Message from Director Devine

Happy holidays! I hope this message finds you and your family healthy and well!  

I can’t say enough good things about how this year is winding up and how positive the future looks for Nevada’s veterans! In 2024, our Veterans and Advocacy Team submitted 29,820 claims to the VA resulting in $299,324,258 in earned veteran disability benefits for the year. This connection to earned benefits changes lives, improving the quality of life for so many of our veterans. Additionally, our team has connected to thousands of veterans through various events held across Nevada throughout the year to make sure those who have served in the U.S. military know how they can access the programs, benefits, and resources they have earned. We are so proud and honored to have played a role in making sure our heroes are connected to the benefits they deserve and have earned. I look forward to doing even more in the new year ahead! 

As for connection, we are humbled by the amazing turnout for Wreaths Across America this year. It is heartwarming to see how Nevada’s veterans’ community came together in support of this annual event. We estimate as many as 8,000 volunteers turned out to lay more than 12,000 wreaths at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery this year. The event in the north was just as successful with some 1,600 volunteers laying around 8,000 wreaths in Fernley! Thank you to our volunteer organizations and our participants for making sure this event was such a success! 

Finally, NDVS will be hosting the 2025 Nevada Veterans Legislative Summit in Las Vegas and Reno in January. This event provides you with the opportunity to learn about the legislative process as well as the issues that were identified as important to Nevada’s veterans’ community.  

The first summit will be held in Las Vegas on Saturday, January 11, at the Dula Community Center at 451 East Bonanza Road. Just click this link to register in Las Vegas.  The second session will be held in Reno on Saturday, January 18, at the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home (NNSVH), at 36 Battle Born Way in Sparks. Register HERE in Reno by clicking the link.  

The summit is held in partnership with the United Veterans Legislative Council (UVLC). I want to personally thank UVLC Chairman Andy LePeilbet for all of his help and support as we gear up the 83rd session of the Nevada Legislature. If you cannot attend the summit, just follow the events on our website by going HERE.   

In closing, I want to thank each and every one of you for all of your support over the past year to ensure our veterans, military members and their families know we “have their back” and appreciate and honor them. Happiest of holidays to everyone and hope to see you at an NDVS event soon! 

Warmest regards,
Col. Mary Devine
NDVS Director