Parade honors Thomson-Hood veterans
Published 1:35 pm Thursday, June 4, 2020
Siblings Trey and Ashlyn Elliott of Nicholasville display a message of love during the parade Friday at Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore.Their older sister is Paige. Brook Elliott is their mom.
Siblings Trey and Ashlyn Elliott of Nicholasville display a message of love during the parade Friday at Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore.
"Thank you for your service," says a message to residents of the Thomson-Hood Veterans Center during a parade Friday.
"Thank you for your service," says a message to residents of the Thomson-Hood Veterans Center during a parade Friday.
Residents of Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore were taken outside Friday afternoon to watch the parade in their honor. Organizers say the veterans, who haven't been allowed to have in-person visits because of the coronavirus, said they enjoyed the occasion.
Residents of Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore were taken outside Friday afternoon to watch the parade in their honor. Organizers say the veterans, who haven't been allowed to have in-person visits because of the coronavirus, said they enjoyed the occasion.
A little girl shows her support for veterans with a patriotic tiara and a display of flags.
A little girl wishes her papaw a happy birthday durng a parade at the Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore Friday.
Participants in the Thomson-Hood Veterans Center wave tiny American flags to show their support for the veterans and their country.
Drs. Travis and Vanessa Ruda rode in their convertible in the Thomson-Hood Veterans Center parade Friday.
Classic cars were a big part of the parade Friday at Thomson-Hood veterans center. Several of the residents said they liked seeing the cars.
Classic cars were a big part of the parade Friday at Thomson-Hood veterans center. Several of the residents said they liked seeing the cars.
Classic cars were a big part of the parade Friday at Thomson-Hood veterans center. Several of the residents said they liked seeing the cars.
Bobby Rorer's family wishes him a happy 96th birthday during a parade Friday at Thomson-Hood Veterans Center.
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Residents of the Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore were feted with a parade last Friday.
There was a JROTC color guard, police cars with sirens sounding, a twirling dancer with a sheer purple cloth, colorful classic cars in mint condition and many families waving flags and displaying signs honoring grandparents who served their country.
“We just wanted to show them … ‘We still care for you guys, and we still love you,” said Kara Ostroske, 16, a summer volunteer at the state veterans home who came up with the idea and took the lead in organizing the event.
She said the veterans have been shut in during the coronavirus pandemic, and their families are only allowed “window visits,” so this was a way of getting them outside and letting them know their families and communities were thinking about them.
“It turned out to be a lot bigger than I thought it would be,” she said. “It was awesome!”
Allison Jones, activities director for the nursing home, said there were many families there, including relatives of one of the residents, Bobby Rorer, who turned 96 that day.
Jones said Rorer’s doctor called her about his birthday and said she would like to do something for him, and the birthday celebration just happened to coincide with the parade.
“He was so surprised. He didn’t know anything about it,” Jones said. Earlier that day, she said, he was a little disappointed that he had only gotten one card, but she told him not to worry, that she thought he would get more. And afterward, his family visited him outside his window.
“The residents loved the cool cars” especially, she said, after talking with some of them.
And they were happy that so many people came out to see them, she said.
About Randy Patrick
Randy Patrick is a reporter for Bluegrass Newsmedia, which includes The Jessamine Journal. He may be reached at 859-759-0015 or by email at randy.patrick@bluegrassnewsmedia.com.
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