As we approach Veterans Day on Nov. 11, please join me in taking time to honor the brave veterans in the communities we serve and those who work alongside us here at NiSource.
More than ever, as we watch tragic events unfold in wars and conflicts around the world, we are grateful and forever indebted to those whose sacrifices keep our country safe and our freedoms intact.
I recently had a very touching experience during a visit to France with a group of delegates from Lexington Sister Cities. On a day trip to Normandy, we visited the American Cemetery and Memorial, where nearly 10,000 of our military, most of whom died in the D-Day landings on the beach, are now memorialized. It was my fourth trip there, but I was no less moved. Our group placed flowers on the graves of Kentucky soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for America while fighting so far away from their homes and families.
This time of year, I think of my stepfather, a Navy veteran who fought in the Vietnam War. I am also reminded of how blessed I am to work for a company that honors veterans beyond Veterans Day. Thanks to the dedicated members of NiVets, our employee resource group for veterans and supporters, we celebrate, support and advocate on behalf of veterans all year. I have had the opportunity to learn more about NiVets while serving as executive sponsor, and I am impressed with how hard our members – 700 strong across our footprint – work all year to support veterans on our staff and in our communities through a host of philanthropic and volunteer efforts.
This year, members participated in a host of fundraising and memorial events, held a baby shower for military moms, collected donations for care packages for deployed soldiers, cleaned headstones at veterans’ cemeteries and accompanied veterans to visit war memorials in the nation’s capital.
Today, the Kentucky Nivets will participate in the eighth annual Veterans VA5K. The event has raised more than $160,000 to support the Lexington VA Health Care System, located about a block from the Columbia Gas of Kentucky headquarters, and the Lexington Fisher House, which offers free lodging for the families of veterans receiving care at the hospital. NiVets members dedicate hundreds of hours of their free time to coordinate the event. Over the years, proceeds from the event have purchased items like a therapy bike, recreational equipment and a memorial statue.
NiVets and NiSource challenge and encourage everyone not to limit the celebration of veterans to the handful of holidays dedicated to veterans and the military. There are lots of ways to honor our heroes all year. Place flowers on veterans’ graves, find ways to support military families, visit a veteran at a local nursing home, send a care package to a deployed soldier, donate to a veteran support organization, or send a thank you letter to a veteran you love.
Last but not least, please visit and support a veterans museum or memorial in your area to learn more about why we should celebrate and support our veterans. I proudly serve on the foundation board of directors for the National Veterans Memorial Museum in Columbus, Ohio, and they offer a variety of exhibits and programs all year — and free admission on Veteran’s Day.
It is the least we can do to say thank you for their service to this nation.
Have a safe and patriotic Veterans Day.
Kimra Cole
President & COO
Columbia Gas of Kentucky