Lexington Week of Valor honors local veterans

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022

By Susan Straub

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Lexington will again hold an annual Week of Valor this November,

a week-long celebration of those who have served in the military.
 

“The Week of Valor is a wonderful week filled with events that

honor those who have committed some portion of their lives to

protecting our country in the military,” Mayor Linda Gorton said.

“My family has always been part of the military, with my husband

retiring from the Army and our two children currently part of military families. It is important that Lexington honors and thanks our veterans and those who support them.”
 

Veterans Resources United of Central/Southeastern Kentucky (VRUCK), the City, the Kentucky National Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS), the Lexington VA Health Care System and several other organizations have planned multiple events from Nov. 5 – 12 as part of the Week of Valor.
 

Rev. James Thurman, co-chair of VRUCK, has been a driving force behind events that are part of the Week of Valor, along with his co-chairs Phyllis Abbott and Mike Sparks. “It’s great to see so many supporting the veterans community here in Fayette County,” Thurman said. VRUCK is a coalition of service providers and advocates dedicated to providing information, sponsoring events, supporting veterans in need, and connecting veterans through community interaction.

Events scheduled for the Week of Valor include a VA5K race, Gala for Women Veterans, Veterans Festival, and more. More information is available at vruck.org/event/week-of-valor.
 

Lexington’s Commission on Veterans’ Affairs is helping organize the Lexington Veterans Festival at Masterson Station Park on November 12. The festival is open to the public and will include military displays, inflatables, resources for veterans, food trucks, music, and more.
 

“Thanks to the dedication and creativity of the members of the Commission on Veterans’ Affairs, we believe this year’s Veterans Festival will honor those who have served our country and also inform and inspire others in the spirit of service,” said Brian Engle, Commission on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman. “This is very much an event for everyone, and we hope to see everyone there.”