BOWLING GREEN VETERANS CENTER NAMED AFTER COLONEL ROBERT E. SPILLER
FRANKFORT, KY (April 17, 2023) —Today the new Bowling Green Veterans Center was named after Vietnam and Korean war veteran Col. Robert E. Spiller. The naming of the center is a result of the dedicated efforts by two state legislators, Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Oakland, and Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green. House Bill 2, introduced by Meredith and passed by the 2023 General Assembly, provided an additional $16.6 million to support this construction because of rising inflation and construction costs.
“Col. Spiller was not only a decorated Korean and Vietnam war veteran, but a great friend. He lived out his faith every single day in service to his community and made a difference in the lives of everyone who crossed his path.” said Wilson who carried the bill in the Senate. “I'm grateful for Rep. Michael Meredith who championed the naming of the center after the dedicated man Robert was.”
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Spiller came to Kentucky to attend Western Kentucky University and met Bowling Green native Cora Jean Morningstar in 1949. Spiller earned both a bachelor and master degree in history at WKU before embarking on a successful 30-year service career that took him to France and Germany. His final assignment was as the chief of staff of the Berlin Brigade when he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
“Veterans of our armed services make up about 8 percent of District 16,” said Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville. “Col. Spiller was a selfless man who set an example for living in service to his family and community. We’re so fortunate he saw Kentucky as such an attractive place to raise a family and call it his home.”
For several years, Spiller led the Veterans Day Parade. He drove veterans from Bowling Green to Nashville for medical appointments and helped widows and family members obtain military benefits.
“Col Spiller came to Kentucky and stayed and what a difference he made in his community,” said Sen. David Givens, R-Greensburg. "I had the honor of being a student of Col. Spiller during his time as a WKU instructor. I also worked at the Ag Expo Center while he was their director in the late 1980s. He had a profound impact on this community and was a significant positive influence on me personally."
Spiller was a long-time member of the Rotary Club, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Salvation Army. Wilson has been involved with many of the organizations Spiller made his presence known
“Spiller was the driving force behind getting a Bowling Green VA Nursing Home here,” said Wilson. “He made it his life's work to help veterans through the American Legion, the Military Officers Association of America, and the Retired Officers Association to help veterans. Robert helped his community and this state in so many ways. It's an honor to recognize the dedication he displayed time and again.”
The total cost for the center is $50 million, including $21.5 million in federal funds. The center is the fifth in the state and will provide services to veterans in the south-central region.
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Senator David Givens, R-Greensburg, represents the 9th Senate District, including Barren, Edmondson, Green, and Hart Counties as well as northwestern Warren County. He serves as Senate president pro tempore and is Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity co-chair. Givens is a Senate Agriculture, Appropriations and Revenue, and Education committee member.
For a high-resolution .jpeg of Givens, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate109.jpg.
Senator Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, represents the 32nd Senate District, including Logan, Simpson, and Todd Counties and southern Warren County. He serves as the Senate majority whip and, as a Senate majority leadership member, serves on the Legislative Research Commission, the Committee on Committees, and the Rules Committee. Wilson is a member of the Senate Agriculture; Economic Development, Tourism and Labor; Education; Transportation; and Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection committees. He also serves as Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee and Public Pension Oversight Board member. Wilson recently served as a 2022 Interim Early Childhood Education Task Force member.
Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate132.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Wilson.
Senator Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, represents the 16th Senate District, including Adair, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Taylor Counties and eastern Warren County. He is Senate Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee chair. Wise also serves as a Senate Education Committee member and is a member of the newly formed Families and Children Committee and Health Services Committee. Additionally, he is an Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee member.
Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate116.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Wise.
