Message from the Director – July 2019

Happy Fourth of July!  Whether you intend to celebrate the day at a picnic, barbecue, pool, or beach, it is always important to remember the freedoms we enjoy today result in large part from the sacrifice of the men and women who served in uniform, protecting and defending our nation.

Families, too, have sacrificed and NDVS was honored to partner with Gold Star Family Memorial Foundation Nevada last month for the dedication ceremony of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home. The ceremony on June 29, 2019 was well attended and received extensive media attention. Read more about the ceremony here: https://veterans.nv.gov/dedication-ceremony-new-gold-star-families-memorial-monument/

Honoring Nevada’s military and veterans is the focus of a new, exciting, upcoming NDVS project. We are partnering with Veteran/Military reporter, Chuck N. Baker to locate, identify and document veteran/war memorials across the Silver State. Some of these memorials have been forgotten, neglected or lost in history. The goal of this project is to provide the public with the locations (map) and information (along with photos) on these memorials. We need your help with this project. If you know of a veteran/war memorial in Nevada, let us know about it! Contact Chuck at Bakerwriter@cox.net.

Changing topics, we have received numerous inquiries about the progress of the new Northern Nevada State Veterans Home. I’m happy to report we have begun the long, but necessary, credentialing process. We admitted our first seven patients last month. Read more about our new Medical Director and our first resident, WWII Navy Nurse Carol “Connie" McGee by clicking here: https://veterans.nv.gov/northern-nevada-state-veterans-home-update-first-resident-is-a-woman-veteran-wwii-navy-nurse/

We have also received many inquiries asking how to receive a copy of the new VA Health Care Options for Veterans Booklet. We have the answer! Just visit here: https://veterans.nv.gov/order-your-va-health-care-options-for-veterans-booklet/

Finally, every year NDVS takes steps to recognize and honor veterans from every generation. This can take many forms ranging from social media posts to educational news articles, as well hosting events or ceremonies. As the agency enters a new fiscal year, we’d love to hear your ideas or even provide you with support for an event or ceremony you want to host in honor and recognition of Nevada’s veterans. NDVS grants are available for this purpose. Just click here for more information: https://veterans.nv.gov/grants-available-to-honor-and-remember-every-veteran-every-generation/

We hope to hear from you and we will keep you posted on the events and ceremonies so you may participate. As always, thank you for your continued support of Nevada’s military, veterans and their families.

Respectfully,
Kat Miller