Jack and Janelle Kays are recipients of veterans Supporter of the Year award

Members of the American Legion and Cortez Veterans of Foreign Wars gathered at KSJD to award a local couple for their help in aiding veterans for “as long as they have been here.”

Jack and Janelle Kays, owners of Jack and Janelle’s Country Kitchen, were awarded a plaque for “supporter of the year” during Robert Valencia’s veterans radio show on Friday morning.

Valencia has his radio program about veterans affairs on the last Friday morning of the month on KSJD.

He said in the past year, he and his team have been discussing an award for someone in the community who has dedicated a lot of time and effort of veterans affairs, and the Kays were the first to come to mind.

“It just depends on the veterans and who we see is actually supporting us and what we are doing so this year. It was a no-brainer that Jack and Janelle would be the first recipients,” Valencia said.

Valencia told stories of the Kays’ help when veterans became stranded in Montezuma County.

According to Valencia, the couple has helped provide food, housing and funds to support veterans and VFW events.

“Whatever is going on, we can always ask for their support,” Valencia said.