Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife, Marty, visited Columbus on Thursday for the dedication of the Korean War Memorial at the National Infantry Museum.
Before the dedication, the Kemps stopped at a local charity helping veterans affected by homelessness. They arrived around 10:40 a.m. at the Plummer Home, 1214 18th St.
The governor was greeted by members of the Plummer Home as he went around shaking each person’s hand before being brought up to the front porch of the house. There he met Jeff Deaton, an Army veteran staying at the Plummer Home who just underwent what the group calls an “Extreme Veteran Makeover.”
The makeover works in partnership with local businesses that provide clothing, shoes haircuts and shaves for veterans.
Kemp was taken on a tour of the house, which has been renovated and will receive more upgrades. As he entered, a white board on his right read, “604 Veterans Restored” — a nod to the number of veterans the Plummer Home has helped.
At the end of his visit, Kemp comforted a veteran, John Kennelly, who recently lost his service dog named Bruce. Kemp embraced Kennelly and empathized with Kennelly, telling him about dogs he had lost.