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IRONMAN LAKE TAHOE. September 20, 2015. Volunteers are needed to run Aid Station #7, Truckee River Trail on Highway 89. Three shifts available. Produced in conjunction with the Army Sgt. David J. Drakulich Art Foundation for Freedom of Expression, honoring the life of Drakulich who was KIA in Afghanistan in 2008. A spokesman said volunteer time will help secure an IronMan Foundation grant. Proceeds are scheduled to provide writing projects to veterans, their families and others in the community impacted by the military.
Sign-up on-line at http://bit.ly/1GDOgwx. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/DJD.Art.Foundation. The foundation states, "Art Heals War Wounds."
VETERAN LED-STEAD CLEANUP AND BBQ. September 26, 2015. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers ages 16, 17 and 18 must have permission forms signed by parent or guardian. Underage 15, volunteers must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone. No less than one adult for six children is recommended. BBQ for volunteers, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sponsors include Veterans Community Initiative; and Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful. Register at veteranscommunityinitiative.@wordpress.com.
2015 ARMY VS. AIR GOLF TOURNAMENT. Monday, October 12 (Columbus Day). Lake Ridge Golf Course, 1218 Golf Club Drive, Reno. Registration 8 a.m., shotgun start 9 a.m. $80 each ($320 for a foursome). Includes cart and lunch. Register on-line Here
VETERANS SERVICES FAIR. October 7, 2015. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. At the East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave. Open to all men and women who have served in the U.S. military including National Guard, Reserves and Merchant Marines. Formerly known as the Winter Stand Down, the event will offer such services as Job Connect, Legal Assistance, Social Security, DMV, Regional Transportation Commission, Housing, Readjustment Counseling, Goodwill Industries and VA Benefits including medical, vision and dental screening. For questions or to donate or volunteer, contact Kelly Moshman at (702) 455-7386.
SEMI-ANNUAL MILITARY JOB FAIR, Sept. 17. From 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Cashman Center, 850 N. Las Vegas Blvd in Las Vegas. Open to veterans, active duty personnel and spouses. VegasPBS is partnering with Hiring Our Heroes to host a free pre-employment workshop and job fair from 8: 30 a.m. to 1 p.m.. The workshop will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., and will discuss resume building, networking and interviewing. Following the workshop, more than 50 employers will be on hand to discuss employment opportunities. It is recommended that attendees wear professional business attire and have multiple hard copies of their resumes. Workshop attendees can bring digital copies of their resumes for review. The event will be hosted by VegasPBS and has multiple government and private sponsors. Job seekers and employers must register at cevent.com/d/zrqxqg. For more information, call (702) 799-1010.
VETERANS HOME RESIDENT OLYMPICS. The Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City, Nevada, at Veterans Memorial Highway and Nevada Highway, will host its annual Resident Olympics on October 14-17. Events will include such competitions as Ring Toss, Ball Throwing and Fishing Competition and winners will receive medals and prizes. There will be a cookout and awards presentation on the 17th. For more information go to www.veterans.nv.gov.
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About one percent of Americans are currently active duty members of the United States military. And while we don't have the percentile of those individuals who have ties with Nevada, we know that many are in fact from our area. While space does not permit us to list all of their names, below are names of a few that the government has proudly identified.
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CELEBRATING IN PAHRUMP: It was a bright day recently at the site of the upcoming VA clinic north of Las Vegas in Nye County. District 36 Assemblyman James Oscarson (center) welcomed veteran Bernie Cusamono, left, and local VA Chief of Staff Dr. Ramu Komanduri in front of a sign in Pahrump announcing the site of the clinic. (Photo by Brian K. Shoemake.)
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QUALITY AWARD. The Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City has earned the 2015 HealthInsight Quality Award for demonstrating Excellence in Health Care. The key areas spotlighted at the home include patient-centered care, development of a strong performance improvement plan and long-term commitment to excellence. HealthInsight Nevada Project Coordinator Donna Thorson said the organization is proud to recognize the home, which is headed by Administrator Mark McBride.
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AN "AUGUST" CEREMONY. In more ways than one. Above, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval presents the Veteran of the Month certificate to Jim Snyder, who received the honor in the month of August.
August "Veteran of the Month"
James Snyder of Reno was selected as Veteran of the Month for August by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services. Snyder served in the U. S. Marine Corps and as a civilian has supported the Marines as well as other military services and veterans support groups.
The award was presented by Gov. Brian Sandoval, who on Veterans Day in 2011 established what has become a valued monthly observance. Friends, family, associates, veterans and supporters of veterans were in attendance.
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THE USUAL SUSPECTS. They're not really "suspects," they are the actual hard-working staff members at the Nevada State Veterans Home. From left, holding the health care quality award, is Deputy Director of Wellness Wendy Simons; Home Administrator Mark McBride, Director of Nursing Services Poppy Helgren, RN; Director of Education Sally Gray, RN; Mariner Unit Manager Alonzo Thornton, RN; and Sidewinder Unit Manager Madeline Rice, RN. (Photo by Frank Carroll.)
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The Wall of Faces is a virtual history to be connected with the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. As of this writing five KIA soldiers from Nevada are not represented with photographs, and local volunteer Cheri Collins is trying to locate family members or others who might be able to help. She can be reached at (702) 616-3213. The names of the soldiers whose photos are missing are listed below:
-ROBERT J. GREEN, born 6/8/45, Las Vegas. Possibly born in England. He was a CPL, Co. A, 1st BN, 4th Marines, KIA 5/8/7 in Quang Tri.
-PATRICK G. CARTWRIGHT, born 5/8/50, Reno. May have lived in Colorado. MIA off the USS Kitty Hawk, off shore. He was an E-4, AMH VA-195 Attack Squad, TF-77, 7th Fleet.
-LARRY PARKER, born 3/16/40 in Winnemucca. A Native American, he was an Army SSGT paratrooper in the 173rdand was awarded a Bronze Star. KIA 3/21/70 in Binh Dinh.
-RICHARD H. WALKER, born 9/18/49 in Sparks. Was a rifleman with H Co., 2 BN, 1st Marines, 1st MARDIV III MAF. KIA 4/26/69 in Quang Nam.
-MAXIE R. RICE, lived in Reno, born 6/7/47 in Arkansas. Was a CPL in D Battery, 2nd BN, 11th Marines, 1st MAR DIV. KIA 2/1/68 in Thau Thien.
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Department Represented at Purple Heart Convention
The Nevada Dept. of Veterans Services was represented at the recent national convention of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) held in Las Vegas. The keynote speaker at the convention opening, Department Director Kat Miller, praised the members for their hard work and determination. She said, "They roll up their sleeves and they get the job done!" She added that when the members of the MOPH left the service, they took with them the culture of teamwork and volunteered to serve others. Miller also discussed how the current downsizing of the military will affect membership in most veterans service organizations. The MOPH and its foundation provides programs and services in many vital areas concerning veterans.
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Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Pahrump, Amargosa Valley, Beatty and Tonopah have formed a VFW Riders group and are seeking new recruits to join its organization. For more information, call Paull Engs at (775) 513-7301.
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From left, Army Sgt. First Class Darnell Dobbins (with his children), Air Force Reservist Senior Airman Charlina Linam and Air Force Reserve Tech Sgt. Shari-Apryll Tauro at the College of Southern Nevada after graduating from the Licensed Practical Nursing Program. (Photo by Necole Stevens).
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Department Helps Students Become Licensed Nurses
It's long been known that many individuals who serve in the military are taught specialized skills in various disciplines. But at the same time, when these veterans return to civilian life and apply for jobs or enroll for college within their skill sets, they are often not given credit for the talent and knowledge they acquired in the service. Nevada has developed several programs that seek to resolve such divisive conditions.
One such program recently saw three Nevada students who are veterans graduate as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) without having to start their educational process from the beginning. The medical experience they all have from their time in the military compensated for the novice classes they would have been required to take. The process was aided by a financial grant from the Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS), which assisted the College of Southern Nevada in revising its LPN educational platform to accommodate veterans who experienced military Medic or Corpsman training and hands-on work in the field. The program was authorized by Nevada Executive Order 2014-11.
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Residents See Canteen Upgraded
Older G.I.'s might well remember the day when they needed refreshments, or just wanted a place to socialize with their buddies, the best place to go was the canteen. At the Nevada State Veterans Home on Nevada Highway, residents had a space that served as a canteen. But seeing as the building was 13 years old, the canteen was beginning to show its age. About two years ago the administration began making plans to upgrade the area. The current administrator, Mark McBride, inherited the project, and he and his team set out to bring it to fruition.
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Ribbon Cutting at the canteen
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Veterans Advocate Event Held in Reno
Many of the NDVS personnel and award winners who participated in the Veterans Advocate gathering in Reno in July are shown below. Also pictured giving a presentation is Deputy Director Willette Gerald, who played a large part in the planning of the event which drew a record amount of veterans.
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ABOVE: The Nevada Department of Veterans Services was represented at the recent Southern Nevada Continuity of Care Conference held in Las Vegas at United Health Care. Information regarding the Nevada State Veterans Home and other services for veterans was shared with more than 150 attendees by NDVS staff members Vanessa Blair and Ben Jefferson. Below, a scene of attendees at the conference. For information about your benefits Click here.
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Many veterans who served in WWII attended the Spirit of '45 ceremony at the veterans cemetery in Fernley. Each veteran received a proclamation from Governor Brian Sandoval honoring their service. (Photo courtesy of Shannon Litz)
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