Chances are you already know Kendrick Ready. Or someone you know, knows Kendrick Ready. Perhaps you or your parents attended Portland Elementary, Western Middle School, or Shawnee High School (c/o 1993) with him. Or maybe you or your child(ren) hung out at the Boys Club on Portland Avenue or worked at McDonald’s on 22nd Street with him.
Kendrick grew up in the area, was active in the community as a youth, and remains active as a member of Post 193. He is energetic, optimistic, and compassionate. He enjoys helping people and giving back to the community. The son of an Army veteran (father/Vietnam era), the grandson of an Army veteran (paternal grandfather/WWII), and the brother of a veteran Air Force Officer (sister), Kendrick knew by the end of his junior year of high school he was going to join the military.
He participated in NJROTC all 4 years at Shawnee and enlisted in the Navy right after graduation. NJROTC provided structure and discipline that Kendrick appreciated. I asked Kendrick why he chose to serve in the US Armed Forces, and more specifically, why he chose the Navy. With a smile and a laugh, Kendrick said, “I wanted a new jeep! And $30,000 was a lot of money for a young man in the early 90’s.” And for choosing the Navy, he liked the Navy’s posters especially the Top Gun types. In more seriousness, Kendrick wanted to get outside of Louisville to see the world.
In the Navy, Kendrick served as an Electrician’s Mate on the USS Savannah AOR-4 Supply Ship and then on an aircraft carrier (USS Enterprise-65). Perhaps his most stressful and challenging assignment was on the USS Enterprise where he was part of a team that fixed and replaced runway lights on the ship. His team often received repair calls about lights being non-operational with an inbound aircraft headed their way then have less than 15 minutes to get on deck, diagnose the problem, and fix the issue before the aircraft was landing.
Kendrick was injured in the military spending the last 8 months of service with an Aircraft Squadron. He was discharged in March 1997 with a service-connected disability as an E4 (Petty Officer Third Class) and moved back to Louisville. He worked 12 years at Rohm & Haas Chemical Company before going back to school at IUS where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Logistics. Kendrick currently works as a dispatcher at American Commercial Barge Line.
After the military, Kendrick began to research VA disability benefits for himself. He was able to use the knowledge he built to apply for and receive benefits from his injury. Kendrick then spent a considerable amount of time speaking to other veterans. He learned that a lot of veterans don’t know disability benefits are available. On top of that, if they do know, most don’t know where to begin or how to apply.
In 2022, Kendrick began visiting different Posts in the Louisville area to find the right fit for himself. He ultimately joined Post 193 because he felt at home and could be himself. He truly believes 193 is the BEST Post with the bonus of being in the neighborhood he loves. He noted that Post 193 is a safe place that offers a great venue followed up with, “Maybe what you’re looking for is sitting right here on the corner” of 28th and Main.
Kendrick began to take steps to become the Post Service Officer and completed the Kentucky Service Officer Academy in July 2024. He currently serves at Post Service Officer and District 5 Service Officer. He is compassionate about helping others and looks forward to helping veterans and their families.
Kendrick would like everyone to be aware that September is National Suicide Prevention Month. On September 13, 2025, Post 193 is hosting a Mental Health Program from 11 AM to 1 PM to bring awareness and strengthen the fight against suicide. This will be a place for veterans to come together to receive support and learn about resources. Kendrick and his team are planning to have speakers at the event. Light food/snacks will be served.
Kendrick and his wife, Michelle, reside in the Highview area. Between them, they have 6 beautiful children and 2 grandchildren.
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