Lexington VA Volunteers Honored at Annual Awards Luncheon

Annual Awards Recognize Outstanding Volunteers

On Thursday, a special awards ceremony and luncheon was organized by Lexington’s Veterans Affairs Health Care to honor the selfless individuals who volunteer their time at the two local campuses and outpatient clinics. Around 40 volunteers were present in the auditorium at the Sousley Campus, off Leestown Road, to receive recognition and gratitude for their unmatched contributions.

A Celebration of Impact

Lexington VA Acting Director, Phil Brown, thanked the volunteers for their unwavering dedication. “Thank you for lending your servant’s heart, to serving others. You all could serve anywhere else that you want to, you could volunteer anywhere else you want to, but choose VA to help us take care of veterans,” Brown said.

The VA Volunteer Service Officer, Patrick Sinclair, shared that the volunteers had generously donated over 10,000 hours in the past year, providing services estimated to be worth $201,000.

Highest Honors to Dedicated Volunteer

The highlight of the event was the presentation of Lexington VA’s top volunteer honor, the Troy Bowling Award. Named after the person for whom the VA’s Bowling Campus is named, the honor this year was bestowed on Doyle Rambo, an 89-year-old former Army reservist and Marine with a keen sense of humor.

When asked about his volunteering routine, Rambo humorously replied, “I shuffle magazines to the different rooms; that’s a charade. I walk into a room. And there’ll be two or three people sitting around doing nothing. And when I leave, they’re all smiling and talking to each other.”

On being queried about his plans on continuing his volunteer work at VA, a determined Rambo said, “I have no plans to throttle back and sit down somewhere and watch TV.”

Continued Support for Volunteer Work

This annual luncheon is not just a celebration, but also recognition of the tireless work and commitment of the volunteers. Their contribution to the Veterans Affairs Health Care in Lexington is an invaluable asset, making a significant difference to the lives of veterans. It is a strong testament to community support and volunteerism, reminding us of the positive impacts such selfless acts can bring.