(Carson City, NV) – Marine veteran Ed Kaatz and members of Reno Elks Lodge #597 received special honor and recognition from Governor Steve Sisolak during a ceremony held last month inside the Old Assembly Chambers in Carson City.
Kaatz was named Veteran of the Month while the Reno Elks Lodge #597 was named Veteran Supporter of the Month. These recognitions shine a bright spotlight on the dedication, hard work and volunteerism demonstrated on behalf of Nevada’s military, veterans and their families.
Kaatz served in the U.S. Marines from October 1972 through December 1996. He is a member of the Marine Embassy Guard Association and a member of the Keepers of the Dragon (Nuclear Weapons Officer). His list of selfless volunteerism is lengthy and reads as follows:
- As a Nevada Veterans Advocate (NVA), he has volunteered his time for more than eight outreach events in the areas of Yerington and Reno.
- Kaatz Assisted 15 veterans in Lyon County with questions that lead to claim resolutions.
- Kaatz was appointed as a Veteran Service Officer for his American Legion Post #9 in Yerington, where he established an annual Christmas visit to the VA and Guest House in Reno, distributing convenience kits to veterans in the hospital.
- Kaatz has spoken to Yerington’s Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion and the VFW about the NVA program and how NVAs can assist veterans in obtaining earned benefits and services from the VA.
- Recently, he received a call from a spouse of a retired Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant in North Las Vegas who needed assistance in getting her husband into the hospital as he had broken his hips two months earlier and hadn’t been to the hospital. Kaatz drove to Las Vegas from the Reno area to assist the spouse who didn’t know anything about VA benefits what they were eligible to receive. He answered their questions and provided moral support and today, remains in touch with the veteran and his family.
- His involvement in numerous fundraisers with the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, ranchers and farmers has led to donations of money used to provide Thanksgiving baskets to the Nevada National Guard Unit.
- As a substitute teacher at Smith High School, Kaatz has been able to provide assistance in obtaining scholarships for Yerington and Smith High School seniors.
The Reno Elks Lodge #597 also has a long list of accomplishments in serving veterans, military members, their families as well as community:
- The Reno Elks Lodge continues to spend hundreds of volunteer hours at the Community Living Center at the VA Hospital playing cards and board games, providing companionship to the veteran residents.
- The Lodge sponsors a program called Gift-A-Vet, making sure veterans without families or the means to have Christmas, are not forgotten.
- The Elks from #597 answers the Christmas wishes of hospitalized, homeless and less fortunate veterans by providing food gift baskets and Christmas gifts to more than 1,000 veterans and military families in our community.
- In partnership with Reno Parks and Recreation, the Lodge sponsors sports programs for disabled veterans’ programs.
- Each year, the Reno Elks lodge participates in the Veterans Day parade.
- The Lodge also sponsored the first annual Veterans Fundraising Gala and raised $15,000, with proceeds going to help Honor Flight.
- Additionally, the Reno Elks Lodge #597 prepared the food for more than 500 people at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home.
The Veteran of the Month and Veteran Supporter of the Month designations are awarded through a nomination process. Nominees are presented to the Veterans Services Commission on a quarterly basis where Commissioners make recommendations on the finalists during its public meeting. The recommendations are forwarded to the Governor for final selection.
To nominate a Veteran of the Month, click here: https://veterans.nv.gov/benefits-and-services/veteran-of-the-month-program/
To nominate a Veteran Supporter of the Month, click here: https://veterans.nv.gov/benefits-and-services/veteran-supporter-of-the-month/
