Kentucky Department of
Veterans Affairs

Saluting Veterans on Veterans Day

No holiday says “America” the way Veterans Day does. On this day we celebrate not just our freedom, our independence, our democracy, but the sacrifices made to achieve them.

We honor those who fought on our behalf, in our defense, for our freedom. We thank those who sacrificed their time, their health, their lives. We pray for those who now serve at home, overseas, and in harm’s way.

Freedom isn’t free, independence isn’t forever, and democracy isn’t for the faint of heart.

The blessings of America have been brought to us by our veterans. Our thanks, our gratitude, our honor and our blessings to all of them.

Veterans Week 2018 Events

Lexington: VRUCK's events begin Thursday, Nov. 1 and run through Sunday, Nov. 11. The Lexington Veterans Parade will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10 beginning at 1 p.m. Details here.pdf.

Louisville: Louisville's Week of Valor begins Friday, Nov. 2 and runs through Thursday, Nov. 15. The Louisville Veterans Day Parade will be held on Friday, Nov. 9 beginning at 11 a.m. Details here.

KDVA: All four of Kentucky's State Veterans Centers will offer a full week of events, culminating in Veterans Day on Sunday, Nov. 11. Details here.

All five of Kentucky's State Veterans Cemeteries will toll the bells of their carillons as part of the national World War I Centennial Bells of Peace at 11:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Shelby County: Veterans organization and community groups will participate in the Bells of Peace on Nov. 11, then commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day with remembrances and presentations about Shelby Countians who fought and died in World War I. Details here.

November 9 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Kentucky Women Veterans Appreciation Dinner.
195 Life Lane, Lexington. Hosted by Lady Veterans Connect to honor those who serve our nation in military uniform, the dinner will feature guest speakers, entertainment, food, and gifts for those in attendance. RSVP by November 3rd! To register or receive more information, contact Executive Director Phyllis Abbott at info@ladyveteransconnect.org.

November 10 11:00 AM Bataan Death March Memorial.
Old Fort Harrod State Park. Join the 103rd BSB, Kentucky National Guard in honoring the 66 Harrodsburg Tankers who endured the Bataan Death March in 1942. Start the day at 8:00 AM with a 6.6-mile run/walk/march event; Opening Ceremonies at 11:00 AM with a Parade at 1:00 PM! Visit the Bataan Museum in the Lincoln House. See helicopter flyovers. Movie presentations at the Fort Harrod Amphitheater with showtime hourly! Get close up with military vehicles after the parade!
All events are FREE and open to the public. Find out more by visiting www.facebook.com/vfw6935/ or contact Jim Stinnett at 859-612-7363 or via email at jb.stinnett66@gmail.com.

November 10 11:00 AM 2018 Veterans Grave Flag-In Event.
Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville. Sponsored by Humana, Louisville area volunteers are invited to help place flags on 7,500 veteran graves in preparation for Veterans Day. Park your car and gather at Breckinridge School, 1351 Payne Street, which is within 100 feet of the U.S. Military Section of Cave Hill. Flags will be passed out and all will enter the cemetery as a group at 11:00 AM. Strollers and wagons are OK. No bikes or pets allowed. For more information, contact Mr. Fred Moore, Executive Director, Flags4Vets at 502-931-0374 or moore@theUSflag.com.

November 10 8:00 AM-9:30 AM EKU Commemoration Ceremony for 100th Anniversary of World War I.
Crabbe library, Second Floor, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond. The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs will conduct a Remembrance Day ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that brought World War One to a close. The ceremony will begin with a reading of the names of all Kentuckians who died as a result of the war, and pay special tribute to four members of Eastern State Normal College who perished in service to the nation. Parking will be available along University Drive. Individuals who would like to participate in the reading of the names may contact OMVA at 859-622-8676. For more information, contact Ms. Claire Jennings at Claire.jennings@eku.edu or Mr. Jerry Wallace at 859-622-1598 or via email at jerry.wallace@eku.edu.

November 10 10:00 AM-11:00 AM EKU Annual Veterans Memorial Service.
Memorial Plaza (Mediation Chapel), Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond. The Department of Military Science will host its annual Veterans Memorial Service at the Veterans Wall in Memorial Plaza next to the Mediation Chapel. The service will pay tribute to the service of all veterans and recognize the sacrifice of four Eastern State Normal College students from that era and one Vietnam Veterans, whose names will be added to the Veterans Memorial Wall. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will move inside the chapel. Closest parking is in the Commonwealth/Palmer lots or near the Science building. Limited handicap parking is available in the west side of Case Dining Hall off of Roy and Sue Kidd Way, which is adjacent to Memorial Plaza. For more information, contact Ms. Claire Jennings at Claire.jennings@eku.edu or Mr. Jerry Wallace at 859-622-1598 or via email at jerry.wallace@eku.edu.

November 10 1:00 PM EKU Halftime Tribute to Veterans.
Hanger Field, Roy Kidd Stadium, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond. Eastern Kentucky University will celebrate veterans’ service to the nation with a special annual Halftime Tribute to Veterans during the football game against Robert Morris University. Veterans will congregate behind their service flags in the south end zone immediately prior to halftime and be escorted onto the field as the Marching Colonels play each service’s hymn. All veterans are welcome to participate. FREE tickets are available to active military and veterans who show identification at the stadium box office. Two free tickets, one for the service member and one guest, plus discounted tickets for other guests. For more information, contact Ms. Claire Jennings at Claire.jennings@eku.edu or Mr. Jerry Wallace at 859-622-1598 or via email at jerry.wallace@eku.edu.

November 11 4:00 PM Dedication of 30,000 Sq. Ft. Plaza and Freedom Wall.
Veterans Park, Jeffersontown. For more information, contact Mr. John Wright at 502-548-3143
or via email at johnboyusmc@msn.com.

Reaching Out for Veterans Day

KDVA General Counsel Dennis Shepherd gave a presentation at Morning Pointe East in Lexington with veteran and former Fayette County Judge- Executive Jon Larsen (standing in back.) They presented certificates to the veterans present.

Spotlight: Veterans Day Observance in Kentucky

KRS 158.075 Veterans Day observance in public schools:

All public schools shall observe Veterans Day under this section.

(1) On Veterans Day, or one (1) of the five (5) school days preceding Veterans Day, one (1) class or instructional period shall be devoted to the observance of Veterans Day.

(2) Students shall assemble in one (1) or more groups, as decided by the school principal, to attend the Veterans Day program.

(3) The program shall be approved by the principal and, at a minimum, shall consist of a teacher and a veteran speaking on the meaning of Veterans Day.

(4) To develop a Veterans Day program, Kentucky public schools are encouraged to seek advice from the Kentucky Department of Veterans' Affairs and veterans' service organizations, including but not limited to the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Spotlight: American Flag Display

2.040 United States flag to be displayed on public buildings and schools -- To be supplied schools.

(1) The flag of the United States shall be displayed on the main administration buildings of every public institution, and, during school days, either from the flagstaff or, in inclement weather, within the school building of every schoolhouse.

(2) The flag, with staff or flagpole, shall be provided for every schoolhouse.

(3) All official flags of the United States purchased by a public institution shall be manufactured in the United States.

Spotlight: The WWI Armistice Anniversary Became Veterans Day

The Armistice between the warring nations of WWI was signed on November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. For 23 years, Americans recognized the 11 hour of the 11th day of the 11th month as Armistice Day, the end of the War to End All Wars.

After World War II, Armistice Day was re-named Veterans Day to accomodate those who fought in the most recent war.

As KDVA Deputy Commissioner Heather French Henry wrote in an Armistice Day op-ed, it was the needs of World War I veterans that prompted Congress of the time to expand benefits for veterans, including insurance, disability compensation and vocational rehabilitation.

Two Ways to Stay Informed:

Sign up for text alerts. We send these no more than two or three times per week, always to call attention to imminent events of interest to veterans. Text Follow kyveterans to 40404.

Join the KDVA listserve. We send no more than two or three emails per day about events and issues importatnt to veterans. If you wish to be added to the listserve, please email lisa.aug@ky.gov.