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Nearly 500 take part in Lexington VA's 9th annual Veterans VA 5K

The Veterans VA 5K is the largest fundraiser for the Fisher House, which offers veterans and their families a free place to stay while undergoing treatment at the Lexington Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.
John McGary
/
WEKU
The Veterans VA 5K is the largest fundraiser for the Fisher House, which offers veterans and their families a free place to stay while undergoing treatment at the Lexington Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

Nearly 500 runners and walkers took part in the ninth annual Veterans VA 5-K Sunday at the Lexington VA’s Sousley campus on Leestown Road. The event is a fundraiser for the Fisher House, a 16-suite facility where vets and their families can stay for free while undergoing treatment. One of the entrants was Vincent Savatgy, who was a combat engineer in the Army.

“I'm here today because I had knee replacement surgery a year ago. I've never done a 5k before, and I just wanted to see if I could do it. Plus, I'm here to support the Fisher House.”

Savatgy says the Fisher House is great, because any patient's recovery is dependent on the people who love them and support them.

Paul Vought came with his wife Lisa, who said his military career has taken him away from her for about five of his 25 years in uniform. She said they were there to support veterans.

“Our government sometimes, I believe, forgets and they don't put the time and the money into where it really is needed. Fisher House is a great cause, and as long as we can walk, we'll show up every year.”

The Fisher House opened two years ago and VA officials estimate it saves veterans’ families $600,000 annually in lodging and transportation costs.

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John McGary is a Lexington native and Navy veteran with three decades of radio, television and newspaper experience.
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