Elko Resident “Veteran of the Month” September 2015

Lou Hess Jr. of Elko was selected as Veteran of the Month for September by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services. Hess served in the U. S. Marine Corps and as a civilian supports numerous veterans activities. On Veterans Day in 2011, Governor Brian Sandoval established what has become a valued monthly observance. Friends, family, associates, veterans and supporters of veterans are encouraged to attend.

Honorable service is expected of those who are members of the military. But only a small percentage of those who serve continue to actively volunteer after reentering civilian life. It is these Nevada men and women who are honored each month by Governor Sandoval.

Among other unselfish actions on his part, Hess volunteers five hours each day at Great Basin College in the school’s Veterans Resource Center, which he also contributes to financially. As an unpaid advisor, he mentors young and more mature veterans at the center, motivating them by listening to their stories and sharing his own similar experiences. His peer-to-peer counseling has helped many student veterans. He is also a member of the college’s Battle Born Veterans Club.

Other notable activities in which Hess is deeply involved include his acting annually as the community Santa Claus, purchasing carpet and paying to have it installed at the center, donating a flat-screen television to the center and referring student veterans to all the resources available to them whether they are prior service, active duty, Reserve or National Guard.