KENTUCKY —  On this week’s program, we’re highlighting the month of May being designated as "National Military Appreciation Month", a time to recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of current and former members of the United States Armed Forces.

State Sen. Matt Deenen, R-Elizabethtown, is the chairperson of the Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection senate committee in the Kentucky General Assembly. During this In Focus Kentucky segment, Sen. Deneen said the work of this legislative committee handles matters relating to veterans, including veterans’ rights, benefits and education; veterans’ nursing homes; military affairs and civil defense; national guard; retention of military bases; safety of citizens and security of public buildings and property; military memorials and cemeteries.

Deneen said he has a personal connection to the United States Armed Forces.

“Well, it means something dear to my heart. I come from a military family. My father was a military policeman for 22 years. My oldest brother is also a combat vet serving in Iraq. So it’s personal, but it’s also something that I take great pride in living this close to Fort Knox in Elizabethtown. So we are a very veteran friendly community in Elizabethtown and Hardin County and in Kentucky, I believe. My first job was right there on Fort Knox, working in the mess hall, serving troops when I was just 16 years old, so I’ve been on Fort Knox and around military posts all my life,” Deneen said.

You can watch the full In Focus Kentucky segment in the player above.