Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 24, the 2024 Winchester Veteran Constituent Services Fair occurred at Anna’s House on 11400 Irvine Road. 

The site, which currently houses Lady Veterans Connect, a women’s shelter that provides vital services and support for female veterans, welcomed a well-known speaker. 

Senator Rand Paul, one of two serving Kentucky in the United States Senate, spoke before a large crowd that included state senator Greg Elkins, state representative Ryan Dotson, current Clark County Judge-Executive Les Yates, PVA Jady Brady, former Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner, and more. 

“Thank you…for all you do for veterans, particularly women veterans,” said Senator Paul. “I grew up in a family of veterans.” 

Senator Paul spoke of many matters while at the event. 

Among them were the Founding Fathers of the United States’ role in deciding certain matters – such as how to go to war – in which he referenced historical figures such as James Madison, who served as the fourth President of the United States from 1809-1817.

Senator Paul also spoke of his staff’s support for veterans. 

“When the veterans come up, I think it’s our obligation to take care of [them],” he said. “We’re big advocates of having our office be available.” 

Later, during a question-and-answer portion with the audience, he also spoke of how he hopes other matters can find solutions, such as providing high-quality dental insurance coverage through the Veterans Administration. 

Senator Paul also took questions about the Medicare Advantage Plan and spoke on other health insurance-related matters. 

“I think the biggest policy change of the last 20 years…would be letting veterans have a choice to opt for local medical care as opposed to having to always go to the VA,” he said. “To me, I see no downside to that.” 

Certainly, not least, Paul spoke about fiscal matters. 

In some cases, he felt that spending could be wasteful in a way that he described as “tragically comic.” 

“There are so many stupid things we do…we spend about…a million dollars..to study Japanese quails to see if they’re more sexually promiscuous on cocaine,” he said, listing one such example. “I’m not kidding you…we do a lot of stupid stuff with our money. If we weren’t doing that, we’d also have more money for veterans.” 

At various times, Paul reiterated that certain actions that do not take place often result from financial constraints and suggested utilizing alternatives to offset proposed legislation. 

After he was finished speaking, staff stayed to take questions and offer assistance on several

matters, while different organizations – such as the VA’s Louisville Regional Office, Lexington VA Health Care System, Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs, Taxpayer Advocate Service, and Patriots Landing – offered information. 

Phyllis Abbott, Executive Director and Founder of Lady Veterans Connect, spoke. 

“I hope that [can] gain some information they need,” she said. “I hope they will have an opportunity to see what we’re doing here.”