Message from the Director – November 2021

Dear Veterans and Veteran Advocates:

This month, we celebrate Veterans Day! Most Veterans know that the root of this important national observation can be traced to the end of WWI.   It was officially “reflagged” as “Veterans Day” by President Eisenhower in 1954 so that we could pay homage to every veteran in acknowledgement of their contributions to our Nation. 

This name change was not intended to minimize the service and sacrifice of our combat Veterans, especially those who served in WWI.  What this presidential action did was to clarify the purpose of Veterans Day as a celebration of all Veterans—and distinguished it from Memorial Day, the day we recognize and remember those who died in defense of our country.  

So, on this Veterans Day—and on every Veterans Day—let us remember that while not every Veteran was called upon to serve in times of war, EVERY Veteran contributed to the preservation of this Nation by their willingness to serve, and in their preparation to respond to whatever was asked of them.  

Our NDVS team is pleased to host the 2021 State of Nevada Veterans Day Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on November 11th at the Nevada State Veterans Memorial, outside the Grant Sawyer Building at 555 East Washington Ave., in Las Vegas.  Governor Sisolak will be our keynote speaker. Seating is limited so we recommend you “save your seat” by registering . Registration is not mandatory, but we really appreciate it so we can get a head count and also make sure VIPs are seated in the VIP section. Click HERE to register. 

In past years, the State Ceremony was held at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home.  Why the move?  The ever-growing number of ceremony attendees, travel challenges associated with Lake Mead holiday traffic, and Veterans Home resident safety concerns led to NDVS and Veterans organization event planners to move the event to the fabulous Nevada State Veterans Memorial.  And we are still planning a drive-thru parade and other Veterans Day events for our Veterans home residents; they have not been—nor will they ever be—forgotten on Veterans Day. 

If you are not able to attend the Las Vegas Veterans Day ceremony, there are many other events across Nevada.  They include: 

PAHRUMP 

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #10054 at 11:00 A.M. located at 4651 S. Homestead Road 

• Disabled American Veterans Chapter #15 at 3:30 P.M. located as the Chief Tecopa Cemetery Veterans’ Memorial.  

MESQUITE 

• City of Mesquite Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 6th, with Opening Ceremonies at 7:45 A.M. at Pioneer Park and the Veterans Day Parade at 10:00 A.M. at West Mesquite Blvd. near Ace Hardware.  

HENDERSON 

• City of Henderson Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 6th, at 10:00 A.M. at the Veterans Memorial Wall 

RENO 

• City of Reno is partnering with the U.S. Department of VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System and NDVS for a virtual Veterans Day Celebration on Thursday, November 11 at 11:11 A.M. Additionally, there will be an in-person parade in Downtown Reno starting at 11:11 A.M.

ELKO 

• Veterans Day Parade on Thursday, November 11 at 11:00 A.M. to start at the Crystal Theater down Fourth Street to Idaho Street, ending at 11th and Idaho.    

Another important event this month is the start of the first class of the new PFC Rick Crombie Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training Academy (Crombie Academy).  Candidates will learn to be a CNA at no cost at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City. I encourage you to read more about it in this e-Newsletter under Health and Wellness.  

NDVS also recently launched the online portion of the Nevada Transition Assistance Program (NVTAP) which provides transitioning military members with information specific to Nevada’s earned benefits, resources and programs. Again, there is more information in this edition of Veterans Voice under News You Can Use and I encourage you to check it out on our website at veterans.nv.gov. It is right there on the front page in the blue navigation bar.  

While you’re at our website, I highly recommend you register under the Nevada Veterans Benefit Registry, also on the front page. By registering you will receive information on the benefits and resources you’ve earned through your military service. The registry will keep you connected so you will learn of any changes in benefits in the future. The next phase of registry will offer you the opportunity to access State of Nevada services without having to show a hard copy of your DD214. We will certainly update you that convenience when it becomes available.  

As we head into year’s end, I hope this note finds you and your loved ones well.  Stay safe and happy Holidays! 

Respectfully,
Kat Miller