HAZARD – The Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center in Hazard has undergone a name change following an executive order recently signed by Gov. Steve Beshear.

The governor was on hand for a dedication ceremony in Hazard Monday afternoon, renaming the center for former two-term Governor Paul Patton.

“Paul had the foresight 11 years ago to formalize and strengthen this state’s ability to care for its 344,000 veterans,” Beshear said during the ceremony.

Patton, an Eastern Kentucky native and current President of Pikeville College, established the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, and Beshear noted that his predecessor did much to help Kentucky’s veterans, and naming the veterans center in Hazard after Patton was a much deserved honor.

“It is very fitting that Paul Patton’s name be attached to this center given his dedication to improving this region and the state as a whole,” continued Beshear.

Patton was appreciative for the opportunity to work for the state’s veterans during his tenure as Kentucky’s governor, commenting that these are the people “that have made this country what it is.”

“I admire the work that you’ve done, the sacrifices that you’ve made,” said Patton, addressing several veterans in the audience. “And if some way or the other we have contributed a little bit toward making your life more enjoyable, then that is the reward we seek and the recognition that we seek.”

Rep. Eddie Ballard, D–Madisonville, remembered Patton’s intentions while running for the state’s highest office.

“When he was running for governor, he went before the veterans convention in Owensboro and told them, ‘When I am governor, you’re going to have two more veterans nursing homes,” Ballard noted, adding that in Patton’s second budget as governor the first item set for funding was the veterans center in Hazard.

“Nobody could ever doubt of his commitment to veterans,” he added.

As of Monday’s ceremony, the Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center is now called the Paul E. Patton Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center.