AS AN ORGANIZATION.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, THERE'S US.

I DON'T WANT TO SELF-PROMOTE HERE BUT WE HELP CONCERNS VETERANS, WE HELPED 2300 VETERANS LAST YEAR AND WE HAVE 380 EQUINE FACILITATED MENTORING SESSIONS.

WE HAVE OPERATION JEEP BUILD, WOMEN WARRIORS PROGRAM.

WE HAVE SEVERAL PROGRAMS THAT HELP VETERANS OVERCOME.

>> WHAT ARE OTHER RESOURCES OUT THERE THAT YOU ALL ARE FAMILIAR WITH?

>> IN THE LEXINGTON AREA YOU'VE GOT REVIVE MINISTRIES AND YOU HAVE THE RESCUE MISSION AND, OF COURSE, AS HE SAID, THE SALVATION ARMY.

AND, OF COURSE, SUPPORT GROUPS INTO THE VA. AND IT'S KIND OF BRINGING THE WOMEN TOGETHER AND CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER.

AND DO THAT SOME WITH THE VFW BECAUSE SHE HAS HAD EVENTS WITH WOMEN WHERE SHE BRINGS WOMEN TOGETHER AND TALKS ABOUT ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM.

>> NICOLE, YOU HAD SOME MORESOME.

>> JEREMY TOUCHED ON THIS 37 COMRADELY SAVES LIVES.

WE GO ABLE TO GO TO A SAFE NON-JUDGMENTAL PLACE WITH PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU HAVE I DO NOT BEEN THROUGH, BOOT CAMP, COMBAT, SERVING AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY, IT IS VITAL.

YOU CAN GET THAT IN YOUR VSOs, THE VFW, AND AGAIN I DON'T WANT TO SELF-PROMOTE, EITHER, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE DO THERE.

RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO US IS THE VET CENTER, WHICH IS AFFILIATED WITH THE VA BUT CAN BE MUCH LESS INTIMIDATING THAN THE VA SYSTEM ITSELF, AND ON TOP OF THAT IN FRANKFORT YOU HAVE CAMP BROWN BEAR WHICH THEY DO ABOUT A DOZEN RETREATS A YEAR FOR VETERANS TO GO OUT IN THE WOODS AND STAY IN CABINS AND SIT AROUND A BONFIRE AND JUST HEAL.

>> WOW.

BRIAN, ANYTHING TO ADD TO THAT.

>> I'LL ECHO BOTH THOSE.

PREVIOUSLY THE VA HAS VAST RESOURCES AND WE TRY TO REFER TO THEM AS MUCH AS WE AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN DO.

THE KEY WORD TO THAT IS CONNECTIVITY.

WE TRY TO PERCEIVE THE VETERANS THAT HAVE NEEDS AND TO REFER THEM PROPERLY TO THE VA. 7 ONE OF THE INITIATIVES WE'VE LOOKED AT WITH THE VETERANS COMMISSION HAS BEEN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A VETERANS CENTER IN LEXINGTON.

THERE'S A VERY GOOD EXAM ELF THAT DOWN IN RICHMOND.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN BUILDING AND SOMEONE WHO POPULATES IT THROUGHOUT THE DAY, AND A VETERAN CAN WALK IN AND SAY I'VE GOT AN ISSUE OR I'M DEPRESSED OR I'M ILL AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO FIND ANYTHING THAT THAT PERSON OF WILL REFER THEM, AND THAT IS ON OUR LIST TO DO FOR THE VETERANS COMMISSION.

>> THAT'S TERRIFIC.

YOU TALKED ABOUT BRIAN CONNECTIVITY.

NICOLE, YOU TALKED ABOUT CAMARADERIE AND JEREMY YOU MENTIONED THAT AS WELL.

BUT SO MANY VETERANS ARE REALLY ISOLATED AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GET HELP OR HOW TO ASSIST THEM.

AND PHYLLIS, FOR YOU IN PARTICULAR WITH THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE, HOW DO YOU BRIDGE THAT GAP FOR VETERANS WHO MAY NOT HAVE ANYTHING FROM THE FACULTIES TO THE TECHNOLOGY CAPABILITIES THAT SO MANY OF US TAKE FOR GRANTED TO GET CONNECTED AND FIND THAT HELP?

>> IT IS ACTUALLY JUST ONE PERSON AT A TIME SHARING ONE STORY AT THE TIME, AND I KNOW ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE FOUND THAT I WAS TOTALLY SURPRISED OF, I THOUGHT OUR WOMEN VETERANS WOULD BE 35, NO MORE THAN 45.

OUR UNNEST ONE HAS BEEN 48 AND OUR OLDEST ONE HAS BEEN 73.

SO IT'S REALLY REACHING THAT SENIOR 50-PLUS WOMEN VETERANS OUT IS THERE THAT HAVE BEEN REJECTED OR DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY'RE COMFORTABLE SOMEPLACE, AND I KNOW LIKE THE VFW AMERICAN LEGION, THEY'RE WORKING REALLY HARD ON MAKING IT AN INVITING PLACE FOR WOMEN VETERANS TO COME INTO WHERE IT USED TO BE, AS SHE SAID, A MALE-ORIENTED ORGANIZATION.

SO THAT IS BIG STEPS FORWARD.

>> AND NICOLE, YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT CAMARADERIE AND THE HEALING BENEFITS OF THAT.

FOR SOMEBODY WHO IS IN ISOLATION, HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO GET THEM TO KIND OF OPEN THEMSELVES BACK UP TO THAT CAMARADERIE AND FEEL PART OF THAT GROUP AGAIN?

>> THAT'S ACTUALLY KIND OF TRICKY.

IF THEY -- IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY, IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE FACULTIES, ITS A LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT TO REACH OUT.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE A VETERAN WHO IS IN EARLY STAGE DEMENTIA.

HE HAS A WONDERFUL CARETAKER.

SHE BRINGS HIM IN ABOUT ONCE A MONTH.

HE SINGS KARAOKE WITH US.

>> HOW GREAT.

>> AND HE JUST ENJOYS -- WE DO DINNERS AND HE COMES IN FOR DINNER AND SINGS KARAOKE AND THEN HE LEAVES AND A COUPLE WEEKS LATER WE SEE HIM AGAIN.

OUR VETERANS RANGE FROM YOUR IRAQ/AFGHAN VETS TO WE HAVE A WORLD WAR II VET STILL OUR ROSTER.

>> THAT'S AMAZING.

SO ANOTHER ISSUE FACING VETERANS THAT THEY REALLY HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF, IN AUGUST PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED INTO LAW THE PACT ACT THAT EXPANDS MENTION BENEFITS TO COMBAT VETERANS EXPOSED TO BURN PITS OTHER TOXIC SUBSTANCES.

THE BILL IS DESIGNED TO HELP SERVICE MEMBERS EXPOSED TO BURN PITS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN BUT IT ALSO INCLUDES LANGUAGE TO HELP VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC WATER DECADES AGO AT CAMP LEJEUNE.

THE PACT ACT ADDRESSES 23 DISEASES THAT THE VA NOW RECOGNIZES AS CONDITIONS MORE THAN LIKELY CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO TOXINS WHILE SERVES KEEPING VETERANS FROM HAVING TO APPROVE THAT THEIR ILLNESS IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO SERVICE LIKE THEY HAVE HAD TO DO IN THE PASS, AILMENTS LIKE ASTHMA AND BRAIN CANCER ARE NOW ABLE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR ARE YEAR OF OF DENIED CLAIMS.

PACT ACT ADVOCATES LIKE BRIAN AM BURGEE A FORMER MARINE FROM WINCHESTER HAS EMBEZZLEMENT OFFICERS METHYL PROBLEMS AFTER WE GO STATION ADD LAMP LEJEUNE IN THE 1980S.

HERE NOW IS HIS SORRY AND HIS ADVOCACY FOR VETERANS LIKE HIM ON CAPITOL HILL.

>> VETERANS OF THE WHARFS IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN NOT ONLY FACED THE DANGERS BATTLE, THEY WERE BREATHING TOXIC NO, IN BURN PITS.

>> THE BURNITZ IS THE SIG ANYTHING THE MILITARY DIDN'T WANT THE ENEMY THEY WERE DOING THEY WOULD BURN IT.

WHATEVER COULD BE THROWN IN THE FIRE AND BURNED THAT'S WHAT THEY DID.

AND ALL OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS THAT WAS THERE WAS EXPOSE TO ALL TOXIC FUMES AND SMOKE THAT WAS COMING FROM THESE FIRES.

>> .

>> CAMP RELINE ENTER 1953 THROUGH 1987 WITH BASE KNOWINGLY AND WILLINGLY COVERED UP CONTAMINATED WATER ON THE BASE THAT CONTAINED PCE, TCE, BENZENE WANT VINYL CHLORIDE, AND UP TO 68 MORE CHEMICALS WHICH CAUSED ALL KIND OF CANCERS.

IT WAS ALWAYS THE VETERAN HAD TO APPROVE THAT THEY WAS THERE THROUGH THE VA. WE'VE GOT OUR PAPERWORK, BUT 99.9% OF THE TIME THE VA WOULD DENY IT, AND THE VETERANS WOULD NOT GET THE CRUCIAL MEDICAL CARE THEY NEEDED.

NOW WITH THE PACT ACT WE DON'T HAVE TO APPROVE THAT WE WAS THERE.

WE THOUGHT MAYBE THE BILL WAS DEAD BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF ISSUES THAT SOME OF THE SENATORS DIDN'T WANT TO BUILD IN THE PAST BECAUSE OF SOME LITTLE GLITCH THEY KEPT CALLING IT.

>> THIS BILL PUTS OUR ECONOMY, THOUGH, AT RISK BY CREATING PRESUMPTION OF SERVICE CONNECTION FOR THE MOST COMMON OF AILMENTS.

>> WE WENT TO JOIN JOHN STEWART AND OTHER ADVOCATES THAT WAS CAMPING OUT OUTSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE, AND WHILE WE WAS THERE, SOME OF THE SENATORS CAME OUT AND STARTED SAYING, HEY, COME WITH ME, COME WITH ME.

THEY TOOK US INSIDE THE CAPITOL BUILDING, PUT US AROUND AND LET US WATCH THE VOTE.

>> THE MOTION IS AGREED TO.

>> IT WAS JUST LIKE IT WAS A DREAM, JUST SITTING THERE BEING ABLE TO WATCH AND HEAR THAT FINAL VOTE.

WE CAME OUT SAYING, YES, IT PASSED.

SEEING THE SMILES, SEEING EVERYBODY REJOICE AND THE FEARS, AND THEN THE NEXT NIGHT GETTING THE INVITATION FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN TO BE AT THE WHITE HOUSE FOR THE SIGNING WAS STILL -- STILL PUTS CHILL BUMPS ON ME.

THIS HERE NOW MEANS INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM BECAUSE A LOT OF THEM THE HOMELESS BECAUSE OF THEIR ILLNESSES, THEY'LL GET TREATMENT FOR THEIR CANCERS AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES THAT'S AFFECTED THEM.

IT'S SO HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S -- ALL THESE YEARS OF ADVOCATING ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS THAT'S HELPED ME, KNOWING THE ONES THAT'S GOT THE BRAIN TUMORS AND ALL THESE OTHER HEALTH ISSUES AND STUFF, THAT THEY'RE FINALLY GOING TO GET JUSTICE.

WE'LL NEVER GET AN APOLOGY FROM THE GOVERNMENT, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST STEP OF GETTING JUSTICE FOR EVERYBODY.

>> CHIP: OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES DID 3.5 MILLION POST COMBAT VETERANS HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO DANGEROUS CHEMICALS WHILE ON DUTY.

ONE OF THEM IS HERE TONIGHT IN JEREMY.

JEREMY, WHEN YOU WERE OVERSEAS I IMAGINE ONE OF THE LAST THINGS ON YOUR MIND IN THE HORRORS THAT I'M SURE THAT YOU SAW THERE WAS, I PROBABLY NEED TO BE CAREFUL AROUND THOSE BURN PITS WHEN YOU WERE THERE, AND AS A RESULT WHAT KIND OF HEALTH PROBLEMS HAVE YOU SUFFERED?

>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, THE BURN PITS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

THOSE AREN'T ON THE RADAR WHEN YOU'RE THERE TRYING TO COMPLETE THE MISSION.

AND WE'RE SELFLESS ANYWAY SO WE DON'T DO A REAL GOOD JOB OF TAKING CARE OF OURSELF AND BEING COGNIZANT OF WHAT'S AROUND US.

WE LIVED RIGHT NEXT TO A BURN PIT FOR OVER 400 DAYS, AND I KNOW THAT JUST AS I GET OLDER, I EXPERIENCE A LOT MORE HEALTH ISSUES, SUCH AS I WASN'T ASTHMATIC BEFORE.

I AM NOW.

CHRONIC BRONCHITIS I HAVE SINUSITIS QUITE FREQUENTLY.

I HAVE A LOT OF UPPER SEPARATE ISSUES CLUCK OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP AP NAPA THERE'S JUST BEEN A LOT OF RESPIRATORY ISSUES THAT I'VE EXPERIENCED BEING SO CLOSE THAT I NEVER WOULD HAVE EVEN -- LIKE I SAID, IT WASN'T A THOUGHT OF ANY OF US BUT THERE ARE SO MANY VETERANS OUT THERE AS WE GET OLDER ARE EXPERIENCING SOME OF THESE EFFECTS AND IT'S IMPACTING OUR LIVES AND SO WE'RE REALLY GLAD THAT THE PACT ACT DID PASS AND THAT IT IS IN LAW AND THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE VETERANS WITHOUT TRYING TO DIG UP LOST RECORDS TO APPROVE WHERE WE WERE AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF, SO I THINK IT'S A GREAT NAIL WAS PASSED.

>> HA WAS GOING TO BE A FOLLOW-UP I HAD.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THAT THE LANGUAGE IN THIS BILL REALLY IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF VETERANS LIKE YOURSELF?

>> I THINK IT WILL DO BETTER THAN IT HAS BEEN.

THERE ARE ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS 23 DIFFERENT AILMENTS THAT ARE COVERED, THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THAT AREN'T PART OF THAT LIST, BUT I THINK THIS IS A GREAT START AND I THINK WE JUST NEED TO STAY OUR ON LEGISLATORS TO CONTINUE TO HEAR WHAT THE VETERANS HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT ARE GOING THROUGH SO THEY CAN PERT WRITE THESE BILLS SO THAT IT IMPACTS MORE EFFECTIVELY.

>> AS A A PART OF THE PACT ACT, AND IT'S INTERESTING -- I'M NOTE A VETERAN, BUT I GET AT LEAST A HALF DOZEN eMAILS A DAY ABOUT WATER AT CAMP LEJEUNE, AND IN ADDITION TO THAT I SEE IT ON TV ALL THE TIME.

THE MARKETING AROUND THIS HAS BEEN PRETTY REMARKABLABLE.

NICOLE, YOU REALLY ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM AND TELLING VETERANS, YOU MAY NEED TO PUMP THE BRAKES HERE JUST A LITTLE BIT WITH THESE SETTLEMENTS AS IT RELATES TO THAT.

WHAT SHOULD VETERANS CONSIDER BEFORE TAKING PART IN A SETTLEMENT LIKE THAT N. AND WHAT CAN THEY REALLY LOSE IN THE LONG LONG-RUN?

>> THANK YOU.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO NOTE IS WHEN THE PACT ACT STALLED IT'S IT WAS RIGHT DURING THE VFW NATIONALS CONVENTION THIS SUMMER, AND WE WERE REMARKABLEBLY ABLE TO BOMBARD CONGRESS WITH OVER 8,000 EMAILS FROM THE CONVENTION FLOOR DEMANDING THAT THE PACT ACT GET PASSED.

WHEN IT COMES TO CAMPILY LEJEUNE, OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN YOU FILE A PRIVATE LAWSUIT FOR A PRIVATE SETTLEMENT, ONE OF THESE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS, YOU MAY RECEIVE $100,000 IN YOUR SETTLEMENT.

I LIKE ROUND NUMBERS SO WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH $100,000.

BUT YOUR LAWYER IS GOING TO TAKE $40,000 BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE 40% RIGHT OFF THE TOP.

WHEN YOU GO AND YOU GET COMPENSATION FROM THE VA FOR THE SAME AILMENTS, YOU WILL RECEIVE COMPENSATION.

YOU WILL RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE.

BUT YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE YOUR COMPENSATION MONTHLY UNTIL THAT $100,000 HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED THAT YOU RECEIVED.

NOT THE $60,000 YOU TOOK FROM THE LAWYER, THE FULL $100,000 SETTLEMENT.

>> WOW.

>> AND SO YOU CAN LOOK FOR A QUICK PAYDAY, BUT FOR US YOUNGER VETERANS THAT WERE IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, AN EXTRA 1,000 AIDS MONTH IN COVERAGE FOR ANOTHER 40, 50 YEARS AND THEN POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO OUR WIDOWERS ONCE WE'RE GONE, IN THE LONG RUN WILL MAKE MORE FOR OUR FAMILIES THAN A QUICK $100,000 SETTLE THAT A LAWYER IS GOING TO TAKE 40% OF.

>> SO THERE'S A LOT THERE TO UNPACK.

BRIAN, LET ME PULL YOU INTO THIS.

HOW CAN SERVICE PROVIDERS LIKE THE COMMISSION ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS REALLY HELP FOLKS IN THE MILITARY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PACT ACT IS GOING TO MEAN TO THEM IN THEIR PARTICULAR CASE AND HOW TO SECURE THE CARE THAT THEY NEED BOTH IN VOTER AND THE LONG TERM?

>> THE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO DO IS INFORM OUR VETERANS BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PACT ACT IS, HAVEN'T FOLLOWED THE NEWS.

AND SOME OF THOSE GO VERY FAR BACK.

ONE OF MY VERY GOOD FRIENDS WAS ON THE GROUND IN VIETNAM THE SAME YEAR I WAS, AND HE WAS OUT IN THE JUNGLE HIS WHOLE TOUR EXPOSED TO AGENT ORANGE AND HE'S BEEN AFFECTED BY THAT FOR ALL THESE YEARS.

IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO SHOW CONNECTIVITY WITH THAT.

BUT I'LL USE THAT WORD AGAIN IN THE OTHER CONCERNS.

WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS TO INFORM ALL OF OUR VETERANS EXACTLY WHAT THE PACT ACT IS AND HOW IT APPLIES IN CASES SUCH AS BURN CENTERS, BURN PITS, I SHOULD SAY, AND WE HAVE TO ASSIST THEM IN APPLYING TO THE VA FOR THOSE BENEFITS IN.

IN EVERY CASE THE VA IS GOING TO CONSIDER WHATEVER EVIDENCE THEY HAVE OR IN THE CASE OF PRESUMPTIVE, THEY'RE GOING TO JUST CONNECT HIM AUTOMATICALLY.

BUT WE HAVE TO INFORM THEM OF HOW TO DO THAT AND WE HAVE TO HELP THEM TO APPLY TO THE VA. ONE CAN APPLY ONLINE.

ONE CAN APPLY BY MAIL.

ONE CAN APPLY IN PERSON OR WITH ASSISTANCE.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT BY ONE MEANS OR ANOTHER, THEY DO THAT APPLICATION.

>> AND PHYLLIS, LET ME PULL YOU INTO THIS.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THE FEMALE VETERANS THAT YOU WORK WITH?

DO THEY REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PACT ACT IS AND HOW IT COULD IMPACT THEM OR IS THERE CONFUSION THERE?

>> THERE'S STILL QUESTIONS, BUT THEY ARE BECOMING MORE AWARE, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING SOME -- AS WE GO INTO NEXT YEAR, SOME WORKSHOPS ON THAT, BRINGING EXPERTS IN THE AREA TO HELP WITH THAT.

AND ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE -- THE MY VA COMMUNITY SERVE LEXINGTON AND VA.

SO TO OUR ORGANIZATIONS, VRUC, WE ARE REACHING OUT TO ALL THE VETERANS IN SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY, MALE OR FEMALE.

>> DO THEY REALLY NEED THE HELP IN NAVIGATING I.

THIS ORE IS IT RELATIVELY EASY TO NAVIGATING THIS OR DO THEY NEED THAT GUIDANCE AND HAND HOLDING TO WALK THROUGH THIS?

>> I THINK TO THE NAKED EYE IT CAN BE VERY CONFUSING AND DIFFICULT.

I THINK IT'S OVER A 40 PAGE BILL ACTUALLY THAT NEEDS TO BE UNPACKED.

I THINK WE JUST KNOW THE HIGHLIGHTS OF IT.

BUT MOST PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY POST 9/11 VETERANS, THEY'RE STILL OUT DOING LIFE AND HAVING CAREERS AND RAISING KIDS SO DON'T HAVE A LOT OF ATTENTION TO PUT ON THESE THINGS.

BUT YOU HAVE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE VFP THAT HAVE SERVICE OFFICERS AND VSOs OUT THERE THAT CAN REALLY UNPACK THAT FOR EACH VETERAN IF THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH THAT, AND THE VA HAS BEEN DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB OF REACHING OUT AND GETTING FOLKS SCHEDULED FOR A PURN BURN PIT EXAM AS WELL.

>> ANOTHER FORM OF CARE, VETERANS NURSING HOMES ARE FACILITIES FOR THE RESIDENTIAL CARE A FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED forces EFFORTS HAVE BEEN UNDERWAY FOR A DECADE TO LOCATE A STATE VETERANS' HOME IN BOWLING GREEN.

FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS .

RECENTLY BROKE GROUND THIS MONTH A NEW $50 MILLION INVESTMENT.

THAT INVESTMENT WILL CREATE 120 NEW JOBS AND WILL BE THE STATE'S FIFTH LONG-TERM SKILLED NURSING CARE EXQUISITELY FOR VETERANS THE 80,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY WILL PROVIDE 60 BEDS AND IS BEING BUILT ON 25 ACRES OF LAND A KET CREW WAS THERE FOR THE GROUNDBREAKING EARLIER THIS MON.

>> WELL, MY FATHER WAS A 30-YEAR VETERAN, AND HE WAS IN TWO WARS, AND HIS LEADERSHIP STYLE WAS MAINLY JUST TO TAKE CARE OF HIS TROOPS.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE.

>> THIS IS A SUPER EXCITING PROCESS.

THE WORK OF IT BEING PUT TOGETHER OVER SO MANY YEARS, THE VISION THAT IT TOOK FROM THE LOCAL VETERANS.

>> IT CAME UP THAT BOWLING GREEN NEEDED A NURSING HOME, AND SO ONCE HE GOT THAT IN HIS HEAD, THAT WAS HIS MISSION IN LIFE, WAS TO GET BOWLING GREEN A NURSING HOME.

>> THIS WILL BE OUR FIFTH VETERANS' NURSING HOME.

EACH ONE IS FIVE STAR RATEDY, MEANING IT IS THE VERY HIGHEST QUALITY.

WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE THE SAME TO OUR VETERANS RIGHT HERE IN BOWLING GREEN.

>> WE'RE GOING TO GIVE A CAST OF CHARACTERS IN THIS FACILITY THE NEXT 20, 30, 40, 50 YEARS THAT WILL BRING JOY AND LOVE TO THIS COMMUNITY.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A STAFF THAT COMES TO WORK EVERY DAY LOVING PEOPLE.

>> WE ALL APPRECIATE OUR VETERANS, AND I HAVE SO MANY GOOD FRIENDS IN THAT COMMUNITY, PEOPLE THAT I'VE LOOKED UP TO MY WHOLE LIFE, BUTTED THEN YOU PUT NAMES LIKE RAY BIGGERSTAFF AND ROBERT SPILLER WITH THAT PROJECT WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY BRAVELY AND THEN CAME HOME AND SPENT THEIR WHOLE LIVES TRYING TO SERVE THE VETERAN COMMUNITY AND THEIR COMRADES.

>> THEY JUST PERSISTED GOING TO FRANKFORT, TALKING TO THE POLITICIANS, WRITING LETTERS, DOING WHAT THEY NEEDED TO DO TO GET THIS DONE.

>> IT WILL BE A GREAT ASSET TO OUR COMMUNITY.

IT WILL BE SOME NEW JOBS IN TOWN.

IT WILL HELP ALL OF US VETERANS OUT.

IT WILL BE A PLACE WHERE WE CAN GO AND ENJOY EACH OTHER'S COMPANY.

WE'LL ABLE TO VISIT OTHER VETERANS LIKE IF WE'RE NOT IN THE HOME, AT LEAST WE CAN VISIT OFSOME OUR FRIENDS THAT MAY BE IN IT.

>> WE ARE FULFILLING OUR OBLIGATION TOWER VETERANS.

THEY HAVE FOUGHT FOR US.

THEY HAVE SACRIFICED FOR US.

AND THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS TAKE CARE OF THEM WITH THE BEST STATE-OF-THE-ART HEALTH CARE AND FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY IN LATER YEARS.

>> IN WARREN COUNTY ALONE WE HAVE OVER 7,000 VETERANS HERE, SO THERE'S A LOT OF VETERANS IN IN COMMUNITY AND A LOT OF US ARE GETTING UP IN AGE.

>> AS YOU KNOW, MANY OF OUR VETERANS ARE AGING AND WILL NEED OUR ASSISTANCE AND HELP, WHETHER IN IN FACILITY OR IN OTHERS.

>> AND IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE VETERANS, NOT JUST IN WARREN COUNTY BUT ALL OVER SOUTH-CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

THIS FACILITY IS GOING TO BE SERVE ABOUT 17 OR MORE COUNTIES IN THE REGION.

>> THAT WAS A GROUP EFFORT, A COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR HERE.

IT WAS A STATE EFFORT.

WE'RE GETTING FEDERAL MONEY TO BUILD THIS.

>> IT'S BEEN COUNTY.

IT'S BEEN CITY.

IT'S BEEN STATE.

IT'S BEEN FEDERAL.

THE FEDERAL DELEGATION.

EVERYBODY HAS MARCHED TO THE BEAT OF THE SAME DRUM ON THIS AND WORKED TOGETHER.

>> TAKING CARE OF OUR VETERANS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD NOT ALL NOT ONLY AGREE ON BUT WORK TOGETHER ON IN.

>> THIS IS EXCITING BECAUSE THIS IS A WAY OF PAYING BACK WHAT OUR VETERANS HAVE DONE FOR US OVER THEIR LIFETIMES.

>> TODAY A DAY LIKE NO OTHER.

>> I SERVED THE 101st AIRBORNE DIVISION, 1st INFANTRY DIVISION, IT'S A VERY ELITE GROUP TO BELONG TO.

VERY PROUD.

>> NOW, AS WE HEARD THIS WILL BE KENTUCKY'S FIFTH SKILLED NURSING FACILITY FOR VETERANS IN CLINTON COVER 17 COUNTIES.

THE OTHER ONES ARE IN HAZARD, WILLMORE, HANSON AND RADCLIFF.

BRIAN, LET ME ASK YOU, DID THESE FACILITIES, THE TYPE OF CARE THAT THEY PROVIDE TO VETERANS IS IT NURSING HOME CARE?

IS IT ASSISTED LIVING?

SORRY SLIT REALLY BOTH?

AND WHAT KIND OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN GENERAL ARE PROVIDED AT THESE FACILITIES?

>> I BELIEVE IT VARIES BY THE FACILITY, AND ONE IS EVALUATED FOR WHAT CONDITION ONE HAS AND WHAT IS PROVIDED IS ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY.

THE ONE I'M FAMILIAR WITH, I'LL JUST ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE EXAMPLE, AND THAT'S THE THOMPSON HOOD VETERANS CENTER IN WILLMORE, KENTUCKY.

IT HAS 285 BEDS.

IT DOES LONG-TERM CARE.

THE FATHER OF ANOTHER FRIEND OF MINE WAS THERE AND I VISITED WITH HIM SEVERAL TIMES.

EXCELLENT PLACE.

AS IN ANYTHING ELSE, YOU CAN CLICK THEM UP ON THE INTERNET AND SEE THEIR TERMS.

AND I'LL JUST GO OVER A FEW OF THEM.

YOU CANNOT BE A SPOUSE OF A VETERAN AND BE ADMITTED.

YOU MUST BE A VETERAN.

SO THERE'S ONE RULE.

THEY ACCEPT MEDICAID OR MEDICARE PAYMENTS OF CERTAIN SITUATIONS, NOT OTHERS.

ANOTHER ANALYSIS.

ALL DECISIONS FOR ADD MISSIONARY BASED ON NURSING CARE NEEDS -- ADMISSION ARE BASED ON NURSING CARE NEEDS OH IF YOU'RE SERVICE CARE CONNECTED IT MAY OR MAY NOT MATTER.

THERE ARE NO PSYCHIATRIC CARE.

IT IS A STRICTLY NURSING HOME ONLY.

THERE'S NO LONG-TERM CARE.

THERE'S NO ASSISTED LIVING.

>> SO THAT ANSWERS THAT QUESTION.

LET ME ASK YOU AS YOUR WORKING THROUGH THAT LIST, THERE IS AN INCOME OR ASSET TEST OR ANY OTHER SORT OF FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY RULE TO GET ADMITTED INTO A FACILITY OF THAT LIKE AS A VETERAN.

>> I HAVE BELIEVE THAT VARIES.

>> ALSO PHYLLIS, LET ME ASK YOU, COULD THIS BE AVAILABLE TO MOST VETERAN BUT IT MAY NOT BE COMPLETELY FREE FOR THEM TO DO?

AND IS THERE A WAITING LIST THAT YOU'RE AWARE OF RIGHT NOW FOR FOLKS TO GET INTO THESE PLACES?

>> YES, THERE IS A WAITING LIST.

IT'S BASED ON STAFF AVAILABILITY.

SO NONE OF THE ROOM -- FACILITIES ARE FULL RIGHT AT THE PRESENT TIME.

AND THE ONE IN RADCLIFF AND HANSON ACTUALLY HAVE LONGEST WAITING LIST TO GET IN.

THEY DO OFFER SKILLED CARE.

THERE IS NO PAY ARE SERVICE BUT THEY ACCEPT MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND PRIVATE CARE FOR THAT.

SO -- AND THEN THEY WILL USUALLY CHOOSE -- A VETERAN WILL GO INTO ONE OF THE STATE FACILITIES BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BUILD THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER VETERANS.

THEY CAN TELL THEIR STORIES AND THEY CAN SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES, WHERE SOMETIMES THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT WITH THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS DON'T UNDERSTAND OR THEY'VE HEARD THE STORIES TOO MANY TIMES.

BUT THERE THEY CAN ALWAYS SHARE.

BUT IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS OR WANTS MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT MARK BOWMAN WITH THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS AT (502)782-5725.

>> SO TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT AGAIN GOING BACK TO THAT CAMARADERIE THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU CAN BUILD THERE, JEREMY, ARE THERE REASONS A VETERAN WOULD PREFER TO GO TO A STATE VETERAN HOME LIKE THIS AS OPPOSED TO GOING TO A NON-VETERAN FACILITY UNDER MEDICAID THAT MIGHT BE CLOSER TO WHERE THEY LIVE AND A LITTLE MORE SPEND FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND THE LIKE?

>> YEAH, AND I THINK PHYLLIS TOUCHED ON IT A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT'S THE JUST COMFORT OF BEING AROUND LIKE-MINDED FOLKS WHO UNDERSTAND, AND EVEN THE STAFF HAS SOME SENSE OF MILITARY CULTURE.

JUST FEELING LIKE YOU FIT IN.

JUST BEING AROUND YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

THAT MEANS MORE TO A VETERAN THAN DISTANCE.

DISTANCE HAS NEVER BEEN OUR ISSUE.

WE'RE USED TO DISTANCES AND WE GO BEING AWAY FROM HOME BUT IT'S THAT OF THE QUALIFY BEING AROUND OTHERS WHO UNDERSTAND YOU ON A FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL.

HOCH ALSO HELP SUPPORT YOU FOR SOME OF THOSE UNMEDICAL ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE.

MAYBE YOU HAVE A FEAR OF PASSING AWAY OR YOU'RE WONDERING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR FAMILY THAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND.

YOU HAVE ANOTHER VETERAN THERE WHO CAN TALK THROUGH THAT WITH YOU THAT YOU TRUST RIGHT AWAY.

IN THE VETERAN COMMUNITY THERE'S AN INSTANT TRUST AMONGST THE POPULATION, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN'T BE REPLICATED, AND IT'S REALLY PROFOUND BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE VALUE.

>> THAT CAMARADERIE AND TRUST IS CLEARLY A COMMON THREAD WE'VE HEARD THROUGH SO MANY TONIGHT.

FROM AGING RENTERS RECENT REPORT SHOW BOTH A RECORD LOW PERCENTAGES OF YOUNG AMERICANS ELIGIBLE TO SERVE IN THE ARMED FORCES AND AN EVEN SMALLER FRACTION WHO ARE EVEN WILLING TO CONSIDER.

IT THE ARMY IS FACING THE MOST ACUTE RECRUITING PROBLEMS.

IT MISSED ITS RECRUITMENT GOAL BY 25% OR 15,000 SOLDIERS IN TOTAL.

RECENTLY RENEE SHAW TALKED WITH ALEX WOODS, AN AIR FORCE ADVISER, ABOUT THE SHRINKING INTEREST IN MILITARY SERVICE AND HOW HER BRANCH IS RESPONDING.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH, STAFF SERGEANT WOODS, FOR YOUR TIME.

I DO WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT RECRUITING, AND WE KNOW THAT THE ARMY FELL SHORT OF ITS RECRUITMENT GOALS.

WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE?

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING SIMILAR RECRUITMENT CHALLENGES?

>> YEAH.

SO IN THE AIR FORCE WE MET GOAL FOR THE FISCAL YEAR RECRUITING.

IT COMES WITH MANY CHALLENGES.

I WOULD SAY FOR THE AIR FORCE, WE STARTED NOTICING WHEN COVID-19 HIT, A LOT OF CHANGES HAPPENED IN THE WORLD, AND WE COULDN'T MEET WITH OUR APPLICANTS FACE TO FACE.

THERE WAS JUST A LOT OF CHALLENGES WITH THAT.

I WOULD ALSO SAY ANOTHER, YOU KNOW, RECRUITING CHALLENGE WAS MISLEADING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET BECAUSE THE WORLD IS UP AND COMING WITH TECHNOLOGY AND STUFF, SO SOME OF THE UNOFFICIAL FORUMS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

WE NOTICED THAT WE HAVE APPLICANTS THAT WILL COME IN AND THEY'LL TELL US, HEY, WE READ THIS ONLINE.

IS THIS TRUE?

AND 99% OF THE TIME IT'S NOT TRUE.

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK NOT KNOWING THE BENEFITS THAT THE AIR FORCE CAN OFFER AND SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN OFFER AND JUST A LACK OF INFORMATION IS ALSO A CHALLENGE AS WELL.

>> YOU MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT US MISINFORMATION.

WHAT KIND OF MISINFORMATION ARE YOU HAVING TO REBUT OR COMBAT WITH POTENTIAL RECRUITS?

>> YEAH, SO I'M GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION.

SOME OF THE MISINFORMATION IS WILL THE AIR FORCE -- THEY DON'T ALLOW TO YOU PICK YOUR JOB.

THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE MISINFORMATION THAT WE NOTICE WHEN AN APPLICANT COMES IN TO TALK TO US.

AND THAT IS 100% NOT TRUE.

ME AS AN AIR FORCE RECRUITER, I DO NOT PICK YOUR JOB.

JOBS ARE -- WE HAVE OVER 150 JOBS THAT YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM.

BUT IT'S BASED OFF YOUR QUALIFICATIONS, WHAT YOU SCORE ON THE ARMS SERVICE VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY TEST WHEN KEY CALLED THE ASVAB.

THE MINIMUM SCORE TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE IS A 31 WEEKS, SO BASED OFF OF THAT AND WHAT YOU HAVE LIKE FOR YOUR PHYSICAL-WISE, AT METS WHICH IS YOUR OUR MILITARY ENTRANCE PROCESSING STATION, THOSE HOW YOU CHOOSE YOUR JOB BASED OFF YOUR QUALIFICATIONS.

SO ESSENTIALLY ONCE AN APPLICANT FINISHES THE FULL PROCESS AND GETS A LIST OF JOBS THAT THEY'RE QUALIFIED FOR, THEY LIST ONE TO EIGHT JOBS, AND THEN IT'S THE AIR FORCE RECRUITER'S JOB TO GET THEM ONE OF THEIR ONE TO EIGHT JOBS.

IT'S GUARANTEED GLUE GOING ONE OF THOSE JOBS BUT WE DO GIVE YOU A GOOD VARIETY TO PICK FROM.

ANOTHER -- ANOTHER MISINFORMATION THAT WE RECEIVE IS THE PAY, RIGHT?

WHAT YOU SEE ON THE INTERNET, THAT IS JUST A BASE SALARY, RIGHT?

SO THAT'S NOT INCLUDING THE BENEFITS, SO LIKE THE HEALTH INSURANCE THAT YOU'RE RECEIVING IN THE AIR FORCE, THAT'S NOT INCLUDED, AND THEN ALSO THE AIR FORCE WE PROVIDE BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING, AND THAT IS NON-TAX MONEY THAT YOU'RE RECEIVING TO PAY FOR RENT OR YOUR MORTGAGE.

THAT DOESN'T SHOW ON YOUR BASE SALARY BECAUSE IT'S NOT TAXED.

AND THEN FOR YOUR FOOD ALLOWANCE YOU GOD $400 A MONTH NON-TAXED AS WELL.

SO THAT'S WHY IT TURNS SHOW ONLINE.

BUT LIKE I SAID, YOU'RE NEVER TRULY GOING TO UNDERSTAND UNLESS YOU COME IN AND SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SITUATIONS AND STUFF LIKE THAT THAT YOU'RE HAVING, MISCONCEPTIONS, THINGS LIKE THAT, BECAUSE AN AIR FORCE RECRUITER, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE BEST KNOWLEDGE AND THE MORE UP-TO-DATE KNOWLEDGE TO GIVE APPLICANTS, AND SO WHAT YOU SEE ONLINE IS JUST VAGUE INFORMATION.

>> STAFF SERGEANT ALEX WOODS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, RENEE, FOR HAVING ME.

WHICH I AM SO GIVEN THESE SUGGESTED ISSUES THAT WE HEARD WITH IN THE INTERVIEW AND EVEN IN THE LEAD-IN IN THE OPEN WE TALKED ABOUT HOW IT HASN'T BEEN THIS BAD LITERALLY SINCE THE VIETNAM WAR, WHICH TO ME WAS A REMARKABLE THING TO BE ABLE TO SHOW, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT VETERANS GROUPS LIKE THE ONES THAT YOU ALL REPRESENT, WHAT CAN THEY DO TO HELP RE-ENGAGE FOLKS WHO WOULD WANT TO ENLIST IN MILITARY SERVICE?

AND I KNOW, BRIAN, YOU HAVE A RELATIVELY UNIQUE PERCEPTION WITH THIS BECAUSE YOU ACTUALLY WORKED RECRUITMENT FOR A WHILE, YOU J US EVER WERE JUST TELLING ME, SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO STEM THAT TIDE TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE INTERESTED IN SERVING AGAIN?

>> THE BEST EXAMPLE I HAVE FROM THE MAYOR'S COMMISSION WAS THE MOST RECENT PROJECT WE HAD, WHICH WAS TO HAVE THE LEXINGTON VETERANS FESTIVAL.

WE PLANNED THAT FOR NOVEMBER 12th, AND UNFORTUNATELY WINTERED OUT, BUT IT WAS A VERY WELL DESIGNED PROGRAM THAT WAS VERY DIVERSE.

IT HONORED THE VETERANS AND ELEVATED THEM, AND AT THE SAME TIME IT WAS VISIBLE TO NON-VETERANS.

WE INVITED EVERYBODY.

WE HAD AS MUCH PARTICIPATION AS WE COULD AND AS MUCH INTEREST AS WE COULD WITH THAT IN MIND.

SO WE HAD A MIXTURE OF PEOPLE TO ELEVATE THE VETERINARIANS AND HONOR THEM AND AT THE SAME TIME TO INFORM AND INSPIRE OTHERS, ESPECIALLY OUR YOUNGER PEOPLE, TO SEE THE PRINCIPLE AND THE HONOR OF MILITARY SERVICE.

>> SO YOU CAN USE EVENTS LIKE THAT TO REALLY FOCUS ON BOTH OF THOSE CONSTITUENCIES, IF YOU WILL, TO SEE IF YOU CAN TRY TO GET FOLKS INTERESTED IN SERVING AS WELL.

NICOLE, LET ME TURN TO YOU.

THE VFW, WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING TO TRY TO GET THOSE NUMBER AS BEST WE CAN?

>> THE ONE THING TO NOTE IS AFTER EVERY BIG WHAT ARE LIKE VIETNAM, UNPOPULAR, 20 YEARS IN THE eMAILED MIDDLE EAST BECAME UNPOM POPULAR, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A DECLINE IN RECRUITMENT AND WILLINGNESS.

THERE'S DATA TO SUPPORT THAT.

WHAT THE VFW DOES THROUGH OUR SCHOLARSHIPS WE GIVE KIDS TOPICS TO DISCUSS LIKE THIS YEAR, WHY IS A VETERAN IMPORTANT IMPORTANT?

IS THAT WAS THE ESSAY TOPIC.

WHEN THE KIDS COME AND AND SPEAK TO US, WHAT I ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO IS IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE MILITARY, TO GO A VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION, TO BE A VFKW, AN AMERICAN LEGION, FIND THE VETS THAT HAVE SERVED AND GONE TO BOOT CAMP BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE A QUOTA TO MEET.

THEY WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH.

>> AND DO YOU FIND A LOT OF KIDS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THOSE PROGRAMS?

DO THEY GO ON TO THEN BECOME INTERESTED IN THAT.

>> THEY COME AND AND ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND WE HAVE SEEN SEVERAL THAT GO ON TO JOIN THE ROTC PROGRAMS AT THEIR HIGH SCHOOLS AND AT UK AND GRADUATE FROM THOSE AS COMMISSIONED OFFICERS EVENTUALLY.

>> JEREME, THROUGH YOUR WORK AS WELL WHAT YOU ARE YOU DOING TO TRY TO BOOST THOSE NUMBERS.

>> AS AN ORGANIZATION WE TRY CONNECT WITH RECRUITERS IN ALL DIFFERENT BRANCHES AND WE ASK THEM TO COME ALONGSIDE AND SERVE WITH US, AND AT ANY EVENT WE'RE DOING THEY CAN BRING MARKETING MATERIALS, THEY CAN BRING INFORMATIONAL ACCORDS SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO SHOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY.

ADDITIONALLY WE GO TO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND WE TALK TO KIDS ABOUT PATRIOTISM, ABOUT WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SERVE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT IT REMAINS TON AN HONORABLE PROFESSION.

IT'S NOT JUST A LAST RESORT BUT IT IS SOMETHING A THAT WE NEED TOMORROW'S LEADERS TO COME IN, SO WE'RE VERY ACTIVE IN MAKING SURE THAT THE YOUNG FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITIES KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING OUR WAY OF LIFE HERE.

>> AND DURING THAT PACKAGE IT WAS INTERESTING WHEN ALEX WAS BEING INTERVIEWED, YOU MADE THE STATEMENT INDIANA KIND OF OFFHANDLY, BOY, IF THE AIR FORCE IS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING PEOPLE IN THERE, YOU KNOW IT'S A REAL BAD SITUATION.

IS THAT INDICATIVE?

IF THE AIR FORCE IS HAVING THIS MUCH TROUBLE IT'S GOT TO BE A BAD ATMOSPHERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE AIR FORCE, I DON'T EVER REMEMBER IN MY LIFETIME EVER BEING AN ISSUE FOR THE AIR FORCE TO RECRUIT ANYONE.

AND TO SEE THAT THEY'RE EVEN HAVING SOME CHANGES THAN THE ARMY BEING DOWN 40%, IT'S FRIGHTENING.

I SAW A RECENT STATISTIC THAT SAID LESS THAN 20% OF AMERICA'S YOUTH WOULD QUALIFY FOR MILITARY SERVICE, AND SO WE'VE GOT TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AS WELL.

BUT LIKE NICOLE SAID, AFTER EVERY MAJOR CONFLICT OR WAR, THERE IS THIS LULL OF FOLKS WHO ARE WANTING TO JOIN BECAUSE NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN 20-YEAR WARS.

BUT WE THINK THAT THAT WILL INCREASE.

AND THE MILITARY IS DOING GOOD AT ADJUSTING WHAT THEY OFFERED TO BRING IN MORE RECRUITS AS WELL.

>> GOOD DEAL.

SO AS WE CLOSE OUT OUR CONVERSATION TONIGHT, THE HONOR FLIGHT OF KENTUCKY HAS RECOGNIZED THE SERVICE OF VETERANS TO OUR COUNTRY WITH A DAY-LONG ADVENTURE TO WASHINGTON, DC BACK IN THE SUMMER, THE HONOR FLIGHT OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE MONUMENTS AND WAR MEMORIALS TO A GROUP OFTEN OVERLOOKED, FEMALE KET'S TOM BICKEL TAGGED ALONG T FILE THIS REPORT.

>> JUNE 11, 2022, 134 WOMEN VETERANS FROM AROUND KENTUCKY GATHERED FOR BREAKFAST AT BLUEGRASS AIRPORT.

THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST ALL-FEMALE VETERANS TRIP ORGANIZED BY HONOR FLIGHT KENTUCKY.

>> HONOR FLIGHT ESTHETICIAN IS TO FLY VETERANS FROM WORLD WAR II, THE KOREAN WAR AND THE VIETNAM WAR TO DC FOR A ONE-DAY ALL EXPENSES PAID TRIP TO VISIT THE MEMORIAL DEDICATED TO THEIR SERVICE.

>> WE DECIDED WE NEEDED AN ALL-FEMALE FLIGHT BECAUSE, FIRST OF ALL, IT HAD NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE IN KENTUCKY, BUT WOMEN DESERVED THAT SPECIAL EVENT TO BOND WITH EACH OTHER IN THIS MULTI-GENERATIONAL FRIDAY.

TO HONOR THEIR SERVICE.

>> I SAT AT A TABLE AND THERE WERE EIGHT OF US, DIFFERENT SERVICES ALL AROUND, AND THERE WAS 130 YEARS COMBINED SERVICE TO THE MILITARY, ARMY USUAL NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE AND IN EIGHT PEOPLE WHICH WAS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

>> IMMEDIATE HEAD TO THEIR PLANE, THESE VETERANS ARE DIFFERENT, AND CONFLICTS, WERE GREETED BY MEMBERS OF ROLLING THUNDER, LONGTIME SUPPORTERS OF HONOR FLIGHT.

THEY HELD AN AMERICAN FLAG HIGH OVERHEAD AS A SENDOFF FOR THESE WOMEN.

>> TOUCHING THAT FLAG, THE MUSIC PLAYING, YOU CAN FEEL THAT TRADITION IN YOUR HEART, ALL OF THE MEMORIES COME BACK TO WHY WE WERE HERE, WHAT WAS AIR RATIONALE FOR JOINING THE MILITARY, TO SUPPORT AND SERVE OUR COUNTRY NO MATTER WHAT.

>> SMILES AND JOY TURNED TO SOMBER MOMENTS FOR VETERAN LIKE ASHLEY HAWK INCHES HARRIS BOYING.

IN IRAQ HAWKINS EARNED THE BRONZED STAR WITH VALOR IN WHAT WOULD BECOME KNOWN AS THE PALM SUNDAY AMBUSH WHEN THEY ARE NINE-MEMBER UNIT WAS CALLED ON TO HOLD OFF 50 INSURGENTS ATTACKING AN AMERICAN CONVOY.

AS THEIR FLIGHT LEFT THE TERMINAL, IT RECEIVED A WATER CANNON SALUTE, AND THE VOICES OF THESE 134 VETERANS FILLED THE AIR.

PATRIOTIC SINGING CONTINUED AS THE GROUP WAS GREETED AT REAGAN AIRPORT BY A WEST POINT GLEE CLUB.

THE FIRST STOP FOR THESE VETERANS WAS THE WOMEN'S MEMORIAL FOR MILITARY SERVICE, DEDICATED ARLINGTON CEMETERY IN MEAN 97.

EACH WOULD RECEIVE A PLAQUE INDUCING THEM INTO THE MUSEUM.

>> SO INDUCTED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM INTO THE WOMEN'S MEMORIAL FOR MILITARY SERVICE IN ARLINGTON.

ONE OF THE MEMORIALS THAT IS DEDICATED SOLELY TO FEMALE SERVICE.

I THINK THAT WAS VERY SPECIAL FOR THEM.

>> FOLLOWING LUNCH WAS A SOLEMN MOMENT FOR ALL VETERANS AS IT IS WITH ALL AMERICANS, THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER.

THIS SPECIAL HONOR FLIGHT WOULD DESCRIBE IT THE WORLD WAR MEMORIAL, AND THEN IT WAS ON TO THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL.

WHILE APPRECIATING ALL THE HOURS ARTICLE BRUGGEMAN AND HER ORGANIZATION OF VOLUNTEERS HAD PUT INTO THEIR TRIP, EVERYONE WAS OVERWHELMED HOW AT EVERY STOP THERE WERE GROUPS READING AND HONORING -- GREETING AND HONORS THESE WOMEN WHO HAD SERVED THEIR COUNTRY.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> IT ALMOST MAKES YOU WANT TO CRY BECAUSE IT'S SO TRULY EMOTIONAL TO SEE THE PEOPLE THAT CARE SO MUCH TO BE RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF YOU.

ALL THE OTHER VETERANS STANDING AND SUPPORTING YOU.

>> FLANKING THE NAMED REFLECTING POOL EXTENDING BEFORE ABRAHAM LINCOLN, ARE MEMORIALS TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN KOREA AND VIETNAM.

MANY ON THIS HONOR FLIGHT REMEMBER WHAT THEIR SERVICE MEANT TO THEM AND TO OTHERS.

>> I I LOOK BACK TO MY SERVICE AND LOOK AT ALL THE AMAZING THINGS I GOT TO DO.

I GOT TO BUILD SCHOOLS FOR GIRLS THAT GOT TO ENJOY THOSE SCHOOLS FOR 20 YEARS, AND WHAT I HOPE IS TO BELIEVE IS THAT THOSE GIRLS IN AFGHANISTAN, THERE'S 20 YEARS OF EDUCATION FOR THOSE WOMEN RIGHT THERE.

>> PERHAPS THE MOST MOVING MOMENT OF THE DAY WAS A REFLAME CEREMONY AT THE STATUE DEDICATED TO NURSES WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM.

THE NAMES OF EIGHT NURSES ARE ETCHED FOREVER ON THE WALL.

FRANKIE OF LEXINGTON WAS A NURSE IN VIETNAM WHO FOUND SERFS CRAWLING UNDER ENEMY FIRE ACROSS HER MEDICAL COMPOUND TO GET TO THE WOUND SOLDIERS NEEDING HER HELP.

ALONG WITH FELLOW KENTUCKIANS MARGE GRAVES AND KATHY GRUM BECK, THEY REMEMBERED THE LEGACY OF THE WOMEN WHO PUT THEIR LIVES IN HARM'S WAY.

>> ALL MY VIETNAM FRIENDS WHO ARE NO LONGER ALIVE, ALL THE MEN WE TOOK CARE OF THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT, IT DIDN'T HIT ME UNTIL THEY PLAYED TAPS.

I HAD TO HOLD MYSELF TOGETHER.

>> I THINK WE'RE THE ONLY TWO HERE THAT'S FROM OUR UNIT.

FOR ME TO GET TO BE A PART OF THAT AND WATCH FRANKIE TAKE THE 2023 TO THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL AND THEN ABLE TO KIND OF SHARE IN HER MEMORIES, TOO, WAS NICE TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THAT.

>> THIS HONOR FLIGHT HAD ONE LAST STOP, THE MARINE MEMORIAL OF JIMA WHERE THEY WERE GREETED BY A 21-GUN SALUTE.

IT WAS A MOMENT THAT CONNECTED EACH VETERAN WITH ALL THE WOMEN WHO HAD WORN OUR COUNTRY'S UNIFORM.

>> IT'S BEEN THE MOST AMAZING WELL-PLANNED, THOUGHTFUL DAY EVER.

I SPENT MOST OF MY MILITARY CAREER ALONE AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SPEND IT AMONGST ALL THESE AMAZING WOMEN WITH THEIR OWN AMAZING STORIES AND JUST -- IT'S BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY FABULOUS.

>> BACK ON THE PLANE, AFTER A 15-HOUR TRIP, THIS ALL FEMALE FLIGHT WOULD HAVE ONE MORE WELCOME.

UPON DISEMBARKING A BLUEGRASS TERMINAL, THEY FOUND IT FILLED WITH A CHEERING CROWD, THANKING THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE AND SAYING, "WELCOME HOME."

>> THEIR COMMENT AFTERWARDS WERE THAT THEY WEREN'T EVEN WELCOMED HOME LIKE THAT WHEN THEY RETURNED FROM DEPLOYMENT, AND SO IT WAS THE -- IT SEALED THE DEAL FOR THE DAY AND LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THEY ARE APPRECIATED AND THAT THEIR SERVICE MATTERED.

>> Chip: WHAT A TREMENDOUS PROGRAM.

AND ONE OF OUR OWN HERE WITH US TONIGHT IT WAS ON THAT FLIGHT.

NICOLE, YOU WERE THERE, CORRECT?

>> I WAS.

I WASP.

I HAD THE GREAT PRIVILEGE TO GO ON THAT FLIGHT, AND THE WOMEN THAT WENT ON IT WITH ME WERE REMARKABLE.

THEY PAVED THE WAY FOR, MANY THEM PAVED THE WAY FOR MY GENERATION TO DO JOBS THAT TRADITIONALLY WE NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO DO LIKE ME BEING A CONSTRUCTION MECHANIC.

THEY PAVED THE WAY FOR THAT.

THE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE AND HEARTED AKE AND PAIN AND MEMORIES IS REALLY OVERWHELMING.

>> IT WAS INTERESTING SEEING THAT, THAT THERE WERE ORGANIZED PARTS OF THE PROGRAM WHERE YOU HAD CERTAIN PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO, BUT THE ORGANIC INTERACTION THAT YOU HAD WITH PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY ON THE GROUND IN DC, WHEN COMPLETE STRANGERS JUST WANDED UP TO AND YOU STUCK OUT THEIR HAND AND SAID "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE," THAT HAD TO BE AMAZING.

>> IT WAS AMAZING BECAUSE WOMEN VETERANS, WE DON'T PROMOTE OURSELVES.

YOU DON'T -- WHEN YOU SEE US IN THE GROCERY STORE, WE'RE PICKING UP SNACKS FOR OUR KIDS.

WE'RE NOT WEARING OUR IRAQ VETERAN HATS.

WE'RE NOT WEARING OUR MILITARY SHIRTS.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE MALE VETERANS, THEY ALL GOT THEIR BALL CAPS AND SO YOU RECOGNIZE THEM RIGHT AWAY, AND WE DON'T PROMOTE OURSELVES LIKE THAT BECAUSE WE OFTEN DO NOT CONSIDER OURSELVES VETERANS.

>> AND JUST A COUPLE MOMENTS WE HAVE LEFT I'LL OPEN IT UP TO THE REST OF THE GROUP.

THE VALUE OF EXPERIENCES LIKE THIS FOR VETERANS WHO MAY NOT HAVE FELT VERY WELCOMED WHEN THEY CAME HOME, WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT, DO YOU THINK?

>> IT VALIDATES THEIR SERVICE AND IT VALIDATES THEM AS A PERSON.

AND I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY SERVED WITHOUT SEEKING RECOGNITION, AND NOW IT'S IMPORTANT TO GIVE NEM RECOGNITION.

>> BRIAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK THERE'S A PRINCIPLE AND A SPIRIT OF SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY, AND WE SHOULD HONOR THAT ENDLESSLY AND EMPHATICALLY AND WHATEVER THE YEARS OF SERVICE, WHATEVER THE CONFLICT, WHETHER IT'S VIETNAM, IRAQ, WHATEVER, WE SHOULD EQUALLY HONOR THOSE VETERANS WHO SERVED.

>> AND JEREMY, WHY DO YOU THINK SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS SO IMPORTANT?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE CAN'T TAKE -- WE CAN'T TAKE SERVICE FOR GRANTED.

WE CAN'T FORGET WHAT IT TAKES TO SERVE, AND I SERVED NEXT TO WOMEN THAT I WOULD TAKE -- FIGHT ANYWHERE, JUST THEY LOVE THEIR COUNTRY.

THEY DESERVE ALL THE RECOGNITION ANYONE ELSE GETS, AND THEY'VE BEEN UNDER THE RADAR FOR FAR TOO LONG, AND I'D LIKE TO MEET A LADY VET WHO SAYS, I WAS IN THE ARMY OR I WAS IN THE NAVY TO LEAD OFF WITH THAT VERSUS I'M A MOM AND I'M A SPOUSE AND I DO THIS FOR A LIVING.

OH, AND I DID SERVE A LITTLE BIT IN THE MILITARY.

WE GOT TO GET AWAY FROM THAT.

THEY DESERVE MORE.

>> NICOLE, WITH YOU BEING ON THE FLIGHT THAT DAY, A 15-HOUR DAY I BELIEVE IS WHAT WAS SAID IN THE PACKAGE THERE.

WHEN YOU GET HOME THAT NIGHT AND YOUR HEAD HITS THE PILLOW, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

>> IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO WIND DOWN.

>> I'M SURE.

>> THE HEAD DIDN'T HIT THE PILLOW RIGHT AWAY.

IT'S QUITE A BIT TO WIND DOWN THAT NIGHT BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH EMOTION AND SO MUCH JUST BEING RECOGNIZED LIKE THAT, THE THANK YOUS, AND THESE THOUSANDS OF TOTAL STRANGERS AT THE BLUEGRASS AIRPORT HOLLERING AT YOU AND SMILING AND WAVING, IT'S AN EXPERIENCE I'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE AND I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL EVER HAVE IT AGAIN.

>> WOW, WHAT A MOMENT.

AND THE OTHER VETS REALLY DID SEEM TO APPRECIATE THAT AS WELL, CORRECT?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> THAT'S A TERRIFIC PROGRAM.

FOLKS, THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR ALL OF OUR TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PALM OF BRIAN, FILL WITH US JEREMY, NICOLE, YOU'VE GIVEN AI UGS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF INFORMATION.

THANK YOU NOT ONLY FOR THE GREAT WORK YOUR DOING ON BEHALF VETERANS BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS WELL.

YOU ARE SO APPRECIATED.

SO THAT'S GOING TO BE EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE FOR YOU THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR HONORING KENTUCKY'S VETERANS: A KET FORUM.

I'M CHIP POLSTON.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.