>> Others there is most definitely a healing process here.

>> Together and war together in peace.

How staying connected is helping Kentucky veterans.

>> Why would that be homeless for a couple months?

I live in a truck stop and think about the truck.

Stop.

>> The program that's giving veterans hope and a home.

Pretty impressive.

>> He's hoping to use and >> and hear from one Kentucky veteran who helped usher in the Atomic age.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Endowment for Kentucky Productions.

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Friday Veterans Day.

Thank you so much for joining us.

I'm Renee Shaw.

>> We're devoting the show tonight to our military veterans.

According to the U.S. Department for Veterans Affairs, we're losing at least 19 veterans each day to suicide, an organization in northeastern Kentucky is working to change that.

Warrior Ridge is a nonprofit dedicated to reconnecting veterans who served together overseas.

Its founders believed that connection is key to supporting soldiers once they return home.

>> I mean, as a veteran, you feel so I mean, honored to be able to serve your country.

I mean, it's the best thing I've ever done.

But at the same time, when you come home, it's just such an adjustment and it's kind of like when you get out of the military, you're just out.

There is no transition process.

There's nothing you just turn your uniform and turn your gear and you're you're done.

You go.

So I moved into my grandparents farm and the cabinets in the middle of nowhere that started inviting my buddies up.

You know, my team, I went down pretty hard and my brothers are there for me.

So started inviting them up to the farm and us all how beneficial it was for me.

So that was started inviting other veterans.

And then it was just so beneficial was like, man.

That's what these guys need.

The first deployments.

I was an invasion 2003 from 2003 and then I win 2005, 2006 to wreck and then 2008, 2009 and a rack.

>> And Afghanistan, 2013, 2014, you build a brotherhood.

You build a.

A unity between one another.

So when you when you find out, you get to be with these guys for a few days.

It's it's like you haven't seen a close relative lack of a close brother.

>> And so long you can't wait to come up here.

>> What happens is the nominee.

One veteran that we know is struggling by doing that.

We bring their team back together.

They show up on a Thursday.

That's a travel day.

That's when the reconnection actually happens.

That's when they see each other for the first time since I mean, years, we get them here and then Friday, you know, we provide obviously all the meals and we hang out at a creek in the summertime and taken kayak and then the bonfire happens every evening being together out in nature, disconnected from the cell phones.

And being together and sit by the bonfire over there talking.

I mean, >> we got out of vehicles on that Thursday and we didn't stop talking until Monday afternoon at 12 o'clock.

We want him to stay in contact.

>> Our only job here is to reconnect these guys and figure out a way where they stay in contact because they have each other's backs.

We know that they proved that in the worst times.

So we've got to do is KET in contact.

That's it.

And it's so easy they leave here.

They are in constant contact every day.

They have a big group thread going right now and just about every morning summit.

Hey, good morning brothers and this and that, you know, and there they are.

A couple of them have told me, hey, it was hard going home and readjusting going back to we're going to normal life.

But they still have something to look forward to.

A couple days after they left here.

One of the guys tax man, he said, hey, man, 363 days in the wake up until we're back at Warrior Ridge, there's a there's most definitely a healing process here.

Get them back together, man, KET them in constant contact that way.

They'll have the support system the need for the rest of their lives.

And we're going to put a dent in a suicide rate.

You watch and see.

>> Warrior Ridge holds 40 retreats each year.

An organization and Shelby County helps veterans and their time of need, especially those who need a place to live and 2020 veterans role outreach opened the Veterans Village 6 Tiny homes and downtown Shelbyville.

It also includes a newly renovated community center for Food and Fellowship.

Our Laura Rogers takes us there.

>> Illinois served 5 years in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1998 to 2003.

>> Our way back open now and 2001 on September.

11th, we've got a call over the airplane radio that the plans have hit the Twin Towers.

>> Boy was in Afghanistan 2 months later.

Upon leaving the military, he pursued various professions and interest until a series of setbacks.

Leptin living out of his truck.

>> I don't know where I'd be without.

This.

But as I I was in a row about players for a good while.

>> But now he's in a good place.

February will mark 2 years that Hawaii has lived here at the Veterans Village in Shelbyville and neighborhood of tiny homes.

Each 360 square feet.

>> There's 5 other guys here in the community and we help each other out saved my life.

I >> the village serves as transitional housing until a veteran is back on solid footing for Hoy.

That's literal as he's currently nursing an ankle injury, which has delayed his departure.

This is helped me mentally, like said, I don't know where I would be right now if it wasn't for.

>> They are.

>> This entire project is absolutely amazing and started with $3,000 and and grown now and 2.

Over $600,000 Project.

I never had to ask for a painting him on.

At the time that we thought was running out of money.

God seeing somebody walk up and giving it to.

>> The Veterans Village is a concept born from a group of Vietnam veterans who started a food bank in 2015 through that outrage, they realized there were other needs in the community.

>> Our whole nation immediate needs just trying to KET all of veterans and their homes not to become homeless.

>> Along with his military service, Pippin is also a retired veterinarian and says he finds purpose and fulfillment and helping veterans who have fallen on hard times.

>> Let's add party leave the military services to sort of like, okay, you've done your time you know, so been separated from their families safe.

Had tours overseas.

>> Veterans rule outrage provides counseling and community.

Well, they are served in the army including Desert Storm from 1988 to 1992.

He moved into this tiny home 2 months ago.

>> It's a great place and everybody around is friendly, although that.

Veterans have been very, you know, we talk a lot and all that and help each other out.

>> His goal is to get a house in the next year.

It is rose gold to get them the support they need to get back on track with things like bills, budgeting and benefits.

Got to set up with a financial planner helping us with money management helping us with life skills and really setting us up and to a place where we leave here.

And a better place for me pump.

>> The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs gave $75,000 to renovate the community Center.

Otherwise the local community has donated all of the funds for the project.

Veterans role outreach serves veterans in Shelby and surrounding counties.

The group tells us they hope this is a pilot project for more affordable housing options across Kentucky.

A northern Kentucky organization is demonstrating the power of peer to peer veteran support.

Patriots landing is more than a community center.

It's a safe place where veterans can connect with others who understand their experiences both past and present.

And they just might leave with a few new carpentry skills.

>> We are a world Faith-Based veterans Our mission has been over the last 12 years, too enhanced the lives of veterans and their families we help them heal through creating products with a purpose under the parks.

And we're standing out today and Patriots landing, which is our brand new forever home here in Williamstown, Kentucky.

>> Patriots landings important to veterans and the community that have come back as a place to.

Join together.

Have some camaraderie and a positive a lot of what we see with veterans come back in from the point man for war.

Or just regular military service.

Is when they come home, they lose the camaraderie and the kinship.

The Brotherhood.

Just doesn't exist as much as it was when they were active duty.

So what this is is a place where, you know, rekindle that.

>> Just like the men, the women have stories they need to tell.

Everybody has a different story based on where they come from and being that female is very much a difference story.

So this place adds to that Perry Patriot's Landing adds to that because it it gives us a place to tell our story.

>> Whatever we can make here, the limit is just our imagination.

You know, we have a few core products that we stick with the flags.

The crosses the address signs, but primarily the flag cases, the flag cases are really important to us because we don't want to see a veteran flag going a flag cases making for our country.

This is hours.

We want to make sure that we maintain bill by Americans, veterans in the United States.

Each piece is unique and we call them perfectly imperfect because >> there's really only one item that we make that we expect.

>> Perfection, we're as close to as possible.

♪ Our signature item is our craft or burial fly cases.

We started trying to figure out how to build a barrel fly case.

And we did it.

And that's that's where I would say we shifted from first year, kind of just making cornhole boards and shipping them off all over the world.

Doing that to wow.

I think we can create.

>> Something special.

I remember thinking that what I hope as the founder and board chair for Patriot's Landing is that we've we get more and more and more veterans involved and engaged.

We've always said, you know, if we help just say one life right, this one life that's worth it.

>> Indeed, Patriot's Landing as the sole provider of fly cases to Arlington National Cemetery.

One of the largest military cemeteries in the country.

A new veterans center in Bowling Green has a new name honoring the project's longtime champion 5 years after his passing.

More now on the center and its namesake.

>> A long-awaited nursing home for veterans in Bowling Green will be called the Robert E Spiller Bowling Green Veteran Center couldn't have a grill >> orders or run with.

>> The naming officially announced in a special ceremony at the Kentucky Transport for the nursing home remains under construction.

>> What this is really hot We're locating another business and another business at another business.

And you know what they chose to do with some of that property to to put it aside and donate it for our veterans.

That's really special.

I'm really proud of all and great for doing that.

>> It comes after years of work on behalf of the project from lawmakers, including state Representative Michael Meredith.

is a special day where we get to celebrate Colonel Robert Spiller and his legacy and 3 pieces of legislation including the most recent House Bill 2, which allocated another 16 million dollars to the center's construction ridge-like.

>> The federal government told us that we had to have it all already appropriated, but now we can be pretty convincing, especially when we're talking about what's right for our veterans.

And so once we got the federal government to extend the period of time, we KET that we could pass it very quickly in the General Assembly.

It was unanimous.

He signed it right on the spot.

Just everybody coming together in Frankfort to do the right thing.

Colonel Spiller and his wife, Cory Jane were longtime fixtures in the Bowling Green community.

You KET the colonel and you KET anything about him.

>> What you KET was his devotion to this community and his devotion to his fellow veterans.

Many of their family in attendance today, including their son, Bob Spiller and his great grandchild.

>> I look at this honor as a culmination of their lives were just trying to help their fellow human beings having his name on this facility.

That is taking care of veterans is just unbelievable.

>> Veterans expressing appreciation to have this in their community saying it's a fills a major need the extra many, many that frontier where >> So this is where World Place facility.

>> For Kentucky Edition, I'm Laura Rogers.

The Robert E Spiller Bowling Green Veteran Center is expected to be completed in 2024.

Some high schoolers are getting a taste of the military life and getting their lives back on track.

The Bluegrass Challenge Academy located in Fort Knox is an alternative residential school that follows a military model to help at-risk teens better themselves.

♪ >> The biggest problem that we have seen is an academic of around the country is young folks that are not succeeding in normal traditional school to felon out of school where they're struggling drugs.

They're struggling with mental health issues.

They're struggling with trying to and into.

Be able to be productive to be able to find their way to have low self 16.

They are not motivated.

So we see many of those kids that do enter into our program that have those type of issues.

>> The real reason why kind of came here is because I was falling behind in school.

I didn't really listen to my parents much.

Kind of do what I want to also really didn't have no goals or anything like that.

Just kind of live biggest.

It's a pain.

>> Didn't want to go to school.

They want to wake up.

So we had turned to problems.

So and his grace, her family really, really bad.

And so we're just looking for that.

Another option more on hand for discipline and structure.

And we found Chris Challenge Academy and they for a blessing.

♪ >> My job is to reclaim in intervening into youth that are struggling with school.

What life and to welcome them into a program that is 22 weeks lull where we can help them with their academics as well as with life coping skills, self-discipline, it a motivation for them to be to get back on the right track in become productive.

Citizens came here and then I started really getting on track to learn discipline.

>> I learned my comment is too much structure realizing that you need structure realize you need those.

And then now I'm a straight a student which I was before I came here.

I had like all these.

I wanted to us.

So, you know, my grades have improved tremendously.

>> We I can't go whoa on break.

The parents call back and say what did you do to my kid?

He gets up at 5.20.

He's making his big hit.

>> He's he's saying, yes, there are no, ma'am.

>> That's what the us.

We teach us teach kids to be respectful and everybody deserve the dignity and respect.

And with that model and we instill that in the first couple weeks and throughout the program, we it's still the model of leadership and follow ship.

Each cadet has a role to lead their peers.

We put them in charge and then did a good follower you.

It makes you a good amount.

>> Justin has become this great responsible, you know, teenager in before you is the last, you know.

he has now structure.

He has discipline.

He has respect for, you know, adults in authority figures that he did not have before you went into the school.

I think that it was a really good experience for me.

Meeting new people getting getting along with people you've never met before.

>> So most are restarting over.

Who's to move past something like that?

In I just I enjoyed it.

The fact learned actually came in and took something from it and didn't just come here in the deep enough.

>> once >> they believe in the process and they're ready to accept a change.

They're going to be successful at the end.

And there are only be tears at graduation because they were able to accept the challenge and overcome all those things that they've been struggling with as young adults and get back on track and ready to go out and let the world know that they're ready and they'll track ♪ >> Winners indeed.

The Bluegrass Challenge Academy welcomes its new class of cadets on January.

15th.

It will be the 50th group of students to enter the program.

The McLean County veteran who lost his military medals and a House fire now has them back.

Our Laura Rogers was there as U.S.

Senator Rand Paul recognized the American hero and a special ceremony in Bowling Green.

>> This is our Richard Smith of Sacramento, Kentucky served as a sergeant with the 100st Airborne Division and Vietnam.

>> He put his life on the lawn.

I got the silver medal which goes for extraordinary heroism and a lot about all that Silver Star was one of several awards and honors that Smith lost when his home caught fire in Twenty-twenty.

That bar fight.

35 minutes.

The structure was gone.

He initially was just thankful.

No one was hurt, but over time would reflect on the military honors that defined.

>> Such a pivotal time in his young life.

>> They were all put on the 105 General Pan de Silva from Smith's nurse learned he had lost his medals.

She encouraged him to reach out about having them replaced.

>> It is a very exact process because we don't get people battle they don't deserve.

So we have to go back.

We have to document who they were when they We have to document the things that happened.

All the evidence was there and we're glad replaces battles.

>> MS commander was in attendance today to speak on the heroic and quick thinking actions that help save lives back in April 1969, I talked >> It's like a fraction been put on it.

We It's similar to when combat brother family.

And that got me to the reunions.

>> He says he takes pride in fulfilling his patriotic duty.

I believe if you're not proud of yourself, we can be proud to be flying around.

And so with that, go with it, material, things.

Thanks to your heart.

You care for people last.

Great show for it.

He's a big time.

I got much of today honoring the past, but also the future of the military with a show of support from the McLean County ROTC.

to me are warming effort to try say thank you for your service to the country.

>> We work hard and and we try to do right by everybody for Kentucky edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

>> We thank you.

Laura Rogers, what a great story.

One Kentucky man was honored earlier this year for his time working at an atomic weapon site.

And 93 year-old Jerry will Brant says he was honored to serve and receive the recognition.

>> Just making.

>> But Jerry will brand is more than just a mechanic.

He's an atomic veterans, atomic veterans or military members who participated in nuclear related activities after World War.

2 for 1962.

These vets participated in nuclear weapons tests, remove radiation from equipment or were exposed to it like veterans assigned to serve in Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the United States detonated the bombs fat man, a little boy at the end of World War.

2.

♪ The US's nuclear weapons program conducted over 200 tests tournament time with more than 400,000 service members playing a role.

Many of the members didn't know the risks of being involved and some suffered health issues because of the work.

going on and in.

Then worry about them.

It's like in.

Anywhere else you want interesting.

You know, actively doing it.

And the >> Serving in Sacramento during the Korean War.

Jerry took to the skies and a B.

29 after atomic weapons tests and R B 20 and >> we fly around the town.

And he that planes from flying into it.

>> They ensured no one else was exposed to the cloud and the dangerous radiation inside.

But Jerry says that the time he didn't think much about the tests instead, he says something else was on his mind.

>> The maturing and >> the Despite the joking Jerry knows what some of his fellow atomic veterans went through.

>> Many face medical issues because of their exposure to radiation were denied help from the government.

I think they just kept in the in addition up to Milan to air.

You know, getting things.

>> Jerry lived a life doing things.

Most people only read about like chasing hurricanes are exploring the Bermuda Triangle.

But even with his list of adventures, the detonation of the atomic bomb stuck with him.

♪ >> pretty impression.

He's helping are accusing.

>> His orders to report to the now shuttered McClellan, Air Force Base near Sacramento are still in pristine condition.

There.

He along with other soldiers would fly from that base to Indian Springs, Nevada or nuclear tests were conducted.

Yes, photos from a testy witness at the site photos of the event.

Many hope to never see again.

>> Most people on the night know.

And if all you know, if what happened, that courage is.

Thanks to an image, they are to be highly.

>> Appreciated how Lee Gore fire.

>> Danny Glover is commander of American Legion Post.

38 Cherry has been a member of the American Legion for 67 years.

He says all veterans need to be respected for their role but noted the unique challenges atomic veterans faced during and after their service.

>> They've sacrificed so much.

A lot of them are no longer with us.

A lot of them didn't live to the ripe old age.

The jury is and certainly not in the condition.

He's in.

>> Jerry will Brandt was honored for his time as an atomic veterans.

He was given a plaque and a challenge.

Coin ascribed with the Atomic Veterans libel.

But even as I tried to get Jerry to talk about his time, seeing one of man's most powerful creations that I could talk about.

>> Jerry said down for an interview.

>> He spent time talking about the good old days saying wonders and sharing it with his fellow soldiers.

>> Terrorism and doing it.

You know.

I guess a u N and that an insurer and soon some but 2.

Put up in it.

Sheen I seen before.

For Kentucky edition.

I'm Casey Parker Bell >> thank you, Casey, for sharing that story.

The last nuclear test carried out by the U.S. was a 1992.

Well, we hope you've enjoyed this special edition of Kentucky edition.

As we honor our veterans and to each and everyone who is served.

Thank you for your service.

We are truly grateful.

Thank you for watching Kentucky EDITION this week will be right back with you.

Monday night.

Same time.

Same station.

Have a great weekend to come.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪