Alan Callanan Veteran of the Month November 2012

Governor Brian Sandoval recognized Alan Callanan as Nevada’s Veteran of the Month for November 2012 at a ceremony in the Guinn Room of the State Capital Building today, along with Veterans Service Commission member Sally Wiley, NOVS Executive Director Caleb Cage and friends. “I’m always thankful for the veterans and their service to our country,” said Governor Sandoval. “As Governor, you have some very proud moments and for me to be here for this presentation and to be able to recognize everything that you’ve done is really special for me.”

Mr. Callanan is currently the Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator. In that role he primarily works with family members who have lost someone in the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq by assisting them with knowing what services and resources are available to the family and will also coordinate various activities on behalf of the family.  He has served as a Command Sergeant Major in the Nevada National Guard and managed the Guard’s satellite Project ChalleNGe program for over a decade. He deployed with the Oregon National Guard to Afghanistan where he worked and coordinated various missions of coalition forces. He also served in the Base Defense Operation Center while at Rustamiyah and Al Taqqaddum, Iraq.

“Mr. Callanan is a fixture in our community and is extremely involved and active,” said Cage. “In his current position you see his real passion for helping others. You’ll see him at many eventscoordinating activities for families ensuring their loved ones are not forgotten and that our community knows of the sacrifice these families have endured.”

While graciously accepting the award, Mr. Callanan took the opportunity to talk about his project to develop a graphic representation commemorating each soldier from Nevada that has lost their life in the course of service to our country. The project will showcase photos of each soldier with an American Flag as the backdrop.