Kentucky Veterans Brigade
Bob Belcher, KVB Representative from Bowling Green, Jim Manley, Finance Officer Post 23, Bowling Green, and Bill Lagermann, Membership Officer, Post 65 Edmonton-Metcalfe County KY with a load of clothing for veterans. Photo by Chris Lagermann
By Chris Lagermann
American Legion Post 65, Edmonton-Metcalfe County Kentucky is currently running a clothing drive to benefit the Kentucky Veterans Brigade (KVB) in Bowling Green Kentucky. The drive has been going on for several weeks. On Monday, April 5, Bill and Chris Lagermann delivered a truckload of clothing to the organization that filled four shopping carts and a flat-bed cart to help support the KVB.
The Kentucky Veterans Brigade is comprised of reservists, civilian patriots, and veterans working together to improve the lives of Kentucky veterans and their families by providing food, clothing, and household goods as needed. The KVB’s Mission State is “Kentucky Veterans Brigade unites civilian patriots with local veterans to bring honor, stability, and support to those veterans in need.”
If anyone is interested in finding out more about the Kentucky Veteran’s Brigade, check out www.kyveteransbrigade.org. President Bob “Gunny” Wilson’s phone number is (270) 999-3693 and the email address is kentuckyveteransbrigade@gmail.com. If a veteran would like to request assistance from the KVB a readable and verifiable copy of the veteran’s DD-214 and a picture ID is necessary. The DD-214 might be verified by a third party such as Community Action of Southern Kentucky, the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), or another Veteran-centered organization KVB partner.
The Veterans Appreciation Center is located close to the VA Clinic at 600 US 31W Bypass, Fairview Plaza in Bowling Green. The Center is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for veterans to come in and pick out clothing, shoes, books, and other supplies at no charge. Veterans in need can apply for Temporary Housing for Transitional or Homeless Veterans. Veterans can apply for financial assistance for utilities and auto repair as well as many other items or situations. Every application is considered on a case-by-case basis.
There are many ways one can get involved with this organization including monetary donations and volunteering to participate and support KVB functions and events. Volunteers can also help by picking up and delivering donations. There are many ways to help to make life better for those veterans who have given so much to this country.
Bill Lagermann, Post 65 Membership Officer stated “We are very grateful for all the people who have given generously to help support our veterans. Post 65 appreciates Lisa Boswell and her staff at Bowling Park for allowing our Post to collect clothing at the Bowling Park Gym. This has been a very positive community activity for our community.” The clothing drive will continue through the month of April.
Bill Lagermann unloading his truck at the KVB location. Photo by Chris Lagermann
