The Carl M. Brashear Radcliff Veterans Center is dedicated to serving Kentucky’s veterans by fostering independence, preserving dignity, and providing compassionate care. Located in Radcliff, Kentucky, this state veterans home features 120 beds and operates under the Community Living Center (CLC) model, offering all private suites with private baths. The facility is designed with a warm, homelike atmosphere, featuring a country kitchen, spacious dining room, and lounge area in each of its four neighborhoods, each comprising three households that accommodate 10 veterans.

Each neighborhood includes a covered porch, enclosed courtyard, and private entrances, promoting a sense of community and privacy for residents. The center also houses a community center that encompasses rehabilitative services, administrative staff, and a great room suitable for both large and small functions.

The Carl M. Brashear Radcliff Veterans Center actively engages veterans in arts programming, offering workshops in songwriting, storytelling, painting, and crafts. Led by community artists, these workshops inspire creativity and foster social interaction among residents. The center has also hosted exhibitions showcasing the artwork created by veterans.

The center is named after Carl M. Brashear, the first black master diver in the U.S. Navy, who achieved this honor in 1970. A native of Sonora, Brashear rose from poverty and fought to continue his undersea career after becoming an amputee. His inspiring story gained prominence in the 2000 film "Men of Honor". Brashear passed away in 2006, but his legacy continues to inspire veterans at the center that bears his name.

Organization's statement

It is an astounding privilege to be nominated for this Governor’s Award. To be included among the distinguished individuals and organizations that have previously received this honor is both humbling and inspiring. This recognition reflects our commitment to the arts within the Carl M. Brashear Radcliff Veterans Center, where we strive to empower veterans through music, painting, and songwriting. The ability to provide our veterans with opportunities to engage in the performing arts creates a sense of normalcy and connection to the lives they once led. It fosters an environment where they can participate in and help build a program that is meaningful to them, allowing them to reconnect with their passions.

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is the songwriting project led by Tamara Stewart, which offers our veterans a unique arena to express their triumphs and struggles. Through this program, veterans are encouraged to put their invisible scars to paper, allowing them to release the emotional burdens they carry. By discussing difficult situations in a supportive group setting, they gain a sense of freedom and healing that can help alleviate PTSD symptoms. The process of crafting lyrics and melodies culminates in the creation of powerful and meaningful music that speaks to their experiences. Recently, our veterans had the incredible opportunity to record their songs in a Nashville studio, leading up to our upcoming "Lest We Forget" concert on Nov. 8, 2024, at The Historic State Theater in Elizabethtown. This event marks the fifth year of the songwriting project, and we are proud to continue adding new veterans to the group while providing one-on-one sessions that make a difference in their lives.

Our work speaks volumes to non-Kentuckians about the vibrant community we are fostering within the region. The Life Enrichment team goes above and beyond to ensure our veterans remain engaged with the arts, bringing knowledge, entertainment, and music directly to them. Events featuring talented musicians, such as Jody Ingalls, have highlighted how music has evolved throughout history, resonating with the veterans and enriching their experiences. Lorinda Jones has also played a pivotal role by providing access to instruments and musical education that would otherwise be unavailable within the Center.

Tamara Stewart's songwriting project has not only benefited our veterans but has also expanded beyond Kentucky, reaching veterans in Oregon and inspiring others to develop similar programs. Recently, representatives from the Department of Veteran Affairs visited our center and took information about Tamara Stewart's work to implement in Tennessee. Our goal is to empower all state veterans homes to enrich their programs with the transformative power of the arts, fostering creativity and connection among veterans across the country.