The AP is reporting that the federal Supreme Court is taking up the issue of Stolen Valor today.  We testified about this law for Nevada during this last legislative session, so it will be interesting to see what they decide.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/stolen-valor-act-gets-hearing-132035888.html

The Nevada Office of Veterans Services extends its deepest sympathy for the individuals whom lost their lives in a tragic act in Carson City on September 6, 2011. Five of the 11 victims shot were uniformed National Guardsmen and three of them have died as a result of their injuries. According to investigators, it appears this was a random act by one individual and though the uniformed service men and women were apparently not targeted, that fact cannot not lessen the emptiness the families of these victims feel today.

The Nevada Office of Veterans Services extends its condolences and support to the families of these service men and women left to cope with this tragic event. We join everyone in our community as we pray for all of the victims and their families in this time of grief.

We are in the final week of the holiday season here in Nevada, and there is so much to be grateful for.  Most of us have had a chance to relax with friends and family; gifts were given, and not just between family but also gifts of service to our community and our veterans and service members.  As I’ve covered here in the last week or two, we’ve seen service members be able to return home from the front lines to be with their families, in person and in video.  We’ve seen stories of local Nevadans taking it upon themselves to serve our troops, and also to serve our veterans through volunteer programs.  We’ve offered congratulations, and we’ve celebrated the return to Nevada of a hero.  We announced the Veterans Legislative Summit, which has received a wide response to date.  We also announced the release of Battle Born: Nevada War Stories, through the office of the Lieutenant Governor on these pages.  It has been selling well since the release, which is good: not only does it tell the stories of 35 Nevada veterans, but the proceeds also go to a great cause.  It’s been a good close to a good year.  Thanks for supporting our veterans.

Last week, Carole Turner, the Deputy Director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services, spoke to the hosts of The Forgotten Promise radio program. The Forgotten Promise show was created by veterans for veterans, and is geared toward educating our veterans about benefits, how to receive them, and various other issues impacting all veterans. The show is heard live on the Las Vegas area on KDWN (AM720).  You can listen to it streaming here.  If you know Carole, you know that her knowledge of veterans’ issues and policies is only matched by the heart she puts into her work.  Both her knowledge and her dedication to the veterans of Nevada come through in this very insightful interview.  Listen to the whole thing here and you’ll be sure to learn a lot.  I know I did.

Michael Daugherty, the Staff Attorney to the Department of Veterans Affairs, has announced a warning to all veterans.  Information below:

An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA and gathering personal information on veterans.  This organization is not affiliated with VA in any way.

VAS may be gaining access to military personnel through their close resemblance to the VA name and seal.  Our Legal Counsel has requested that we coordinate with DoD to inform military installations, particularly mobilization sites, of this group and their lack of affiliation or endorsement by VA to provide any services.

In addition, GC requests that if you have any examples of VAS acts that violate chapter 59 of Title 38 United States Code, such as VAS employees assisting veterans in the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits, please pass any additional information to Mr.Daugherty at the address below.

This is reminiscent of so many other scams and alleged scams out there, like the funding drive for the veterans and active military radio program several years ago.  In case they are still out there trying to make money off of veterans, you can read about the alleged case involving Rick Senninger and Trip Bellard here.  A previous scam alert posting here.