The following is a Veteran’s Day Message from State Senator Robby Mills, R-Henderson:
Trampus Miller lost a leg to an improvised bomb in Iraq in 2008. His recovery at Walter Reed Medical Center took three and a half years and more than 100 surgeries. Later, he attended a deer hunt through Jason’s Box, a Paris, Kentucky, nonprofit that provides free outdoor activities for severely injured veterans.
Miller recalled “just realizing you’re not alone” during that first hunt. He stayed on as a volunteer and now helps coordinate activities for other veterans.
There’s something special about a community where people look out for one another. In our part of western Kentucky, we take pride in that. Miller’s experience shows how much a simple invitation and a little fellowship can mean to someone finding their way after military service.
Veterans Day gives us a chance to thank the men and women who defended our country, but our appreciation shouldn’t be limited to one day in November.
Throughout western Kentucky, generations of families have answered the call to serve. With Fort Campbell nearby, many of our communities have longstanding connections to military life. We understand that spouses, children, parents, and loved ones back home share the sacrifices of service.
When a veteran returns to civilian life, having a community ready to welcome them matters.
That’s why the General Assembly has worked to make Kentucky a better place for veterans and military families to put down roots.
Kentucky VALOR (Veterans Accelerated Licensure Occupational Recruitment), supported through successive state budgets, helps transitioning service members and their spouses connect with employers throughout the commonwealth. It also helps translate military training into civilian credentials and careers. During its September 2026 presentation to lawmakers, the program reported nearly 250 placements in Kentucky jobs.
We have also taken steps to recognize the skills veterans already possess. Eligible veterans and military spouses with equivalent out-of-state credentials can obtain Kentucky credentials within 30 days of a completed application, subject to applicable safeguards and requirements. Qualifying military training and experience can also count toward professional licensing requirements.
These are practical ways to show respect for the time, training and sacrifice that military service requires.
Our state budget also provides $300,000 annually for emergency financial assistance to homeless veterans, along with additional staffing at the Thomson-Hood and Western Kentucky veterans centers. These investments must be followed by accountability to ensure veterans receive the help they need.
But some of the best ways to support veterans don’t require a government program. They happen at the local church, the county fair, the family farm or a community gathering where someone makes an effort to include a veteran.
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we’re reminded that our nation’s independence has endured because generations were willing to defend it.
Our veterans have already done their part. Some may want to open a small business, go back to school, raise a family or enjoy retirement. Whatever path they choose, they deserve our encouragement.
This Veterans Day, I am grateful for every veteran who calls our region home. Let us honor their service not only with words, but by continuing to be the kind of neighbors they can count on.
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